Did you know when I first started life i design I sold my art at local art markets? I did it all: taught classes in person, sold locally, and anything else in between. Although I’ve moved away from selling at art markets, I wanted to give my best tips for how to prepare to sell your art at art markets.

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Keep Your First Art Market Set-up Simple

When it comes to supplies, I always suggest keeping them simple when just starting out. There is no need to spend much money on displays or setups. Get what you need, and then work your way up. I grabbed the basics that I needed when I first started out, and it didn’t involve anything super fancy, just some items from a local store that helped display my artwork.

• Folding tables fit perfectly in the trunk of most small SUVs

• Wood shelving from thrifting or even Facebook Marketplace

• Boxes or risers so you can bring items up to eye level as well

Bring Extras of EVERYTHING!

The biggest thing to prepare for is bringing extras of anything you might need—bags, business cards, prints, greeting cards, etc. It's better to be over prepared than underprepared when you’re there.

Collect E-mail Addresses

This might be the biggest tip I can share with you, so I hope you’re taking notes! Collect email addresses from people who show an interest in your art, and especially if they make a purchase. That way you can keep in touch with them and let them know of upcoming markets and product releases so you have an opportunity to keep them on a VIP list and offer them future product releases and sales.

Make It Easy for Customers to Pay You

If you haven’t considered it already, find a way to collect debit or credit card payments. You can even have someone PayPal you or Venmo you if available. There are services like Square that can send you a product that allows you to swipe their card and collect payment at art markets!

Staying Comfortable When Selling at Art Markets

Here’s what you don’t think about when you’re at an art market: snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, and water. These may seem mundane, but if you’re selling outside in the heat for longer hours, ensure you’re not getting sunburnt or bitten by bugs.

Snacks are also a huge need. Often, there will be food trucks or local restaurants selling food, but if you don’t want to spend extra money, bring some snacks to help get you through the day. I also invited a friend or brought my daughter along to help and mostly for company! They are usually casual events so making it fun and bringing someone along can help pass time when things are slow.

Overall, bring what you need, and don’t stress about perfect things. Nothing will ever be perfect because there’s always SOMETHING we can change. What’s important is showcasing your artwork and meeting local customers and business owners. Your setup doesn’t need to be perfect or over the top.

Are you selling at any local art markets this year?

Do you plan to attend a local art market this year and sell your art in person? Or do you prefer to sell passively or digitally? If you want to learn more about ways to make money from your art, I have a podcast episode to help you go from hobby to business.