Display stands

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I have been giving some thought into revamping my display methods for next years shows. I usually have a few tiered shevles for my baskets that I display. I then have a backboard that I hang all my wall hanging projects and the rest of the projects I lay out on the tables. There are certain secret rules in selling at craft shows and basically anywhere in stores and one is   put your best stuff eye level and this usually commands top dollar in the retail markets. People have a tendency to basically look straight ahead and the looking down and up is not a huge occurrence. Over the years I have noticed this to be so true. I always am talking it up at my shows encouraging people to look all over. But being I have alot of product and adding more now it gets crowded on the table and people overlook things. I had to point things out to a few folks and glad i did because it led to sales. I figure if I add shelves I can show things in a less crowded way. 

But my thoughts are I have basically stopped selling certain items that I hang on the walls and will try to sell these off in other manners. I want to eliminate the board system and go with all tiered shelving system. I can make something I am sure but thought I would throw the question out there and look for suggestions. What do you all use to sell items on a table??? Do you stack shelves and display that way??  Do you have a system that breaks down easily?? Did you make it or buy commercial?? Can you post photos and a little description of what it is. Thanks.

[kmmcrafts]

JT,  you are correct that the display is very important... and in an over crowded display.. things get missed... I believe you're on the wrong track with shelves though.. take a look around any time you're in a store or craft show... where are people really looking? Their phone... they are shopping online.. probably shopping in my store comparing your goods to mine..  Hahaha I'm just messing with you..  but in a way that is kind of true.. everywhere you go.. people on there phones either shopping, texting, or something.. 

I believe Scott posted his display racks that he made.. and i think he made them hinged / fold-able for compact transport etc... I'm not to sure where that post topic is though but maybe sending him a message.. maybe what he has is not what you're looking for.. I just remember him posting about his display somewhere.. guessing it's in the business forum..

 

 

[lawson56]

I made 3 display stands,they are about 3ft long.The back is 10inches.tall,the base is 4inches wide.People do look at them first then look down.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

9 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

JT,  you are correct that the display is very important... and in an over crowded display.. things get missed... I believe you're on the wrong track with shelves though.. take a look around any time you're in a store or craft show... where are people really looking? Their phone... they are shopping online.. probably shopping in my store comparing your goods to mine..  Hahaha I'm just messing with you..  but in a way that is kind of true.. everywhere you go.. people on there phones either shopping, texting, or something.. 

I believe Scott posted his display racks that he made.. and i think he made them hinged / fold-able for compact transport etc... I'm not to sure where that post topic is though but maybe sending him a message.. maybe what he has is not what you're looking for.. I just remember him posting about his display somewhere.. guessing it's in the business forum..

 

 

Right now that is your space Mark. I do not belong on line. People are always texting and have to say my chiropractor was telling me the other day there will be and he has seen it an increase in his business because of people's necks going out of wack. Where we have come as a society and their phones is disgusting and disturbing. 

Will come up with something and if not I can always fall back on the design I use now. 

[Rob]

Hi JT.  I made myself three sets of these nesting boxes from 6mm (1/4") ply.  Simple but joint construction then rounded over and painted satin black.  They don’t take up too much room and can be configured in several ways.  You can construct a variety of shapes by combining sets too.  They are 12 x 8 x 6, 10 x 6 x 4 ND 8 X 6 X 2 inches.  I haven't had them long but am enjoying the flexibility they offer.  I could have changed the dimensions to nest even more in one of the largest boxes but thought three was enough. 

One other tip I have seen but not used is to put lengths of plastic pipe on your table legs to raise the table up closer to chest height.  I would like to try that but would need longer table cloths.

Rob

 

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Thanks Rob. I think I am going to go with steps and they will have slots in the som I can just slide the boards in. These are going to be about 3 feet long so I get 2 sets on the table. I have made these before for my baskets that I sell but have always had to screw them together. Looking to make it easier and quicker. I will then add a shorter piece of either peg board or thin plywood behind it so I still will be able to hang some smaller items. I am trying to sell off my shelves and mirrors now so I do not have to deal with them any more. I am revamping the product line quite abit. 

[Tomanydogs]

@JTTHECLOCKMAN John do you scroll those baskets. That is wonderful woodworking. The baskets are very eye catching.

[edward]

 That's what I am looking for is knockdown three tier shelves, the ones I have do work but they ate heavy, if anyone has plans that they want to share, would be appreciated. And I agree that hanging items up do not sell for me as I use wire racks.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

8 hours ago, Tomanydogs said:

@JTTHECLOCKMAN John do you scroll those baskets. That is wonderful woodworking. The baskets are very eye catching.

No not a scrollsaw touches these. They are all individual pieces cut on my table saw and then assembled and glued. There is 85 pieces in the small ones and 123 in the larger ones. I have had very good success with these and will always keep them in my line. I made the green and yellow one last year and sold 2 so I may expand the color line. All others are made from natural colored species of woods. The combination of mahogany and maple have probably been my biggest seller. Thanks for the kind words.

[Rockytime]

OMG! You are a master craftsman!

[flarud]

Nice baskets JT.  I made a few different designs several years back.  Made some that were flat so that they could be hung on a wall.  Made some heart shaped ones too.  Yours are very nice with the angle cuts on the ends of the blocks. 

But all glue?  No pin nails?

Edited December 9, 2018 by flarud

[Tomanydogs]

@JTTHECLOCKMAN Thank you for the explanation and the close up pictures. Very beautiful baskets!!!

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

18 minutes ago, flarud said:

Nice baskets JT.  I made a few different designs several years back.  Made some that were flat so that they could be hung on a wall.  Made some heart shaped ones too.  Yours are very nice with the angle cuts on the ends of the blocks. 

But all glue?  No pin nails?

No pins except in the two pieces for the feet. I have seen these done with nails and to me looks cheap. The key is with each row they interlock to make it even stronger. believe me I have dropped these a few times and the worse damage was snapped the feet off but that is an easy fix. I use to make half a basket and put a flat back on it and it was able to hang on the wall. They did not sell as well as these. I also use to make a ton of those collapsible baskets that were trivets and they did well for awhile but i still have some that are about 20 years old. Stopped doing them too. The last of those style was this candy bowl basket that the basket part collapsed and the side pieces slipped apart. They too did well for some time but things go in circles. These baskets I have been making for a long time and they have stood the test of time for sure. Sold 2 at the last show. Sold one to a guy and he picked it up as soon as he saw it and no hesitation paid cash. I like buyers like that. Probably the quickest sale I made that day. 

[Scruffydog]

On 12/3/2018 at 8:27 PM, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

I do not belong on line. People are always texting... Where we have come as a society and their phones is disgusting and disturbing. 

Couldn't agree more. The appeal of hand made wood items at a booth has to be the desire to have something that is not mass produced, foreign, or aquired via technology. Your baskets are beautiful. And I'll bet people like buying from the person who makes them rather than a faceless internet company. Walking and talking to vendors at craft fairs is a treat for me anyway. Give me a flea market or fair anyday over etsy or ebay.

For those that can do it fine. But I hope there is always room for those who can't or just don't want that experience.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

2 hours ago, unclescott said:

Couldn't agree more. The appeal of hand made wood items at a booth has to be the desire to have something that is not mass produced, foreign, or aquired via technology. Your baskets are beautiful. And I'll bet people like buying from the person who makes them rather than a faceless internet company. Walking and talking to vendors at craft fairs is a treat for me anyway. Give me a flea market or fair anyday over etsy or ebay.

For those that can do it fine. But I hope there is always room for those who can't or just don't want that experience.

Scott I do believe the craft circuit will always be there and maybe at some time even make a complete circle and become overwhelming popular again. Things have a way of repeating themselves. Thanks for the kind words. Can I do the ebay thing and etsy, I am certain I can and can do well am certain of that too. I sell items that are distinct and not found in stores or even on ebay or etsy. I have looked many times through some of the vendors on these sites and yes they sell scrolled items but mine are more than just scrolled. I just do not want or need to do all that work again. I have been down the sellers lane before and did my thing. I leave that for people like Kevin now who love doing the web site sales. I preferred as you mentioned to talk to my customer face to face. You keep a pulse of what is current. You get ideas and make new friends that follow you from show to show. Pick up an occasional sale through word of mouth. That is the way I grew into this hobby and will exit the same way. 

[Bill WIlson]

32 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Scott I do believe the craft circuit will always be there and maybe at some time even make a complete circle and become overwhelming popular again. Things have a way of repeating themselves....

I think and hope you are right.  Craft shows are as much entertainment as they are commerce.  I don't sell, but the wife & I like to browse.  We'll take an afternoon and attend a craft show/festival and not even buy anything, but enjoy the day out.  Maybe this is a generational thing and Millennials aren't into it, but, like you, I think it will come around again.