Hey guys! I’ve been doing a lot of research for my upcoming vintage market. Maybe you’re planning to be a vintage vendor soon too? Learn all kinds of vendor tips and advice here to make your event a success! (Update: Visit the end of this post for a link to read all about my experience!)
I’ve been gathering ideas for what to make/sell, how to brand myself, how to price my items, how to set up a noticeable display, etc. I’m sharing some of my favorite vendor tips here but I’d love for you to visit my Pinterest board HERE for even more photos and inspiration.
You’ll want to read this Craft Show Mini-Series: What to Bring – by Create Studio (also check out the rest of her series, including this post Branding Like a Pro, For Cheap)
Another neat display idea (photo by Susan Fitzgerald, Rose St. Market Stall):
Boutique and Antique Shop Display Ideas by Sonoma Fog:
Display Ideas – photos by Made on the Left (Woodland Wonderland Market):
Joyfully Yours, Susannah shares her very helpful craft show booth space floor planner:
Some of my personal favorite tips for vintage market and craft fair vendors:
*Use height to fill your display space (furniture, crates, balloons, etc.)
*Keep your space filled, even overflowing (bring way more items than you think you’ll need)
*Rearrange your goods often to keep it looking full and fresh
*Business cards in a pretty bowl or plate (Brand yourself with matching stickers, signs, etc.)
*Free candy or really inexpensive item to draw people in
*Use chalkboards for signs
*Bring a friend to help
*Get a Square Card Reader to accept credit card payments on your phone (with wifi)
*Let people know that you do custom orders or have an Etsy shop (if you do)
*Of course – smile and be friendly!
And here’s even more awesome ideas and advice (click each link below to read the full article):
15 Craft Shows Tips & Tricks to sell more, stress less and have more fun – Olive Bites Blog
Craft Fair Ideas: How to Wow Your Audience When Selling at Craft Shows – IndieMade
A Closer Look at the Earnings of a Booth Vendor – Vintage Show Off
Thinking About Renting a Booth to Sell Your Goods? – Girl in the Garage (my post!)
If you have any vintage market vendor tips or craft fair advice to add to this post, I would love for you to leave it in the comments below!
– Jen –
Update: Read all about my experience as a first-time vintage market vendor HERE.
If you’re planning ahead for a vintage market or craft fair show, you may also like this popular post – Portable Display Ideas for Markets and Craft Fairs:
Lindsay Eidahl says
Good luck with this Jen. I have some things coming up that I am waiting to hear about that I have never done before. Excited to hear about your adventure!!!
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
This couldn’t have come at a better time, Jen. I’m doing my first in May so I’ll be reading every one of the posts you recommended. Thanks a bunch for sharing this!
Christy@ Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
How exciting! They are a lot of work to get ready for, but it’s nice to see all that cash in hand after only one weekend of selling verses the trickle of $ you get from selling in a booth. Good luck you’ll do great! XO
Jen says
That is awesome, Marie – good luck to you! These articles have so much great advice and I’m trying to soak it all in. Now I have to get busy making more stuff to sell! 🙂
Jen says
Thanks, Lindsay! Good luck to you too. 🙂
Jen says
Thanks, Christy! I’m going to have a busy month ahead of me preparing for it – fingers crossed! 🙂
Paula@SweetPea says
I’m doing my first show at the beginning of May and appreciate your tips.
Jen says
That’s awesome, Paula! Good luck to you! 🙂
Just Justin says
I hope you have a very successful show!!! 🙂
Melanie says
I hope it goes well Jen!! I run a regular spot at an antique mall, but did my first vintage market last May. It was a great success, but so exhausting! So much more work than just keeping up my booth 🙂 It was a great chance though to meet my customers (and some blog readers!) face to face and make some new, great contacts. Please let us know how it goes!!
Jen says
Thanks Melanie! It was a lot of fun and I learned so much! I’ll share a full recap of my experience soon. 🙂
julie says
This is an awesome round up of info! I will be excited to hear about your experience… i have actually been thinking about doing a booth rental, but I just dont know if I could keep up with enough merchandise ( I work a 40 hr/wk job too) I’m going to go read your post about that next! I hope your booth was a success, I love all of the projects you’ve been sharing in preparation…. can you share which fair you did? I live in your area, and was going to ask so I could come and shop, but I see its already come and gone now. I would love to go see your regular booth space too!!
Julie Buhnerkempe says
THANK YOU! This is a great compilation of information. We are doing our first market in September and are so excited and nervous! I will be referring back to this post often! Thank you again!!!
Jen says
That’s awesome! Thanks, and good luck to you! I’ve just posted a follow-up post from after the market in case you didn’t see it yet: https://girlinthegarage.net/2016/07/a-first-timers-experience-selling-at-a-vintage-market 🙂
John Ferrantino says
Jen, great ideas!!! Doing my first show in two weeks and this is very helpful. Wish I had seen it sooner.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Glad you found it helpful – good luck to you!