It's that time of year again! The weather is warming up, flowers are blooming, and the shows are starting. Which means.....getting our booths ready.

Oh the dilemma. Do I stay with last years design? Should I add/subtract one of the tables? Do I need a new tent? New table coverings? Should I change the lay out of the tables? On and on with the things to think about.

Each year, and usually half-way through the "season", Jim and I  are tweeking our set up. Trying to find that X-factor that makes  people want to come in and shop. So many times we've seen it on peoples faces as they walk down the rows of vendors. That same ol' same ol' look. You can almost  hear it in their heads.....jewelry, pottery, paintings ho hum....BORING! Yes, there are a  lot of jewelry, pottery, paintings booths......so how am I going to make my booth POP? Make people stop in their tracks because what I have is "New"!  Exciting! One-of-a-Kind! But mose importantly, due to the economy, so spectacular that they will spend their hard earned money on it.

Here's a tip we've found to work:

Theme. Theme. Theme.

In our jewelry we only use all natural fossils, gems, and minerals. We know there are other items that are beautiful, ie  Diochroic,  fiber optic cabs, etc. However, the all natural is just our schtick. So we felt that our set up should reflect that theme. We use natural linen table coverings. Topping them with artist pressed paper in vibrant  solid colors. ( We tried multi-colored paper but it was too distracting.) We then use bamboo place mats under each tray of jewelry. The trays are filled with natural pea gravel. (Think fish tank gravel.) We then place the jewelry on the gravel. We also use a slab of rose quarts on a plate holder as a bust for necklaces.

One of the items we use that really draws people in is our hands. We have plaster molds of just our hands holding various pendants or bracelets. My hands we put in a tray with gravel surrounding it and pendants strategically placed. The tray sits in the middle of a table as the focal point. We can't count the amount of people that come into our booth just to see the hands and end up buying.

Another thing we always use is fresh flowers. Two vases on each end of the table. We started using fresh because Jim hates artificial ones. They start out looking nice but after a couple of shows they show their age so to speak. We once had a lady come up to see what we were selling just because we had the fresh flowers. She was another vendor and kept looking at the flowers all morning. She came up to us and started talking. She then saw a ring that she liked. It was an adjustable ring. She said that she wanted to buy it for her mother who had arthiritis. What's really cool is that she was another jewelry vendor and she bought from us. The next time we saw her booth she had added flowers. As they say," Imitation is the best form of flattery".

This is some of the things we've done. What has worked for you? What booth design do you feel is good or even one you've tried that you won't do again? I'd love to hear from you.

Happy planning!

-Kim

Jim/Kim,

I just stumbled upon your site and wanted to say how much I appreciate your willingness to help others starting out. I happen to be one of those people who just started making jewelry and am looking for all of the information I can find to apply to my "future business." I'm taking as many classes as I can & purchasing libraries of books and magazines (including yours :)). There is so much to learn!

I find inspiration in many places and am impressed by others' work such as your own. But what is the rule with design? When is it ok to use someone else's design such as in a magazine or book & perhaps add to it or modify it slightly?

I love what you've done with your booth and can only hope when I am ready to have my own that it looks that nice and gains as much attention.

Jim, I just had lunch with your mother and she told me about your jewelry. I love the pieces you have made and I am purchasing your book for my daughter. Good luck to you and Kim your jewelry is beautiful. Kelly;)