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Artist and Crafter Responses to 'How to spot retail' and 'How to advertise better'. Part 3/3 By Louis Marquette - a CraftLister.com Craft Expert about page personal website based on 2 ratings Viewed 2209 times Printed 5 times
Question:
Artists & Crafters, PLEASE TAKE 1 MINUTE TO QUICKLY REPLY NOW WITH YOUR IDEAS ON: event advertising, both the promoter's best options and things you can do to help, and your ideas on removing retail from juried events.
Event Advertising is critical for vendors' success. Most promoters at least try and so most failures are due to inexperience, advertising nievete, lack of funds to do more, and/or poor fund placement - Not will-full neglect to advertise. As such, knowledge of where to spend dollars first, where to not consider unless you are high up on the money hill, and where to find FREE advertising opportunities is CRITICAL.
Few promoters have answered my pleas for advertising tips to share, and so I am looking for YOU, vendors, to tell me what YOU have gleamed from talking with promoters over the years as far as what advertising methods work best, not at all, etc. The gist of their advice is: Street signs early and plentifully, as these are the best drawers; mailings to past visitor list w/ coupons; handouts for vendors at other shows w/ coupons; newspaper ads the 2 weeks before w/ coupons; your idea here!
Vendors have already told me they post newspaper ads for events they will be doing, they mail to their own mailing list a quarterly show list and even offer prior customer special deals and at-show coupons. What else can vendors do? Any improvements to these mentioned methods?
Retail at Juried Shows is a still growing and already pandemic problem. All but the top 10% of shows have it in some form today. Besides the face that there are so many more sources and products available for 'crafters' to find to resell from, the quality and appearance of import retail items has been increasing.
I have asked before for tips on identifying non-hand-made products in your category, PLEASE send them to me NOW! Reply by email, right this second! Not a single person replied to my prior requests. WHY? Is this not seen as critical? Promoters will be jurying YOUR shows for this year soon and I'd like this to get into their hands. I will be preparing a list of categories, with identification techniques for each to share with all promoters. IF YOU DO NOT WANT PROMOTERS LETTING IN CHINA MADE POTTERY, JEWELRY, WOOD, ETC. UNKNOWINGLY THAN YOU HAD BEST HELP ME GIVE THEM THE INFO THEY NEED TO MAKE THE DECISIONS YOU WANT THEM TO MAKE AND THAT THEY TRY AND STRUGGLE TO MAKE CORRECTLY. Import companies and sending their 'crafter' clients instructions on how to get past jurying. Instructions are needed for our juries now!
Other advice for promoters includes assigning crafters in each category to go around before the show starts to identify retail. I say do not wait for a promoter to ask you - Walk around after you setup with pen and paper and jot down all spot numbers you know or suspect of retail and for each record what items or all, your confidence level in your call, brief reasons, things the promoter can look for, etc. Ask the promoter to look into those vendors and their questionable items before the doors open to the public. Remind them why it is in THEIR best interest!
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hi, May be a way to take care of the items not being hand made is for the promoters to ask on the application how the items were made.
I get real upset because I make my lampwork beads by and then I make the jewelry. So I start from the raw materials all the way to the end product.
I see people at shows reselling junk that they had bought for cheap cheap. I can only make so many and not only that they can sell for a lot less then I can. I feel that this needs to be stopped or the artist will lose out. - thanks - Deri
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SOME SHOWS THAT I HAVE APPLIED TO SAY THAT THEY ONLY WANT HAND MADE CRAFTS AND REQUIRE PICTURES SENT.
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Hi Louis...in my experience most promoters are not concerned with retail as a matter of fact if they do not get enough vendors signed up by the last two weeks prior to the show they then start to accept home interiors etc.
The other reason I believe this is, I did a show last weekend that was suppose to be all handcrafted they had so much buy/sell there it was pathetic. They claimed on the application that they would be going to each booth and making sure it was all handmade and anything that was not would be removed immediately, I never saw one of the organizers the entire show and alot of the retail was so obvious.
Why insist that it will be all handcrafted to begin with? Why not admit that you are going to allow retail? Instead of having the handcraft vendors and the customers totally fed up? My customers complain to me all the time that they thought this or that show was to be all handcrafted and it has not only retail but junky retail and then the organizers do nothing about it. I follow the rules and then I end up next to junk.
If they truly care....One way the promoters can know is to get copy of all the buy sell catalogs and actually look at the booth or picture they are jurying and compare.
I have actually been at shows where the vendors have complained and the organizers who said \"all buy/sell would be removed\" then at the show stated there is nothing they can do about it. Until the organizers/promoters stop turning a blind eye to this it will continue.
This is how shows end up going downhill, until the organizers/promoters start caring as much about the show as they do they money generated this will be a problem. What they do not realize is that the show then ends up dying from all the retail and then they lose money anyway, So why not turn away the retail and keep the show alive and well for years instead of killing it just to fill spaces.
Some of the retail items are sold out of the box with the made from china packaging still in tack and the promoter still claims they did not know it was retail or that there is nothing they can do about it.
I have found very few shows where the promoter actually did care. Many shows that make you go through all this hoopla (ex: sending in a picture of you making your craft etc.) to get in turns out to be the worse one for retail. - Cathy
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Hi Lou, In reference to Retail items, it wouldn't take much for the promoters to go online and google arts&crafts products to see what's available. This is a great starting point, most of the high end retail sold at shows we have seen on these websites(Asian). One of the promoters we use is Rose Squared in New Jersey, they have least amount and maybe none of any retail products.
The promotors have to become more aggressive promoting shows on the web. Many just use their mailing lists and the crafters mailing lists.
One major concern I have is that most promoters are targeting the same group (age wise) and they are getting older. They have to target a younger audience. I have made it a priority to listen to the younger home owners and find out what they want.
Just like a crafter selling the same items year after year; many promtors look the same year after year. We change our booth every year and 50% of our products. Promotors have to give the impressions something is new & different. - Like your website and it's easy to use. - Thanks - Dave Faivus
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We do look for the retail at shows and when I bring the attention to the show directors they seem to get upset with me...I was at a show in S ga..the stainless steel spinners were there I brought them to the attention of the show people and she pulled out a picture of him painting them and said that is all she could do I told her I would give her the web site and she could see for herself...then this weekend at a great show in south Tn the .... fest..I told them about the croaking frogs made of wood in MX..they told me to be sure and put it on my comment sheet but they still went ahead and gave them award of hornable mention so next year they don't even have to proof anything...this kind of stuff is making all us hand crafters who work very hard ., ready to give up and buy a load and sell out of the boxes...who knows maybe then we would be reconized....or maybe we would at least make some money...how about it crafters.. - Char
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Event Advertising:
Outside of the usual ways, radio, tv, newspaper, the place where the show is being held should be involved in advertising. They should have a venue board of some sort that posters should be placed on, months before the show. If it's a gymnasium or college, there should be an event calendar, or a program if it's an arena or place where sports events are held, and they should advertise in that. Kalamazoo's biggest shows are held at Wings Stadium (the hockey team is The Wings) and the schedule of events at the stadium are in every event program, plus the local radio station covers those events FREE.
In a show that big, the vendors come from all over the United States, so it's hard to have them spread the word, unless they plan to bring their town with them. All vendors who have websites should include all the shows they do on their site. Also, vendors can hand out lists of all the places they will be showing next. This attracts the locals - I really like the coupon idea. Plus advertising that the show is Arts and Crafts will attract local artists, as well as crafters.
If the city the show is in has an Arts Council, going thru them for advertisement is effective, as well as targeting the city's Chamber of Commerce. These are two places that will advertise free.
Retail at Juried Shows:
This has been an increasingly big problem for years, and it's not at all fair to people who really truly make their stuff. The best way to catch vendors that are selling retail products would be to ask other vendors to jury each other. Hand out a questionairre to each vendor, and ask them to turn it in before the show starts. Most vendors walk around and check out the other vendors while they set up. I've been next to sellers who were selling stuff that wasn't hand crafted before, and I snitched on them. The promoters heading up the show asked that seller to leave.
Jurers really have their work cut out for them. It is almost impossible to tell from pictures what might be hand made or not - and people do sneak stuff in. I see it all the time. The best thing I can suggest there is, if it looks too good to be hand made, it probably isn't!
If you include in the show application information that all sellers will be checked after set-up and if found to be selling mass produced items, they will be asked to tear down. Or include verbage that you would like the seller to look around and report any items to the promoter that might not be hand crafted, it might deter some sellers from even applying. Of course this will mean that promoters will have to follow up on every report they get, which could be time consuming, but will be worth it to other crafters.
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Louis, Good morning. I did not see the first post on this but I did this morning see this one. Steve and I are Bead Artists. When we send in an entry we send in the required photos of our work and set up of our tables but the set up is taken from within our working studio this way they can see that we are not a factory mass producing the product.
We feel that:
one- the promoter should hire someone that is very knowledgeable in the field that he/she is jury-ing.
second - the jury-ing should demand of the artist, photos of works in progress showing the studio/artist at work.
The public out there looking for something wither it be art, jewelry coins ,glass ware...should become more informed via the Internet about the fakes that are on the market that are being passed off as real. In our opinion they are the ones at fault feeding this market on fakes they do not care that the American artist is being outsourced to some country for cheaper price and cheaply made goods. - Sara and Steve
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Hi, Regarding retail at juried shows. How about having artists send pictures of their studios/work spaces along with pics of their \"work\". Chances are, if there are tools of their trade, including raw materials, machinery, tools, etc, the artist probably makes their stuff. - Just an idea, - Cindy Gabriel
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Event Advertising: Craigslist and postaroo are free and I find some shows/events there. On the town where the event is being held, on the Event page on the Town Website, I have found some good shows there too. As far as Retail at juried shows, I will keep my eye out, but sometimes it can be hard to spot, but think this is a great idea to notify the promoter to check it out... - Tian
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Hello from Ohio! I'll try, a minute is not much. In my opinion the reason the buy/sell is perpetuated is that there is a difference in shows that present artists and \"fine crafts\" to those that present crafters. Hate to say it but that's what I believe. I am a glass blower and NONE of the shows that I do have buy/sell work in them. Maybe it happened once by accident but that's it. And as far as the advertising goes it's the same. Again, the shows that I enter realize that not advertising is self defeating. Perhaps the promoters of say the original Ann Arbor Art Fair have a higher purpose then collecting the booth fees. You need to remember that some promoters don't.
Sound cynical, I hope it isn't because I see so many of these shows where the exhibitors are more ego oriented then anything else. Again, not in the ones that I do. Here there are a vast percentage of exhibitors that are actually making their living at what they do. - Hope that helps. I think you do a GREAT job! - Regards, - Bob (ipunty) - Robert Coleman - Patient Medicines
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Advertising - it is rare for events in this area to be in paid advertising due to the price. Signs in advance as well as that day are good. Listings in local papers, radio and TV are free and good. It would also be appreciated if vendors keep to the terms of their forms/contracts; the most obvious being that work is handcrafted, but also if no one is suppose to leave before a certain time they should not be allowed to drive in and pack and leave, etc.
Junk - Every show I have been to lately has buy and sell merchandise. Show vendors do not care. I have complained at shows and then the next year the buy and sell vendor is back and I am not. Most of the shows on this list for my area are flea markets, not craft shows, some do not even accept vendors. Also I think the term should be artist or crafter, not vendor. If someone from the promoter walked the show and looked what was there it is often obvious what is not crafts - 4 vendors with identical bags, items from South America (I have been told on complaining that the family makes it and sends it here), commercial jewelry ad nauseum, diabetic socks, enamel hat pins... And these are the obvious items! I am even not including items that are purchased commercially and personalized or dressed. One show that we used to do years ago required you to be working at the show. Our state has a definition for flea markets, bazaars, white elephant sales, but none for craft show so promoters are not violating the law.
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Even if you tell the promoters it is retail and you can prove it, most do nothing about it anyways. Infact they seem to get mad at the people telling them, refering to them as trouble makers. They say they don't wan't to make a seen by making the retailers leave or remove the items or flat out making them leave. They just say they won't allow then back. That response does no good at all bacause the damage is already being done.
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In the Washington, DC area, there's free community news advertising on Channel 20 on TV. Also in the weekend section of the Washington Post on Friday is a listing called What's Doing that lists Arts & Crafts events - I believe it's still free
But the absolute Best is Signs on the streets at least one week prior to and leading up to the event. They do not have to be professionally made - just a poster with the name of it and arrows pointing to it If it's in a locality where it's allowed - banners across a main road are great
And promotors should not think they have to do it all themselves - I'm sure if they asked crafters who live in the area of the show for help with these things - they would help !! I usually ask promotors at some shows I do if I can help make signs or hang them - sometimes I put flyers in grocery stores, fabric stores and libraries. - Denise
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I have notified promoters of \"handmade only\" shows of good that are manufactured. Their reply was that the crafters had assured them that they had \"added to\" or \"changed\" some part of the items in question. It seem to me that promoters are less concerned due to the fact that they make their money either on the space rent or a percentage of sales...either way they are not inclined to discourage vendors. And let's face it the public is buying the cheap imported stuff rather than appreciating true hand-crafted items.
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hi Louis, I am confused by your email. From the gist of it, are you saying everything at the craft fairs should be handmade? If that is the case, I am one of those outsiders. I purchase my candles wholesale and then sell them at craft fairs, home parties, companies, etc. Does someone like me not belong at the craft fairs?
In answer to your other question, I post a flyer at the mailboxes in my neighborhood, send out an email blast to all my customers, and keep them informed on where I will be and when. - ope you get a good response! thanks - Tish
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im and not a event but am a vendor with retail items for sale so i dont think its fair for me to respond to this email as i dont not enter juried events if they are listed that way.
but unfortunaly my first craft event i entered was not listed as juried i sent pictures and a detailed product list to the event and was accepted by them. Then recieved many comments and looks at the event from other vendors who were upset with me for being there. That was my first event and I was very uncomfortable, I respect how other crafters felt but the event was simply listed as craft fair and no mention was made in the application about being a juried event.
I will be very careful in the future to ask this question prior to entry, however there has to be a place for the retail partons also is there a site that list retail shows within communities for the step children of events?
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I personally could care less if retail items are allowed in craft shows. This seems to be what the customers want anyway. Every crafter I know mixes some retail in with their hand crafted pieces anymore. It is cost effective for good sales, The day of the craft shows where only crafted items by the crafter are sold is behind us. The customer is no longer interested in that. Unfortunate, but true. Asking other crafters to \"tattle\" to promoters is a boobytrap. I have been \"tattled\" on many times because my handcrafted items appear to be retail, but are not. Demonstrating was the only way to stop the tattling. Demonstrating takes up time I could use to actually sell the items. I'm just tired of all of it. Retail is here to stay whether or not we like it and the customer likes it!
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Hi Louis, I'm responding to your request for info on advertising and juried shows.
As for advertising, I agree that promotors are not doing a good job. I am a vendor located in Delaware and there is a major problem within the last year or so of poor attendance at craft shows. Vendors are complaining of a lack of advertising and I have noticed that myself. The best way to reach shoppers in the Delaware area is to have a paid advertisement in The News Journal. TNJ does have a free community event section but that has not been effective. For events that I participate in I do email my client base to notify them, and I think all vendors should do that. However, I also feel that it is up to the promotor to provide adequate advertising. If I am paying a fee to participate in an event, I expect quality advertising, or I will not participate with that promotor in the future.
As for the juried shows, that doesn't seem to be too difficult. My items are not juried, nor do I participate in juried shows. But the promotor needs to specifically ask about the items before accepting the vendor's application. They also need to let the vendor know that they will be ejected from the show if they bring items that are not handmade. Period. Also it is NOT the responsibility of fellow vendors to \"police\" other vendors. This needs to be done by the promotor. They should have someone walking around before the show to inspect items. Again, the promotor is being paid by the vendors, so the promotor needs to take responsibility to have a quality show.
Finally, as for why you are not getting responses. IMHO it is because people are not reading the text of your messages completely. I know that I do not. My time is limited, so I check the event listings, but honestly don't have the time to read the lengthly messages. I don't mean to criticize because I am guilty of a long message right now. But just wanted to offer a reason why you may not be getting the responses you're looking for.
Thanks for keeping up this great site for all of us! - Susan
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RE Jewelery: Make a requirement that they demonstrate/work on their craft at the show. That should solve most of the problem. Also,
promoters have to abide by their own rules, they will be asked to leave and no refund given. But also, If you do it to jewelery vendors, then the same goes for others. There are large well respected shows that continue to allow buy/sell, even when handcrafters have complained about it. You lose respect for a promoter in these cases.
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Hi Louis, I wish I had good ideas for your VERY GOOD questions. One of the reasons I would never be a promoter is because of the advertising. It seems a small add in the local newspaper and a cardboard sign near the show is about all we get. Some of the biggy guys send me made up post cards and ask me to send them to my customers; which I do without any good results. As far as I can tell having a good music show is what brings in the most people, no music few customers. As to buy/sell I will keep a record of this season and give it to you in December. You provide a wonderful service really really Thanks.....Linda Whiting
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We have been doing shows where the promotor has a 2 day and and the first year we did the show it was packed with crafters-over 200. The next year there were about 60 and 1/2 of them were jewelers. I don't mind jewelry, but not everyother booth. The same with candle makers. You know the ones who make it themselves and those who have purchased a line to sell. It is frustrating especially when you take the time to make a nice item and then someone comes buy and makes the comment that they can but some similar in Wal-Mart. It mabe similar, but you won't get the quality that I have in my work.
RETAIL AT JURIED SHOWS
I have beel applying for shows that are requesting pictures of the items you make as well as pictures of you actually making them. I crochet so I have many pictures of the items and some of me actually putting things together. I hope this helps. I have been to many shows where the advertise hand crafted only to get there and find buy sell items. Its frustrating and you can't compete with them. - Thanks, - Cathy
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Louis, Regards the Show advertising.
I think its imperitive for street signs to be placed around the area, when able to be. I realise some areas dont allow street signage, but since most Shows are a once a year event, I believe applying to the local Borough or Township for extra ordinary permission may reap rewards.
I also believe contacting and working with your local Chambers of Commerce and Tourism will reap benefits. Offer them a small free Booth where they can set up to show the Town and Area's attractions in exchange for including your Show in all their Promotional and Advertising material. This would cost little.
Finally, offer Community groups to get involved. Get them to run Food or Drink stands to raise funds, to help you out with the Show and cleaning up, or host their own Groups Craft booth will get 'word of mouth' advertising flying through the local community. And what Parents, Uncles, Aunts and Grandparents wont stop in to support little Debbies efforts?? Just my suggestions.
Regards the Retail items gracing Juried Crafts Shows?
I'm sorry, but its going to have to come to the scenario where we all supply a DVD or Video to the Jury, of us in our workshop making an item from go to whoa. Its acknowledged that Slides, Photos, Invoices and whatever else can be doctored - but they are less time consuming and easy.
It really gets down to whether a Promoter/Jury is serious enough about eradicating Retail items from their Shows and if we, as Crafters/Artists, are committed enough to protecting our hand made Industry. Simply, its going to be more time consuming and theres going to be more effort required from both parties, to make any Show Retail free. - Again, just my thoughts - Jim Kirkwood - Kirkwoods Krystal & Krafts
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Louis, As for advertising for shows: signs out early and lots of them usually bring in people, especially for small local shows. We did a show up in Vernon, NJ, that usually is very good, they had to change there location for the show last year and nobody put up signs on the main road, even on the day of the show, the only sign was at the entrance to the show on a road that is off the beaten path. Advertising in local papers for a few weeks before is also very good.
As for retail items, I usually spot them right away; it is easy; go up to the \"crafter\" and start a friendlly conversation with them about their items, ask them how they did this and how they did that...if the are retail and not a crafter you usually will get an answer that is totally off mark on how to do it, or they tell you the technique is a \"secret recipe\" so to speak. Most real crafters I have known in the last 30 years are only to happy to discuss how they did this and how they did that, real craft people are passionate, people selling retail items posing as craft item just want you to go away when you start asking questions. I work with fiber, knitting and crochet, I can spot retail in this area real quick, machine made items such as sweaters that people add appliques to and then sell as handmade sweaters aren't fooling anyone, machine knitted items are perfect, handmade knitted items, well lets say, you can't make two identical.
Hope this helps, I'm getting a little to ticked off with amounts of retail showing up at craft shows...it really hurts the handmade stuff, some people who attend the shows won't come back if they see to much retail merchandise. - Regards, Leslie
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1 good way for non-profit to advertise is to contact thier local tv stations since most of them do it for free.I attend 1 show where they give each vendor tickets to hand out to customers.As far as resell items...some shows that I do will allow only 10% of your items to be wholesale.Most promoters I talk to don't really care...ALL they care about is the money for the spaces.I do sell barn stars but all the promoters know that I hand paint all of mine so they are fine with those items from me.It's the 1's that the vendor takes right out of the boxes from the wholesalers that get me.The people that sell all resale items can't even call themselves crafters.
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Louis, I'm sorry I have taken the time before to reply. Here are a few ideas. Promoters: If you are a small town/community, see what it takes to get a banner put up across Main Street or if that is too expensive, then at least put a couple of young volunteers on street corners with posters. Make you street signs large enough that someone driving by can easily read it. Some are so small you only see Craft Fair but there is no way to read the rest unless you just happen to stop next to one. See if you can put a flyer in the local day cares to promote your event...try doctors offices...any where there is a lot of activity.
Vendors: Make plenty of flyers and give them to your friends to pass out to their friends/co-workers. Word of mouth is still the best advertisement. Get them to help you fnd places to put flyers.
Retail at Juried Events: This is a hard one for painted glass. The best I can tell you is that for me and most of my competition, you will never see multiples or multiple sets of the same item. We tend to offer more variety and one of a kind items because you can always offer to custom paint an object. My biggest complaint in this area is against those vendors who have ... glass from Italy in the booth next to mine. -- Hope this helps - Judy
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I don't have any good feedback on event advertising... but as far as identifying imports in my medium...
I guess for pottery I would say that one thing to look for is that the signature or stamp on the bottom has something to do with the person who claims to be the maker.... either their name or a symbol that means something important to them. Also- if the pots look very \"regional\"... ie: southwestern american indian style, or highly painted as they are from mexico then more looking should be done- there are few potters that I know of who work in those very regional styles. - other than that- I don't know.
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Hi louis, Ok my ideas for advertiseing:
1 flyers,2 radio spots(populer station,not the am,or low doller ones),3news paper ads(worthless) 4 Billboards(yes this is still the best bang for buck)
Jurred shows suck,its a lie,Im a mineral and jem dealer,so when I do a gem/mineral show and I see cloathing,swapmeet stuff,etc. I go balistic and notify the promoter nowsame with glass beads,african trade beads.
The promoters get their $ up front and honestlly most could care less, as long as they get paid.
AS for the cheep import tools,jewelry and crap the china,india dealers bring in,what can I say,this is a federal problem(trade embargos,etc)seems to me most americans want cheep stuff,most are clueless as to what quality is,so its an education situation(yes I spend a lot of time showing folk the differance between the treated citrine pendent from brazil,and the untreated,set in sterling silver citrine pendent)
a quick look at the silver pendents from india,shows the poor quality of work and the fact that its not .925 silver but a high in copper alloy. But if you dont know,how can you tell?
the first rules of buesness;LOCATION,PARKING,and quality products at a fair price(not low.not cheep).
I hope this is a bit of help,And I want to tell you,that I thank you for the time and energy you have put into craft lister,I tell every dealer about it and the promoters also. - thank you - George C. Hall
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Show the promoter your quality work and impress them with your attention to detail and maybe they will think twice about letting in the trinket dealer or importer just to fill show space.Only deal with the promoter directly and not by phone or e-mail if you can because they are not seeing what each person sells most likely.If you sell the best,work with the best.
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With regard to advertising, the good promoters do their best in most cases. I, as a vendor, must do my part also so I keep a log on my table asking for e-mail and snail mail addresses. Whenever I do a show, I send out my own announcement. I prefer e-mail of course, because of the cost, but it is amazing how many of these people will show up...not just for my items but for others also. I have a list of about 500 and it grows each time I do a show. If I'm in a crunch I get the e-mail out for sure and if I have time, I'll do the others...usually just a post card with the pertinent info on it.
As far as the resale items in the shows, this is probably my biggest gripe. I have talked with promoters. Many of them tell me they didn't know they were letting in \"China junk\". Others tell me that they visit the tables before a show starts and if they see any, they pull them but that after they leave, the vendor will bring the items back out. I make jewlery, all types, and cannot compete with the prices on the resale stuff. Several promoters told me that because the response for handcrafted items is so low, if they want their show to be a success, they have no choice but to let them in. In talking with people who do handcrafted art, many of them feel their items are not good enough to sell, or they don't like going through the trouble of setting up and taking down and that the money they make is never worth all that work. They say people knitpick their products, their prices, etc. so they stay home. I personally will no longer do the big two day shows because people dont' seem to have much appreciation for my (all vendor's) craftsmanship. So, i do only what I call private shows for private organizations. They may not bring in more than 200 or 300 people, sometimes a lot less, but I make more at these shows because I have a captured audience. If you can find a way to get promoters to stop bringing in resale items, or at least, separate them from the handcrafted items so people will know what they are buying, I'll sing your praises. Good luck. Wish I could be of more help.
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Louis: I appreciate you trying to help up artisans with the foreign merchandise. I notice more and more promoters are just turning their backs on it because they have to fill space also. I was doing a show recently where the customers said they come to it because all the merchandise is so in-expensive. I wanted to scream and all made in China.
If all promoters would take 10 minutes and do a trailer walk most of them would be shocked at how much of the merchandise comes right out of the made in china boxes.
I do custom embroider and design my one graphics as well as work in fabric. It is very tough for us to even find a denim shirt to embroider into that is not made in China, whereas when I started doing shows I could pick my denim up in a North Carolina plant. - Vicki
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There are a lot of hand craft stores that sell crafter's products. A stack of show announcements put at the check out counter so cashiers can put them in customers bags or customers can pick them up themselve. Craft and hobby stores are also a good place to put show announcements.
Anything that looks too perfect is usually retail. A handcrafted item should have some \"flaw\" to show that it is handcrafted. Be shure to look over items carefully to see if there are any \"made in\" stickers anywhere on the item. Look in unconspicuous places.
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Event advertisement ideas: Radio spots on local stations. [Your response rate may be low because crafters are crafters and not promoters....if we had those skills, interest and ideas we'd be promoting.]
Identifying retail: You have included terrific ideas in your emails over the past couple years....promoters just have to implement them. - Again, thanks for all your hard work.
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Louis, The problem is that many promoters are too \"chicken\" to tell people who are obviously selling retail to leave the show. Here is a list of things that would help enormously:
1. Tell people up front. If there is any question, they will be removed from the show....and then do it. If a retail jewelry shows up at a juried show and the promoter is suspicious, he or she should question the seller very carefully. By looking at the merchandise and questioning the seller, the promoter should then make his decision. If he feels the items are not handmade by the seller, the promoter should tell the seller that he feels the mechandise is questionable and that that seller will not be allowed in future shows. If this happened a few times, people would stop lying!
2. Promoters should ask to see several invoices showing that the crafter is buying supplies, not finished merchandise. And, for new people, they should state that the jurying will continue at the show and require new people to bring copes of their invoices from the immediately passed 6 months. These invoices should show reasonably large purchases of raw materials.
I know that this is more work for promoters. But, it would not take long before the word got out and, as I said before, people would stop lying! - Peter & Rebecca Puglia - Quicksilver Jewelry, LLC
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Suggestion for quality handmade art: Make the juried vendors work at their booth. Recently I did a craft show and the lady next to me had miniatures (flowers, cakes, animals). I thought for sure that she was importing them. I started talking to her during a lul in the show and low and behold, she was making these beautiful creations from clay. She was indeed an artist and I felt guilty for thinking that she was buying them.
If the items look like they might be imported for a juried show, they might ask for photographs of the vendor working.
Advertising suggestions: Craig's List ... meet up's ... e-invites ... church bulletins ... are a few that come to mind. - Hope this helps! -Grace
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Create single webpage to advertise event - and put printable coupons for $1 of entry to event. Send vendors a “concept” coupon and allow vendors, who have the capabilities, to modify the coupon to add a few lines to advertise themselves Go one step further, again if vendor has capabilities and a website, to put a printable coupon on their website. One promoter I show with gives a prize to the vendor who brings in the most visitors.
Note idea 3 above Put $1 off coupons in local shops that carry items that are created by or similar to those created by the vendor
Put tear-off coupons on the library bulletin board - or just put a poster there advertising the show and the vendor’s participation in it.
Right now I can only think of one show that I have shown at that is in that top 10% and it is the only show I have signed for this year. I am looking for others.
I am a photographer and it is difficult for a juror to determine if the photo sent was taken by the photographer - but if they look closely:
The photograph must be signed by the photographer/vendor, if it is not - it is suspect.
The photo vendor should have the same photo in a variety of sizes and forms - cards, matted prints, matted and framed, etc.
When submitting for review and responding to describe items, the
Photographer should indicate the variety.
Be diligent in looking at quality of the photograph. Mass produced photos have a look to them that you
will not see in original art-photography.
Ask vendors for website addresses. If they have one, take a few minutes to log on and the validity
of the application should be clear after viewing their website - see my site http://www.aleopics.com. Most
photographers that show, have their work on a website someplace - be it their own or on a group
photography site.
State that any vendor in violation of the self-craft rules will be asked to leave the site with no refund -
and follow through. This includes the vendors who make a couple of items and then fi ll the booth with
resale items. I see this with jewelry all the time.
Make it clear that all products in the booth must meet the self-crafted rules. Not just enough to get by.
If you suspect the validity of a vendor, ask for additional information, photos, etc.
At event:
Have a watchdog - go to each site before the event opens - and check the products. Look on the back
of the product - with photographs - if there is a obvious sameness to how was they are matted or
framed - look on the front for a signature - and on back to see if there is a label attached identifying
the vendor as the photographer.
If another vendor suggests that you may want to check out a particular site - don’t - which is what
happened to me - go up to the suspected violator and ask if all the products are handmade - because
it is likely that they are - just not by the vendor - the vendor I questioned had pottery clearly marked
Made in Mexico, Made in Peru or signed by a variety of artists - and when asked by the promoter if it
was all handmade - answered yes - the promoter came back to me and informed me I was wrong!!!
NOT! I have not returned to that show.
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Perhaps the promoters could require one or more photos of the artist/crafter in the process of 'crafting' the item; a photo which would identify the crafter as well as the item(s) being made. Then requiring at least one of the crafters to be present when the booth is set up or during the show. I believe the promoter must be out among the crafters so that they get to know them, asking questions about how things are made, what kind of materials or tools are used, instead of just busying with their own booth and items, and collecting money. They need to become more involved with the crafters. - Dorothy
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Buy/sell is becoming a nightmare for the crafters. Love the idea about crafters going around and checking out other vendors. I also bring the catalogs I receive (of items I can purchase from China) to shows with me. This way I can show the promoter the catalog and they can see who has the dreaded Made in China items. My medium is fabric. - Thank you for all the work you do for us!!!!!!
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I think the large signs that light up on a nearby street corner for a couple of weeks prior to the show is a great advertisement. I have noticed the Batavia Mother's Club does that every year. People always know in advance when that show is!
In regard to my craft, which is yard art, my husband and I always see manufactured wood crafts at almost every show we go to. For whatever reason they are allowed in and not made to pull their manufactured products out of their booth. I know the products because we see them at the Shipshewana, Indiana flea market, which is probably where these people are buying them from. - Just a note to say thank you for all your hard work! - Gloria
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Hello From: Married Merchants Folkart - I'm sorry I did not have a chance to respond sooner....
Advertising.... Ask each ventor to contribute to advertising and use those vendors names and pictures in adds that do contribute
Promoters should ask vendors to volenteer the use of their mailing list
Promoters, ask each vendor for items that they would like to put on special sale put them all in one section...merchandised properly...sale price to be set by promoter all revenue goes to promoter. JUST BRAIN STORMING.
I am not a promoter or show manager I am an artist but I think promoters need to be more creative with their fee schedules. Perhaps a sliding scale to account for what is contribuited for advertising ....a discount for a furture show
If a commision is paid reduce the ammount for vendors that contribute to advertising or merchandise
HAND CRAFTED....I think one way that vendors that create their owne product... Me included ...should fight back by displaying pictures of work in process...pictures of their studio... pictures of them working.Put a sign in your booth ...........ALL ITEMS HAND CRAFTED BY ME.
To me the bad news is that over the years people have stopped attending the shows because there is very few hand crafted items to pick from every thing else can be purchased at Wal Mart.
Promoter should decide what they want and advertise accordingly.....Advertise as all hand crafted by the artist and customers will start coming back.
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Thanks, Louis for the reminder, With only a few exceptions, I will attend ONLY juried shows and will report anyone who is not complient. If the vendor is not dealt with, I will not put that show on my \"next year\" list. - fred
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Louie, I am very new at all this, I am not as computer literate as I want to be, your service is fabulous, I wish I could be better at this and I will be eventually. There is a definite problem with outside retailers, but I blame the event coordinators for not doing there homework when this happens, people lie, face it, its up to get this to a level of only HANDCRAFTERS PERIOD.!!!!!!!!! They should be shut down immediately. YOUR A GOD SEND. THANK YOU, Lisa Brown, Bellabeads by Lisa. I look forward to hearing back from you.
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Many times I have spoke with a promoter of a show that state in the app...no retail or flea market stuff...When I have brought it too their attention, many told me that it was the only way to fill booths and others have asked me to prove that the item(s) in question were not hand made..well that's easy when there is a \"Made in China\" sticker on the bottom of the item...hmmmm...makes me wonder.
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HI Louis, One thing that I use is get a bunch of the wholesale catalogs from importers and wholesale companies. If someone's alleged craft is identical to the item pictured, bingo! It is easy to get them, just google on wholesale crafts, etc. Most of the time you don't even need a biz license or reseller cert to get the catalog. - katie - SassyKatBaskets.com
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Truthfully, except for the large established juried shows, those smaller \"juried\" shows just don't care if someone shows up with a retail item. I think that it's more important for them to get their fee and have their attendees happy than protecting the artisan's work. It becomes more of a losing battle to exclude the retailers as there is more competition for vendors at the competing craft shows. And it's discouraging when people come into the show actually looking for the ...wholesale... vendor.
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Louis, You have to be kidding....95% of promoters are nothing more then real estate sales people. They only want the money for your space and could care less where the product comes from. When they don't fill a show thats money out of their pocket or the organazitaions they work for. I can remember when this wasn't so but you have to go back a lot of years for this to be true. Greed is at the root of this on both the promoters and crafters part. You can buy and resell the product I sit and string for a fraction of the cost of what it cost me to make. I have to compete with these so called crafters at every show. They laught all the way to the bank at me. I don't know what the answer is . The buying public is the one really getting ripped off. It's mostly their own fault , they are looking for bargins and don't want to pay the price for quality pieces. I don't think you can change peoples greed and thats what this is. Lucy
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Beautiful postcards are great to hand out at other shows prior to yours ---you can get deals on these at vistaprint.com when you are new. This company also offers deals on flyers to put in convenience stores prior to show. I have been in advertising for over 15 years and you should start your advertising budget spending from very day of show and work back on advertsing until your budget is spent. Radio is great hitting drive times especially because these include hours prior to work lunch and your drive home from work. You waste $ if you spend a lot on paper if not on highest pub. exposure--so ask highest volume dates. Check your demographic group---no matter where you spend the $ you want to hit your specific target audience. Signage is seen on yellow and pink backgrounds--use black very large lettering & be specific. 10% off coupons are great for food specials & don't forget to advertise hourly give-a-ways. Use themes in advertising and carry thru on entire show. Hope this imput helps. Good luck to you all & happy crafting
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I don't know if this is a new or even great idea concerning retail products at shows but... One juried show that we applied for required each vendor to send in photos of their shops and them working on a piece or pieces that were going to be sold. Obviously if you do woodworking or metal working etc. you will have a lots of tools of the trade. Hoever, I don't know if it would work for jewelry, etc. - Sandy Lowinske - Country Woodworking
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event advertising: Ads in the paper on repeated ocasions. There are usually several papers that offer free or low price ads around town, in addition to the area \"official\" paper. Fliers tacked up around town. \"Realtor-type\" signs. Banners that cross the street. Have freebies for the first 10 people to arrive. Radio and television advertisement. Put fliers in jewelry store windows, if there is quality jewelry offered. If there are crafts offered, put fliers in gift stores. The store owners may need to be given a consideration, like a gift certificate to the event.
Forms of payment could be advertised.
Call the local chamber of commerce or better business bureau to get advertising tips.
Look for a school or community college or college professor who would like to use these problems (the questions you asked above) as teaching tools/projects for grades. In return, possibly funds could be donated to the school or some charity. If the show charges admission, these participants could receive free admission.
Advertise ethnic food for sale, and quality live music. If you have a university with a music school, ask a professor to recommend some students. If there are dancers in your neighborhood (family quality) ask them to participate. Make a children's area, where faces can be painted, and little hands can create art and crafts. The staff can wear costumes.
The vendors could each offer a quality item as a prize for a drawing. The dollar value should be uniform for each vendor. The promoter should check them over beforehand to make sure the items are all in good shape, or the shopper may spread the bad news.
Light classical music would lend a pleasant air, and raise the perceived value of the show and items for sale.
Have a theme, such as gold rush days, rennaissance times, Hawaii, pirates. People can dress up and outfit their booths as they like.
If organizations like head start can be involved in the entertainment, ...in fact, any local organization that helps the needy.... that would be a draw. Maybe they could cook the food and sell potted plants. - Hope this helps!
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Hi, I saw your \"plea\" for ideas on advertising and more scrupulous ways for juried events. Here are two ideas. First, I find that banners across street boulevards in \"city\" type areas draw a lot of attention. There is of course, the regular advertising in newspapers, but I suggest that promoter find more local newspapers to advertise, people in that area will notice.
As for juried events, one thing I can suggest is that you ask for the artist to offer them a picture of them making their art. This will, maybe, discourage those products made in China etc. Just thoughts that will be useful....
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Hi Louis, I see \"retail\" merchandise ALL the time at shows, and with all the hype on not allowing this, it sure seems to be an awful lot of it. Sure some are embellished little, but alot of it, are items I have seen at the wholesale stores, just as is, and repriced with a higher cost. I don't know how craft show promoters can make it any clearer, but some \"crafters\" just don't get the hint. As far as advertising goes, I do think the bigger shows that cost big bucks, need some TV time. I know this cost alot of money, but with what promoters are charging us crafters for booth space and then turning around and \"charging\" the customer to \"come in and shop\", is ridiculous. One more thing, if booth rentals keep rising as much as they are, craft shows are going to become a thing of the past. Although costs are rising for everything, the promoters have to remember, most of us, do these shows as a hobby and we're out to make some extra money and some of us will be leery of doing it for much longer. - Thanks for letting me vent. - Crafter just trying to make ends meet
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On advertising: the free papers you get in supermarkets usually allow free advertisements. Chamber of Commerce web sites usually allow free listings of events. In addition to road signs advertising the craft shows, they should also indicate directions (how to get there or arrows)and times the show is running. Printing needs to be large and on stiff backerboard. Too many signs have printing too small to read from any distance and far too many are bent or folded over by the wind so they are not readable.
On retai items at juried shows: I clearly state on my applications that I carry a small percentage of retail items not made by me and I do not try to hide the fact nor do I try to pass off items as hand made. The retail items I have are to complement what I make myself such as silk jewelry pouches or jewelry travel cases. I also have some very inexpensive retail items that I use as give aways to children. I always ask the parent's permission before giving or offering something to a child. Parents appreciate the thought, the children appreciate the gifts, and I appreciate the extra time they spend looking at my items because of a small gift. Retail has it's place, but fraud is a crime. - Phil Dudziak
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I think it is very important to remove these types of people from craft shows. I am insulted that these people are permitted to do these shows when I take the time to craft with care my items for sale.
I have seen at one time, a promoter at a craft show remove a “non-crafter” from a show and prohibited them from attending this show again.
To stop this type of thing, that all promoters of craft shows should make it mandatory to either send a picture or a list of what is being sold and have the crafters sign it in order for the crafter to be held liable if they slip other things in the show. The craft show promoter should “police” the items and compare them to what is listed on each application and don’t be afraid to make those people leave who lie on their application.
My opinion, but I wish that type of thing would stop the non-crafters at craft shows. I know a lot of crafters who feel this way but will not speak up. - Thank you.
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I am registered with Eventlister.com and I am a retailer. I sell quality, new merchandise (none of it masquerading as a craft, by the way). While I appreciate your frustration with retail vendors at art/craft only shows, I find your tone insulting. I know there are MANY retailers registered with eventlister, so you may consider sending these notes specifically to the craftlister registrants. Your site is a wonderful resource for many of us who enjoy doing fairs, but we don’t need to be treated like second-class citizens.. In fact, you might find a bit more financial support if we felt more welcome. - Thanks for listening, Christy Matte
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Free Sources of Event Advertizing
Friendster.com
Myspace.com
Tribe.net
Craigslist.org
Small local newspapers - put together an \"event\" package that lists all info + interesting things/facts regarding the event or vendors that participate. Make sure to include the name and number of someone who can be contacted for more info. You never know...doing most of the \"leg work\" for a reporter may just help get an article in the events section.
Blog about it
Post flyers at local coffee shops, even most starbucks locations have a community events board.
Hope this helps
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I totally agree! I can't conpete with someone who uses a sweat shop child to make their product just so they can sell it cheaper. I think sponsors should walk around during set up seeing products and identifying retail items. At that point the sponsor should escort that individual off the premises. If they miss someone catch them at the beginning of the show and walk them out!
Advertising is tough. I think coupons and flyers work well. We should send these to daycares, schools and churches in the 3-4 week period before the show date. - Thanks, -Cathy
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Here are some of my ideas for Promoters:
* Advertise in several newspapers at least three weeks in advance.
* Post flyers in local super markets, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants, drug stores, hallways, etc.
* If a school is running the fair, be sure to send home flyers to every family at least one week before the event and also, the day prior to the event.
* Also, if a school is running the fair, have the students become active participants and helpers in the set up and running of the fair. Get the students involved; they will encourage their parents to attend the fair.
* Post large signs throughout the area where the fair is held. Use arrors to direct drivers; Show them the way to the fair. most people need visuals to help them find the way.
* Advertise on local tv and radio stations.
* Have a variety of raffle items contributed by local merchants. Ask the merchants if they will put posters in their windows advertising the fair and the fact that they are contributing to its success.
* If its a church fair, tell the parishners at least two weeks in advance. Encourage them to attend the fair and bring friends.- Hope this is helpful. - Anne Erwin
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I did a show that wanted a photo of myself actually making my product. It seemed a bit awkward at the time, but I can see the importance in seeing the crafter at work. Donna
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artistists and crafters need to file class action suits to get their money back from promoters that say one thing then do another. do this several times and things will tighten up
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Hi Louy, as far as the promoting thing goes that's a hard one cause the promoters will always say they HAVE run ad's on the radio in the news paper or street signs, but when the crafters have been looking for them we can't find any of them, but it's hard to prove such, now I'm not saying it's all promoter's but in my experience it's at least been 75 to 80%.
Now for the Retail, when I have mentioned it to past promoter's unless it's been an Artist / Promoter run event most promoter's around here.. the VA /NC area don't seem to care & won't do anything to get rid of them as long as they have their money that's all they care about.
There are a couple of the larger show's (the $400 and up, entry show's ) that are very rigorous on making sure it's all hand crafted but like I said unless it's an artist run event.... well I don't need to repeat it.
I hope that some people from other states have better luck and better idea's - Good Luck!! - Ro
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For the few shows that I do during a year, most are through word of mouth from other vendors that I have contact with; a few are off of you website and some are shows that I have been doing for several years and continue doing because they are enjoyable and most of the time profitable.
To tell Retail from Juried items, here are a few things that I can suggest you look for. If someone is displaying and advertising that their items are “hand painted”, look for a signature, initials and a date on the piece. All artists will sign their work; some will or will not date them. Ask the vendor what medium they use, and so on. If the vendor is selling photography, ask about where they took a certain picture. My sister in-law is a wildlife photographer and she can tell you if something is done on a digital camera or printed copy, etc. Just ask questions. Jewelry is a bit harder, but if you are uncertain, find another vendor that makes jewelry and ask them to check out the product. At most of the shows that I have done, most of the jewelry vendors are making pieces during the lulls of the shows. Clothing is also difficult unless you know the vendor and their work. If the clothing is different and unusual, that is a good sign that it was made by the vendor. There are a lot of juried vendors out there that make their living doing shows and most will tell a promoter if they suspect that someone is passing off “retail” items as juried. Listen to them; they are the ones that will recommend venues for other vendors. Another way is to actually go as a consumer to some of the shows, look around and talk to the vendors about the venue, promoter and such. Check out the booths and the items that are being sold. Listen to the other consumers while they shop, look around, see what they purchase. Ask them their opinion about the venue. I have done this before committing to shows that the promoter will be doing in the future.
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I make it very clear on any applications that any use of retail; goods at craft sites should be removed from the show and my money returned for false advertising. I have been to many 'craft' shows that have ... baskets, ... foods, ... or ... cosmetics, etc. These are in many ways no craft and as such should have never been allowed. The response is mostly, that they are parents of such and such and they wil be donating some of their revenues to the fair. I cannot compete with retail and there should be some sort of a recourse for me as a crafter and vendor. There has not been one show in the past year that has not had retail. Another big problem for vendors, is the use of raffles at these shows. You have to compete with donated goods and people coming around all day trying to sell 50/50 tickets, etc. This is money that is taking away from the vendors who have paid good money to be there. Have a raffle is you want, but keep it small and not in your face all day. - Thanks, I do feel better now.
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I have seen advertised, at some juried shows, that you must send in a photo of the artist working on the project. That would be ME! You are so right. Too much stuff from China and afar. At the last event I was in I went around to the booths and asked if they had made the jewelry that they had. They responded that they \"had it made\" for them. Hmmm. Sounds like they bought wholesale and are selling retail. Good luck. Norma Hilliard
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Louis, I am guessing right. I am new to the arts and crafts world. I am a scrimshaw artist who is also trying to move into jewelry. Been doing the art for many years and just recently an artist friend pushed me to start selling. Anyway, down here in Key West we have a thing called Sunset Celebration every night. This is where artist/craftsmen/artisans sell to the public who come to watch the sunset from this specific place. This is what you might call juried. For you have to go in front of a committe to show them how you do what you do. Very controlled, in no way is retail entered. Even run of the mill jewelry by hand is not allowed. Alot of us are actually doing our craft while the crowd is there. I have photos of myself in my shop to show people that I do it myself. We constantly let people know it is from artisans. My first line is \"Its handmade by me, not from china - ho ho ha ha\" I guess what I would like to say to maybe help you is, the more that vendors can show and prove that they do it, and actually be required to prove it, the show quality is high. Thats what happens here, all of us respect each other to the highest because we know its by us, the craftsmen. I had a few bad events recently, low crowds. Hope this helps a little. - Joey R. Smith -
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Hey there, I am responding to your question about retail vendors at craft shows. I agree this is a serious problem, and nothing makes me madder than to see retail at a craft show. One way to find out who the rat is, is to tell every vendor to keep a watchful eye, and report immediatly to the person in charge when they suspect someone is cheating people. I know that there are vendors who see whats going on, but feel they have no right to call out another vendor they know is selling crap from the dollar store at 10 times the price. I am a jewelry vendor, and i know one way to tell if jewelry is being re-sold, is if the jewelry they are selling is already packaged or is attached to a paper card. Most jewelry vendors who handmake thier stuff will put it out on display so people can touch and try it on. I have also heard of craft shows where you have to send a picture of yourself making the product with your entry form. Most craft vendors who hand make thier stuff will have no problem producing a picture, to help weed out the frauds. I hope I have been helpful. Thanks alot! - Whitney Grace
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In response to your email I am still fairly new at the craft fair circuit, but this is what I've observed:
1) One craft fair had actually advertised the WRONG DAY for the event in the newspaper and their phone message. Fortunately, it was for the week prior and not the week past, otherwise, we would have had no customers on the day of the event! I think it is in our best interest to double check advertising as well as putting it out there for others to see. i.e. I have a local hub on the internet which I can post events to, including Craig's list. (and may I note, that the craft fair listed on the wrong date - January 1, 2008. Also, they are still accepting applications, but are half full at this time). I'll email you with the correct date once I have their letter/application.
2) As far as handmade vs. retail - one craft fair organizer said it was too hard to keep it to only handmade without a lot of duplication or very few vendors. If this is true, that's fine, but then there should only be handmade in categories that you have available handcrafted items, and retail only in those areas where you do not have any handmade vendors available. As far as identifying handmade from retail - it seems fairly obvious to me. When you send out the application, ask for pictures, and if possible a website, I also had one promoter ask for a picture of me in the process of making my candles/soaps.
3) What I dislike seeing at a craft fair are people selling home mortgages, real estate agents, chiropractors setting up appointments, insurance agents and obviously non-craft stuff like ..., ... and .... Also, it seems unfair to mix a ... Candle booth in the fair with a booth like mine, where I create the product and they simply buy it. If there were no candle makers, then I could see them having a couple of people from ... or ... selling their manufactured candles, otherwise, if I'm there with my handmade candles, and you have no other candle makers, then I should be the only one because mine are handmade. I hope this helps. - Roleen -
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Hi Louis. 'Retail' is fine at juried shows, as long as it is stated so. All vendors, artists, etc., should know what to expect. Just as it is lame for resellers to apply as artists, its lame for events to lie about what they actually offer at their event.
Vendors should be aware and not assume things. Always check with the promoter if certain issues are important to you.
There are many events that specifically allow for all kinds of businesses to participate-- art and crafts, buy/ sell, commercial. The Carlsbad Village Street Fair in Carlsbad, CA states, \"We are not an art show; we are a village street fair.\" At the Tucson 4th Ave street fair, artists know to expect private residences in the area to include buy/ sell merchandise. The Fair itself doesn't advertise this, so sometimes its disappointing for new participants. (This particular fair started over 30 years ago as a merchants' sidewalk/ hippie fair, so this flavor of world goods, etc., maintains the flavor of the festival).
While there is plenty of crapola available at swap meets and many street fairs, events can and should jury the imports as well (if its their preference). I have found this simple solution frustratingly overlooked. Event organizers sometimes think that they must allow all or nothing when it comes to buy/ sell merchandise, while they can easily hand pick imported merchandise if they wish to allow it in their event.
Its disappointing to me that Craftlister always seems so down on buy/ sell merchandise as if its the disease of the self-employed street fair vendor industry. My wife is a ceramic artist and has participated in some of the highest ranked shows in the country, while winning the \"Best of South Bay\" (Los Angeles) award three consecutive years. Together, we now run our import business as with children and other concerns, her art is on the back burner.
Whenever I questioned her about her art being copied or reproduced in another country, she would always say, \"No one can cut clay like me. No one molds like I do; no one will use color as me, so I'm not worried about it.\" Her point is simple. If its your art, then who can actually do it like you? If you are so worried about competition, you are in the wrong business!
If China wood is cheaper and similar to the quality of your woodwork, it behooves you to develop some new techniques! To go around complaining and nit-picking before a show even begins is counter productive to one's ultimate success. Develop new techniques that are envied by others. Use your artistic creativity in this business sense.
We are importers as well, and there is tons of competing merchandise, yet we rise above by the uniqueness and quality of our offering as well as the quality of our displays. We don't go around complaining to promoters that they have allowed too much similar merchandise. If the promoters aren't conscious of what they do in this area, then we move on to another show. Why should my complaints allow me into a show but not another person? That would be unfair politicking. We are successful because we rise above the competition, not because lobby to have them removed from the show.
We would never apply to an event that allows only fine art. Just as we want to support artists, families, communities in other countries, supporting American artists is certainly as important. That said, participating in about 30 shows per year for over 11 years (I speak from experience), I've seen plenty of 'art' that doesn't qualify as art. I've seen plenty of useless crap that doesn't come close to the quality of merchandise we import, and the displays of such 'art' are also invariably atrocious.
So why all the hubub about shutting down 'retail?' (A more accurate term, as used in other publications, is \"buy/ sell.\")
I receive many letters from you and much discussion on this subject has been generated. While I appreciate the forum, event organizers are the ones to decide what is allowed in their shows, not applicants or \"artists\" who sell shoddy work, aren't successful and then blame others (such as buy/ sellers) for it. They then try to lobby for certain booths to be removed instead of rising to the occasion and creating better quality or more unique work.
I know many, many fine artists. Their art stands in its own glory, and they aren't concerned about competition. If your $100 pair of jeans that you painted on can't inspire a buyer over a $20 silk skirt from India, that's not anypone's fault but your own. Certainly true art buyers aren't interested in $20 skirts, and people interested in cheap merchandise usually aren't going to spend the money it takes to purchase fine art.
If the jury is slack in its job, it should be pointed out to the organizers. It sometimes appears that some artists (and possibly the webmaster at Craftlister.com  want to get rid of all buy/ sell, yet they will still themselves buy their clothing, electronics or whatever else at Target and WalMart (imported and created under questionable labor conditions). Wouldn't you rather support indigenous families overseas and the small business that supports their craft instead of sweatshop bosses? I certainly would.
When I read \"Retail at juried shows is a still growing and already pandemic problem,\" I'm bothered. Almost every event we sell at is juried, yet we are obviously an import company (the word 'imports' is the second half of our business name). I certainly don't see it as a \"pandemic problem\" to have buy/sell merchandise at juried shows; in fact, it is our very livelihood. According to your statement, my very business is a \"growing and pandemic problem.\" Are promoters somehow not allowed to choose to have imported merchandise in their event (although commercial booths and toxic 'food' would likely be okay)? I feel your language creates artificial disparity between artists and importers. As a professional, I'm the one who has to deal with that on the street.
Surely I understand, as I've mentioned, that buy/ sell has no place in genuine art shows. I agree wholeheartedly. But why should promoters be discouraged from jurying in whatever they like, whether imported or not?
You instruct exhibitors to \"Remind [promoters] why it is in THEIR best interest [to not allow buy/ sell]!\" Perhaps you could elaborate on why it is in an event's best interest for exhibitors to do this. If it is specifically promoted as an art or crafter's show, obviously there should be no buy/ sell and I would agree with your statement. However, Craftlister should not create unnecessary disdain for other businesses in the street fair (etc.) industry. Buy/ sell is certainly not bad at all events. If America didn't like buy/sell, WalMart and Target and Costco and Pier One wouldn't be household words... nor would Home Depot, Office Max or almost ALL other retailers in our fine country. While these companies aren't represented at street fairs, there are many smaller companies, such as mine, who are.
So please consider tempering the advocation that all buy/sell at juried shows must be stopped. This creates disharmony at events where art and buy/sell is allowed. The detail here is that \"juried events\" can jury in whatever they like, including buy/sell merchandise.
Thanks for your ear, and all your good and hard work, Louis. Sorry it wasn't a \"1 minute\" reply! - Chaitanya - Satya Imports
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Re: Juried shows- How about slides of the items that are to be sold are shown being created by the person selling the item. If you don't really make your items showing how to create it would be difficult. If you sew items, turn the item inside out. It is esay to see if a button is sewn on by hand or machine. Carol Fulton LA Dolls By Design
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I think a big problem is low sales at a lot of shows. I took a temp accounting job because I was so desperate for cash, which was supposed to last 6 weeks but may continue for 1 1/2 years. I would rather sell my creations, but I'm not losing my house over it!
What I have seen is when people do report retailers to the fair promoters, the promoters run over and ask the retailers if it true, and the retailers lie (again), and get to stay in the show. After all, they are set up already and asking them to leave right at the start of the show would cause a big disruption, leave an another empty spot, and everybody would feel sorry for the person being thrown out (who would probably continue to lie and be disrutive as long as possible).
Also, the buyers are often just there to find deals. They don't seem to care where things are made, as long as it's cheap. So part of the problem lies in the advertising, and who is attracted to the shows. Even in the handcrafted items, it seem like to really commercial people sell the most (ie. they make lots of nearly identical items).
Promoters who are trying to raise money for a cause get all their money from booth fees, so their main focus is filling all the spaces no matter what kind of show they claim to be putting on. A lot of them seem to think that craft shows are automatic high sales events, and act surprised when no customers show up with cash for handcrafted items.
I am planning to change my focus, and try selling to/through galleries, making fewer small items and more big \"artsy\" things.- Thanks for asking! - Carol Elmore
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I haven't done any juried shows yet, but I recently did a show that was put on by a crafters' association. It was in a school and most of the real crafters were in the gym - down a hallway. In the entrance and the rooms leading to the gym, were people selling ..., ..., and name brand jewelry. If anyone bothered to come into the gym, they had already spent most of their money or had already purchased jewelry (my craft) from ... or the other jewelry reseller.
I was invited back for their fall show but found a local 3-day show that weekend. It's in my town, where I won't have to pay for a motel room. They also ask that crafters demonstrate their craft during the show so that people can see that it is truly hand made. (Not a problem at all for me, since I do that anyway.)
I'm seeing some shows where there is different pricing for space. True crafters pay a lower fee than \"retail\" vendors. I like that idea but wonder how many try to get into the show with the lower fee even if the majority of their product is not handmade.
I like to go to flea markets, antique stores and yard sales to look for \"vintage\" jewelry. I find pieces that have interesting components (beads, clasps, etc.). I then take the piece apart and use those components in my own designs. Last weekend, we saw some beautiful work at a flea market. Hubby asked why I wasn't buying it. I told him that I couldn't do any better than the original and I wasn't about to sell someone else's work as my own. I really wish more \"crafters\" felt that way.
By the way, this is my first year doing craft shows. I'm still learning! Thank you so much for your site!
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Hi Louis, I don't really have anything constructive to say about corrections of the problem, however, retail seems to be what is keeping shows afloat these days. The economy isn't in good shape, regardless of what our government says. I've heard many promoters express concern as to why attendence and commerce is down, but the bottom line is; the money supply is short in this country and is going to get worse. Many promoters are having a rough time filling spaces even with retail booths. - Thanks, Ray (Name Connections/Last Name History)
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Louie, There are many free on line advertising opportunities that promoters never utilize. Craigs List, Just Beads, About, to name a few. Flyers, signs and mailings can help, but alone are not enough. I have seen big street banners in my area that draw a lot of attention. They appear a month before the shows, and are cost effective since they can be used for more than one year with minimal expense to update the shows dates on them.
As for retail being allowed into shows, many promoters just want to fill spots. I have rarely seen them respond to any complaints about having vendors removed when they are clearly not compliant with the hand crafted rule. I have actually seen the same rule breakers allowed into the show year after year. These are the shows that I no longer bother to apply to. The promoters know this and continue allowing it. - Carolyn - Pristine Pearl Designs
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Hi, Louis . I can tell fake tiedye because it is too regular, several shirts of the same pattern and if you look on the inside of the shirt, it's paler than the outside. - Also, most of the rayon clothing is all done in Bali or Thailand, not here in the US - Rich and DeBorah Beatty -The Rainbow Factory
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I am a jewelry artist and the presence of retail items at even Juried shows is very discouraging. Ways to tell: If it looks cheap, like there is no way a real artist sat down and designed that. If there are many of the exact same design and color. I don't know about everyone, but I can't stand to make the same thing over and over. Real artists don't display 15 of the same bracelet at one show. Be familiar with what's out there. I can spot a Harry Hines item from a mile away. I ALWAYS approach the promoter when I see something I know is retail. We, the artists, are the experts on our chosen field, not the promoter. They need our help to rectify this situation. - Thanks for the opportunity to speak out. Sarena Mantz - Romantz Designs
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Louis, Just a note to let you know that Juried events are great, however they are missing out on the monies the vendors who sell retail can offer them. As a retail vendor representing a company, I am not in favor of Juried events, thus I take my business elsewhere. I sell a great deal of my product as well as promotion material at unjuried events and the investment I make for the space has been fantastic as far as sales/promotion goes. I just wanted to let you know. Again, Juried events are definitely a turn off for those of us who would love to be able to attend but cannot. Their loss... Vikki
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I have been to one show in Kentucky and they have the secret shopper and they have weeded quite a few out that way. I am a jewelry designer and as such I can spot commercial a long way whether it be high end or cheap back up to the dock and load up the truck type. I can't speak for wood or floral,etc but a person in each field would definitely be able to spot commercial right off the bat. \
I have also done work in progress pictures. It has helped weed out quite a bit of junk, but even that can be faked at least with jewelry anyway..
But last, not least,t PROMOTERS, if they don't make it kick them out!!! Don't put on application they will remove you if you don't meet their standards because NO ONE COMMERCIAL EVER DOES. They say they won't be back next year. NOT GOOD ENOUGH - Sales are for this year not next. I have been to a few and only a few where they were asked to pack up and leave and even had a cop or security person with them.
Oh one last thought - Promotors - Made in the Mother Country (ie Peru, Native American, etc) is not handcrafted by the people selling them and not even made here in the USA. If I hear one more flute player I think I will stick cotton in my ears.
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As far as advertising is concerned I do many fairs and they all seem to be advertised well. It is not the advertising that draws the crowd it is what is going on in the surrounding area that I find brings in the crowd. The small craft fairs do not seem to bring in a crowd but the festivals, music, food, and things for children to do. Free admission brings a few in. Charging admission does not increase the attendance if anything I have been finding less of a crowd. I refuse to do an show where there is a charge at the door. People do not want to stay at a show if it is all the same thing there. 10 jewelry people, 5 candle makers and 5 woodcrafters do not make a show. People are looking for quality and many different crafts.
As far as the handmade vs import. The promoters have to be more responsible in that area. I was a t good show this weekend and someone had imports and it was bought to the promoters attention and they were asked to put it away they did until the promoter left the area and it was back out. They were told again and the police came and told them to put it away. They did again for about 10 minutes and it was back out. When the promoter was told again all she said (and excuse my language ) \"What the hell do you want me to do\" With that attitude and not enforcing the rules of the show people will continue to sell imports and get away with it. There was a section in the show for business's to promote their items and this person should have been made to go to this section. The cost was 3 times more then the crafters section.
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The organizer could state in the application form that \"only handmade (by the crafter!) items can be sold.\"
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Louis, I would really like to be able to reply with some good info. . .but, I don’t have any. As a vendor, I normally am alone and can’t leave my booth to inspect around me. Now, I have had customers rant and rave in front of my booth about how great it is to see someone finally making what they sell instead of buy/sell. I think maybe customers are a good source of info to the promoters, too. Perhaps they should make surveys available for customers & vendors to fill out in order to find out what works and what doesn’t.
How to advertise? I think anywhere possible. Newspapers, flyers, vendors, direct mail, billboards. There are many ways to advertise inexpensively. Word of mouth is a biggie. Also, if they donate a portion to a local charity, I would think they charity could use some of their advertising budget to get the word out.
Sorry—not much help here. I really have a bitter taste about doing local shows. The promoters say they can’t find enough crafters so they fill in with buy/sell or direct sellers I think there are lots of folks out there, but the promoters want to get vendors the easy way and not take the time to carefully screen them. It would be better to have a few quality vendors and have the show grow every year than to fill in with junk. People won’t come back – customers or vendors. - Good luck with this. - Dee
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I'm a jewelry and dichroic glass maker. There is a product out there called Faux Dichro. I don't know what it is but it is not true dichroic glass. The stuff is \"fused\" in a conventional oven and of course no real glass would melt at conventional oven temperatures. Dichroic glass is fused in a kiln at 1480 degrees and the whole fusing process takes about 11 hours. The faux product does not have the color brilliance, depth or shine that true dichroic glass has, and of course it is a lot cheaper to make. People are passing this stuff off as real dichroic and it is pretty easy to see the difference especially in the sun light. - Thanks, - Sherry Johnson - Lilac Moon Beadworks
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Sorry that I don't have any helpful suggestions, since I'm still new to the show scene. However, I can wholeheartedly understand your concern about retail showing at juried events. Who does such a thing? That's just rude! Crafters work hard to be accepted to jury shows and it does undermine the entire process. Though I am an independent consultant for a home-based business (Pampered Chef), my mother used to make many afghans, baby bibs, towels, etc. from hand that were either cross-stich or crochet, so I have a great respect for the crafters who hand-make their items. Good luck combating this issue! ~ Christine Smith
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Hi, I know of one juried event that asks for electronic pictures that they will be posting ( after your acceptence) on their website where the craft fair is advertised. She said it seemed to help promote the fair because people can see the quality.
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One method would be to have all promoters state that if you are excepted into the show then you must demonstrate your assembly before the show begins if practical or during the 1st few hrs. As an example bring the components that you assemble since not all products can be put together in your booth. For instance I USE A DRILL PRESS and it would not be practical. The individual components would be shown to a member of the promoter staff etc.etc. My experiance has been that with so many shows going on at the same time most promoters could care less since they want $$
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I once saw a sign at a booth at a craft fair that said, \"If it's perfect, it's not handmade.\" That is how I tell handmade in my class and in others. Just look for the flaw. It may be as simple as a spot not painted or a missed stitch. It's the easiest way I've found to judge .
I don't think that the promoters take advantage of the free advertising they can get from the crafters. If each crafter tells one friend and they tell one friend the number of people attending could double or triple. Also ask each crafter to post a notice at work about the show. This is free advertising that really can help attendance grow.
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Use the Web!
A website for the event that has directions, layout and a listing of vendors/artists is a great way of advertising. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. One page is enough in many cases. Promoters should encourage vendors (with a slight discount on fees) to add the link to their website. On my front page I have an area that says “Come see us at:” with a link to the festival, dates, times and location. Many of my returning customers use this information and attend these shows that they might not otherwise attend. It helps my sales and the sales of others by getting them to the event.
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well, i am very new to the craft show arena....i have only done one so far. i have no ideas on exposing imported retail products. sorry. i might recognize certain things by sight, as i am a flea market addict. but how to tell someone else what to look for, that's tough.
as for ideas on advertising, maybe the promoters could use free online advertising, such as Craigslist....a nation-wide type of classified ads. also, some areas have yahoo groups that are local chats, where people talk, ask advise and share knowledge of fun local events. so i would continue with the newspapers, flyers, signs hung in local stores, etc, and try to search online and make abundent use of any free advertising there.....sometimes it just takes a few years to get established and build a reputation. if it is a new event, the promoter should ask a reasonably low space rental price to compensate for probable low shopper turn out. then as the event grows over the years and gains a good reputation, the promoter can ask a higher price. it's hard, as a seller, to invest a large sum of money into a new and questionable show. - thanks for asking.
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Hello, My guess is that it would be difficult to determine which items would be handcrafted by a vendor bylooking at the item. My best suggestion would be to ask them some questions regardiing their particular craft and/or ask for a picture of them in their \"shop\" making their craft. Chances are that they will not go out and spend the type of money that they would need to \"look the part\". If they do, you've certainly made it more difficult for them and really put them out of their way to sell a given product. You would probably \"weed out\" many posers. Also, you might visit their website to look for signs that they are turners. Again, look for the language they use. My site is http://www.icthuspens.com
I'm a wood turner and some questions that I might could be asked would be:
1. How do you finish your product? to get at some of the details of how they get the look that they are after, most will have a process. I prefer 2-3 coats of lacquer, steel wool the item, final coat of lacquer, and buff using the Beall Buffing System.
2.How do you prefer to secure your wood to the lathe and what type of chuck do you use? Live center then move to a chuck or use a screw chuck. I prefer a screw chuck rather than a live center if I can but I will use both, depending on what the wood looks like. Is the wood already square, or half-log. I use a Barracuda chuck by PSI, but other chucks might be a Nova or a One Way.
With the questions, you are looking for specifics of the language of turning that most woodturners would know. - Ihope that this helps, - Jay Daniels
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Hi Louis, My name is Julie BeVier, I am a Crafter and also the new Artist Registration Chair for the Island Art Festival in Grand Ledge, MI .
I agree with with all of the advertising ideas that have already been given. I do alot of those myself as a crafter.
On the subject of Retail items being a problem, yes they are. As the new Artist registration Chair, my sugggestion to the Jury Board is to have on the application that it MUST be accompanied not only by pictures of their work but also work in PROGRESS.
That has already weeded out a few this year for the Island Art Fest that were questionable as to wether the item was manufactured. I have attened various shows that do that and I think it is an excellent idea. IF you are making your own product, just have someone take a picture of you creating it. Yeah, it's a pain but you know you will be in good company at the show! Thanks much! - Julie BeVier
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I don't even do the craft shows any more because of this. I can't compete!! I make my jewelry by hand and spend a lot of time doing so. If the promoter would go by the booth and actually ask them to leave if they have anything that is not handmade, this would eventually stop. they should put in their contract that this will happen, no exceptions. They should charge the full amount and offer no refunds since they lied. I believe it's the promotors who host the shows that have to make it stop. The artists are at their mercy. As far as advertisment, I don't know what is legal as far as posting signs. Maybe if this is a big expense for the promotor and is legal, they could ask each participant to put up 1 or 2 signs and their contribution to the show.
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Since I am new,I don't feel qualified to respond to most of your questions.However,advertising seems a little different.How about asking local churches to put a little spot in their bulletin or mention it at any ladies functions.Have your flyers say something,mention specialty items and price range.How successful would they like their event to be?! Everyone knows someone! Ask; the corner store if you can give some flyers to be put in bags as well as hang,hang in the 'Y', give flyers 2 weeks in advance to crafters to hand out at their shows promoting your event and letting people know where they'll be,pay some neighbor kids a few dollars to run house to house and put flyers in doors,ask your local boy/girl scout troops to take them home from meetings.If permitted,look for a big event in your area and hand some fliers out there and don't forget how much we love 'flyers on our cars'! Most of all 'STREET SIGNS EVERYWHERE'(like yard sale signs!!)
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RADIO – most stations offer a community listing at reduced rates. Spend the money to advertise the week of the show on the more popular local stations.
Cable TV – also had community events channels. Listing your event there will draw in local customers.
I strongly suggest that a promoter hire a panel of “scouts” to tour wholesale stores, ex: Flower Factory, etc… prior to their shows, and subscribe to wholesale catalogs. This will make them aware of what products are out there that are mass produced. These scouts then also need to monitor the products exhibited at shows. You will easily note similar products from booth to booth. Then as a promoter, you need to make a stand and prohibit those vendors from selling those products.
As a serious artist, I subscribe to such mailings to check the trends and know what the market is looking for. Two to three visits to wholesale showroom, I am able to detect “made in China” products that are passed off at art shows as handmade. I have been a successful crafter/artist for over 20 years. To be successful, I feel you must educate yourself, research, research, research.
My customers are drawn to my artwork because of the uniqueness and they know that it is one of a kind and produced by me. I have customers to come back to buy from me year after year. I have a real problem with vendors who claim they made their wares and don’t even bother to remove the “made in China” labels. These vendors are NOT artisans or craftspeople, they do not have the connection or pride in the products they represent. They are merely merchants peddling products for profit. I even have customers who have asked me to check out a product another vendor may be selling to help them identify if it is truly handmade or mass produced. In most cases, I have been able to discreetly let them know. Most customers want to spend their money on original handmade products, not retail items. When retail items are dishonestly passed off as originals, it hurts all of us, promoter and true craftspeople.
I wholeheartedly agree, however, it shouldn’t be the responsibility of the crafter. I strongly suggest someone who is impartial as mentioned above. I have one promoter who has approached me several times in the past and asked if I would review and monitor items at a particular show. For a discount for my booth space, I have accepted this responsibility. However for the past 5 years the promoter has done nothing about the fraudulent vendors, and they just seem to increase every year. This is a particular successful show for me, even with all the wholesale products being exhibited. It is discouraging, but I know I must also become more competitive to keep being successful. I don’t know what the answers are, but the promoters need to be more assertive if they really care.
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I don't have any problem with this but my wife does - she makes handmade ladies hats. The easiest way to tell if someone's reselling hats is the quantity they have and that they're all pretty much the same size with many of exactly the same style, color and form. Factory hats are also much stiffer than handmade.
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Hi, One of the things I found in a application, to a show in washington was that if you are the artist, you could provide copyrights to your work. I know its extreem but its one way of keeping out the mass produced poroducts. I do know that it does not apply to every artist. But its only helps, not hinders those who work hard and should get the credit. - Princy
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Hi Louis, I am so grateful for your concern. I am relatively new in the \"business\" end of this, so do not have any great ideas to offer. In my brief exposure, it seems that consumers are growing more aware. Many outlets in Colorado like to promote \"Handmade in Colorado\". I would suggest that perhaps promoters brag about the fact that items at their shows are verified as handcrafted by genuine U.S. artists, etc. Our business, like almost any other U.S. business, will have to learn to find the niche for people who appreciate the work, made in the U.S. (at U.S. living costs) effort, that goes into our work. The people who sell out, and sell their items on the internet for cost minus 20% are not doing themselves, or anyone a service. However, I understand just wanting to sell some of your work for recognition and to be able to buy more supplies for our \"labors of love\".
It seems that most people shopping at craft shows are looking for unique, one of a kind, original items. That has to be \"our\" (vendors & promoters) sell tag. I have also seen people wanting junk store prices at craft shows, but artist and promoters have to realize that is not our arena. We have to create a niche market for genuine, handmade, with heart and soul invested products. We have to be proud of what we create and promote, and not doubt our purpose. - Thank you again for all you do. - Mari Ettlinger
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I always put out a sign up set for customers to give me e-mail. From that I sent them coupons and event listings that I will be attending.
My business sells Polish Pottery, which is a resale item. However I do not and will not apply for shows that are juried with out prior permission from the event planner. This will very from show to show. Never do I apply for shows that is for artisan's and true craftsmen. Having a background in art, I truly believe that their talents should shine in those shows. But for the run of the mill craft shows that are not juried I feel that all is fair in love and shows. Also for the up-scale shows that say they are juried just trying to weed out the 900 or so jewelry makers that are following bead it magazine and the lady that makes pom-pom animals for a quarter, they still want Polish Pottery which is retail. Sorry, but if you have a product that sells well, juried or not that's what people want.
Let's face it I have seen some truly train wrecks out there on the sales floor. They need to stop and look at what they are selling....if it's crap it's crap and no one is going to buy it from you. But if you work hard to make your display profession and your product's look like a million bucks then they will buy it! So Stop whining, crying and just make what people want, NOT what you want......crap jewelry IS NOT SELLING SO STOP MAKING IT!!!! Try something else for a while and let the market recover. Truly all that people want is quality. - Thank you for letting me rant - Dana
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You just can not stop it. I HATE it so much. Promoters only want to sell spaces. They just don't care. The only show around this area that is truely \"HANDMADE\" is Marilyn Gould's Wilton show in the Fall and NOBODY gets into that one. Complaining to the promoters can get you kicked out of a show.--You get branded as a troublemaker.
The easiest thing is for the promoter to get some of the catalogs that these people order from. The one that comes to mind is Ohio Wholesale. If you have scanned their catalog it is very easy for you to identify crafters who are selling their products. - Jane Jones - Faithful Friends
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Good Morning- I have not responded because I have issues with juried shows to begin with. I have been told that floral design is not a craft; that anyone can buy flowers and arrange them. I often get placed in the \"flea market\" section of large craft events and festivals rather than placed with real crafters. So I honestly don't know how to respond.
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Promoters should write a press release and send it to the various media outlets about a week or so ahead of time. Most outlets will post the event in their listings of upcoming things to do in the area. Sometimes they will also follow up and send a reporter, depending on how big and unique the show is.
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Here are my suggestions for promoters--the ones you've already listed are good. My biggest suggestion would be to have a website that lists vendors who will be attending, perhaps even with links to the vendor sites so that customers can preview the items they'll be seeing for sale. I have had customers place pre-orders that they pick up at shows, so it guarantees attendance for the promoters, and those customers often purchase from other vendors as well. Newspaper writeups and radio spots help as well--perhaps promoters could send out press releases, I've had three newspaper and radio spots for absolutely no cost at all from press releases. I often see ads for craft or art shows that don't give a clue as to what will be sold, and unless I'm familiar with a show, I won't risk money to attend unless I know the offerings won't be dollar store items that have been dolled up with a little paint or fragrance for resale as a \"craft\", or heaven forbid--art. I think that the promoters who care about having retail at their juried events know it when they apply; you can't possibly be thinking of running an event if you don't recognize ..., etc. The promoters know they're letting these types of businesses into the shows, often because they have a reliable draw. You can take notes, you can complain to the promoters, but if they knowingly accepted them, they're not going to ask them to leave on the day of the show. Thank you for soliciting our input, - Rebecca King - Moon Garden Artisan Bath & Body Care
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The best way to pick out China made is to see if the products look exactly alike. No artist can reproduce an item exactly the same, every time there will always be a slight difference. also suggest that the promoters go to Atlanta in January or July and check out the vendors especially in the temporaries. Most of the vendors have catalogs and this is a good guide for references
I was once at a show where someone claimed to make their birdhouses. They brought a little bit of moss to glue on the birdhouses and called that demonstrating. The promoter called his bluff and asked for pictures of him making the birdhouses which he could not produce. So they asked to see the supplies and he could not produce any of that either but another vendor could prove that it was buy sell because she had the catalog that it came from. So if any of the vendors go to market and get the catalogs it would help the handmade artist to keep copies of where the buy sell can be bought so you can show the promoters.
I go to market every year for a couple of reasons. 1) to see what colors and designs are going to be in for the next year. 2) to see if there are any blanks that I can use.3) I also buy my bags, tags and embellishments from market. I have learned that the packaging is as important as the product. - Diana
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For sales if folks knew coming in that they could use charge cards or not, or only cash or check it would help as well.
photos of submitted crafts might also help, a lot of us are tired of the faux craft items imported from china and mexico. - Shelley Hartmann
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I am a woodworker, I will attend art and craft shows which only have handmade items made and sold by the person at the booth. If I spot an item at a booth that is not handmade I will not attend the show again, I will alert other artists to the fact that the promoter or organization allow this type of work in the show. If the person responsible for running the show does not make the person remove the item or remove the offending person from the show, I will make sure I will notify every artist I am able to contact. It is not my responsibility to walk around and police the show, it is the promoter's responsibility, and if they do not live up to it, then I will not attend one of their shows again, period.
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regarding juried shows: Crafters should be required to submit a photo of them actually making the product
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Louis, The shows that put those ads on the TV that scroll buy at the bottom of a local event page are wasting their time. I know I never look at those things. I do read billboards. The best shows around here put up billboards on the major roads, and put BIG ads in the papers. Again those little free blips in the weekend happenings will not draw the kind of crowds we need to sell. I figure I sell about one out of a thousand people. So…. a show with one thousand visitors will give me one sale. Not worth setting up!
I think the country craft stuff is the worst offender for retail. I have seen shows where I would question almost all of it. I know where they buy it. We are trying to avoid all shows where there is lots of it. The thing that bugs me most about retail is seeing the exact same item (Same size, color, trim) in many booths at the same show. An example would be a “Home Sweet Home” sign on a green board 8” x 12” with red letters with a yellow border around each letter. No way on earth five or six different crafters at the same show are going to make that sign in the exact same way. I boils down to many of the crafters are not crafters at all. But they are crooks and liars. Sad thing is that many of the people coming to the shows recognize this and go home wandering if they can trust anyone. I know I do. The vendors are lying and so are the promoters. When was the last time you saw a promoter do what they promised to do and run out dishonest vendors. I never have, they always say “we will not let them come next year. Guess what, next year they will be back!
I once had a promoter call me twice before accepting me into the show to ask if I really made my items. On the last call she ask me to send a letter describing step by step how I made one of my items. When I got the show there was a booth across from me selling plastic items with made in Twain stamped right on them. When I griped to the promoter I was told that this might not be the right show for me! Right… I will never return.
My next gripe is crafters going through a show looking for things they can copy. My stuff is hard enough to do that I do not have a lot of people coping it, but I have had it happen, and I’ll tell you it is sad to see a poorly done copy of an item you worked for weeks to design, selling for a fraction of the cost of the original. If you paid 600.00 for an original piece, how would you feel if you saw a booth with five of them of less quality (or even good quality) selling for half the price? My bet is you would never spend 600.00 at a show again.
Every season I wander if I want to continue doing shows. Craftsmanship and integrity are dying. People are coming to the shows expecting to see cheap junk! At my last show I sold five items. After expenses I made less than 200.00 for a week of 15 hour days. The table saw that gave up last week will cost 500.00 + to replace I have started sending out resumes. - Gaius Hanawalt - Woodturner
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Just a few thoughts...
*I think more promoters should use the radio to advertise. Too often the tiny ads in the paper are over-looked.
*Even though it's a home-based business, I don't think pre-made \"party plan\" jewelry should be allowed (like ...) since it isn't handmade by the vendor (I may be biased since I make my jewelry!).
*I love the idea of having the show's participants scanning for imports. That would be great.
*My main problem is that so many shows don't advertsie for needing vendors! I am fairly new to my area and am having a ton of trouble FINDING SHOWS!! Even the local Chambers of Commerce don't know about them. They might get better vendors if they wouldn't be so hard to find ahead of time. - Carrie
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This is one way to tell. When a crafter has maybe 5-10 of the same item-If you look at the details like the eyes or the design painted on clothing-EVERYTHING IS EXACTLY THE SAME DOWN TO THE INCH ON EACH ITEM.
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It occurs to me that if you can’t fight em’ JOIN EM! Why not a few “made in China” retail shows? I, for one, have a HUGE problem with imported goods. Who can compete with the prices? That way, those who love cheap-not born in America things, can have an opportunity. - It’s a thought. - Nancy A. La Belle - The Dapper Canine Ltd.
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SOME VENDORS FORGET TO EVEN TAKE THE STICKERS OUT THAT SAY MADE IN CHINA. I HAVE CUSTOMERS SAY THAT. JUST THE USUAL STUFF. LIKE ALL THE SAME DESIGN AND COLOR. IT IS HARD FOR US PAINTERS TO MATCH EXACTLY THE COLORS AND SIZES OF THE SUBJECT. ITS NOT THAT WE WANT TO. OUR CUSTOMERS LOOK FOR UNIQUE THINGS TO BUY. IT SHOULD BE DIFFERENT AND INCONSISTENT. ORNAMENTS ARE ALSO HARD TO PAINT WHEN YOU TRY TO PAINT A STRAIGHT LINE OR A SENARY. THERE IS A CRAFTIER WHO SAYS SHE DOES BY HAND. JUST GO AND SEE THE DETAIL WORK ON HER ORNAMENTS. THEY ARE ACTUALLY BEAUTIFUL BUT NOT HAND PAINTED BY HER. SOME OF HER WORK SHOULD TAKE HOURS TO PAINT. AND YET SHE CHARGES SO LITTLE. HER HUSBAND IS THE ONE THAT SELLS THEM. SHE PROBABLY ADS SOME GLITTER HER AND THERE TO SAY SHE DID IT. I KNOW IT'S HARSH BUT WE ARE THE ONES WHO SUFFER. I HOPE THIS HELPS. - MARAL
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Good morning, one way around letting imported good into a show is the promoter asks for receipts showing you (artisan) where you buy your raw product and also 1-2 names and addresses of your supplier. Also a photo of artisan creating their art or craft item.
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Promoting ideas: Advertise on the radio and local cable channels. Schools should mail flyers to all students homes, do not give them to the students because the parents will never see them. Churches should put it in the bulletins and mail home to parishoners. It should also be put on any marquis signs.
Retail Items: The first thing that needs to be done is to not allow retail vendors in the show. If it is an arts & crafts show, everything needs to be homemade. I make jewelry and it makes me mad when I go to a show and see ..., it's hard to compete with that. If you allow retail vendors into the show, you can't stop other people from selling retail items. Jewelry makers can tell the difference between handmade and retail items but the average person sometimes can't. Sometimes you can tell by how a piece is finished off. If it's too perfect than it's usually not handmade. I've seen people that just sell silver charm bracelets and say they've made them when they didn't. Also some people sell pendants on a silver plated chain which they bought like that. - I hope this helps, Tara Mazzorana.
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Hi Louis, In the way of tells to check handmade jewelry acouple of the obvious is the stamps on the back of the jewelry. Alot of us (if putting a stamp on) will only put a stamp of the metal karat ie.. .999= fine silver, 925 sterling etc. Usually if there is any other stamp it is made at a some kind of mass production shop which the FTA requires to stamp. Also ask them how a specific piece is made. Any actual jeweler will be able to tell you what he did to make it, forged, carved in wax and lost wax cast etc.. Other than that having a Bench Jeweler on the jury panel always helps. Having over 10 yrs in the biz I have seen alot of what is out there and can usually tell you if they got it from a manufacture. Hope this helps Sara
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I am a crafter that is constantly being accused of having buy sell items. I do not. I make all my items but because it unusual for my Italian Photo Charms to be handmade I am always being questioned and denied entry into shows. I have has to change my display to feature not my product but signs identifying my product as handmade. This is pretty silly since I offer to make up any design a customer wishes at no extra charge on my order sheets and web site. I could not do that if I was buying my charms. I do buy the blank metal links made specially for me with our business name on them. This is expensive and I end up paying more per blank link than the finished charms from China cost that others are selling.
Most shows are very good at keeping out buy sell and if they are not that usually means the show is headed downhill and enough crafters are not applying to keep it afloat. Jennie
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At the first year event I put together last year we advertised in many venues. I asked visitors how they had heard of our show. The two big winners were signs in front of the venue for two weeks prior or a flyer they had received. No one said they had seen/heard our ads in the paper, internet, news sites or radio. Were's putting more $ into signs and flyers this year and skiping the ads. Hope that helps. Amanda
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I am a crafter: The only thing to make sure that the artist is doing his product by hand is to visit his/her workshop. Some European promoters do it when they suspect a problem. Of course here in America the distances are far greater and they might have no money to go around. For my part I make part of my products myself and use good (US) crafters to make the other part. I find it difficult to have people working for me as they are not always reliable. Some of them don't want to set up at fairs or shows so they like the idea to sell for them. But once again I am not competitive at all. But at least I am trying. - Regards, - Patrick Rideau
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Some of the shows that I do that are juried ask for pictures of your work in progress. Some do not.
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Advertising (forgot to respond to that because I got so worked up about the non-crafted stuff!): If they call local news channels on the weekend morning news they talk about events that are going on that weekend. I don’t know if they charge, but it seems like they wouldn’t charge if it was a fund raising show for a school or charity. - Lora Niel
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If the wood items all look exactly the same in the painting. Also if you brush your finger across the painting, you should be able to feel the brush strokes , not completely smooth.
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Send press releases to the major arts and crafts magazines. Most of them have a column for upcoming event listings and are glad to hear of major arts events.
Most communities have little free papers with local news that offer free listings for upcoming events in the area. Many even seek to have a full article on such goings on, and these are generally free.
Again going for those free local weekly papers, artists who know each other can do a \"featured artist\" write up on each other and include photos of their work. Yes, this is on the local level, but it greatly helps artists to be known in their own area.
It's a tough one, and I'm not sure I can offer anything someone else hasn't already thought of. Certainly make it clear in the contract that vendors sign that \"resale items\" are NOT acceptable, that there will be observers checking ALL booths at the actual show, and should they be found to have non-artist made items they WILL be evicted from the show with NO refund of their booth fees. Then the promoter must stick to this and DO IT! Make it known that you mean business, and such breaches of contract will not be tolerated. Might be helpful to include making them known to all other promoters and blacklist them from getting into other shows. - Hope this helps some. : ) - Sue Cannella (Lady Cinnamon)
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Louis, I've been fighting imports for years, I design and sew doll clothes. What I find helpful is to bring the wholesale import catologs with me to shows and then show the catolog to the promoter, this way the promoter has the \"crafter\" red handed. What I expect is that crafter to be shut down then and there , usually they are allowed to stay . I also have been accused of buying imports by other crafters just because of the volume of doll clothes I carry. When this happens I glady let the promoter inspect my outfits for lables. Promoters must become more proactive by coming into booths and inspecting items. I can't compeat with the other doll clothes \"crafter\" who orders from china a dress for $7 and sells it for $15. This is going on at large juried shows and small church craft fairs. Louise Genowitz
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Dear Louis' My husband and I have been woodcrafters in excess of 25years seprately, and then together. We have started with rough wood, designed our own patterns, experimented with different paint applications to produce a series of products in which we take a great deal of pride. We know the history of each of the lighthouses we reprsent. We know the legends, the myths, and even the ghost stories. When I stop at a booth and ask if the person makes their own product and after a few questions realize that they do not know the basics of how the craft is produced, I get the same patent story, \"Oh, my Mom,sister, aunt, Dad, Grandpa is the crafter. I'm just sitting in for him/her today, this week-end,whatever.\" What are we to do?
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Hi There, I think that real craft shows should not allow retailers in them in the first place. If they insist, they should put on the application that retailers are not allowed to enter the jury portion of the shows.
A lot of newspaper offer free advertising, you just have to contact them. They like to do listing of events that are happening in the area. They generally need 2 weeks notice, sometimes more. - Michele Poitras
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I am only a small one person crafter and find it hard to get enough items crafted for a show but I do go to shows as a customer. I think it is a good idea to have crafters to scout out the imports/retail. I think crafters themselves recognize those items. I once asked a crafter the process for one of the items he had in his booth because it was different than I had seen before and he told me the whole process step by step as if he had done it himself. Shortly after that I was looking through a wholesale catalog and saw the exact same thing he had in his booth and it also had the exact same explanation he had given me. I realize that some of the supplies used in crafts have to be manufactured or mass produced but the creativity of using these items and combining with hand crafted is what makes the crafts unique. I don't know if this is helpful because it is something you had already thought about but maybe it will reinforce your thought. - Thank you - Jane Shea
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Also, one show asked me for a receipt from my raw materials supplier. As to advertising, Signs & newspaper work best. Especially, if the newspaper article has some pictures of the artist/crafters making their art.
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I sell non hand made items but mine are not the cheap knock off you seem to be referring to. I understand I am not able to sell at juried events but wish there were more non juried events to choose from or at least a better description of what they will not except.
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Lou - On more than one occasion we've been asked to provide pictures of us doing the work on the crafts we plan to sell. While not \"fool proof\" it HAS to help some to keep retail out!
As for advertising, mention of a raffle that the artists contribute items to can be both a draw AND and device to keep people at the show once there. If you have sufficient contributions to run raffles every 20-30 minutes folks will often stick around for that length of time and shop more to see if they'll win \"next time\". - Mark Ewell - reMARKable Pens
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The only thing else I can suggest is that some of my shows ask for a picture of the crafter making their art.
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Regarding Retail at Juried Shows: I know this has been a problem for me. I craft uniquely designed ladies clothing. One vendor has about 5% of her inventory that is hand made the rest is imported or whole sale ladies clothing. The vendor has even gotten past a juried show that requests 4 photo of work in progress. I believe they should show samples of all their wares. In this particular case the hand made are girls cotton dresses. The rest of her wares are silk of polyester ladies seperates, imported or wholesale.
Advertising in local papers, signs on the streets, mailings are all helpfull. I will send out cards to past customers informing them of my craft schedule. I do get repeat customers that look for me. A little advertising of you own helps. - Penny Eisan - Creative InVESTments
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Promoters and venders should all learn how to write a press release! Send the who, what, where, why, when to every media source you can think of. Most have email or websites, so it's so easy!
Provide your artist/crafters with a printable poster and flyers.....I get the email addresses of everyone who participates in the show I help promote and provide the file that way. I also write a promotional email about the event that includes a few color pictures of the art and send it to all the artists to forward on to their lists. This is free and can reach thousands of people if everyone does their part and sends it out!
The obvious like road signs and postcards......also, if you are doing a show in a dowtown or neighborhood area, go to all the local businesses a couple weeks before the show. Ask to hang a poster in their wondow and/or leave a stack of flyers for their customers.
I am an artist first, and help to promote one small show (which I also participate in)....so I do everything in my power (budget) to get the word out! Last year, I had a couple friends with signs waving at traffic.....I paid them with pottery!
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Word of mouth has been the best so far. I like to post my flyers at grocery stores and hand out catalogs/business cards at doctors offices, hair salons, anywhere I shop. I have a display at a local flea market (Trader's World) so I can get my info out to a large crowd each weekend.
Hope this helps. As far as the juried shows, I'm in retail so I can't really help. I do my part my not going to them with my stuff. Thanks again for your site. It's very helpful and I always tell craft workers that I meet about it. The links to other sites is also helpful. I used the ohioagriculture.org for county fair listing. -Cynthia
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I think as far as advertising, one thing vendors could do is get a list of the local radio stations in the area of the event. Call them to find out if they have recieved information on a particular craft show going on in their area. Radio stations survive on their advertising dollars and if you the vendor give them the heads up on a local event they can then approach the promoter and try to sell them air time.
As for retail in craft shows Promoters need to be more strict in their instruction for potential vendors and let them know up front and at sign in that if they are caught with retail merchandise they will either be shut out with no refund or that retail merchandise will be confiscated before the event opens and they will be excluded from all subsequent events that the promoter is in charge of .... black listed so to speak.
Hope this helps. I for one take great pride in my handcrafted candles and my husbands wood crafts and I do not want to be set up with someone who is simply reselling someone elses work. - Juanena B
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I find it very disturbing to see all the imported things from the Asian countries, and sadly enough, they are the booths that seem to be the busiest. I think that was a great idea to have vendors scouting out the shows ahead of time and turn in booth numbers that are not bringing in handmade items. - Karen Westgate
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Hi Louis =) I really want to begin by saying THANK YOU!! once again for all of your hard work. What a blessing you are =).
Ok....well, where I see the problem is that the promoters promote the show to get real crafters in there, then when they have not made enough $$$$$$$$$ they allow anyone in. Personally, I think they would do better if they charged a $25-$40 fee for the space, and then 10% commission sales. A show I attend in Odessa Delaware do that. But what she does is subtract the booth free from your total sales, and then you pay the 10% on the balance. That seems to keep a lot of people away. Arden Fair does the same thing, except they do not give you allowance for the space free. But you know that you'll be in a REAL craft show.
I personally don't mind paying more a space if I know I'll walk out feeling good about the day. The Malvern Blooms show was $85 for a one day 10x10 space, but I left with over $600 in my pocket.
Also, I think that the crafter themselves need to OPEN THEIR MOUTHS to the promoters. The Women's Jr. League in Depfort NJ advertised that any one with retail items would be asked to leave. Now I'm thinking, OK I like this!! I paid my $45 dollars, show up and I've got a woman selling dollor store item next to me!! I was so upset, not because of her, but because the promotor led you to believe that this was a genuine craft show. They even stated on the app. no retailor should apply. You also had to send into photos of your work....so how did they get in...$$$$$$$$$$$$. I think someone said the Jr. Womens League made over $3000 that day. Greed will do it. My point being, I went directly to the promoter at the show and let her know as nicely as I could that I've noticed something wrong. She made the other vendor move, but according to the CONTACT that we all had to sign, the vendor should have been TOLD TO LEAVE. I think that if vendor are not afraid to confront the promoters, they will be more apt to adhere to the contract.
I think what promoters forget is this....me and many other GOOD QUALITY artists will NOT BE BACK NEXT YEAR. Therefore, in only a matter of a couple of years they will have a full blown flea market. And I guess that's ok if that's what you want. But personally, if I'm a customer looking for a flea market to go to, I'm heading for Cow Town!! LOL
Also, I think there needs to be a space on your web site where the vendors can comment directly to the promoters. There is this one promoter who promoting all of these Media/Delaware county events, but when you click on the site you get NO INFORMATION at all. It's basically a calendar of events with NO LINKS to get contact information.
The promoters should some how be held accountable for FALSE ADVERTISING. I think the vendors should be able to leave a show falsely promoted with a full refund in their pocket!! It's not right to STEAL money that crafters work very hard to get. I know in my case, my husband doesn't mind if I do shows, but the money that I make from shows has to pay for future shows, my crafting supplies etc. So it's very important to me not to waste my money. - Ok so there's my 2 cents worth =) Hope it helps. Blessings, Maryann Zawicki
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I have a question - How do you handle this situation
We are at a show and notice an extremely foul order - after several minutes we finally realize it is a vendor with the booth behind ours. It is a 2 day show and the same thing happens on day 2 (however by now we realize that other vendors have also noticed the aroma of unclean body mingled with unchanged clothes.) The organizer had also smelled the order when in our area prior to our bringing it quietly to her attention on day 2 but thought it was coming from a different vendor until we pointed out who it really was to her.
The unfortunate thing is that this odor cost sales to vendors in her area. Fortunately for us our booth was just far enough away that it did not cost us.
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I'm glad you addressed this problem. As an artist I'm saddened by much of this WalMart type of jewelry. I had a friend who went to this year's Bead Show and Gem & Mineral show in Tucson, AZ. The comment was \"there is just SO much they felt overwhelmed.\" Booth after booth selling nothing but beads of all types, strings of jemstones, jewelry parts, etc. If you are a flamework beader making your own glass beads, how can you compete with cheap imported beads? I don't even think the general public cares. It comes down to \"how cheap can I buy it for.\" This is the where WalMart world has taken us all---cheap, cheap, & more cheap. You can't charge too much, because the customer looks, says it looks nice, and walks off. Then if you charge too little, your are hardly breaking even. This is why I personally don't care enter many \"so called\" art/craft shows. They charge too much, and many don't care what type of products are in their show just as long as they sell the vendor spots and make a profit. My comments, C Taylor
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Here's my 30 second response.
Advertising: a flashing street sign at least one week prior to the show on the major thoroughfare of the show. You know the signs that you see along construction. The sheriff's office uses them in my city for all kinds of things I'm sure if you asked you'd either get the use for free or at a discount. You can also enlist the help of the city that the show will be in. They probably have their own police department with the same equipment.
Retail at shows: The very first obvious sign is that the vendor has more than one of a kind of any item. I handmake everyone of my jewelry pieces and very rarely do I have enough material to make more than one-of-a-kind. If the vendor has a slew of the same item displayed that is surely retail or they have a very large family helping out.
Another obvious sign of retail is the fed ex and UPS boxes around the booth. The one that gets me are the boxes that say \"Made in China\" shoved under their tables.
I once saw a vendor using a crayon to fix the chips on the items he was taking out of the \"Made in Taiwan\" labled box.
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This is to answer the question regarding imports noted as craft items. This is becoming a major problem. I sell native American jewlery. We work with the families as well as trading post in the southwest and then bring the merchandising to new England to sell. If we knowingly sell non Native as Native it is a federal offense. We let our suppliers know that if they slip any import into our orders that we will report them. I would suggest that as part of the contract it is noted that imports or reporductions are not allowed. If they are shown the vendor will be asked to leave. I would suggest that craftlister have a section that the person running the event can note vendors that they know are misrepresenting items. Vendors can critique events, maybe events can critique vendors.
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In response to your question on \"retail at juried shows\", I would suggest along with a photo of the hand-made item a photo of the item being made while in process. It would be hard to send a picture of a \"made in China\" item while it was in process along with a picture of the same item finished.
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I do fiber arts and make my items from raw materials. I have noticed competing booths do not make their entire product. Instead they embellish items purchased through retail outlets. Technically, this is still crafting. Unless promoters state specifically how much of the item is to be crafted or hand made it is hard to limit the retail resellers. Promoters need to enlist more help to monitor what is being sold during the show and how. They also must have the nerve to enforce their rules. If someone is not in compliance, shut them down.
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This is in reply to your request for promoter/retail email. Promoter advertising: As a merchant I have printed out small third page flyers with my own shop coupon, since I paid for printing, and passed them out at other faires nearby. I'm only one person but it has pulled in quite a number of people. Merchants are only too happy to spread advertising. It's just that we cann't afford to print a bunch ourselves.
Retail at juried events: I sell handmade clothing and accessories. Only recently did I do a juried event. I'm not sure what they juried because there were alot of retail items, most noteably swords, (ren faires). The clothing did all look handmade but I do know of some that buy from overseas and sew in their own label. These are sometimes hard to identify. I can tell by the material and how certain seams look, but a lay person can not. So I'm not sure how to help others identify this.
Booth decorations at themed events: I do have a problem with promoters asking to see what your booth and your costume will look like with pics, because you are doing a renaissance faire or other themed event. And then allowing carports with no covering or decorations to be used all weekend. Esp when the rules state that you must decorate or you are out. They don't kick anyone out cause they don't want a bad rep. But they should make them go straight out and buy some decorations!!! This is an easy rule to follow. Simple dollar/yd material swagged over the edges with garlands is cheap and easy.
Hope this helps.
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Just a suggestion - I have only helped to plan a couple of shows, but we also call radio stations, along with posting plenty of signs and advertising in the paper. They will often add us to their PSA list for nothing! And if it's a fundraiser for something, often times if you contact local churches and such, they will add the info to their weekly bulletins.
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As far as my craft in retail, I do not know that either, except EXACTNESS. I make such a new idea, I have a utility patent pending. Currently, I am searching for a manufacturer so I can sell massive quantities in bookstores like Borders, et cetera. - Looking for advice myself, KimLandolt
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Louis, In response to your how to spot retailers at art shows. I am not sure how to spot them. I do fused glass jewelry. I sign and date the back of all my pieces. I also do some free form pottery and I sign and date the bottom. I take price in my one of a kind pieces. It is a real good question. How do you spot the frauds out there? - Christina
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I am replying to your email regarding free advertising. Maybe if you sent a link to your venders for them to pass along to all those that they know. About the upcoming show that this particular vender maybe participating in. Each vender can do their own advertising as well through that link. Does that make sense?
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You Know one thing I always ask when I check into a Hotel for a show~ Can I put A flyer up for our show or leave the postcards that the promoters have sent somewhere? If the local promoter went around to the area hotels and asked to do that and to some of the other businesses, this would be very helpful. But at the hotels, often people are looking for something fun to do. Also, at hotels, I will also get to know the staff and give them my cards with 10% off my booth and they tell the hotel guests about the show for us. It pays to be friendly. Hope that helps. I have lots more ideas, I'll be in touch Amy ~ Labor's of Love
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Well, having items with boxes marked \\"made in China\\" would be a good start. This happened to me in the last show I was in at West Deptford Middle School where they suppossedly had a strict no buy/sell policy. Even after I showed them that the next vendor (double space booth) was all junk from China, they did NOTHING. I think that is why most people are not answering-we have been complaining to the show promoters in their faces and they do NOTHING. Candles is my category-and they let in Mia Bella Soy constantly, that is a MLM marketing business. They also let in Little House Candles-again, these people are not making the candles, they are only sales reps selling them. They don\\'t even know what kind of wax are in them. But they are there at EVERY SHOW. Good luck fighting this. Can\\'t see an end to it.
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Advertising: Use the regular newspaper but also use the free papers and post signs in stores......how to id retail mdse.....in ceramics you can tell a home fire piece by the quaility of cleaning a person does, there on the piece will be some little mark of cleaning....
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I think it's a shame, but I don't think that most promoters care if a retail person puts their items with a hand-made space - as long as they get the money, they don't want to deal with any \"trouble\". I do both, handmade and retail and I will say that if I do a handmade show, I make sure I only take my pillows - no retail, but I've seen some stuff that is NOT handmade at these shows and yes, that makes me mad! Maybe the promoters need to ask for pictures of what you do and if you bring something different, tell the vendor he/she cannot sell that item because it wasn't in the approved picture. I think once the promoters get the money in their hands the don't want to deal with difficult vendors - people playing loud music, people with their children sitting in the hallways, vendors moving their tables over the space lines, etc. I don't think the promoters take it nearly as seriously as we do!
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In your last newsletter you mentioned helping shows that need quality authentically hand-made artists and crafters. We are such a show in need. We would like to take you up on your offer of providing free mailing labels for artists & crafters in the local area of zip code 30720, in all event categories except jewelry and baby items. Enjoy your information/suggestions! They have been very helpful.
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An easy way to spot retail merchandise is to watch us unpack. If the boxes are uniform with shipping labels it is probably retail. Crafters use anything that is cheap and sturdy to transport their product. I have been to shows where we were told that poople with resale items would be charged twice the booth rent. If they inforced that my glassware would not be in danger of being knocked off the table by children with inflatable swords or other toys.
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An answer to your question about advertising.
Inexpensive:
Flyers (in businesses, mailed to vendors, hung up/plastered around town, etc.)
Newspaper Ads (check to see if there is a \"non subscriber\" free paper in which to advertise as well)
Online (craftlister, local classified sites, craft lists, etc.)
Mailings (of course, this is getting more expensive)
Community Calendars (radio, newspaper, magazines, churches, organizations, television, etc.)
Chambers of Commerce/Tourism newsletters
Word of mouth
TV news
Press Releases
Local radio ads (have found some for 10 slots for $100!)
Banners/Signs/Directional Signs (lots & lots of signs)
Someone said to me when asked if they saw a sign for a show, \"No, but I wasn't looking for it.\" One should not have \"to look for\" signs to the events. These signs should be there and pop out at them!
I have always said to promoters asking for advice that they need to start about a year in advance with planning and beginning to advertise their show. Then the last month they have to \"eat, sleep, breathe and live their event\" --literally be sick of it (if they are not already) in order for people to start hearing about it. And then there are those people who live under a rock or somewhere! LOL
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Just a quick reply to your plea for ideas to keep retail out of juried art & craft shows, Pictures are great, but unfortunately can be faked. I do like the idea of promotors requesting invoices or reciepts for actual materials used in the making of such arts & crafts. This may seem extreme and has been pooh-poohed by some promotors as not necessary, but I say what\\'s the harm in asking? I\\'m not suggesting that artist/crafters should disclose any secret ingredients here, simply provide proof that we actually are making our arts/crafts from some sort of parts or supplies. Even those crafters that take recycled material, ex: wood, glass or metal products, and make something wholly unique must use some sort of part or paint or glue, etc. to create their work of art. I have made this suggestion to some of the promoters of shows that I do, and will continue to do so as long as I continue to do shows!
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Hi Louis,
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to your email, and I am afraid I can't be of much help, but...
I think advertising about shows in \"penny savers\" is pretty much a waste of time, but I would not advise not to do it since it may attract a few to a show.
Newspaper ads are good, but only if the promoter/vendor can afford a big enough ad to catch the reader's eye. Burying a two or three line ad amongst hundreds/thousands of other ads is useless.
Often, if the event is charity related (church, fire dept., or even a town event) many radio stations will advertise it for free. Where I live, the cable TV listing channel is always advertising charitable events at the top of the screen.
I agree with many that street signs are the best form of advertising for a show, but these signs need to be plentiful around town and placed in other high traffic areas such as store windows, the library, etc. Other things, like attaching balloons to street signs the day before a show, or the actual day, will also help to catch the eye of people passing by.
As far as retail items at craft shows, I don't think most promoters are as serious as they state when they say \"no retail\". I have found OBVIOUS retail items at most of the shows I attend...and, the great majority of promoters do nothing about it once the \"crafter\" is set up. More promoters need to start asking for full descriptions and pictures BEFORE they accept a \"crafter\"...because they do little at the actual show.
I would be very wary of \"making notes\" on other carfters after I set up and handing them over to the promoter. The last thing I need is to have another crafter bad mouthing me because the promoter told them I reported them. I don't know the promoters well enough to trust they would take the responsibility...even though they say \"no retail\" on their event description...and I don't think the average promoter is going to tell a \"crafter\" to take down items or leave a show because of retail items.
On another note, I only joined CraftLister.com about a month ago...a crafter at a show told me about your site. Your site is a Godsend! Thank you. - Best regards, - Jim Guinn
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Hi, this may sound redundant - however, just placing signs is not enough. The fact that people may actually be able to see them seems most reasonable to me. I can't count the shows who claim to place signage only to find out there is a tiny 1 ft. x 1 ft. sign somewhere that basically nobody has seen. LARGE SIGNS PLEASE!! Also, asking that perhaps any local restaurants and/or other public draws place your ad in their window and/or distribute flyers to their customers may be helpful - this, of course, will apply to local shows in that particular area. As far as retail distributors - there is absolutely no place for them at any craft show - I say burn them at the stake!! Perhaps trying to convince promoters that retail sales in fact prohit local unique artists from flourishing - maybe promoters could hold a 2nd show just for retail peeps - maybe - if they absolutely have to include retail - they could consider a smaller percentage of them or possibly double or triple they entry fee in order to discourage their participation and encourage more local grass roots artists to bring their respective talents to fruition and even out the playing field. Also, there is nothing like receipts and/or \"hands on\" pics of true artists at work
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Hi, My husband and I are gourd artist/crafters. Sometimes it is difficult to know whether we are considered artists or crafters as we do gourd art and sometimes make it into something useful.
We recently attended a meeting regarding promoting events as we are members of an herb club which has a big 10th year event coming up. One thing that I thought was great was advertising locally with flyers at the local grocery stores and also they mentioned putting out flyers once a month either on-line. As vendors we appreciate seeing newspaper ads about the fairs we are doing and also like to see good signs directions to the events we vend at. Sometimes even as craft vendors we find it difficult to find where to go when signs are poor. Think advertising locally and even in tourist magazines under events are great too.
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room Mansion with retail AND exceptional crafts and our customers have come to count on the diversity available at our Show!! It's kind of like a one stop shopping experience.I nedd the retail to help pay the ginormous costs of doing my Show!!!! I spend about $15,000.00 per Show on advertising.
I am careful to be extremely honest! Our application letter explains how it all works and we do sometimes get rejections from people that do not believe you can mix these, but, for the most part, everyone does ok all around.I find that the Crafters that do the best, are the ones that follow the trends and really watch the Wholesale Shows. Many Crafters are definetly complaining lately about sales falling, because their product is completely outdated. there has been such a shift in what the public is buying..that I know some Crafter's that have switched gears completely. They are the survivors.
I get 20 calls to 1 from jewelers. I am very protective of my vendors and keep my categories tight.I only take 1 or 2 vendors from one medium. I am not all about collecting fees. I monitor this as tightly as I can so everyone has a fair shake. Sometimes there are trends and everyone ends up bringing some of the same merchandise..which was the case a few years ago..with scarves!!!!Even our jewelers brought a few scarves!! We had scarves everywhere!! But, we sold alot too. Now I try to limit Artists to their original craft! I find that most survivors are doing alittle bit of everything!
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