Selling your handmade jewelry and art at craft fairs and holiday markets is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with customers — but preparation is everything. After more than 5 years selling at craft fairs and art festivals (plus weekly markets in downtown Corvallis), I've learned what makes a booth day smooth, successful, and fun.
This craft fair vendor checklist covers everything you need to do before selling at art festivals, farmers markets, and holiday bazaars . . . plus I've included a free download so you can print off a handy checklist and be ready for anything!
📝 Before You Go: Paperwork
- Printed your vendor confirmation, booth assignment, & event rules
- Verified parking, load-in times, and setup instructions
- Decided your payment options (credit card reader, cash, QR codes)
- Packed any other necessary paperwork — some venues require tax ID info.
🧰 Booth Setup & Essentials
Think of your booth setup as your storefront — it should be welcoming, professional, and easy to shop. You want to avoid congestion and keep a good flow when it's busy.
Display & Hardware
- Tables and clean tablecloths (yes, I've forgotten tables before! 🤣)
- Busts, racks, jewelry displays, risers — whatever you need to display your items. I have a tote with display shelving and props, a tote with busts, and two totes with our inventory.
- Banner or large sign with your shop name — I also bring a sandwich board with what is in my booth, so customers can see it while strolling the market.
- Tent, walls and weights (for outdoor events), awning for sunny days
- Market Umbrella and stand — I pack this when we have hot, sunny weather predicted… it's extra shade for us and the customers.
- Lighting for indoor and low-light events. I use a large Jackery for power.
- Chairs
Organization, Tools & Office Supplies
- Display, Inventory totes & organization bins
- Tape (duct, double-sided), zip ties, bungee cords, hooks
- Scissors, ruler, clips, magnets, pens — basic office supplies & tools
- Polishing cloths to help keep your jewelry sparkling
- Tools — I bring basic pliers, mandrel, mallet to adjust jewelry as needed.
💳 Money & Sales Tools
You're there to sell, so make checkout as smooth as possible:
- Square reader/swiper (for credit/debit) — make sure it is updated and connected to your phone BEFORE you leave the house.
- Know how to take payments and plan for when there is no cell service, WiFi or when Square is down. It happens.
- Know how to refund an electronic purchase.
- Access to Cellular Data when WiFi isn't available. Access to a Hot Spot when WiFi is terrible.
- Cash (small bills + coins) for change
- Receipt book or digital record (note sale details) for custom orders
- Notepad to track inventory sold and take notes from the event.
Tip: I wear an apron that holds my cash, card reader, and order pad — it keeps everything on me and reduces fumbling at checkout.
📇 Marketing & Customer Engagement
Make your booth memorable and easy for customers to stay in touch.
- Business cards – hand these out with every sale or conversation
- Email signup sheet – incentive like a small discount or giveaway, you can also collect emails during transactions through whatever software you use.
- Product signage – show prices, materials, and any sales
- Social tags/handles – so customers can tag your shop online. I have links to our Accent Yourself and ArtSeaFramed Etsy shops, website, social media — it's all easily accessible for customers.
📦 Packaging & Delivery
- Boxes, bags, zip bags, tissue paper
- Polishing cloths for certain purchases
- Extra packaging, price tags, labels
- Jewelry care cards or instructions
- Thank-you note cards
Offering gift-ready packaging & a shipping option — especially at holiday markets — increases sales and customer satisfaction.
🧴 Comfort & Practical Items
You've got to think about you too — long market days are tiring!
- Snacks and meals
- Water
- Portable chargers and cords
- Hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes
- Tissues, lip balms, wipes, hair ties, sunscreen
- Hats — I always have extra hats and sun protection in the car.
- Toilet paper & Paper towels — I usually leave these in my vehicle — Port-A-Potties run out!
- Lint roller — think dusty venue and falling ash from forest fires 😯
- Fans — We have three Ryobi battery powered fans that we can't live without.
- Extra jackets and blankets for when it's cold and rainy
🚀 Final Tips for Success
- Pack early — I usually pack most of my vehicle the night before. But, I pack my inventory right before I leave. I don't want my jewelry in my car overnight.
- Create a packing system — I have a process for packing the car so everything and Will & I fit, even for long trips that require luggage & a cooler.
- Practice setting up your booth — If you are new to selling at markets, practice setting your booth up at home a few times before your first event.
- Arrive early — unexpected delays and market changes happen. Extra time will allow you to make adjustments before customers show up.
- Have fun! Customers can feel your energy — being engaging, friendly, and relaxed helps sales!
Watch: My pre-market checklist on Pinterest
Here is a FREE DOWNLOAD checklist to help you prepare for your events.
Selling in person is one of the best ways to connect, learn, and grow your handmade craft business. With the right planning and systems in place, every market can be an opportunity — not a stress test.
✨ Good luck and happy selling! ✨