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I used to hear artist/crafters say "if your work is good it will sell itself."  Only if they see it first!

Let's talk about color of displays.  Color maybe more important then you think. Colors that work and why: 

• Emerald Green - natural, vibrant, helps colors of soaps pop out to people walking by

• Vivid Purple (not neon) - regal, elegant, happy, color pop on this color too 

• Red - regal, draws man, but use sparingly as women don't respond well  

• Blues are not good selling colors.  Deep blues don't respond good with all colors of soaps.  

• White, no,no,no,! Soaps of all colors may look nice up close on white but it doesn't draw the customer in the isle to the table to take a look!  

• Pastels - again,  like white, don't use.  To the customers eye, you blend in with the flow of booths and background colors. 

• Vivid prints can be used but must have solid color topping that items are displayed on.  Never display products on prints, it distract the eyes from the products.
  

One more thing about displays, multi levels. A table that is just flat with soaps stacked or laying flat is not inviting from the isle. So how do you get multi levels? Well the first trick is small boxes under the table cloths. This can give you a second level.  Stained peach crates not only look great but can be stocked and packed away.  Add a wood shelf in the middle and now you have more display area. Cheap foldable short bakers racks make great displays.

The idea is this: the ideal selling area is between chest and forehead level. So some things on the top table something at chest level and something at eye and forehead level will give you a display that draws a customer from the other side of the room. 

Displays take time to create.  Don't rush out and spend money on a lot of stuff. Add one or two elements a show. Then stand across the isle.  What do you see? Do you see the product?  Does your display invite you to look closer?  Is the space comfortable or are customers scared to bump into things?  Stand back and look at your display at every show.  Also look at others displays, what works and most important what don't you like.  This can lead you in the direction for the booth that will please you and draw customers and make lots, and lots of money.

Just a FYI, when I started showing my highly colored pottery, I displayed everything flat, then added boxes under the table. Levor doors with glass shelves from floor to top was made and the color was change three times.  Royal blue was the first color, sales were ok, Black the second (idea was black would make the colors pop) black doesn't sell work! Finally white, When you have larger pieces (6" up to 28") and they are highly colored and lustered white works, because it creates light around them.

Hope this helps
Carol Kapochus
Carol's Scent'N'Soaps

I forgot to add something: Baskets, different textures, colors and shapes for displaying soaps is great. Again they can be packed and all you do is place it out. I can't tell you how many times I am still setting up and people buy soap because its already displayed in the baskets. BUT, don't just use baskets. I have bigger bars on the table top, designer molded bars in baskets, folding baker's racks ($10. family dollar) and 2 small free baker stands ($2.00 Family dollar). Ok I am done now!

Carol Kapochus
Carol's Scents'N'Soaps