A New Design

A new Santa is on the workbench today.  I've been thinking about him a couple of days now and finally cut him out, in fact, I cut two of him.  He's a large piece, almost 30" tall.  I'm planning to create a pattern for him to put on my Etsy site and have him completed for next weekend's show, Busy Bees Craft Boutique.  I cut him the rough cut wood I've stock piled, I love that stuff...lots of texture for some great additional detail.  Next post, hopefully the completed piece.

National Craft Month

Hey all you crafty peeps...did you know the March is National Craft Month?  It's true!

I think it's extra fitting because my birthday is in March and that I was born to be creative...hehe

So what are you doing to be creative and crafty this month?  

I'm participating in a local craft show beeeeing run by my friend, Autumn

Please try and make it by to pick up some fun, fresh goodies and decor for Spring!

I've mailed my applications for a couple of Fall shows already.

There are three weddings this month on my shedule...flowers are creative. 

There is wood traced and waiting to be cut into cool stuff for shows.

Busy, busy, busy I tell ya...enjoy National Craft Month.

Please leave a comment on this post about what you are doing crafty this month. 

Join me at the Harvest Festival

Yup, that's right...I'll be showing at the Harvest Festival with my friend Diane this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Cashman Field.  It's the first craft show of the season for Las Vegas and really gets people excited about Fall, decorating, holidays and more.  Please come out to shop with us for some great new handmade pieces you'll surely fall in love with.  Look for discount coupons to the festival in the local papers this week.

Happy Easter

Wishing all my family and friends a happy and blessed Easter. 

While baskets are delivered, eggs are being  hunted, and chocolate bunnies are having their ears bitten off please remember the joyous and real reason Easter is celebrated. 

Show and Tell Friday

Another Friday rolls around again...I'm telling you I think there are some days missing in between them.  Well, at least it seems that way right now.  I've been to several doctor's appts recently, how I just love the annual boob squishing (I know its necessary though).  An endocrinology appointment showed improvement. Tuesday, I had a spot on my face frozen, it should be looking "lovely" just in time for my first craft show of the season.  Seriously, as nice as the doctor was I don't think he could have been any younger and still be a specialist.  Guess that means I am realizing my own age. Anywho, right now I don't think I could cover that thing with wall spackling to hide it.  P.S.  I stayed home all day.
I pulled my craft trailer up to the patio and gutted it this week.  I've needed to clean, sort, discard and donate to make room for new product I've got this year.  It's still not a completed project, but its close.  Thank goodness I don't live in Seattle or somewhere else it rains all the time...although I would truly enjoy the greener scenery.

I have completed lots of tagging of items, a couple of doors, some more screen paintings, and a few more things.  I really like this pumpkin one.  I still need to sand the edges of the frame. 

Detail isn't very good, I took it with my phone...but you get the jest of it anyway. 

Final prepartations for Art in the Park are being completed.  I enjoyed lunch with Diane yesterday, we went over lots of details, booth layout and more.  I am feeling pretty good about it this year.  If you're in the southern Nevada area (or anywhere close by) I encourage you to make the trek to Boulder City next weekend.  It's one of the best outdoor shows in the west.  I hope to see you there.

Fall Newsletter

Show and Tell Friday

A little folk art paintings for show and tell this week.  Actually, a little more than folk art.  Show and Tell this week is the fiberglass screening projects I've worked on recently.  I painted most of these in June while Timm was taking a seminar.  I checked out the sights and shops in the mornings and painted in the hotel in the afternoons. 

I really like this one with the basket, I think it turned out great. 

Oh, I miss Kathy Rueger and her designs.  This bear is one of her designs from her last book.  She had painted it on some rought wood and it said, "don't open door for strangers".  I think he's cute anyway and would look great in someone's cabin or lodge look room.

And you know I love my Americana.  I painted a bunch of these flags with assorted sayings on them.  Some others include "Home of the Brave", "Liberty & Justice".

I plan to share with you next week as well.  The Reindeer are almost done.  I'm working on a schedule for make it-take it projects, Art in the Park will be here sooner than I know it...Oh, I gotta go.  Thanks for visiting.

I'm pleased to announce that I am part of the newly formed Etsy team...Handmade in Vegas.  Creative people all over the valley are crawling out of the wood work to join forces and promote creativity and each other.  Please stop by and visit the blog at http://handmadeinvegas.com/.

Show and Tell Friday

Not much to show this week I'm afraid.  I've only crocheted up a few beanies during the evenings this week.  But I have been working in the yard.  You see, I live in the desert and we have gotten almost 6" of rain at my house this year so far.  The plan was to redo the yard, put in some desert landscaping in the front, keep the grass in the back...last year we got the two hills in, put in some new trees (after taking out 15) and plants, got the sprinkler system updated and...well, we ran out of money and energy to get the weed barrior and rock in place...then it rained....and rained....and rained some more...UGH...I live in the desert for crying out loud.  The weeds have taken over.  I've pulled, mowed, weed-eated and sprayed but they are thriving in my yard anyway...mustard and foxtail to be exact.  Then there is this other weed that has a geranium like leaf...never had it until a few years ago.  Sooo....I've been in the yard pulling weeds out by their ground hugging roots most everday this week.  I've filled countless bags of them.  The foxtail down the edge of driveway are gone...for now, and the first hill in the front yard is now weed free.  Still one more hill to go.  I love my yard but at this point I ask myself why does it have to be so big.  Last night, every muscle in my body hurt...especially the backs of my legs and back from bending over and pulling those darn things.  

Now don't get me wrong...I did enjoy and am grateful for every drop of rain we received.  The desert is full of colorful flowers all a-bloom this year.  We've been out riding our ATVs several times and have really enjoyed the beauty of the flowers.  The cactus are blooming and they are amazing this year.  Here are a few pictures from last weekends trip for you to enjoy.  This tree was a real treat at Nickel Creek.  I've neve seen it in bloom before.

National Craft Month Wrap Up

Can you believe that March has flown by so fast?  National Craft Month is just about over.  I've been busy most of my days this month doing something craft related...or tried to anyway. 

 I took on a project and have been playing with altered art (in a simple form).  Picture frames and clip boards have been my subjects mostly and I have really enjoyed making them and the finished product as well.  Paper has been flying, ripping and tearing and being sanded and glued to death.  Some are on my Etsy and Artfire sites...go purchase one please. ;o)

I've even broke down and bought some rhinstones to accent my picture frames.

So what did I do for National Craft Month?  I shared a crafting day with my friend Autumn and we painted the cutest chicken popping out of an egg.  Diane and I participated in a craft show early in the month.  In addition, I also attended the Las Vegas Crafters Guild meeting last week.  I was able to keep my space stocked at Goatfeathers. (By the way, all Easter product is now 30% off). I picked up a wholesale account.  Oh, I even spoke with the class coordinator at Joann about teaching some classes in the near future.  I did my share to keep craft stores afloat.  Please post a comment about what you've been up to for National Craft Month...I will even have a give away drawing for one of my picture frames on Saturday for all those crafty people who leave a comment on this post.  Good luck and keep crafting.

Show and Tell Friday

I don't know what happened to this week, it has flown by for sure.  My son and I drove home from Reno on Monday. Tuesday I caught up around the house, shopped for food and such, and did a demo at the crafters guild meeting. Wednesday I cleaned and had a Pampered Chef party, Thursday I did paint a little, completed 10 of these turkey plaques (they were also my demo Tuesday night, I gave those two pieces away).  Timm and Chris poured concrete, we're in the process of building an outdoor kitchen.  And well, here it is Friday already. 

These two cabinet doors I finished just before I left for the craft show last week.  I sold the scarecrow to a gentleman that bought a couple of doors from me last year so he's starting a collection of sorts.  He also donated 4 more doors for me to paint on.  What a nice guy he is.  I'm telling you the folks I've met in Reno are the nicest people...and loyal craft shoppers.

Featured on another blog!

Wow! This is a first for me. One on my pieces is featured on another blog today. Please go to http://folkartandprimtivesonartfire.blogspot.com/ to see. I've added this blog to my favorites and thought you might want to also. I am blessed to have someone else see a piece that I've created and want to tell others about it. I think it's awesome. Thank you Barb King for the kind words! It's much appreciated.

Cool getaway

We escaped the heat for a day and headed to Mt. Charleston Saturday. There was a light rain the whole time we were up there...it was delightful. It had down poured before we got there, those were some dark clouds. Cassy did quite a bit of exploring and had a great time, as did we. I think this is a great picture of Timm and Cassy...she is one happy dog. We really need to get out for a day more often. It's been about two years since we'd been up there...horrible to say since it's so close. You can read more about it at my other blog http://TrailhoundAdventures.Blogspot.com

This week's topic...Publicity

Yes, this goes hand in hand with signage, but I wanted to cover a few other options as well.

· Business Cards: Every item that is sold at your booth should have your name, business name (if you use one), and contact information on it. The simplest way to do this is with a business card. Be sure to place one in every purchase. Have them available in your booth for customers to pick up also. You can order business cards easily at local office supply stores and printers or you can order them on line. They don’t have to be expensive; in fact, there are several on-line websites that offer them for free in smaller amounts (+/-250) and all you have to pay is shipping. Vista Print is the one I use and have been very pleased. If you ‘google’ “free business cards” you’ll find many websites to choose from. Every website has hundreds of designs to choose from. One company even has a smaller card they call ‘moo’ cards. These would even make good tags.
· Postcards: These are great if you are doing several events. You can list your schedule of where customers can find you and your products. Mail them to your customers if you have a mailing list. I’m always excited when I get one in the mail for a craft show. It goes right on the fridge so I don’t forget. Hand them out at shows also to pick up new customers. Just be sure to include all your contact information on them as well. These work great for sales, promotions, open houses, parties, etc.
· Flyers: Often with the same information as a postcard. I normally have a list of where customers can find me next. You may want to add a coupon to the flyer on a future purchase. This will also help see how well they work.
· Magnets: Yup, you can have your business card made into a magnet. Maybe you want to create a cute little promo item with your contact information to hand out to customers. People keep these things.
· Pens and Pencils: How many times have you gotten a pen with business information imprinted on it? I think I have 3 in my purse right now. One of them is mine. These are great, inexpensive gift items to hand out to your customers as a thank you. Leave one at the doctors’ office, supermarket, etc when you fill our forms and checks. Google sites to have them printed, there are many to choose from.
· Calendars: Another great item to print your contact information on. Customers will see it all year.
· Vehicle Signage: Today, it is so much easier to obtain vinyl lettering for your vehicle windows than ever before. Home based businesses with websites make it quick and convenient to order on the web. Etsy and EBay have many to choose from. It is easily applied and removable. Another option is magnets that stick to the door. Again, these are available at sign/printing shops and on the web. These may be a better option for you since you can pull them off at a moments notice. Painted signage can also be applied by a professional. Which ever method you choose to use, keep the information short and simple: Name, phone, website, a very brief description if needed, and your logo is you use one.
· Websites: Basically there are two different types; one that provides information only and the other that offers products for sale. If you are creating items to sell then the second one is yours. You may want to consider Etsy, Artfire, Crobbies, ShopHandmade, etc. to get started. There are many of these selling sites where you can list your items for sale. You set up your own little site within their site. They are easy to operate and inexpensive. All have links to contact you directly. Customers can purchase 24 hours a day and an email will come to you with the sale inform. You may also want to have your own website. One can be built for you or you may opt to build it yourself. The second is much less expensive and you can change your photos and information yourself or have someone do it for you.
· Blogs: These are kinda mini sites if you choose them to be. Most of them are personal journals of some sort. Most creative people I know use them to promote themselves, get their items on the web and direct customers to their selling sites. It’s a great way to keep your friends and customers updated on the latest project or event in your life. I love blogs. You can visit mine at http://TwiddlebugzDesignz.Blogspot.com. Blogspot, Blogger, Typepad and Wordpress are all very popular places to create your blog.
· Twitter: It’s all the rage at the moment. It’s basically a few short blog. Just a sentence or two. (Updated my blog. www.TwiddlebugzDesignz.com for example). You can follow someone on Twitter just like you can on a blog. It can be a great way to stay in contact with your customers. You can access Twitter via you computer and cell phone (if you have internet on it).
· Facebook: This is another way to share your new products, activities, photos and events as well as your personal life. Many businesses are now using it to help promote themselves. You can even create a fan page. You can also have separate accounts for your personal and business activities.
· Word of Mouth: This is almost always the best way to advertise because most of it will come from your customers. A third party talking about your product, service, and you can be far more influential than if you tried to do it yourself.
· Free Product: This is another way to promote yourself and your product. A simple little gift item with each sale, of course with your contact information, is a wonderful way to get your name out. I’ve used a mint matchbook for the last couple of years. I put them in each purchase and also place a small basket of them in my booth for potential customers to take. It has started many conversations and made sales as well.
· Raffle Item: If you want to build your mailing list you may want to offer a raffle drawing for a larger item of yours. Just be sure to keep that item separate from your sale items. Maybe place it behind your check out area. Print out a sheet that can be cut up into separate tickets that customers can write down their information. Be sure to get their phone and email information as well as a mailing address to you can reach the winner and build both your mailing list and your email list.
· Evite: If you have an email list of your customer base consider using Evite. It’s a basically a postcard you email to your customers to notify them of your shows, partys, open houses, events. etc.
· Email Blast: Send your family, friends, and customers a quick update if you have something going on they might want to attend. Just be careful not to SPAM your customers. You want them to be curious and excited to get email from you.


Ideas for publicity are almost endless. If you have more ideas, post them in the comment area if you'd like to share.

It's Christmas in July

for me at Arts A Flutter. The fall and winter seasons are on my mind and being that it's July...well my pieces had to be Christmas. I've posted several items for this month's listings at Arts A Flutter. This grungy snowman is just one of my listing...this is your sneak peek. Please stop in and see them if you get a chance. Look for me in the artists directory and click on the phrase under my name. I've got lots of the snowman and santa ornies and I've also included a sign. There are many great artists at Arts A Flutter and I'm glad to be included among them.

http://www.artsaflutter.com/ Look for me...Twiddlebugz Designz

Today's topic...Signage

You got your booth up and your display is looking good now let everyone know who you are and what your products are. Signage is an important part of your booth that is often overlooked. Whether you sell jewelry, food products, or knitted item you should have some signage. You don’t have to go overboard and plaster your display with it but do let customers know who you are. They may want to contact you after the event for information, products, etc. Signage and publicity go hand in hand but I am planning on breaking them up into 2 parts.

· First thing I must say, make your signs look good. Make them on the computer, have them made professionally, look to scrapbook techniques, paint them if you have that talent, etc. I don’t personally recommend hand written signs that are done in haste with a Sharpie. Take the time to make them look fabulous. Remember, they represent and speak for you!
· A banner of sorts is wonderful to have in your booth. Sign shops can make a professional one for you if you choose. But if your product is handmade you may want to consider making one yourself. With all the craft technology there is today why not. Look to scrapbook stores and supplies for ideas. Pennants are really popular currently. Die cut machines make everything neat and crisp looking. Machines like the Cricut will cut paper, fabric and vinyl…all of these will make a great banner or sign. Signs and banners can also be ordered through many of the vinyl wording websites.
· Maybe just a small sign is all you want in your booth. One that can be attached to the wall or table front with safety pins or tape.
· Another option is to place your information in a picture frame. It can be set anywhere in your booth or at your checkout table.
· Your computer is a great resource to create a sign of many sorts with the various publishing programs available.
· If your product has rare, complicated or interesting processes include a sign of sorts that has photos of you working on your product and how the process works. Wool felting, ceramics, metalwork, etc come to mind for me.
· Sale signs are great attention getters. Make them a bright color is you wish to really draw attention. As with almost all signage…don’t just scribble something quick and hang it up. Think it out ahead of time; make them look neat and professional. Have them ready and use when needed. These could include a percentage off, buy one-get one, free gift with purchase, etc. or just a simple ‘SALE’ may be enough for you.
· Office supply and display fixture stores have a variety of items to hold signage including metal frames that stand above a product, acrylic holders that stand or hang, floor and wall mounted fixtures as well. Go explore them, you may find something that really fits your needs.
· Consider laminating smaller signs so they can be used repeatedly without wear and tear on them.
· If you are placed in an aisle format (or any layout) you might consider have a sign that sticks out into the aisle so folks can see it before they get to you. Just remember to place this high enough so no one hits their head on it. PVC pipe and joints could be used to create a pole that can be attached to your side wall with tape or zip ties, etc. Your sign could be made of fabric, wood, plastic, vinyl, etc. and hang from the pipe with rings or slide over it. Wood could also be easily used.
· Price tags: Make them easy to read for your customers. WRITE CLEARLY! That is so important. Don’t confuse customers with trying to figure out if it’s $15 or $5 ‘cuz the dollar sign is confusing or loosely written. If you pull your tags at the sale counter, you may wish to place a description on them so you can tell what they were later. If you leave them on consider making them on the computer and include your contact information. But again, make them legible whether they are small or large.
· It’s okay to put a sign in your booth stating that no photos or sketching is allowed. You work hard on your product. I often will make them on the computer so they can be folded and stand on their own. Sometimes I tape them to a wall or basket. Don’t get obnoxious in your wording or actions. There will still always be someone that wants to take a photo so they can recreate an item. Simply be polite and ask them not to take photos, if they continue you have the right to ask them to leave your booth…again, politely.
· Payment forms: Let customers know if you accept credit cards. It will boost your sales 9 times out of 10. If you only accept checks and cash, that’s fine. Let them know who to make the check payable to, this way you don’t have to spell it out all day.
· Business cards: You really should have your contact information available. These will be discussed in the publicity segment next week.

Booth Display Ideas...part 2

In last week’s post I went over some ideas for wall options for your booth. Now please remember there are so many more ways to come up with something for walls. Old doors and fence boards are just a couple of more that some to mind at the moment. Today, I would like to concentrate on the horizontal aspect of your booth. This would consist mainly of shelving and tables, etc.

· Tables: Often the most common piece to use as display space. Card tables, folding tables, solid tables, heck even TV trays would consist as a table. Probably the most intelligent thing manufactures did was to take the standard 30”x6ft table and make it fold in half. Now it can fit in a car easily making it much more convenient for everyone. Just the fact that they are now made out of plastic instead of heavy MDF was quite a break through for those of us that lug them around. One of the only things that bother me about the standard width table is being able to reach the wall behind it. Years ago, I purchased some 8foot tables that were only 18” wide. Yes, they are heavy but they work great for displays and customers can still reach the wall behind them also. Check restaurant and office supply warehouses for these tables.

· Table coverings: If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. Make sure your table coverings go all the way to the floor…and for heavens sake, make sure they’re clean and pressed (at least folded neatly so they aren’t wrinkled). It will make your booth look so much better! Under your tables is valuable space to store surplus product for restocking during the day, hide your lunch and personal belongs like jackets and purses. Many things can be used for table coverings including tablecloths, sheets, quilts, chenille bedspreads, fabric by the yard, and more. Get creative and layer them. An organza drape over a sheet may be just the look your booth needs to enhance your product. If your table covering is a bit short, push it to the front so it goes to the floor and tape it to the table. Double up if needed. No one wants to see your boxes, etc. peeking out from under the table. Recently, I’ve seen some made of stretchy polyester fabrics that are made to fit the table, with a pocket for the table leg to hook into. A very clean and modern look. What ever you choose to cover your table with, make sure it suits your style of product.

· Adding Height: Maybe you are demonstrating at your booth. Bending over all day can be a painful experience. If you have a single type product to feature you may wish your table was taller also. Well it can be done very easily. PVC pipe can be used to raise your table by making the legs longer. Most folding tables have a cross bar or the legs bend. By cutting 4 pieces of PVC pipe to slide over the legs you can make the table taller. Measure the length of the leg from the cross bar or bending point to the floor and add the extra length you need to this, cut, insert the table legs and ‘ta-da’, a taller table. This is especially nice when using your table as a check out area. Again the leaning over all day can be very uncomfortable. At the end of the event, it’s easy to tear down too.

· Raise Your Product: To make your display more appealing, raise your product off the table. A flat display is very boring. Think lifts and levels to vary the height of your display. There are probably a million things you could use to do this, but make it easy for yourself. A couple of the boxes you packed your product in could be covered with another piece of fabric or matching table covering making a higher place to display some of your product. Cans, crates, books, boxes, acrylic risers, bricks, etc. can all be used to raise your product up off the table. Some of them may need to be covered, others don’t. Again, it depends on your display and product.

· Shelving: There are many affordable and portable shelving units that can be purchased. Check your local hardware and/or discount store for these selections. If you choose to make your own, more unique shelving there are several options. Those tall shutter bi-fold doors are great for this. You’ll need 2 pair of them (check thrift stores for them for cost savings). If they aren’t already hinged into pairs you’ll want to do that. Simple pine lumber comes already cut into a 4ft length or longer. This is the width of the shelving unit you’ll be creating. Figure out how many shelves you want and purchase that many pine boards. You’ll also want to cut out a slat (maybe 2) on one shutter only in each set. Slide your boards through the slats and connect the shutter pairs. Make sure the solid shutter is on the back side of the shelving unit, giving the whole thing stability. Simply take apart when the event is over and it stores flat. Another easy shelving display is made with an old wood ladder (or two). Slide pine boards through a single ladder for a small display or use longer boards and connect two ladders together for a wider display. Both of these also let you display clear to the floor. Since my product is country/primitive I’ve also used old wood ironing boards to display stuff on also. If you use peg board or grid wall you can hang boards on hooks for shelving. I’ve also done the same thing with smaller crates (fruit crates, soda crates, etc) and doubled my shelf space.

· Other display items: Get creative. Hunt your local thrift store, your attic, basement or garage for items to use as display for your product. Old suitcases are awesome for this. Stack them for height, stagger the edges for more places to put stuff, open them for display lots of the same item. Baskets are good for displaying smaller items like ornaments, etc. Putting baskets filled with ornaments under a tree trimmed with ornaments is a wonderful way to display multiple of each one. Christmas trees can be used for more than just the holiday. Hang larger items like signs, dolls, etc in them for a focal point in your booth. Spray paint one black for Halloween. Old school chairs and desks make interesting displays for teacher related items. Place a chair on the table to add height and display up. Maybe an old wheel barrow filled with garden related items will catch a customer’s eye or what about a garden arch. If you have a canopy, hang a couple of lighter items from the framework. Unusual items make good displays that draw attention. A bucket or smaller trash can filled with beans (sand, etc) are good for displaying items on stakes, sticks, etc. If you have lots of Christmas stockings, why not try a false fireplace or a pole with lots of hooks on them. Even a chain or clothesline with clothespins will create a neat way to hang aprons, stockings, etc. Don’t forget smaller hutches or solid shelving units too. They are sturdy and easy to use as long as you have room to transport them. If you have lots of baby related items a crib would make an attention getting display.

Check back next Monday for more ideas.

Some booth display ideas...Part 1

There are many ways you can set up your craft booth at shows. One of my first suggestions is to attend a couple of shows to see what others are doing. Look beyond the products to see how and what other crafters are doing for their displays. You’ll want to create a booth that works for you. In part 1, canopies and wall are discussed. Here are some ideas you may want to consider.


Canopy: If you are outside, you'll really want to have a canopy to protect you and your products from the weather. The sun will really get to you by the end of the day without shade...even consider one of the umbrellas from a patio set. You don't want you or your products to melt. It will also help protect you from rain (that's a bad word). I suggest a canopy that has straight legs instead of the ones that angle outward. Sam's Club and Costco both sell an EZup style with sides includes for just under $200. Wal-Mart now also has one with straight legs in their sporting goods dept for much less.


Walls: Basically; there are 2 types of walls, one that is just a visual barrier and one that is used to display product. Most crafters will need a wall of some sort to hang their merchandise from. More importantly, it lets customers concentrate on your product instead of looking through your booth into your neighbors. There are many ways to create walls for your booth and I think I have tried just about everything over the years.
· If you are not hanging product on your wall you can create a simple ‘pole and drape’ style wall with PVC pipe and drapes or sheets. Think of it like Tinker toys, you simply connect pieces of pipe together with joints to make a large upside down ‘U’ and add feet to the bottom so it will stand.
· Sheets, fabric, quilts, drapes, etc can be pinned or clipped to the framework of a canopy to create a ‘wall’.
· Large room divider screens can be used as a visual barrier also.
· Pegboard with 1x2’s framed on the edges for stability work great if you need to hang lots of items. I used this system for years. I recommend cutting the pegboard down to a manageable size for you to carry. Mine were 2’x6’ and I screwed the pieces together from the back side through the 1x2 framework.
· Chicken wire on a wood framework also is another great wall. I still recommend backing it with fabric so you can’t see thru it. You can hinge the frames together so it’s free standing. You can hang items using paperclips that have been opened.
· Shutters hinged together make some great walls too. Paperclips, pegboard hooks, and drapery hangers can all be used to hang items from them.
· Lattice panels are another way to display products. I suggest framing the edges and cutting it down to a manage size also. Hinge the panels to create freestanding displays or tie it to the canopy frame for support.
· Gridwall: This is the system I am currently using. I tried not to use this for years. First of all, it’s kinda pricey. Second, it didn’t really lend itself to the country/primitive theme of my product. I will admit though, it’s very versatile and can be configured in many ways. I use zip ties to put mine together, it’s fast to put up and easy to take down. You can use tarps, fabric, sheets, etc. clipped to the back to create a visual barrier. Another benefit, it’s heavy…it has saved my booth from the wind a few times when others were destroyed. I secure it to the framework of my canopy to help weight it down. It will last you forever. I purchased all my gridwall through Craig’s List and saved a ton of money. Gridwall and hooks can be purchased at store display companies and on line.

I hope this information has been useful to you. Watch for part 2 next week. ;o)