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  7 Essentials for Your Art Fair Booth Setup 

(Budget Friendly)

by Krystle Cole

Krystle Cole's 

ULTIMATE Art Fair Supply List

Everything you need for art fairs!!

**Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something Krystle Cole receives a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Art Booth Setup

Cheap Art Booth

• Waterproof Pop Up Tent https://amzn.to/48lzUNW

• Mesh Sidewall Tarps https://amzn.to/42L6Gad (7'x10' or 6'x10' sizes. Watch this video for use tips, and this video for weight test)

• StaBars to make mesh tarps hang tighter (optional but suggested for windy situations, lower stabars only, upper stabars are not necessary) https://www.flourishdisplays.com/trimline_replacement_parts#pop

• Drapery hooks to hang art on mesh tarp walls - https://amzn.to/3KEe1QM

• Bungee balls https://amzn.to/3T2YnDC

• Heavy duty zip ties (an alternative to bungee balls for sides and bottom of the tarps, quicker/easier to set up, still use bungee balls for the top to support more weight) https://amzn.to/4jQ3KBi

• Print bins https://amzn.to/49Gquh5

• Folding tables https://amzn.to/3T5Yaj6

• Table covers https://amzn.to/3I3PiUD

Upgrades to a Cheap Art Booth

• Flourish Mesh Panel Walls w/StaBars  https://www.flourishdisplays.com/meshpanels_for_popups

PRO Art Booth

• Flourish Trimline Tent https://www.flourishdisplays.com/trimline_features

• Flourish Mesh Panel Walls https://www.flourishdisplays.com/meshpanel_features

• Flourish wall covers & curtains https://www.flourishdisplays.com/fabric_features

• S Hooks to hang your art on mesh walls https://amzn.to/3Q86LQk

• Propanel print bins https://www.propanels.com/product/print-bin/

• Propanel pedestals/shelves https://www.propanels.com/product-category/pedestals-and-shelving/

• *You can also use Propanel walls instead of Flourish (see links in indoor booth section below)

For both Cheap and Pro booths

• Weight bags https://amzn.to/42QmRDd

Indoor Booth

• Flourish Trimline Tent (just the poles, no top) https://www.flourishdisplays.com/trimline_features

• Flourish Mesh Panel Walls https://www.flourishdisplays.com/meshpanel_features

-or-

• Propanels - https://www.propanels.com/product-category/original-pro-panel-booths/

• Propanel velcro hangers - https://www.propanels.com/product-category/other-hangers/

• Drapery hooks to hang your art on Propanel walls - https://amzn.to/3KEe1QM

• Easier Velcro hooks fro Propanel walls https://www.harmonhooks.com/

-or-

• Gridwall - https://amzn.to/3KEdY7y

Roller Cart

• Rock-n-roller https://amzn.to/3yhQd2G

• Snap lock dolly (if you use Propanel walls) https://amzn.to/3SAS2i0

Checkout Counter

• Propanel checkout counter https://www.propanels.com/product/pro-desk/

Artist Chairs

• Basic Wood https://amzn.to/3Wyzdxd

• Metal with table pull out https://amzn.to/3WPoJut

Lighting

Lighting EZ Up Tents

• https://www.harborfreight.com/5500-lumen-4-ft-linkable-led-hanging-shop-light-59506.html

-or-

• Gooseneck lights https://amzn.to/4bDfhiG

• Bungee Balls https://amzn.to/3JZTHsJ

-or-

• EZ Up Lighting Kit https://amzn.to/4c37yuJ

Lighting Flourish or Light Dome Tents

• https://www.harborfreight.com/5500-lumen-4-ft-linkable-led-hanging-shop-light-59506.html

-or-

• Flourish track lighting brackets and poles https://www.flourishdisplays.com/trimline_lighting#trackbrackets

Lighting Propanels

• Propanel lights - https://www.propanels.com/product-category/lighting-set-ups/

-or-

• Propanel Track light holders - https://www.propanels.com/product/light-bars/

Floors

• Wood pattern foam tiles https://amzn.to/3LTkFTR

• Outdoor area rugs https://amzn.to/4h3hqaW

For Rain

• Tarp https://amzn.to/3WBe59g

• Poncho https://amzn.to/46yh1rW

For Heat

• Battery powered fan https://amzn.to/4dmt1PK

• Cooling towels https://amzn.to/4d9YLI0

• Cooler for drinks https://amzn.to/3WFSYD8

Art Retail Packaging

• T-shirt bags https://amzn.to/3yc5eTf

• T-shirt bag holder https://amzn.to/3UFo4tA

• Leaf bags https://amzn.to/3JYeSLz

• Clear bags for art prints https://amzn.to/3QC3s3Q

Signage & Promo

• Banners https://www.gotprint.com/products/banners/info.html

• Business cards https://www.gotprint.com/products/business-cards/info.html

Other Supplies

• Step stool https://amzn.to/4cbvhrR

• Step ladder https://amzn.to/4dvWAhO

• Storage bins https://amzn.to/3LU41TY

• Zip ties https://amzn.to/4dxknOq

• Hand sanitizer https://amzn.to/3WspZCu

• Uhaul art boxes for transport to shows https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Boxes/Mirror-Picture-Boxes/Mirror-Picture-Box/?id=8697

• Portable voice amplifier (for loud shows) https://amzn.to/3X5xyRj  

Where to Buy USED Art Booth Items from Other Artists

•  FB group for buying/selling used art booth tents, walls, etc https://www.facebook.com/groups/artistgaragegroup

VIDEO Resources from my YouTube Channel

Preparing for Your First Art Booth https://youtu.be/Tu6RnSvbN3I

How to Set Up an Art Booth on a Budget https://youtu.be/up3Oqm0z7uw

How to Light an Art Booth on a Budget https://youtu.be/1_WsoSe6G5M

Flourish Tent Lighting https://youtu.be/SkrrP9Qtu-U

Art Packaging Ideas for Art Fairs https://youtu.be/tamE3IgmRn8

How to Do Outdoor Art Fairs in the Rain https://youtu.be/Z0K48vf4_Mo

Indoor Art Fair Booth Setup Ideas https://youtu.be/8YLIMZhuLxo

Art Print Racks Comparison https://youtu.be/kPD2WYVxOls

  ART FAIR - Top 10 Tips For Your First Art Festival or Art Market

by Welzie Art 

  How do I Price My Art?

 A good source on how to price art is from Matt Tommy, a sculptural basketry artists.  He founded a Christian art mentoring non-profit, The Worship Studio, which provides resources for artists to help with their art business.  Your beliefs do not have to align with Christianity to benefit from Matt's practical advise for artists. The advise is applicable to authors as well.  For example, craftsmanship. Was the subject matter well researched and accurate? Is the writing grammatically correct and flow for the reader? It is a page turner? Etc...

This is a podcast titled Pricing Your Art with Profit in Mind. 

This is from his book Created to Thrive....

Most artists who are hobbyists or emerging artists experience infrequent or non-exist sales of their work. They end up giving away lots of work to friends, family, and coworkers because they really enjoy creating  their work for personal pleasure and their own spiritual  processing with the Lord. It's also common for these artists to struggle when trying to place a monetary value on their work because they have no established clientele, presentation, or pricing strategy.

In general, artists who actively sell their work for top dollar on a regular basis do so within an established clientele under a standardized pricing and presentation model. They are confident in the quality and value of their work and are willing to charge a premium. They understand what their clientele responds to within their art and work to deepen that connection over time through their marketing strategies.

Realize people don't buy art because they need it, they buy because of CONNECTION. That connection might be with the artists, the process, the medium, the experience, the subject matter, or any combination of these factors, but there has to be connection. 

TOP FOUR THINGS EVERY ART BUYER IS LOOKING FOR:

1. Uniqueness. One of the first things I hear from people considering purchasing or commissioning my work is something like, "Wow, I've never seen anything like this before. I love it." Yes, it's beautiful, and there are a lot of beautiful things out there, but I'm also the only person that does what I do. Everything I create is one of a kind, so there will never be another one exactly like it. Think about what makes your art different in a field of 5, 10, 20, or 100 artists who do essentially the same thing you do.

2. Craftsmanship. No matter how unique a piece of art is, people who can afford to invest $1,000, $2,000, $5000, or more on a piece of art want to be sure the the piece is constructed with quality and craftsmanship. Are you using the best materials? Do you pay attention to details? Do you sweat the little things in the piece?

3. Unparalleled Service. The Biltmore Estate is in Asheville, North Carolina train their staff to practice Gracious Hospitality. According to their website, thought "being genuinely warm and authentically nice - we are able to deliver a costumer service experience that far outweighs the quality of any product we sell."  I've found that to be true in my own art business as well. I always offer to deliver and install my work for free. I always carry new purchases to the car. I write thank-you notes. I drop by to visit clients and partners. The long story short, I just go the extra mile. People love it, and it's one of the hallmarks of buying a piece of art from me.

4. Connection. One term many artists use is "collectors," as if these special art gods swoop down from the heavens, grace the doors of certain artists  and swoop back into the ether. From what I have found over the years, people who buy lots of expensive, high-quality art are just people looking for connection. That connection might be with the artists, the subject matter, the artistic process, or even a special experience. Regardless, everyone loves to feel special and to genuinely connect in a way that is meaningful. Most people I encounter really enjoy the personal connection  that commissioning a piece of art brings, including getting to know the artist, a personal studio visit, or a home visit to see their space and understand their preferences in interior design and art. It doesn't just  happen in person either, but online too! Your websie and social media should convey an authentic idea of who you are through your videos, images, and stories that will help deepen this connection over time with potential clients. Listen intently to clients overtime and understand why people connect with you and your work and then work diligently to deepen that connection over time.