To anyone who's vended at an arts and craft fair...

[MaggieTheCat]

What kind of table do you have, and where did you get it? (if you have your own, that is.) I'm going to need to get my own table eventually, and a show coming up soon that I'm kinda interested in said it would prefer if vendors could bring their tables, so this might be a good time for me to invest in one.

I would need something foldable, obviously, and that would fit into our Honda Civic. I also really need it to be 6 feet in length to work with my current table display; I could rework my table display, but it works out really nicely as it is. Plus, I have a lot of stuff that I vend, so I need the space anyway. I've read that putting 3 card tables next to each other to form one long table works, but I'm wondering if there's a better/cheaper option. I looked at Amazon (haven't been to a local store yet) and the good card tables are $30-40 at least, so getting 3 of them would put me at about $100. I don't mind paying that if it's worth it, I just want to make sure I'm not missing another option. Where is a good place to get tables like this? Someplace like Home Depot or Lowe's? I'm betting some place like Sam's Club or Costco would have them for a bit cheaper, but we don't have a membership to either store.

While we're on the subject of tables, I'm also going to need a tent covering eventually, since I want to start doing outdoor shows next spring, so if anyone has any advice on those, I'm all ears.

[zombiequeen]

I use my mum's folding table that she bought at Sam's club a few years ago. It has a handle, and I see lots of people at craft fairs with similar tables, so I bet they are fairly cheap too.
As for a canopy, my friend bought one earlier this year, it was a 10'x10' one, cost $50 on sale, originally $65, and was NOT waterproof. You would have to buy a tarp to put with the canvas, possibly under, to be waterproof. And get side panels, if you want them. Hubby and I found a nice one at Walmart, waterproof tarp top, 10'x10' for I think $50-ish, and if you got the one with side panels included, it was like $100 or less. They also sold side panels for the standard 10'x10' tarps.
I hope this helps, I've been looking at tables and canopies for craft shows as well.

[MaggieTheCat]

Thanks zombiequeen, I know you vend too so I was hoping you'd have some input. I called around a couple of stores here in town and found a Home Depot that sells 6ft folding tables for $45, so I might check them out...but it turns out my husband has a folding table somewhere that I never even knew about. Just need to find it and set it up and see if it's the right size, etc. I'll definitely check out Wal-mart for the tents...I honestly didn't even think to look there.

[zombiequeen]

No problem, nice on your husband for hiding the table.
The only reason I know Wal-mart has the tents is because hubby and I were looking for thermoses the other day and I saw them. I'm starting to save up my extra money from shows and stuff so I can eventually get my own table, tent, and chair.

[ArcticChicken]

Home Depot carries tarps, if you decide to go with that option.

If you wind up needing to look around for a table, you could also try a home goods store like Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and I think I've seen folding tables with a carry handle at arts and crafts stores.

[Seshat]

Go to camping specialist stores, as well. One of the ones that's a small(er) place run and staffed by experts.

Sure, you're not camping - but they'll know what portable gear is available, and what tent fabrics and types to go for, and what to avoid. They may even be able to sell you a length of the fabric to make your own perfect canopy out of, and seam sealant to make the seams waterproof.

[Andara Bledin]

My mother and aunt have been vending at crafts shows and powwows and faires for longer than I've been alive (and I turn 40 next year).

They usually go with a pair of pretty bog standard folding tables with some vaguely attractive but neutral cloth over them.

Whatever you do, do not cheap out on the canopy. It is easily the most expensive part of their setup and worth every penny. Sure, it's heavy and can be a bear to wrestle into and out of the car, but since it's also one of those 'easy up' style frames, they don't spend very much time actually putting it up or pulling it down, and the weight helps keep it in place.

They don't bother with side panels as their wares are really easy to pack up at the end of the day and re-display the next morning. But if you've got a set up with security that will watch over it at night, you'll want the side panels. They can also be useful to help keep the sun off of you, in which case, you'd only need one or two.

^-.-^