What do I take to a craft show?
When I first stepped into the world of Friday night farmers markets and craft shows, I had no idea how much I would learn in such a short amount of time. It’s been a little over a year now, and looking back, those early days were filled with a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and a lot of trial and error.
In the beginning, one of the biggest challenges I faced was simply figuring out what to bring. It sounds simple, but when you’re running a custom laser engraving business, the possibilities are almost endless. I found myself constantly asking questions like: What products will people actually buy? How much inventory should I make? Am I bringing too much—or not enough? Without any real data or past experience to lean on, every decision felt like a guess.
At that time, we didn’t have a portable laser setup that we could bring to events. That meant we couldn’t offer on-the-spot customization, which is often a huge draw for customers. Instead of seeing that as a limitation, we decided to adapt. We focused on offering leather patch hats as a made-to-order product. Customers could choose their design, place an order at the booth, and we would deliver once the hats were completed. This approach allowed us to still provide a personalized product experience, even without producing items live.
Alongside that, we made it a point to communicate clearly that our capabilities went far beyond what was physically on the table. We took custom orders for a wide range of laser-engraved products, including wood pieces, aluminum business cards, and tumblers. This not only expanded our potential sales but also helped customers start to understand the full scope of what we could create.
Those early markets taught me an important lesson: you don’t have to have everything figured out to get started. In fact, you probably won’t. What matters most is showing up, being willing to adapt, and learning from each event. Over time, patterns begin to emerge—what sells, what doesn’t, what catches people’s attention, and what questions come up again and again.
If you’re just starting out in markets or craft shows, know this: it’s okay to start small. It’s okay to test ideas. And it’s definitely okay to pivot when something isn’t working. Every market is an opportunity to refine your approach, connect with customers, and grow your business one conversation at a time.
Looking back, I’m grateful we started when we did—even without all the “perfect” equipment or a fully dialed-in product lineup. That experience laid the foundation for everything we’ve built since.
Ready to create something custom of your own? Whether you’re looking for personalized gifts, branded business items, or one-of-a-kind engraved pieces, we’d love to bring your ideas to life. Visit www.dmzcustomdesigns.com to explore our products, place an order, or get in touch to start your custom project today.
