Las Vegas Plans

Las Vegas Puzzles

Las Vegas Rubber Band Guns

Supplies

It is always a big help to make a list of things you don't want to forget, the list gets quite long! Of course your product, the item(s) you will be selling, but how many? Will they sell fast or slow, is it a one, two, or three day show? A table, or two or three, do they supply tables? Chairs? Tablecloths or covers for your tables, with oversized covers on the tables you can put the unopened items and empty boxes under the table. A dolly to carry the boxes from your vehicle. Plastic boxes are a must, much neater and not too expensive. There are a lot of small collapsible hand trucks available, easy to hide too. This keeps you from making numerous trips to your vehicle which in many cases is quite some distance.

Display cases or frames to hang your items from. A small table or desk or cabinet to serve as a sales counter is a must. A homemade one isn't hard and will work fine. Plastic bags are a must, even used grocery bags are better than nothing, always bag everything for the customer, clear plastic bags help advertise your product as they are carried around. Price tags on each item or signs easily seen, a lot of people don't like to ask for the prices of each item. If you can, use cute signs that catch the eye, but not so cute they distract from the product.

You will need a cash box for all the money you will take in, keep it under your counter and be sure to start the day with plenty of change, coins, one and five dollar bills, how about the buyer with the hundred dollar bill at the start of the day? Accept checks? Of course, with proper ID.

Tools. You can use a roll of duct tape for a lot of small repairs, same with a good stapler and (depending on what you sell) wood glue and a clamp or two. A short piece of rope and some string will come in handy, maybe some plastic ties. Bungee cords are always helpful.

If electricity is supplied be sure to take an extension cord for any lights, fans, what have you.

For lunch and breaks, a thermos of coffee or whatever, maybe a small ice chest with sodas and sandwiches to keep cool. Don't forget your coffee cup. Or the napkins or towels for the small cleanups.

A notepad is a big help, write down what you forgot for the next time. If you will be charging sales tax, a sheet with the taxes for different amounts really helps. You will want to keep an inventory of what you have, though this gets difficult during the craft show. I would just keep a ist of what I sold and update the inventory at home.

Last, but definitely not least, you should have an assistant. I would always take a grandkid, after awhile the most bashful kid in town would be talking to everybody, making sales pitches and taking payments and making change. Only one though, get two kids together and watch out! I really believe my craft show days helped those kids develope an outgoing personality.

Leonard Wardle, 1412 Virgil St, Las Vegas, NV. 89110
702-459-4486
Copyright © 2006 Leonard Wardle, All Rights Reserved