I have included a photo of my booth. This is one of the shots we took yesterday. Most of the other shots are very similar.
Just for informational purposes .... our former booth did not have the raised shelves (on left) so all the coasters were laying flat on the tables. We knew it was not the best scenario and it just took a while to find something that got some of them up off the table. Also we used to have the tables literally loaded down and as full as we could get them. The view you see in this photo is probably a little on the light side. We will probably have several more sets out but will not cover as much of the tables as before.
Behind the 2 tables on the right we have space for a couple of directors chairs but did not include them in the photos. The table in the background that will be in front of the directors chairs will be our table to check out customers.
The drapes and the table covers are new. We use tables like this with covers to hide our backstock. Many shows around here have booths that are actual 10x10 with no extra space behind or next to the booth to place backstock. We put it all under the tables because parking is too far to bring it back and forth.
The larger wooden piece on the left in the background holds our 8"x8" trivets. It is real wood, professionally built and stained by a cabinet maker.
The tables are all the same size, 4' x 2'. The two framed items are our price list, which also shows we take the 4 major credit cards. I print this myself and can update it when I have the occasional price increase. I attempted to get the font in a format similar to the font on my sign.
Please share your thoughts.
Replies
I would like to see your coasters at more different levels. Or maybe tilted to make viewing easier. Since they are all laying flat on the tables, except for the trivets, you can't see what they are from outside the booth.
Leslie, thanks for replying. On the left there are some coasters on some riser type displays. There are 3 "risers" hooked together. On the 2 outer ones, they are slanted/tilted. We plan on getting more of those for the right or using some boxes covered with a complementary color to provide sone elevation. \
Cynthia, I can appreciate the discussion topic, and will say that you have an "attractive" booth. My comment to the greater audience is - I'm wondering if we are entering into the "Stepford Wife" era of booth set ups. Meaning they all have to be set up to look a certain way and have certain things and not have certain things.
That's pretty boring if you ask me. As someone who has done retail consulting in my past career, there are some basic principles of "merchandising" that prove effective - to be sure. I just feel like the art fair industry and booth judging has gotten out of control.
The right product, in the right place, at the right time, at the right price - communicated effectively - is what drives people to buy. And, there are a million ways to do that!
Hal, thanks for your comments on this topic. I kind of feel the same way. But who drives this "stepford" movement? Juries? The retail mentality? The artists/crafters? I have my own idea but I'd like to hear other's thoughts.
The only problem I have is out of first hand experience..the draping table cloths that are bunched on the ground will get tripped over or be pulled when someone steps on them.
I would suggest also, to add some blow ups of your work to the walls to help bring in customers and to add to the curtains. A floor cloth or rug to blend in the opposite colors of the black tables.
Oh, coarse that is my opinion, but you must do something about the potential accident that might happen with the table cloths, especially if your booth gets crowded.
(Hi Cynthia -- hope you don't mind that I "edited" your post to actually show your booth image in your post. It is really easy to add images as "attachments", but it is so much more helpful if you actually post the image in the post. You can find the info on how to do that up at the top of the site under "Get Started." It makes it easier for others to do a critique.)
Is this image your "booth shot" for jurying, or are you asking us to critique it for the public? As you may know from earlier discussions, two different things. If it is your jury image of course no signs. Otherwise, not a problem.
Nice colors and very neat and organized. I'd bet your booth always looks so nice. To improve the booth for either purpose how about some larger images, blown up, to hand on the walls to make it more interesting for passersby, and to show off your best work to the jurors who will get another chance to see it, if even subliminally.
To make it more interesting I'd think about some risers to show your work on different levels. The Kentuck Festival has on its website the entire set of slides for all of their artists. Well worth a look for additional display ideas. Right here: http://www.kentuck.org/festivalartists.html
Nice start.
This is for booth shots as well as display purposes for shows. We do try to keep our booth as pretty as possible but also neat. I understand about the sign but never thouoght about it when we did the set up for these photos. Dh says we will proably photo shop the sign.
Thank you for the compliments on the colors, neatness and organization. We did work hard on our new layout.
Thanks for your feedback. I never thought about the sign. See below.
We have the option of movign the tables on the right closer to the front. That is not a problem. Fixing the black table cover is not problem either.
I will have to wait till we do another set up for any fixes. We could not leave our booth up due to rain expected every day. I could not take a chance on drapes, tent, etc. getting messed up due to rain. About the sign, I will take it down for a booth shot when we do it again. However, in my previous booth shots, they were all taken at craft shows and it was up in the booth already. I have never been turned down for a show up to now. However, I know that day is probably coming. (Just wanted to let you know it was there in previous booth shots.)
If others have suggestions, please share.
BTW, Barrie, thanks for being gentle with your suggestions. Though I have been here a while, I am still nervous about all the critiques that may come through! (*nervous smile and sigh*)
Most always an artist's name should not be in the booth shot. I see that your last name is not on the banner, but the first name, giant telephone number and facebook web address might be enough to cause problems with a jury.
It might be better if the tables on the right are brought closer to the front and possibly even with the front leg of the tent. Remove the information sign from the left side table-top easel and put an artwork tile on it. Then crop out some of the black drape bottom of the picture.