Things You'll Need:
- Wire Wreath stands
- Display board
- Folding table
- Table cloths
- Guest book
- Price Cards
- Business Cards
-
Step 1
Professional Looking Art- First make sure your art is nicely framed and wired in the back. You'll need to hang it on the Display racks. Wipe off all fingerprints and dust
-
Step 2
Pick up old wreath hangers from the cemetary. They are free and gladly given away to artists. These are great for hanging paintings on as you can stick them into the grass.
-
Step 3
Price Cards- On your computer at home print out cards with the title of the painting, price and size along with your artist name. Tape these to the stands or display racks just under your painting. Remember to make the type big for people with bad eyesight.
-
Step 4
Business Table- Buy a folding table and place a nice table cloth over it. This will serve as your sales desk. Place a nice guest book on it and some business cards and an artist's bio. This is where you will make sales so you'll want to keep a money box and receipt book under the table to pull out and make sales. Make sure you put your bio and business card in the bag with the art or other items you are selling. The customer might wish to find you again in the future.
-
Step 5
Make a nice display by arranging the wreath holders in a semi-circle or U shape. Organize them according to colour, this will make for a nice flow as people walk by. Having a jumble of colour will not make the display very cohesive so try to keep all your cool tones on one side and your earth/warm tones on the other.
-
Step 6
Name tag- Don't forget to wear a name tag so you will look professional and people know who the artist is. Talk to people as they come into your area. Don't ask them if they are having a nice day, talk to them about your art. If you don't know what to say, start by explaining what they are looking at. I like to say "that is a pastel painting" and begin to explain what pastels are made from. You can do the same with whatever you are displaying. If it is a landscape then tell them where the scene is. If its mixed media tell them what you use and how you do it, or leave them guessing your technique by telling them you use a special secret technique to make your paintings look like they do. Talk up your work.
-
Step 7
Do a demo. This is a great way to have people stop and stare for a while. You want them to stay in your booth as long as possible and ask questions. If they see you working they will just love to watch you and talk to you, espescially if you start talking first and explain what you are doing. "I'm working on an acrylic and it dries very fast so I'm working very quickly, see how I just barely dab in the folliage?" Something like that to get the ball rolling. Another good thing to ask is "are you an artist too?" Many people who go to art fairs are either artists or aspiring artists. That is a good time to pick up students to teach too.
