Pop-up booth for native American crafts

Festival visitors, tourists and local shoppers looking for gifts and keepsakes.

Retail sales at events, usually on consignment or bought wholesale from artists. Booth fees and travel are your main running costs, so pick events carefully.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Display and packing
• Planning an event calendar

• The federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act: check the rules on how you can label and describe items as Native American-made
• Event vendor permits and temporary sales tax permits vary by state, county and city
• General liability insurance, which many events require, and cover for your stock
• Weather, slow events and booth fees that can eat into profit
• Fair pay and clear written terms for artists who give you work on consignment

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your display setup, stock, booth fees and packing gear. A pop-up booth avoids a shop lease, but booth fees at events can eat into profit.

Check the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act rules on labeling and describing items as Native American-made. Event vendor permits and temporary sales tax permits vary by state, county and city. Check insurance, since many events require general liability, and agree consignment terms in writing.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on which events you attend, the season and your stock. Weather and slow events can reduce sales. Estimates suggest at least about 10 hours a week, including setup and packing.