Every year the summer season blooms with craft fairs and markets showcasing the handmade work of independent designers across the country and the world. In this week’s edition of How-Tuesday, Julie Meyer from HandmadeMN, a team of Etsy sellers based in Minnesota, shares a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the organization and process of their first craft show, the HandmadeMN Spring Market. Read on for tips and inspiration for how your team might go about organizing a successful show!
The HandmadeMN Team members are no strangers to the craft and art show circuit in and around the Twin Cities. With local shows filling up with more and more team members it was only natural that the idea of hosting a team show came up. If your team is ready for a show, here are a few tips to get you motivated.
1. Who, What, Where, and When? 
Gather a small steering team to meet in person and online several months prior to your show. Members from our team met this past January to begin the process of organizing an exclusive Etsy team show held in May.
- Select the venue and map the space to determine the maximum number of vendors.
- Draft the show application. We chose to jury the show, but you can fill a show on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Don’t forget to collect all the required tax forms needed for your city and/or state from each vendor.
2. Recruit Help
When the venue was booked and applications were coming in, the next thing we easily agreed on was that we needed a lot of help from the team to make the show a success!
- Set up committees to manage different aspects of the show and ask your vendors and team members to volunteer their time when they can. Keep track of each committee’s progress online so the team can see what needs to be done.
- We created committees for graphics, advertising, and show hosting.
The graphic committee selected show poster designs submitted by committee members. Courtney of justanotherday had the winning design for our show marketing materials, which included a show poster, postcard and HandmadeMN blog banner.
The advertising committee got the word out by putting together a press release for local newspapers, set up a Facebook event page, and negotiated print and online ads with local magazines. The show host committee got to work on the last-minute tasks that needed to be done as the show drew nearer. This committee canvassed the show’s neighborhood with flyers the week before the event, worked with the venue to make sure tables were set, and helped vendors during set-up. They were also in charge of setting up the team Information tables and greeting customers once the show started.
3. Creative Budgets
You’ll need someone to loan the down payment for the venue and handle all of the finances, including vendor payments coming in and print and advertising costs. Hit the streets and ask your local supply shops, garden shops, fabric stores, etc., to purchase advertising spots in your show program. These paid advertising spots helped to offset the printing costs, plus our advertisers spread the word about our show to their customer base!
4. Shout It Out!
Ask your team members to network with everyone they know. Blogging, tweeting, and Facebooking are an easy way for vendors and team members to help promote the show. Encourage team members to collaborate with their connections to creatively get the word out.
For example, one member of our team connected with one of her shop fans from Metro Magazine and the team received a beautiful spread in the May issue. Two other team members also had the opportunity to chat up our show and Etsy on FM 107’s Get Real Girls show. (You can hear the podcasts here and here.) Our advertising committee was able to team up with Articulture, a non-profit arts education center, to provide a make and take project for our customers during the show
. The added bonus was the advertising that they did about our show to their customer base.
5. Follow Up
Putting on a show is hard work, so you’ll want to find out where your efforts best paid off. Offer a giveaway for your customers. Use the drawing slip to gather information from your customers about how they discovered the show and let them opt-in to receive emails about future team events. Ask your vendors for their feedback post-show so you’ll know what went right and what you might do differently next time.
Our first HandmadeMN Show was a great success, thanks to the entire HandmadeMN Street Team! Forty-six vendors rocked the show with a wide variety of amazing handmade items. Our customers showed their appreciation for handmade goods and left with packages in hand, asking, “When will the next show be?”.
Have you organized a craft show before? Do you have a craft fair tip to share? Let us know in the comments below!
Craft Show Display Must-Haves | More Craft Show Tips | More How-Tuesday Posts | Teams on Etsy
136 comments
Sign in to add your ownAnnBernadette says:
Thank you! I always can count on Etsy to answer my questions, another helpful blog!
1 year ago
artofjane says:
Nice! I'm just sorry I joined HandmadeMN too late this year to be in this show!
1 year ago
jargonhead says:
Thanks for sharing this incredibly helpful information!
1 year ago
NaturalAmber says:
This was increadibly helpful, wonderful article!
1 year ago
RetroLane says:
Wonderful Article! Thanks!
1 year ago
HeatheredVintage says:
these are great tips, thanks! the giveaway concept is a great idea.
1 year ago
thecardboxdesigns says:
Thank you for sharing this valuable information!
1 year ago
Ayca says:
Great article and very helpful!Thanks for sharing :)
1 year ago
ArtisticIntentions says:
Great article!
1 year ago
CatchTheEye says:
Well done!
1 year ago
martice says:
I'm thinking of doing something like this in NL as well :) thank you for the suggestions :)
1 year ago
candacejean says:
I've always wanted to organize my own craft show. Even better, I'd love to have my own brick-and-mortor art/craft boutique! Thank you for the tips. Maybe someday I'll be able to put together something!
1 year ago
baconsquarefarm says:
Well done, yea Minnesota~
1 year ago
TrimsNmore says:
Great article. Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
blissfulbathandbody says:
Thanks for the great tips! Your articles are always very helpful :)
1 year ago
poppyswickedgarden says:
what a helpful article:)
1 year ago
trinityrocks says:
Kudos!
1 year ago
ErikaPrice says:
Great article - thanks for the tips!
1 year ago
spiritcleanslate says:
Love it, I am orginally from MN. so it made my heart sing to see the Etsy artisans ...great article. thanks you
1 year ago
appleberryink says:
Awesome info, go Minnesota! :o)
1 year ago
pasin says:
Wonderful article
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Great article sounds like it takes so much organiseation to get a show up and running but if your part of a good team that'll help! Nice to see Etsy folks getting their own show!
1 year ago
evihan says:
woww excellent subjectttt
1 year ago
Sieberdesigns says:
Great article. Thank you!
1 year ago
fromoutofthecracks says:
nicely done!
1 year ago
Hammermann says:
Great tips! Thank you for sharing them.
1 year ago
seaglassdesigns says:
Great info, now to have the guts to do it!
1 year ago
sewlola says:
There aren't many craft shows in my town and it has crossed my mind to organize one. This post comes very handy!
1 year ago
ShaggyBaggy says:
Yeah Minnesota !!
1 year ago
SimpleJoysPaperie says:
The craft show looks well organized. Congratulations to the vendors! Here's a tip that is used in the craft show that I participate in: if at all possible, try not to place vendors who sell similar items side by side.
1 year ago
AngelEllie says:
Great article! I was a vendor with this show and I was greatly impressed with all organized it was, especially it being the first show for the team! Many people visiting the show thought this show had been around for a few years. Can't wait for the next show! My Little Chickadee Creations
1 year ago
Simag says:
Thank you for sharing this great information,now will have to put the "Etsy Mile High Club" craft fair together.
1 year ago
paramountvintage says:
oooh. what a great idea!
1 year ago
petalbelles says:
Once again Etsy shows us how to kick DIY up to the max. If you can't find a craft show, do it yourself. Great article and especially useful for those who live in non-urban areas. Kudos, Etsy!
1 year ago
christinebyhand says:
Wonderful information!
1 year ago
craftscafe says:
My fabulous team EtsyRAIN does two shows a year & they are so fun! Our leadership team really rocks. Last weekend I participated in my first ever art/craft show organized by one of the team members & had a wonderful time. Learned a great deal about what works & what I need to improve about my displays. & yesterday I learned I got accepted to three outdoor shows this summer & am really looking forward to them! & I'd love to see more storque articles about prepping for a show :-)
1 year ago
MaryFosterCreative says:
Very nice article, Julie! Yay team!
1 year ago
NakedBeautyJewelry says:
Interesting!!!
1 year ago
littlehoneypies says:
great article, thank you!
1 year ago
undermyfeet says:
I think I will bookmark this. I may need it in the near future. Thanks
1 year ago
wynzia says:
Great article, fabulous team. i'm loving HandmadeMN! Thanks for play-by-play, Julie.
1 year ago
musicalshoelaces says:
You betcha Minnesota! Go MN!
1 year ago
BrixtonStudios says:
If anyone does one in northwest Ohio, let me know :)
1 year ago
jenAitchison says:
Excellent article... LOVE seeing the pics of people setting up their space :D
1 year ago
CoraAnneDesigns says:
Thanks for posting! Looking at the pictures of other people's displays is very helpful too!
1 year ago
GardenAngels says:
Thank you for all your tips!!!! I have pretty much done most of that when I have organized shows. Advertising and an advertising budget, and also volunteers (even when they have paid for a booth) are the trickiest but the key to your success!
1 year ago
blueskyclouds says:
Phoenix, anyone?
1 year ago
kittyd says:
Great article! :)
1 year ago
NewcombeWatson says:
Great article! Thanks for the tips!
1 year ago
5orangepotatoes says:
This is great information. I have never organized a craft fair before, but we really need some indie fairs in Dayton, Ohio. Maybe I need to be the one to organize one. -lisa
1 year ago
mairidesign says:
great to read this - I'm thinking of a Prague show sometime
1 year ago
BathNBeads says:
Great information! I wish I could have been part of the show, but am looking forward to participating if HandmadeMN has another one. HandmadeMN has been a great source of information for me and I love all the friends I've made!
1 year ago
SoapyPleasure says:
Thanks for all the information, I would love to participate in craft shows here in Vegas...
1 year ago
heidiburton says:
I heart Crafterall! Thank you for an insight into the behind-the-scenes of a craft fair :)
1 year ago
WildAppleDesign says:
I just sent an email to become a HandmadeMN Team member! It sure looks like you guys have great success and lots of fun too!
1 year ago
battysbath says:
Thank you so much for this article!! A small group I'm in is looking to plan a show soon and this definitely gave some great ideas! Thanks again!
1 year ago
retrovertigo says:
Let's hear it for Team Awesomesauce!!! w00t! w00t! I love each and every kooky one of ya!
1 year ago
JL67 says:
Great info...thanks for sharing! :)
1 year ago
mytenfingers says:
Very useful, now that summer fest are here! Thanks!
1 year ago
2TrickPony says:
great info, I think that adding some music and food to the mix can be a draw too:)
1 year ago
jewellerytreasures says:
great advice thank you etsy
1 year ago
WildDogStudio says:
Yay for HandmadeMN! Our team ROCKS!
1 year ago
aptrick says:
Great - KC needs this booooost
1 year ago
Crafterall says:
Hey! That's me! Thank you, Julies (!), for a great article on our awesome little show! I clap my hands in the general direction of Toni of WildDogStudio and Kelly of Kellybot for their tireless efforts to get the show off the ground. I Heart My Etsy Team!
1 year ago
TheTangledWeb says:
great advice, Ill be checking back here closer to my craft show day :)
1 year ago
Xenotees says:
Some of my most FAVORITE Etsians are in MN! Oh look at MARNIE! What a gorgeous lady - the smile behind the remarkable Crafterall pieces! Yay!
1 year ago
Xenotees says:
Great article, btw!
1 year ago
ArtisticStencils says:
Great article, tx for the info!
1 year ago
fabricsnquilts says:
Great motivation! Thanks for posting!
1 year ago
jensdreamdecor says:
great help...I'm having my first one July 25th and will use your advice!
1 year ago
VeronicaRStudio says:
Thank you for a great article! I just applied to a juried craft show, and if accepted, would be doing my first show ever. There are lots of tips and information that helped me a lot, and also inspiration from the gorgeous displays pictured. I will be coming back for more information for sure!
1 year ago
DorothyArt says:
Great advice for my first solo show (http://www.cooperyoungfestival.com/) in the Memphis, TN area! Getting so excited!
1 year ago
CrazyAngelArt says:
awesome ideas....i hope to do some shows later after i'v built my stock up abit..can't wait to get started...
1 year ago
HardCandyGems says:
I'm planning on doing my first craft show in July and I'm pretty shy so it has been sort of a scary endeavour for me but this article makes me feel more at ease so thanks!!
1 year ago
akcArt says:
Looks like a lot of fun! Thanks for the info!
1 year ago
cayennepeppy says:
Great article Julie!! This was an awesome show with a great vibe and lots of talent :)
1 year ago
designsbywendyt says:
This is awesome advice for everyone, first show or 101st!
1 year ago
scrapaddict says:
Great article!
1 year ago
JustAnotherDay says:
Thanks for the shout out Julie! You guys were GREAT organizers and this was one of my best shows!! HURRAY!!!
1 year ago
sacredsuds says:
Hey, there I am with my soaps! Awesome article, Julie(s), and I cannot say enough how amazing the HandmadeMN team were in pulling off this show. It was hugely successful. Go TEAM!!!
1 year ago
needleyou says:
Thanks for the article - good information.
1 year ago
SteampunkVintage says:
Great article Julie!
1 year ago
DestinysTreasures says:
Thank you for sharing all of this great info:)
1 year ago
GoodGriefGlass says:
Sounds like a very organized group. Congrats!
1 year ago
SuzAndRoo says:
Great article Julie and it was a great show! Our team HandmadeMN rocks!!!
1 year ago
BidzOfLove says:
Thnx for the info.
1 year ago
themonkeyunderground says:
aloha etsy and mahalos as usual for all the amazing tips for pretty much anything crafty! If I could, I would like to throw my two pennies in here. I organized a very small mind you but successful arts and crafts show and did it in the luxury of my own front yard. We are indie artists around here and to pay someone for a venue just seemed ludicrous, so my husband and I did some yard work,cleaned the bbq, and did it "indie-style"! We ended up with 12 vendors,dogs,kids a ton a PBR and bbq consumed and every single vendor either sold goods or got leads on new buyers. The first annual, "You Ain't Artsier Than Me" artisan craft sale was born in Reno,NV and I hope for many more! Be crafty, it always pays out in the end...
1 year ago
craftpile says:
ooooo.....we should be moving to Mn this fall and I hope to join this team!!! Great info!
1 year ago
kimnelsondesigns says:
thanks for sharing this info
1 year ago
CityChicCountryMouse says:
Awesome article Julie!
1 year ago
abgraham says:
Love the article, so helpful, I would love to do something like this where I live in south georgia!
1 year ago
LuckyZelda says:
This is a great article. Thank you for sharing such great information. I'm going to pass this article around to some of my friends looking to host shows. Thanks again!
1 year ago
DancingJellybean says:
We need a share button for this!!
1 year ago
Tahitiancreations says:
First time Etsy member. Wish to find Etsy members in New Jersey. Thank you for sharing such an awesome information
1 year ago
thismuds4u says:
This is a great article. I started a craft show two years ago, this year I invited fellow ETSY members, it was so successful I have turned it into a small shop in my town!
1 year ago
art4ta says:
Great article. Thanks
1 year ago
ScrapHappieAZ says:
I want to have a craft show at my house now....so much fun!!
1 year ago
SmokinChix says:
great inspiring piece! i had a small gathering of artists in my house (which was still being rehabbed= no ceilings!)last year around the Holidays- we posted to all our friends on Facebook and sent out a nice art email reminder- it was a huge success, and all of our friends ended up bringing food and wine! Not only did the artists make money, we had a reunion of sorts, and actually made new friends- it was very cozy and comfortable and everyone begged me to do it again- I just wish my house was bigger!
1 year ago
Floweredsky says:
great tips , thank you for sharing
1 year ago
ARTbySabina says:
Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
recycledwares says:
organize a craft show? so much work, but you make it sound so easy and inviting.
1 year ago
thefinaltouchvintage says:
Great looks, great ideas. Thanks for sharing!!
1 year ago
AnnTig says:
Thank you for the useful info :)
1 year ago
englishrelics says:
Thanks for this. I have been meaning to do his in England - these ideas will really help!
1 year ago
Silverchristal1 says:
Fantastic ideas, it would be great to make it work in rural England.
1 year ago
julessabjewelry says:
This is very useful information for those of us trying to get a local show going. Thank you so much!
1 year ago
glorioushats says:
Beautiful article. Am so happy to be a Minnesotan and on this team.
1 year ago
barrofsoap says:
what motivation! great article
1 year ago
HeartC says:
Very helpful article! Thanks again ETSY, keep up the good work. The momentum is great! Organization is so important for these shows. I created my own vendor belt to help me stay organized at shows, and now it's my biggest seller!
1 year ago
WhiteEarthStudio says:
That idea of a follow up give away is great. Getting into the Metro Magazine was wonderful! Good luck with future shows!
1 year ago
beadworkbyamanda says:
Organizing your own show is very rewarding and the tips in this article are fantastic! I organized Mayday Underground in Rochester, NY with a lot of support from my local team, RNEST. It can be difficult to convince sponsors to pay for an advertising block on a flier of a brand new show without a customer base. To get around that, I offered "co-op" advertising with my sponsors. Instead of charging them for an advertising space, I let them have it free, and in exchange, asked them to advertise the show. I found a woman who ran her own handmade craft botique and she happened to have a mailing list of over 2000 people that she was willing to advertise the show to. We also put out a lot of plastic signs with "indie craft show" and the address on them a few days before the event with fluorescent arrows pointing in the direction of the venue. The outside of the building was also clearly marked (banner and sandwich board) so that shoppers knew where to go.
1 year ago
pinestreetmakery says:
Etsy, you read my mind! This article arrived in my inbox at the perfect time! I'm in the beginning stages of trying to organize a craft fair in Nashville. I need all of the advice I can get. Thanks again!
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
Great info. I will be doing a local Saturday Market, where the maker is the seller, for the 1st time in about 3 years. I have been putting together my display & this was great extra info for my crafty mind.
1 year ago
embeshop says:
This was a great show from a great team. (and I'm not just saying that because I'm on the team!) The organizers did an amazing job.
1 year ago
KristyLynnJewelry says:
Wow, so much great info!! Def has me motivated, thanks for the great article!!!
1 year ago
MartiniJewels says:
Well done. As a new member to the Etsy Maineteam, I would love to organize our own craft show. I'm heading over to suggest it right now! Thanks for the inspiration!
1 year ago
syd1joe says:
Thanks for the great article.....very motivating and the photos of your booths were great.
1 year ago
EviesToolEmporium says:
It was an awesome event! So professional, warm and friendly. I'm so glad I was able to stop by and talk to many of the artists! I'm very proud to be a member of HandmadeMN!
1 year ago
LettersThatWow says:
Nice article. Looking to do my first show soon!!
1 year ago
RomanceCatsAndWhimsy says:
Excellent article - thank you for sharing all your great tips!
1 year ago
VibrantTrains says:
Very cool.
1 year ago
JunePryceFiberArts says:
Hope you can help - what I need isn't the setting up of a craft fair per se but of setting up my "space" as a vendor at something like Knitters Day Out. Where to get racks? how do I go about taking credit cards? How much stock should I take with me? Ideas? anyone?
1 year ago
LavenderMemoryLane says:
I wish i could find the other people to share the booth. I was looking forward to meet with local crafters through Etsy meet up last month. Unfortunately despite of 14 replies, it never took a place...:-( I'm a bit uncomfortable to do this by myself.... it would've been nice if i can find the local crafters to do OUR booth in craft shows so that people can see my products in person, and maybe that would help my business...but i'll keep this article in mind, for the future. Thanks for the article!
1 year ago
BabbidgePatch says:
I'm a 'vintage' craftfair vendor ~ my first venue for selling my knitware over 20 years ago. Craftfair success can be dependent on good weather (not too hot, not too cold & rainy but just 'right' for navigating booths) & also, the local economy. I am so thrilled and proud to be part of the Etsy community with it's global reach. I do one fair a year, but find it doesn't beat the ease of selling from my studio through Etsy.
1 year ago
pinswithfury says:
The show was a terrific success. Loads of publicity, a smooth day and bunches of people in and out all day long. Well done to the HandmadeMN organizing team, and to Julie for this article!
1 year ago
shannon1974 says:
great article. i would love to try and organize something here in Jacksonville! maybe someday, new baby and business wont allow it right now, but hopefully in the near future.
1 year ago
JustColor says:
Thanks for all the helpful tips. IT was very informative. Hopefully I can organize a craft fair in the near future using everything I have learned in your article.
1 year ago
PrairiePrimitivesToo says:
Hi! I'm the founder/manager of the Sac Etsy Street Team and as we were approaching 100 members (we're now past that!) we started discussing having a show of our own. A few of the team members expressed interest in helping with the event, but none had time to make a serious commitment. We tried a front yard sale earlier this year but sales were dismal for most of our artists and non-existent for others. I suggested a "home boutique" (indoor, or at least in-garage) closer to the holidays, but there doesn't seem to be any interest in that type of event. I've done craft fairs for 30+ years so I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what's needed for a successful craft fair; just wish more members of the team could get as excited about the idea as I am! :-) PrairiePrimitives.etsy.com PrairiePrimitivesToo.etsy.com
1 year ago
oddartist says:
HandMadeMN ROCKS! I so wish I had been there for the show. My new team Sac Etsy has discussed putting on our own show but even getting people to show up for a meeting seems to be too much to ask. Thank goodness there are enough local venues to keep me happy. I have a regular weekly spot at the MidTown Bazaar each Saturday morning and on 2nd Saturdays I have regular spot for an evening show at Park Your Art. Um, yeah...just a little tired... So good to hear about HandMadeMN rocking the area show scene - miss you all!!!
1 year ago
eraticus says:
Great Team!!!You certainly looked busy!!!!Glad this was a success.
1 year ago
AmishGourds says:
Thanks for the tips, I have had trouble with the shows this year, it takes so much time and the costs of doing these have been frustrating, I will try again after reading your article.
1 year ago
earthnskystudio says:
Kudos on your success! Great article - thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
DolineBlochDesigns says:
Great Article...Thank you!
1 year ago
sexygeekwithattitude says:
interesting ideas! thx !
1 year ago
shopkoolgifts says:
When you do a show, always have plenty of business cards available. I've had people contact me after a show, but just didn't have enough time to shop, just came for the curiosity. Also, if possible, have a brochure of all the vendors at the show with their contact info. to go along with the mailing list they just signed up for. Most people would be glad to christmas shop later or tell someone else about the event. I am glad to hear what a successful show it was. Great article!!
1 year ago
TangoCreations says:
great article!!!thank you so much
1 year ago