The Trials of a New Booth Design

New work, new booth...

Since I'm trying something new this year, I also need a whole new craft fair display.

Here's what my MinneBites display looked like this past December at the No Coast Craft-o-Rama. It's fun and cute and I love it, but it's not quite what is expected for a show like the American Craft Council Show. 

What I need this year is an actual BOOTH. Walls, lights, signage, display -- everything!

There is so much that goes into these big capital-A Art show booths, as I'm learning. I can't believe how much time I've already spent researching booth options. It makes me nervous that I'm not spending enough time  making the items that will actually go into the booth! But, without a booth I will have no way to display my new work. It must be done.

My Booth Design Requirements

1. easy to assemble and disassemble on my own
2. needs to fit in my car
3. display my work in the best way possible
4. needs to be cost effective
5. must be flexible, so I can use it at different sorts of shows in the future

An initial sketch of what my booth might look like and a list of all the components.

​Decisions, decisions...​

So, do I spend loads of time scouring the internet and local fixture stores to find the best deals for used display options? Or do I drop some money and just get new? It's tempting to buy new and be done with it and focus on the creating of my work. But, how much money do I want to sink into a booth? There is already the booth fee to attend the show in the first place. And part of the equation must also include the question: what if I decide I don't like doing this kind of show after all? I don't want to waste money on a display I'll never use again!

Ahh, so this is a journey, isn't it? Putting myself out there, trying something new; it can be a balancing act! Of course, for all the difficult decisions I need to make for my business, I wouldn't trade it for anything! I really do enjoy being a working artist. I'm even enjoying designing this booth ... though I wouldn't mind having a little more time. April's never seemed so close to January before!
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