FAQ: What's in my convention kit?

This is for my fellow Artist Alley vendors: A breakdown of the small essentials I bring to every show I table at!

I have this tackle box that I always have close at hand. It's kind of my "one stop shop" for various things I find myself needing throughout the weekend. And while this isn't everything I bring, (there's also my display setup...but that's a story for another day?) I consider these some core essentials that could be useful for a wide variety of convention sellers.

• Pens
• Portable power bank - For keeping my phone and card readers charged.
• Mechanical pencils
• Eraser
• Xacto Knife
• Cables - Charging cables for my phone, card readers, etc.
• Scissors
• Microfiber cloth - Great for when I need to wipe my glasses, or do a quick polish on an enamel pin
• Safety pins
• String/Cord - I keep a little spool of some thin but sturdy cord, in case I need to tie something down, fix something, etc.
• Small pencil sharpener
• Binder Clips (Various sizes) - These are great for holding various things together, doing quick fixes to my display, etc.
• Super Glue
• Gluestick
• Banner Grommet Tabs
• Micro Cutters (CHP-170) - I use zip ties in my display setup, and these small cutters are perfect for cutting through them at the end of the day.
• Mini stapler - Found this at my local Daiso!
• Clear Slot Hang Tabs - First learned about these when I worked in retail, and they're so handy! Sometimes the hang tabs on my pin or patch packaging might get torn, and these have been great to have as a quick fix. Also great for using to display prints from a pegboard.
• Mini screwdriver kit - Also from Daiso!
• Mini E6000 tubes
• Square Readers
• Mini Measuring Tape
• Hair Ties
• Post-Its
• Business Cards
• Trash bags - Always a good idea to bring a couple of these! Having a trash can at your table or nearby is not always a guarantee at conventions. I usually grab a couple 15-gallon bags from my kitchen, roll them up into small bundles, and drop them into my kit before I leave.
• USB AC adapter
• Wet wipes - I usually save these from restaurants (#crazyfrugalasians), and add them to my kit.
• Compressed Towels - These I get from my local Daiso in various sizes, but I've seen similar products sold at sporting/outdoors stores too. Basically, they're small to medium sized towels that have been compressed into a small little packet. When you're ready to use them, just pour a little water on it to reconstitute them.
• iPhone-powered mini fans - One of my favorite items to have with me during conventions. You can get these almost everywhere - Daiso, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, etc. Just plug them into your phone's charging port, and you have a little fan to cool down with.
• Zip ties - I use these to hang my banners and secure parts of my display. If you happen to live by a Fry's Electronics, they often carry a wide variety of sizes and colors of ties in their store.