Staging a Festival Booth - York SummerFest

Y'all probably saw all my talk about getting ready for my first ever festival last week. I had to prepare lots of new products, business materials, and just figure out how to put a booth together! I knew it was just going to be Reed and I setting up so I needed some guidance. I went to Pinterest and didn't find a single thing to help with staging a booth for a craft show or festival! So here it is Pinterest, your first staging post :) 

The first things to tackle are your business ends. 
I am no pro, but I did make sure I had these things: 

-Business cards (I took 300 but needed more so take LOTS!)

-Shop banner (I thought about making my own but then got this gorgeous 3ftx6ft banner from BuildASign.com and it was awesome! With 4 grommet corners it was easy to hang, beautiful colors, and great durability. Whatever you choose to do for your banner make sure it has your basic information listed, and is LEGIBLE!) 

-Receipt book (you can grab small ones from the Dollar Store)

-Inventory List (write down EVERYTHING you are taking and the price)

-Order forms (for those customers that didn't find the perfect thing right then)
-Bags/boxes for sold items

-Change! (I took $75 in change, mostly small bills. But because of the pricing of my items I never even touched the change and left the festival with all $75 un touched in my cash box).
-Cash box! (something to securely hold all of your money, we used a zipper pouch that could be tucked in my husbands belt). 

Like I said I'm no pro. But I did learn a good bit, but probably forgot a good bit too. But if you remember these things you will at least make it through the day :)

Now for the actual staging! 
This part was so fun to do, I LOVE staging everything, my home, party decorations, and finally my "shop"! Here is a quick step by step on how I chose what went where in my 10ft x 10ft tent.
1. I decided on a theme and chose the products that went a long with it. (I chose a whimsical living room theme.)
2. I did a pre run of the set up a couple of days before hand so I could see what I needed to prop pieces up with or hardware for hanging.
3. I used lots of furniture so that people could visualize where these items could go in their homes.
4. make sure to add LAYERS. Layers of texture, color, and products are more interesting to the eye and will draw people in and keep them longer!
5. Keep similar products together. I had all of my fall/winter items staged in the back center of my tent and all of the football themed goodies right off of that. This will create a flow for people to move around your tent.
6.  If you can add a 3D element to the front of your tent that will catch peoples attention as they walk past. I had countless people stop and look at the tree filled with signs and from there people ventured in to the tent.
7. Have a station with all your business needs. We dedicated one small corner at the front to hang my banner, display business cards, and even had cold water for patrons. This allowed people to grab my information with out having to totally stop.

I know there is so much more I could share but I'm gonna stop there. This first experience as a festival vendor was awesome! I hope to do it again soon and I will do a better write up with the more I learn.

Also, if you see anything you are interested in please visit my ETSY shop!

Wishing For Spring!

This Wednesday has me wishing for warmer weather, hot sunshine, good books and long days. I can't wait to be outside to do everything. I mean if it's warm you better believe I will be out on my back porch when I'm reading, blogging, cuddling with the pup, but I mostly just hope I will be out in my studio making the coolest pieces ever! I just get so motivated when I'm warm and toasty :)

So in hopes of  that coming soon here are some finds from good ole ETSY that I'd love to have in time for the nice weather.

First up is this precious Vintage Camper Birdhouse by Jumahl. I mean, who doesn't want this?! I'm not a "bird watcher" and mostly we don't need to encourage birds to our yard because well, Tepe will torture them and you never know what Reed will want to do with them... He has a bad history with birds and pellet guns. But despite all that, I'm thinking this Camper Birdhouse will complete our eclectic mix of hanging goodies on our back porch!

Reed and I are talking about starting a garden. You would think with Reeds love of the outdoors and the fact that he works on a farm and a ranch that we would be totally on board with a garden. But I don't have a green thumb, so I think Reed knows lots of the work would be his... REGARDLESS, I would love this Set of Five Garden Markers by The Folk. I mean so cute!  I'm thinking even if we don't start a "garden I'm gonna grab these cuties to put in my window boxes, cause yes I will have some kind of pretty plant in our yard :)

Finally ready for visiting beaches!  This Cotton Peshtemal Beach Towel  by Loovee is 1. super cute 2. sounds like it is the ideal weight 3. It could double as a cover up! Ooooo just so cute! And even though I don't need a new beach towel, and I don't usually get in the water but I do love wrapping my self up in a good towel to take that long walk on the beach :)

Annnnd finallllyyyyyy I can't wait for a new bathing suit! This Sweet Flora Ruffle Top and High Waisted Bottom by Vendorstore is more of a "resort style" because it isn't super ideal for tanning. But shoot this is cute and I may go to a resort this summer... Who knows! I used to have a bad obsession with getting new bathing suits. But growing up kinda changed that, I can't just buy an entire new wardrobe of bathing suits any more... So I haven't gotten a new bathing suit in 2 summers. I'm thinking this one might be the one to break that tradition!!

Ooo this made me so anxious for summer! What item are you waiting to purchase for this upcoming fab weather???