The Art of Display - by Helen Nicholson

Whether you create jewelry, woodworking or canvas painting there are similar problems that you face when you do shows or your work is displayed for public viewing.   First review the article The Mechanics of Crafting to get a greater understanding of how to improve the quality of your work. 

When doing shows in particular, you have to worry about the safety of the consumer as well as your artwork.  In many booths you will find a nifty little sign prominently posted that says..."If you break it...you buy it"  I would recommend that you post a sign similar to this.

But, what about preventing breakage or personal injury?

This may sound rather discouraging, but...with a some simple precautions, you can save yourself the anguish of having many of these disasters happen to you.

1. Design your display simply.  Avoid stacking boxes and covering with a drape.  Build your display solidly.  Banquet tables work well and are very sturdy
2. Use clamps to secure crates together as one unit.
3. Display heavy objects close to the ground. 
4. Tri-pod easel's are easy to trip over.  Consider pegboard panels to display framed pieces or use vertical easel's.
5. Watch the length of your draping material.  Keep it about 4 inches from the ground. Bring along safety pins and pin the corners back out of the way.   Straight pins can hurt you or the consumer if you're digging around under the table.
6. ***Keep your booth full*** It looks better and you will sell better.  Restock your booth often.
7. If you are low on product....and the booth is beginning to look empty...remove some of the displays and re-arrange your booth to look full.  Many people do stop back. When they do...they find something else they want to buy that they didn't notice before.
8. Remove any empty hangers. Re-arrange product onto other hangers if they are almost empty.  Use bent paper clips vs. pegboard hangers. (Pegboard hangers can be very dangerous to the consumer at any retail show.)   Consider capping off the pegboard hangers with home-made wooden hearts.  This works well only if your product can be removed easily for sale and can be restocked quickly. 
9. Make sure you design your booth to accommodate an adequate isle way for your customers.  Outdoor shows especially.  (Consider moms with strollers too!)
10. If a root is sticking out of the ground, put your display over it.   Don't leave it in the isle for someone to trip over.  (or cut it out if allowed.)
11. Anticipate children will walk through your booth.  If so...display expensive items away from curious hands. You can also post a sign on the piece saying "Please do not touch.  I'll help you with this item. Just ask."
12. Provide a trash can outside your booth.  If you are concerned about people eating in your booth and damaging product, place a sign saying no food or drinks please.  When you provide them a trash can, this makes them much happier and there is less of a  chance of an accident in your booth . 
13. Put your best sellers throughout the booth...not in one area. Otherwise, people crowd the booth in one area and there is no-one in another area.   You want everyone to have a chance to see what you offer!