Hi,
I’m looking to get into a few fairs this summer, but so far the ones I’ve found want a picture of my booth. Since I’ve never been in a fair before, what advice do you have for a booth picture? I don’t want to buy all the stuff and set it up in my yard, if I apply and they don’t accept me.
Any advice?
Replies
Hi, I started my whole art fair journey late last year and had to make some form of investment to begin, could not afford the propanel nor the trimeline tent so I bought an EZ-UP ($200) and made my own display wall which cost me about $200 (pics below) maybe a little handy but I have applied to all my shows that required display with this image.
Got some really helpfull hints from members of this site and had to take a few pictures and set-up b4 I got what was "ok" I must say I have gotten into some good shows ( Ann Arbour Guild, Jazzfest) mainly because they did not require booth shot, even though I have gotten into some other shows (East Lansing, Some Guild shows) I know I have missed out on some good ones as well.
You can start small and local as suggested by members of this site or invest in supplies and aim higher. Eventually I will be getting my propanel and tent and investing in some professional help with my booth shot because the really good shows require a really good booth shot.
If you are not sure where you want to go with your art then consider starting really small and local. Maybe the market will define your next move.
All the best and goodluck.
Booth Shot copy.jpg
@Harrison Otaler,
Thanks for sharing your booth pic. I can't afford propanels either but I'm fairly handy. How did you make yours?
Hi Jillian, good thing you are handy, each panel is about 3.3ft in width. I built the frame individually then covered it with i thin carpet. Use as cheap a wood as you can find about (2x4) thick. The length should be 7ft. I used a door hinge to hold 3 panels together in a zig zag form (like wall divider) that it can open up to a plat panel or close together. Once they are complete in 3 sets of 3, then line them up as in a set up position and drill a hole on the side panels through the back panel, use an eyebolt about (3/8 x 8) to hold the side panel to the back panel during set up.
Materials you will need.
2x4 wood ( you can use smaller).
12 2inch door hinge.
4 (3/8x8) eyebolt.
Desired fabric or carpet. ( measure to determine how much you will need).
Staple gun.
Drill.
I dont know if i gave a clear description but feel free to contact me with anymore questions you might have.
Good Luck.
This is a little like the "Chicken & the Egg" situation. Your booth plays a big, if not huge part on getting accepted or not getting accepted into a show. I have heard that in many cases...the first thing the jurors want to see is your booth shot and then your artwork second...
...but I totally understand what you are saying, maybe you could borrow/rent a Light Dome type tent like others have suggested and then once accepted into the show...buy a tent.
You might find that after you set up a tent, walls, signs, add your artwork, etc...it's way too much work but it's a good introduction to doing shows.
Absolutely right Connie!!
I practiced in my back yard- heck will again this year, as I am adding different displays, table cloths, more tables, etc... as my Grandma always said "practice makes perfect"!
gotta set the tent up and clean/waterproof it anyway.... so will have a sunny, fun practice session after cleaning session!! Now we are just hoping to get out of the 30's and into the 50/60 degree weather...so we can play outside!!
Karole
Most shows, even local craft fairs are asking for a pic of your set up. And setting everything up in the yard is exactly what you will have to do. You should do so anyway, just to get your setup process down pat and work out any issues/problems before show season. We do this every time we change an element of our setup/display. If you could, borrow a tent, and the items for display, then do a dry run in the yard a nice sunny day.
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