Day-of Market Checklist

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I used to have separate bins for all of my display and product, until I got two of these rolling tool boxes! These allow me to carry almost all of my display and product without needing a separate wagon to transport everything. They are great space savers, and can be stacked together or taken apart. The top box even has removeable organizers. 

It goes without saying that you will need a chair, so why not make it a tall and comfortable one? This chair is one of my best investments for in-person markets. As a short person, the standard folding chair I was bringing with me to markets unintentionally hid me from view every time I sat down. This chair allows me to be at eye level, while still seated. It also has the added bonus of a small organizer on one side and a fold up table on the other. The table is indispensable if you need somewhere to put your drinks and food while vending! As an added bonus, you can also store things underneath your chair!

I can not even begin to count the amount of times people have stopped to tell me how much they like these cup holders. As someone who does a lot of brewery markets, I can not recommend these highly enough. The people love them, it reduces the stains on your tablecloths from people setting their drinks down on the table, and also reduces YOUR stress level as a vendor. I know Im not the only one who is thinking about those drinks accidently being knocked over and potentially damaging product and dislpays! I keep one on both ends of my table so more than one person can browse at once!

I use two white 6'x2' gridwall panels in my setup. They come in multiple colors and sizes, allowing you to customize your setup. If you have heavy or fragile product, Irecommend something sturdy so you won't have to worry about  them being knocked over by a customer. 

For my set up, I use two 6'x2' white gridwall panels, secured at a 90-degree angle with a gridwall corner. I then cut a piece of clear plexiglass and mounted it on top of the wire corner shelf to create a nice, flat surface for displaying products. 

I use this tabletop spinning gridwall for my smaller glass pieces and jewely. It has a nice wide base, which makes it super sturdy and less likely you will  have to worry about  it being knocked over by a customer while they are browsing. The only con to this specific display item is that it does not fold up for transportation. I liek to use ACE bandages wrapped around the entire display to speed up my market setup and take down times. 

When vending at art markets, space can be a valuable thing. While many markets have "standard" sized booth spaces (10'x10' or 6'x4'), some can be even smaller, making it essential to use as much vertical space as possible. These over the table rods are great for hanging pieces from, and they can be lengthened or shortened based on your table size. I also outfitted mine with an LED light strip to illuminate my product when I'm in a darker event space. 

If you are selling your art, you should be keeping track of what you are selling. I like these books because they think of everything and more that you should record. I especially love the "Event Summary" section at the end of each event, making it easy to look back and see the stats and information about that market with ease.

I use this label maker for a lot in my studio, but it really comes in handy if any of my signage gets lost in transit and I need a quick label or price on something.  I particularly like this printer because it does not require any ink, and I can design and print from my phone!

Whether you need to charge your phone or your credit card processor, this is a great battery to have with you on market day. I use mine to power my LED light strip on my over the table bar, as well as charge anything I need to. I like this one in particular because it has USB ports and AC outlets. 

Vending during the summer can be brutal if it's hot, humid, or both. Battery-powered fans are a MUST when it is over 75 degrees. I find them especially helpful when setting up and packing up! This particular fan can go for a few hours on a single battery.

If youve ever signed up for an outdoor market in the winter in Illinois, you've probably experienced some COLD weather conditions. This little portable heater is an absolute must-have. As a side note, I don't recommend this heater unless you have atleast a 10x10 space OUTSIDE. These are a fire hazard and must be used with the utmost of caution!

When vending, sometimes it can be hard to get away from your space to grab a drink and stay hydrated. I love this cooler because it is not only functional as a cooler, but also as a bluetooth speaker! It also fits perfectly underneath my chair so it is always out of the way! This coo;er is especially awesome when there is no ambient or live music at the market!

It goes without saying that you will need a way to haul all of your display and product to your event space. While it is awesome to be able to load in close to your space, it is often not the case, and you should always prepare to have to lug everything for an extended period of time. I use this wagon, which has a 220lb weight load. It is especially useful when I have to load in 200lbs of tent weights! 

In a sea of vendors, stand out with a rotating display stand. These are especially effective if your product is sparkly or displayed on a a mirror base to draw the eye! Almost every time I have a product displayed on it, people compliment the stand! I have various sizes of these, and I cannot recommend them enough!