Tips for craft fairs and events - tables and equipment?

[glassimagination]

Hi,

I'm new to craft fairs and events, but I've finally booked my events for the rest of the year and they are getting close. Most are indoors but I need advice on gazebos and recommended shelters. I also would love some recommended advice on tables i should buy, preferably foldable ones, I need some sturdy ones... any experienced fair goers would recommend? Otherwise I'll just grab some from homebase. Any other useful tips for fairs?

Thanks

Heather

[Lotti]

Hi, congrats on booking your first ones.  I do loads and love doing them, even the outside ones (most of the time ). 

In terms of general stuff have a look at this http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36030.0

Re tables I have two 6ft ones that are folding, weigh a ton, but are long lasting.  I got them from Ebay, there are loads of them.  Some people use wallpaper pasting tables, but I am not sure they are strong enough and they aren't very big.  If you are going to do quite a few markets, it's worth getting robust ones http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=folding+tables&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Gazebo's again you can find them on ebay, I got mine from a specialist gazebo place and it has survived all summer (!!!!) down by the sea for 6 months (once a week, it was relatively expensive but after all the use it has had it has been worth it).  The main thing though is to make sure that you have sufficient weights to keep them down in windy conditions, even the most robust expensive gazebo will not survive if it is not tied down properly.  Water filled weights (or you can fill them with sand, and can find these on ebay too) are fine, but I have had a gazebo walk even using these.  The heavy expensive metal ones are good, but they are heavy to lug about and are expensive and I have seen a gazebo 'walk' with even these.  If you are able to pitch a gazbo on grass it's brialliant becuase then you can use pegs to peg them down and get heavy duty tie down kits.  Might sound over the top, but having been out in 40mph gusts this year....  It really depends on how much you are going to use the thing and where/when etc.

Hope this has been a bit of help.  Good luck and have fun.

[glassimagination]

Thanks Lotti everything you posted is really useful. I've seen the tables on ebay, but knowing whether they aren't going to fall gives me reassurance in purchase. I've seen some foldable wallpaper ones that aren't very reliable. I didn't even think about weights for a gazebo. I'm tempted to buy a pink gazebo so my stall is the brightest at outdoor events Around what size gazebo do you use?

Thanks

Heather

[Lotti]

Hi, the general size for gazebos is 10ftx10ft (or 3mx3m).  I have a white one which lets in the light nicely, but does get pretty filthy!  With the regular market I do I tie up to the two neighbouring gazebo's and we share each other's metal weights, so if one goes we all go!   I also dont' put sides up unless it is wet as sides when it is windy = sails!  Also it feels very enclosed in a gazebo with the sides up, mind you if everyone else does it it doesn't really make much difference!  Where are you based Heather? (just as a matter of interest).

I am sure you have been to lots of markets and see how they do it, but thought you might be amused by some of the photos from our Bude one (inluding one or two in there of me hanging on to my gazebo on a specially windy day!).   http://www.facebook.com/BudeFarmersMarket/photos_stream

[The Tartan Trout]

I have a folding table that is very robust and doesn't weigh a ton...ebay. I also would reccommend elephant feet.http://www.co-opmobility.co.uk/elephant-feet-chair-and-bed-raisers.html?gclid=CM_o8YTYlLMCFe7MtAodE28AWA
These help balance the table on uneven surfaces, and make your table higher which is better for your back and for your customers.

[Blue Box Studio]

Not much to add except yes to elephants feet - I was lucky enough to get 8 from Freecycle! and no to wallpapering tables, they sag in the middle.  I only do indoor fairs (rained on one too many times and then I get very grumpy  ) so tables usualy provided or rentable, but I have several for open studio events and even a high cost wallpaper table, white plastic, bars across middle, still sags. 

[Helen G]

I've seen wall paper tables collapse more than once at craft fairs over the years so don't take any chances 

[Blue Box Studio]

I've seen wall paper tables collapse more than once at craft fairs over the years so don't take any chances 

And tressle tables in a church hall - they have a habit of collapsing at one end so you get to watch your entire world slide off the end and smash!  I think we have all been there. [I'm in credit, won't be my turn for another millenium].

[Jeanniegems]

Bought my Gazebo from www.rockawnings.co.uk and used it throughout the summer most weeks. It has been worth every penny. At one place I go to, a harbour setting I set up triangle shape rather than square and have two window walls up with views over the harbour and leaving me two sides to trade from. It's been heaven this summer and somehow the wind behaves differently than when square on. My tables were cheapies from Aldi, not super strong but I have used them weekly all summer and had no problems, they are also very light. Good luck with your shows, I find most fellow show people are helpful and friendly, have had a great summer in spite of the weather!
Jeannie x

[SueP]

All of above is good advice - only thing I would add is check before deciding colour of gazebo if you are going to be a regular as some markets have a colour theme 

[flame n fuse]

Just thinking - would a coloured gazebo distort the colour of the items you are selling?

[glassimagination]

Thanks everyone! Lotti those pictures are really helpful. My workshop is in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, I'm booking events between Bucks, London and Hampshire at the moment. Where abouts are you based?

Have just bought my tables and some elephant feet to stop little accidents, they sound very important. Thanks for all the links for gazebos, will be looking into maybe sensible coloured ones soon :)Until then may take a leaf out of Blue Box Studios book and stick to indoor events to start.

Thank you everyone for all your links!

Heather