At every craft fair or market I have participated in or visited, one truth is always evident: It’s all about the display. Even if your products are hands down the best products in the show, they will go largely unnoticed if your display doesn’t pull the crowd over to see them. In my new Market Display Series, I will write about inexpensive ways to spruce up your display for both indoor and outdoor markets and shows.

The first article in the series is about using varying heights on your tables to add interest and organization. We’ve all heard this recommendation before, but I’ve seen crafters actually hurt their display by doing it badly and not using it to it’s full potential. Adding height to your display not only adds interest to your display, but it can also provide you with additional space. So before you add anything to your space, ask yourself what it will bring to the table. Literally.

Here’s an example. This is a craft project listed at Michael’s and it is headed in the right direction. If you have a lot of space to work with it would be perfect. It’s beautiful to look at, inexpensive to make and adds a bit of height.

But - if you applied the same decorating technique to a taller foot stool found at a thrift store or garage sale - it would give you valuable space below to add an additional display.

Hat boxes can be stacked to add a variety of different heights to our table and they come in many sizes and shapes. While they may not provide two layers of display space, you can store product inside for restocking. Along with hat boxes, shoe boxes and other smallish boxes can also be painted, decoupaged, wallpapered, stamped and covered with fabric. You can find instructions to make the Fabric Covered Hat Box pictured here at J Caroline Creative.

I ran across these decoupaged drawer fronts at Martha’s place. These are way too big to fit on your table, but remember the IKEA Drawers? They would work perfectly. They are small and inexpensive and would provide display space on top and storage within the drawers.

There are many ways to add interest, height and storage to your craft fair and market space. The key is to look at found objects in a way that maximizes your space and your efforts. It’s also important that the items are decorated nicely and fit well into the theme you have going. If your market space is attractive and professional looking, it will draw a bigger crowd and visually add value to you products. I strongly urge you to think inexpensively during this process too. Especially if you do many shows throughout the year. It will make it more affordable to purchase multiple items to decorate for each season.

Happy Soaping!