This month I am pleased to welcome Michelle from Michelle Corbin Designs for our craft fair display example!
When I first looked at Michelle’s display, I was struck by the visual variety offered in her display. Take note of how she is using these lovely different levels in the display to catch the eye of the shopper. I also loved how she laid out the display since she has different types of products. When you have an array of products, getting a visually cohesive display can be challenging- check out Michelle’s tips to get insights into how she set up this display!
Tell us the story behind how you designed this craft fair display?
When I first started my business, I tried a few small Fairs, but never felt entirely happy with my set up as I had products in various shapes and sizes. In the end I stopped doing them for quite a few years, dabbled here and there, but began again – more seriously – in 2023. I’d always been more successful selling online and doing commissions, but the market was changing, so it meant I had to switch things up a notch too.
I took to Pinterest for inspiration and scoured charity/thrift shops, hobby and art supply shops and my home to find objects and props that would suit my branding aesthetics, display my products in a way that would attract buyers and create interest and height.
Having learned my mistakes from the first few fairs I attended, I applied for more artisan markets that suited my brand and planned out my table more effectively, recruiting my husbands handy skills to help create a few displays. I am constantly looking for new ideas to improve my stall each time.
How did you adapt your design to fit the type of event you were attending?
My display will always be a ‘Work in Progress’, because over time, my products are evolving, my style is evolving and customers needs are evolving too! I’m now a regular Trader at a Curated Seasonal Market, the table size is always the same and so I can adapt this table really easily to suit each season with décor, such as faux flowers in Spring and Summer, Pumpkins and Seed Head bouquets in Autumn, and Garlands for Christmas.
What kinds of materials did you use to create this display?
My table cloth is a White Sheet, which is a perfect blank canvas for my products. I have a Purple Banner, which originally was a Curtain – I had previously made it into a shawl to wear at a Wedding – it turned out to be the perfect colour and size for me to make into a Banner, by using my cricut to add my logo! This I sometimes lay on my table to add a little pop of colour, and drape it over the front, but sometimes I attach it to a Clothes rail that I clamp to the back of my table. I also use painted wooden crates and stands, sometimes a mug tree, wooden plate racks and baskets. I once saw a YouTube video of someone making a Card stand from Foam Board – so my husband made one for me and I quite often use that, but I have also bought a Card Display too. I do also add lighting at Christmas and a hooked display board for my decoration collection
Please share your favorite 3 tips/secrets to designing a craft fair display
1) Preparation is a must. Plan your inventory and how you will display it. Practice your set up and take a photo for reference, but be prepared to make some adjustments on the day if needed.
2) Be creative with what you use to display and think outside of the box – can the crates double up as transport for your stock? Could the spice rack in a charity shop be perfect with a lick of paint to display small items? What can you make yourself? Could mums old picnic basket add the texture and height you need?
3) When planning and setting up, try to think of yourself as a buyer. Look on Pinterest or at other Markets and Fairs to see what attracts you to a stall, where your eyes are drawn first, what sparks excitement and joy. What inspires you? What makes you want to purchase from that stall? Take this information and adapt it to suit your brand and your display.
Bonus: Enjoy the process
Want to learn more about Michelle Corbin Design's products?
Thank you so much to Michelle Corbin for sharing a great craft fair display example! Learn more about her products through the links below!
Want more craft fair display examples?
If you are looking for more ideas- check out our downloadable with multiple craft fair display examples!
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