By Kathy Collins

My name is Kathy Collins and I am an oil painter. I have been a member of the GCA for about 15 years, many of those years serving on the Board in some capacity. Currently I am membership chair. I am also a juried member into the CAC where I have set up my booth to sell my oil paintings 2x year since 2018. I do not claim to know the correct way but it is my way. What I plan to share with you is how I have done this and I hope to give you suggestions for how you can incorporate some of my ideas into YOUR booth. Each time I participate in a show, I always learn something that I want to do differently next time.  So please don’t think you have to do it perfectly the first time.  You will see how other members set up their booth and you can steal that idea next time!!  Please interject if you have a suggestion or something to share.

Make it easy for your customer. Make your 10x10 space feel welcoming and easy to maneuver into and around and out of. The Guild will give you a 6’ or 8’ table & a chair. You can add anything into your 10’x10’ space but do not make it be too cluttered. You want your customers to come in & walk around without knocking over anything or bumping into the legs of a tall easel.  Make sure legs of easels or other items such as bulky tablecloths cannot be easily kicked & allow items to come tumbling down. Tablecloths can be tied with ribbon, string, etc to table legs so it is not too bulky.

Engage with your customer.  Stand up and maybe rearrange your merchandise so they would be more likely to speak to you.  Put on your EXTROVERT face and chat with them!  I often compliment someone on their jacket, scarf, jewelry or whatever and that usually invites them to look at your artwork.

Do not make them ask “how much is this??” Have every item priced so it can be easily seen. I use colored dots from Target that can be easily seen & removed so if your art becomes a gift to someone else the buyer can easily remove your price sticker.

Bring as much inventory as you wish but you can also leave excess inventory in your car. You can always make a quick run to your car to replenish. Of course, excess inventory can also be stored under your table but make sure your tablecloth is long enough to disguise it.

Make sure you carry some $1 or even $5 bills. Most people will pay with some type of card but it never hurts to be prepared especially if you carry some lower priced items like $5.

I keep my PayPal device and cash in a small pouch that I keep close by or on my person.  Also practice with your device beforehand at home so you will be familiar with how to use it.  Charge $1 to your credit card to see how the process works.  Make sure your device is fully charged before you leave home. 

I also suggest you take with you a ballpoint pen, tape, scissors and bubble wrap. When you have made a sale, I always try to wrap my smaller framed oil paintings in bubble wrap & blue painters tape so the customer can carry it safely home or as they continue to shop.  If you have smaller items for sale, you might want to order a supply of brown or white bags from Amazon.  Always make sure one of your business cards is in each of those bags so that customers will know how to reach you in the future.

I use clearbags.com from Amazon.  They come in various sizes and usually contain 25 clear bags in each packet.   These can be used for notecards, photographs or canvas panels etc. They look very professional and prevent your artwork from smudges or fingerprints.   Always put your business card into items having clear bags.

Large metal or wooden easels are an easy way to prop up your art in a sturdy manner if they are on a tabletop or shelf.  As people pick up items (& they will) things will get knocked over so make sure breakable items are secure.

Make sure you have business cards available on your table as well as on the back of your artwork.  Always display your PayPal or Square sign on your table to let them know you accept credit cards.

Since grass will be our “floor” I would not suggest placing artwork on grass due to moisture problems.  Also you do not want your customers bumping into the frames or knocking them over.

After you have gathered together the items you wish to put in your booth (REMEMBER THIS IS A 4 HOUR SHOW) write up an inventory of what you have displayed with name of painting, size, price, etc or whatever your method might be. This is another way to double check yourself on what you sold, what you collected $$ wise and will make it easy to document on your website what has sold.

Offer your artwork with all price ranges displayed but I plan to have the majority of my artwork on the lower range. Since this is the GCA’s first ever pop up, we really do not know what to expect crowd wise & therefore do not know who our audience will be so I would be prepared with a range of price points. I plan to have some $50 items as well as $225. We just do not know!

After you have written down on your inventory sheets the items you are taking, make sure you take the time to wrap your inventory well! YOU DO NOT WANT TO ARRIVE WITH DINGED FRAMES. I use bubble wrap from my Jerry’s online order to put in between my framed pieces so that I can carry them easily in a box or plastic tub!

Wear a name tag either on a lanyard or sticker. People like to know the artist & chat with you. Even make a small sign for your table. I have taken my business card to Staples & have them enlarge the card to 8x10 & laminate it to prop it on your table or hang on a wall.   Also provide a clip board so you have their permission to send them future events or newer works. Always ask them permission to use their email.