Sunday Afternoon Housewife

Guest Post by Samantha Howard of Bobaloo!

When I first started selling at craft shows last year, I scoured the Etsy forums for checklists of what to bring with me.  I wanted to look professional and be prepared for anything and everything.  I combined the lists from a bunch of different sources to make one giant master list.  For my first big show, I had my car packed to the gills with merchandise, displays, and a million little things that I had to have.

You know what?  I barely used any of that extra stuff!

So here’s my pared-down list that I’ve been cultivating for the past six months or so.  I usually end up throwing in a few extras, but as long as I have everything on this list I know I can make it through a one-day show.

For Purchases
• Bags
• Bag stuffers (a flyer with a coupon code for your online store, for example)
• Credit card swiper (I use Square and recommend it highly)
• Carbon copy credit card slips as a backup
• Cash box with change (I usually bring $20 each in tens, fives, and ones)
• Phone numbers and logins/passwords for your bank and credit card processor

Marketing and paperwork
• Email newsletter signup sheet
• Pen
• Business Cards
• Copy of your merchant license
• Copy of your inventory list, if you’d like to keep track of exactly what sells
• Wholesale and retail price lists

Inventory
• All products, clearly tagged with prices ahead of time
• Signs with prices and item descriptions (this is optional if you have your items tagged – I have skipped these before)
• Extra tags
• Extra packaging supplies

Displays
• Tent and tent top
• Folding chair for each person at your booth
• Each display you use – double check that you have all the parts!
• Banner or sign with your logo
• Tablecloths
• Tables
• Clamps to hold down the tablecloths in case of wind

For you
• Kleenex
• Hand lotion
• Chapstick
• A few snacks in case you can’t get away for lunch
• Drinks (always a stash of Diet Cokes for me!)
• Phone, fully charged
• Phone charger
• Money for lunch and shopping
• ID
• Jacket or raincoat

Miscellaneous
• Roll of paper towels
• A couple of empty trash bags
• A couple of big Ziploc bags (these come in handy in so many situations!)
• Wet wipes
• Packing tape (again, handy for so many things, including flyaway tent walls and broken displays)
• A small repair kit (my products are sewn, so I bring a needle, thread, scissors, and safety pins)
• Extra pens

Keep in mind that despite the most detailed lists, chances are pretty good you’re going to forget something.  In fact, just a few weeks ago I showed up at Martha’s show without the top to my tent and missing two of my tables!  Make sure you have a contingency plan (mine was the Husband and Kids Delivery Service) in case of missing items.

Let me know what you can’t live without when selling at shows so I can add it to my list!

Bobaloo! goodies are availabe on Etsy and in select stores in the Indianapolis area, and the blog can be found at bobalookids.com.