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Rough Summary of Best Artist and Crafter Responses to 'How to spot retail' and 'How to advertise better'. By Louis Marquette - a CraftLister.com Craft Expert about page personal website  based on 15 ratings Viewed 3928 times Printed 13 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!
Full responses are abt 150 pages typed, broken into 3 segments:
http://www.craftlister.com/craft_experts/articles/read.php?ID=47
http://www.craftlister.com/craft_experts/articles/read.php?ID=48
http://www.craftlister.com/craft_experts/articles/read.php?ID=49
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* As for the Promoter situation. The fact that none of them replied to your requests, would leave me a little leary as to how much they want to promote thier business?
* I've contacted different companies to do a lunch sale at their company and that actually has worked really well for me with one company. I go every 4 to 6 weeks and it's very beneficial.
* I've heard of some people having a sale for men only to buy for their wives, girlfriends,etc....they've had great success with this.....I haven't tried that one yet.
Radio & TV
* Most local televison stations have a public annoucement spot that they run for free of upcoming local events. Normaly they need the information on your event about three to four weeks in advance. All the public televison stations I've ever seen do this as well and it's free !!!
* Many local radio stations will also do "live remotes" from an event if they are asked to do so well in advance of an upcoming public event
* Second, I have discovered that most radio stations' websites have a community events section, and they are usually very good (at least in my area) about posting event listings (such as a craft show!).
* I think more promoters should use the radio to advertise. Too often the tiny ads in the paper are over-looked.
* You can call and get time on almost any morning radio show if you're willing to comp a few tickets, or can get vendors to create a giveaway basket.
* The key, in my opinion, it getting those adds on when your prime targets are sitting around having their morning coffee watching TV.
* I believe that radio advertising works if they can afford it.
* most cities have local TV channels that do a segment during the day on what is coming up in the area.
* A local news channel we have has what is called a "Public Service Bulletin Board" on certain days listing any events going on that week.
* I know it's not for all promoters-but our local channel's news staff will plug a craft show a day or two before the show-and when they do it's teriffic. I live in northeastern PA.
* Many of our local event promoters promise newspaper advertising that is wasted money with today's consumer using the Internet or TV as a source for current events.
* using the early morning local news shows to spotlight the event
* they are usually willing to add craft events to this list as well. You simply need to send them a standard press release.
Large Budget, Much More Than Novices Ever Imagine
* My friend and I are actually toying with the idea of promoting our own show after attending some really bad ones. I'm interested to see what fellow crafters have to say about this.
* She uses ALL of the booth fees for a show, about $15,000 for the last one, and applies it to advertising.
* I just promoted my first event, and the turnout wasn't what I was hoping for. Here are some of the things I tried:
* We had our first show last year and didn't know exactly how much to spend on advertising so we:This year I plan to ask the water and electric companies if they will include a note on the Nov. bills.We had over 1250 paid customers not bad for a small town show.
* I nedd the retail to help pay the ginormous costs of doing my Show!!!! I spend about $15,000.00 per Show on advertising.
* Getting the public into shows always seems to be a problem especially into the newer ones. Some of the promoters in my area (southern New Jersey) are really quite good at it though. They seem to be able to "plaster" their information everywhere: street signs, flyers in every store that has a bullentin board, and advertising in the local papers.
Newspaper
* Newspaper ads with admissions coupons or an extra raffle entry will increase the chances of someone
* clipping it out of the paper and placing it on their refrigerator as a reminder.
* Linking to a cause also increases the likelihood a newspaper will run an article.
* one of the most sucessful that I have seen in a little over 40 years is to have crafters submit a bio, and a list of local papers with the application and then having the pronoter send a copy of the bio with the show details to the local papers.
* issue a press release! These are news worthy tidbits that most newspapers will print when they need fill material. It won't work everytime, but when it does it is free.
* Local newspapers have a Datebook section where you list your event for a week (that is the minimum) for $5
* You just have to be sure to submit your show to the Calendar Editor. I know my local paper will never take the initiative to put an event in the calendar (even if it's written up several times in the newspaper), but if I submit a separate request to include it in the Calendar, it gets in every time.
* Now, all three ads say the same thing; free balloons.
* which turned out to be a disappointment. This was with a school in my local neighborhood, which advertised for at least two months in the local newspaper.
* Sometimes they will also follow up and send a reporter, depending on how big and unique the show is.
* ask highest volume dates
* One recent event in my area blossomed this year compared to past years because they partnered with a widely read local newspaper and printed ads and articles daily for two months prior to the event.
* You just have to make sure the paper gets the info in time.
* In the past I've put flyers in the newspaper box around my town and didn't get one response.
* Then if you can get the vendors to commite to doing this, make a b&w flier that's half sheet (so 2 fliers per sheet) and have them print out tons and pass them out in their neightborhoods in the newspaper boxes.
* Newspapers love local events and hand crafted is becoming more and more limited. It works.
* We have over the years tried newspapers, and have found only certain small community papers, under a things to do section, actually bring in any new business.
* Display ads in papers which cost quite a bit never paid in added customers through the door.
Street Banners & Billboards
* Normally I end up asking businesses and residents on the main streets if I can put a banner up in their property's grass area, and I promise to take it down the same day of the show, immediately after the show ends. And of course I ALWAYS send them a thank you note of appreciation for allowing me to do that.
* I DO RENT THE LARGE DIGITAL PROGRAMABLE SIGNS THAT ARE ON TRAILERS. THEY ARE PLACED ON THE PROPERTY WHERE FESTIVAL/SHOW IS HELD. SOME HAVE THEM OUT FOR A WEEK PRIOR TO THE EVENT.
* think about getting a street banner made up. One event near me has a banner that hangs right across the main street.
* When doing billboards, keep it simple. The event name , dates, and times have to be big enough to read FAST!!!
* The best advertising I have found is the promoter place banners across major streets in that town/city.
* Fliers tacked up around town. "Realtor-type" signs. Banners that cross the street.
Road Signs
* Signs that aren't the size of garage sale signs don't work. Promoters need larger signs that have some red or some neon color on them. They have to be put out 2 weeks before the shows. No day of putting up signs. Promoters that have people sign up for a drawing works. You get their home address, or email address and send them a remainder about the next show. -
* The signs need to have REALLY BIG PRINT and simple information--the date, the time, the location.
* As many street signs as possible on the busy corners. Of course they may have to have permission from the city on where they can place and for how long.
* Road signs are great if large enough and LEAD people to event.
* When I attach a sign to a telephone pole I use duct tape and lots of it.
* The street signs are very important and the quality of the signs are a reflection on the image of the show.
* 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.
* 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.
* RE the Signs pointing the way in--there MUST be multiple signs, if the show is 2 or more turns off a major street and the location is not immediately visible!!!! This is the biggest failing on promoters' parts.... also the SIZE OF THE LETTERING ON THE SIGN needs to be 3 inches at the minumum, if you want drivers to stand a chance to READ IT from 10 or more feet away
* The most simple form of advertising for art shows is probably signs along the roads - main roads - near where the art show is. Also in majorly populated areas...especially higher income or artsy sort of areas. Signs can be reused..... or have a sign that you can just add on the place and time...big ART SHOW sign with a smaller sign that says where.
* 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!!
* When I am looking to attend a show, I usually find out by flyers in local banks, markets, convenience stores,etc. and in local papers. Also, outside signage, the WEEKEND BEFORE attracts my attention and makes sure I stop at the bank before I shop.
* Last year we did 2 shows just doors apart and the one show people had difficulty finding due to lack of signage - the other show was busy and crowded
* orner street signs don't work if they are not put out until the morning of the actual event. As a former roadway sign painter, all artists should know that driver's only have 4-6 seconds to look away at a road sign (depending on the speed limit on that particular road) and that sign should be simple and CLEAN in design AND you should not have to look DOWN at it - taking your eyes away from the dashboard level of your car. White backgrounds do NOT work to catch driver's attention ... use NEON colors and a large san serif typeface -- easier to see and read quickly!
* I think that so-called "lawn signs" stuck into the ground at major intersections, highway exits, public parks, etc., about a week ahead of time are quite effective, as are handbills and broadsides left in local businesses.
Give Promotional Material Packet to Vendors
* Promotors also need to get timely INFO to us to post and send to our customers too. Many times or most I get info 2 days out, whcih is NOT enough time to let everyone know. Most of us are preparing the last minute details by then.
* When you send your vendor packets out, send each vendor flyers to pass out at the events they attend leading up to your event.
* We were sent a full-length flyer and a postcard size advertisement via email (but could also be done by snail mail). A number was assigned to each vendor and embedded in the flyer and postcard.
* Also, for every one turned in, the vendor (remember their number is included on the flyers and postcards) received a $1.00 refund on their booth rent or a free raffle ticket.
* 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.
* 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.
* Promoters should ask vendors to volenteer the use of their mailing list
* As a promoter my business does every advertising avenue you have listed except newspaper inserts. My biggest complaint about crafters is that the majority do not hand out the flyers we promoters provide for them.
* One of the best ways to promote a show is to give postcards to the accepted artists and have them mail them out to their personal clients.
* The promoter that does the best in Iowa and Illinois is Tom Callahan. He advertises on TV, news paper, with post cards with per cent off, and he does not allow re-sale items at all. We ask him about finding re-sale in his show and he has received catalogs from the companies most ordered from.
* That doesn’t cost the vendor a thing to hand them out and it will be going to folks that already like going to festivals and bazaars.
* Be sure to give vendors an electronic copy of the flyer that they can send out to their friends and customers on line or place on their websites.
Utilize ALL Free Sources
* it surprises me that more promotors do not list the shows in free areas such as weekend announcements for TV news shows, local small newspapers
Flyers at ...
* Posters, I been in & out the Carny business, puppeteer, theater performances for 40 years, Posters in many locations really do work, if put in right places. They MUST pick places where the right people, such as high end clothes stores for cultured craft shows. Hi volume areas work because it just does. Spend for some printing, not top end just plain but specific. Works every time I have used it.
* 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.
* 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!!)
* Flyers at coffeeshops/starbucks (I work for starbucks and my store is really great at supporting local "home grown" things--they have a public bulletin board, and frequently the employees are into crafts themselves)
* Print a flyer and have it at your State welcome center.
* place flyers on community bulletin boards at supermarkets, town halls, schools, churches or other religious organizations, libraries or other places where people congregate. But the main thing is the signs on the street, you get a lot of passerbys and people who forgot that the event was that day coming in.
* I attend some shows that are in shopping centers. They Place flyers on the windows of every business about a month in advance. I have had some luck sending out notes to some of my better customers.
* Do a flyer swap with all the local craft stores.
* Our local municipal event planner gave each artist several poster-like flyers that we could take to local businesses and post on doors. That worked better than newspaper ads that no one ever saw.
* liquor store, drug store
Vendor Actions
* one of the most sucessful that I have seen in a little over 40 years is to have crafters submit a bio, and a list of local papers with the application and then having the pronoter send a copy of the bio with the show details to the local papers.
* Encourage each crafter/Vendor to put out a guest book to collect addresses and emails.
* I like to send postcards out to previous clients telling them where I will be.
* 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.
* Artists who create home decor pieces should plant a friend with flyers outside of home improvement stores on the day of the actual Art Festival
* HOW ABOUT A STRONGER STATEMENT (SIGNAGE) FROM THE VENDORS THAT DO MAKE ALL OF THEIR PRODUCT.
* 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.
* 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.
* I think that the crafter themselves need to OPEN THEIR MOUTHS to the promoters.
* 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.
* 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.
* I collect my own e-mailing list w/a cool red leather(like) embossed notebook during shows & then do e-mails before my shows. This works pretty good for me.
* 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.
* 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!
* vendor passing out folded flyers (easier to hold and keep up with) that had all her contact info, item info AND UPCOMING EVENTS she would be at that year!!
Multiple Car & Lawn Advertising Blitz
* I purchased a banner that fits over my (Lincoln Town Car) windshield. It just says "Craft Sale Today" and has my website in the bottom right corner. I put it on my car and park where it can be seen by passing traffic.
* every band club volunteer has a sign on her car for a couple of weeks before advertising the show
* A lot of the show promoters say their town will not let them put out signs. I do a church that gives each member a sign to put in their yard, and this works great for them.
Sponsorship
* I've found that sponsorship by a community organization is critical.
* The organizations don't want to support imports from China either.
* Many of the show I do are sponsored by a radio station, newspaper, bottled water co etc
Reputation
* Regarding the advertising, I have little to offer because there are some shows that regardless of the advertising, customers just know are good shows and they will attend! There have been shows that I sold at that did a lot of advertising (radio, newspaper etc) and barely anyone showed. There have been shows that did little advertising and you could barely walk around it was so crowded.
* Turn craft shows into events. Name them. Particularly for multiple day shows
* same weekend yearly
* Have a theme, such as gold rush days, rennaissance times, Hawaii, pirates. People can dress up and outfit their booths as they like.
* There are people who come to the show every year looking for me. They also look for the "cookie lady" every year and the "wood carver guy".
Promoter Mailing List
* Have attendees fill out a form (complete with phone #s, addresses, and e-mails) as their raffle entry, and after the show compile a mail/e-mail/call list for future shows in that area.
* Offer to swap mail/e-mail lists with your vendors.
* You may even get a local realtor to pay for all or part of your direct mail festival announcement if their ad can appear on the back. From experience - and as a former licensed Michigan realtor - we chose specific neighborhoods to 'farm' for listings and spent a large part of our advertising dollar sending direct mail into those neighborhoods.
* and have found that direct mail works better than expensive magazIne advertising.
* I have a big mailing list that I send cards to before a show. I swear that promoters try to get me into shows just because I'm known for pulling my clients into the show to shop.
* Postcards to previous customers is essential.
* We have sign in cards which ask our customers how they heard about the show.
Community Involvement
* Often, if the event is charity related (church, fire dept., or even a town event) many radio stations will advertise it for free.
* some type of community involvement - especially kids. For example, have the kids do a car wash.
* 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.
* 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 coordinate with other groups at the school who are doing car wash type events.
* At my shows, we do a donation bucket for various schools or charities.. different one each show..example... Middle school hockey team, child in need of medical treatments etc... those organazations will help put the word out there for you if they know they are getting a donation.
Use Local Resources Geared towards Tourism / Travel / Activities
* Our city adds info about whats happening in ours by making notes on our water bills.
* 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.
* Vendors might want to let local cities (most or all now have web sites) about shows so they can add the infor to their sites.
* Think advertising locally and even in tourist magazines under events are great too.
* local Magazines. I'm shocked when they list upcoming events and the bigger art shows aren't even mentioned
* A lot of times to weather crews from local Tv will do remote spots and come to your event during set up and do the weather and promote the show then too..
Magazines and Publications
* I think it's really important for the promoter to invest in listing their events in craft show directories. Publications such as: The Sunshine Artist, The Art & Craft Show Yellow Pages, Crafter's Guide.
Utilize the Internet
Advertising Targeting
* fine craft and fine art is general purchased by people in their late 30s to late 50s and that market should be targeted
Event Date and Venue Selection
* one problem that I have seen is that there needs to be research done on the date picked for the event.
* Maybe coordinate with other groups at the school who are doing car wash type events.
Other
* a couple of months before our show. I rent a commercial booth, solely for the purpose of advertising the craft show. It's a major chunk of our budget, but it seems to be helping.
* Maybe someone could come up with a certification system too, of being 100% USA made and by the artist?
* We have paid high money for booths & spaces at shows and when we got there, there were home party type booths filling the area along with Philipine and Hispanic people with snakes, etc - made from fancy cloth - definitely not made by the sellers, but imported.
* I've been to shows where they promised I'd be the only soap vendor, only to be put across the hall from someone like Lush or Bath and Body.
* ask a trusted return vendor to take a walk around. Most true crafters can recognize a handmade product from a retail, manufactured product from a mile away.
* We have two (2) jurors who are jewelers. They are very familiar with many websites selling jewelry wholesale and have many, many catalogues.
* There must be someone who checks the booths at the fair and ejects those who are in violations of the rules.
* The problem is promoters do not enforce the rules.
* I will always do her shows because I make GOOD money at them. She also juries and allows NO manufactured items. She chooses artists and crafters carefully and closes categories before there is a glut of any one product type.
* Somehow this seems a bit more production automated than hand made crafts which is what we ask for.
* we sell hand-made handbags and have to compete with retail handbags all of the time. One hint to tell the difference is "too perfect" stitching.
* Some of my best shows that are holding true to "arts & crafts" are requiring a photo not only of you set up but atleast one of you making your craft.
* List events at schools (newsletters, etc) church bulletins
* Offer churches and other organizations free spots for info table, bake sale, etc.
* Many retail brands are starting to be boycotted by many crafters, if they know ine of the brands is doing the show they wiill not participate
* I also believe any vendor once they are set up, if their work in any way does not look 100% hanmade should be asked to leave, we have to get rid of the franchise type vendors.
* I thought possibly packing material, but I also purchase some of my supplies from people who also sell completed items so that is not much help. Personally I tend to look first at booths that just seem to have too much product.
* It's offensive to have some one go through the market place and single out what they don't like to have to sell against.
* The amount of resale at shows is getting to be a serious problem and it is absolutely ruining art/craft shows.
* The last show I visited that had resale was so bad, I left. There was handmade mixed in but there was so much resale it wasn't worth it to walk the show and look for it.
* if the jury truly applies the standards, most non-hand-made items will not pass muster;
* any sxhibitor that has unjuried or "retail" merchandise should be asked to put away the merchandise or leave the show.
* there were 19 jewelry vendors out of a total of 110 exhibitors; that festival was the 6th year it done and the organizers should use common sense
* it was our 1st time to to that show and we will not be back
* 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.
* we get the same Wholesaler magazines as the vendors so we can recognize a lot of their stuff
* Once it is discovered that the item is retail not hand made PUT THE PERSON OUT OF THE SHOW. IF THEY CAN'T FOLLOW THE RULES THEY DON'T NEED TO BE THERE. Once the word gets out that its not tolerated it might just stop.
* I look for differences between items. If the crafter has 10 of an item, handcrafted items are usually all slightly different.
* If they are not working on anything -- or for that matter, repairing items they make, that is a tattle-tale sign that they most likely just sell.
* I make it a pont to tell my customers that my product is proudly made by me in Illinois in the US! Ive had many people thank me for telling them - it helps strike up a conversation, and a sale.
* Every promoter advertising a hand crafted only show should require pictures. Pictures of work space, pictures of materials used for making the products, pictures of work in progress. Some promoters ask for material invoices and/or a list of suppliers that the artist deals with. Promoters also need to EDUCATE themselves by attending craft fairs.
* Promoters need to watch for vendors who are moving boxes that say "made in China" on them.
* For jewelry, and especially with earrings, if a promoter is seeing chandelier type earrings with lots of beading components selling for $10 or $15 you can pretty much bet they are not custom crafted. The amount of time it takes to make these items far exceeds that price range.
* Insist anyone suspect of having buy/sell products leave immediately. Insist anyone who's product is not as portrayed in their photos or described on their application leave immediately. C.Y.A in your applications and emphatically state this will happen.
* I have done juried shows where a member of the jury calls all prospective vendors. These conversations are recorded so not only do they have a signed form stating your product is custom crafted, they now also have a verbal confirmation.
* As always, vendors need to do their part. When seeing buy/sell items at a "handcrafted only show" the organizers need to be alerted. Buy/sell at a hand crafted show means a booth was lost to a true artisan.
* The problem is not in the Jury selection I know that the people that sell the retail items do a good job at faking handmade goods to get into the show.
* promoters need to do is encourage vendor policing of each other and have a police that they actually enforce that allows for vendors to say "so and so" is selling retail items and verify it with more than one vendor then kick that person out of the show
* I like the idea of several people walking around at shows and informing the people running the show those who are offering to sell anything that was not handmade. I would hope that these people would be asked to close up shop and have to leave.
* Another way to prevent this from happening is that on the day of the sale, as you enter the area in your vehicle, perhaps those who check that you've registered might also ask you to exhibit an item or two that you've brought along right at the entrance, and exclude those who have items to sell which are clearly imported junk.
* I don\'t think people want to "police" other dealers because they may be good friends with a lot of them.
* I think it's time to stop worrying and whining about retail items being sold at Craft Shows. Instead of spending a lot of time and energy on this subject, which will never go away, spend more time on your booth setup and how you can make it more appealing to potential customers!
* I would not like to work hard and get to a show where there may be someone there selling similar items that were imported in from another country.
* One fair had a great idea--you not only did had to send a picture of your booth and crafting, but also a picture of your WORKSPACE
* I believe that the ones of us that produce all our own work deserve to make the money that is being spent on that stuff. If I have offended anyone than take the hint and stay out of our art shows, there are plenty of places for you to sell you items.
* I think that all shows should require multiple pictures showing the items being produced by the crafter.
* Also, it would be a very good idea to have a representative of each genre do a walk through of the show looking at each booth to spot mass production. As a decorative painter, 90-97% of the time I can spot a mass produced piece.
* It also is a good marketing tool, almost a demonstration of my work.
* Give-aways can be used and consider going to vendors for prizes in lieu or in addition to booth fees.
* Over the last twenty or so years that I have been crafting and selling my wares, I have DEFINATELY noticed an increase in retail items at JURIED shows.
* but they also do a walk through BEFORE opening their doors to the public, and they often do force the vendor to remove the item(s), or make them leave entirely.
* most of them (promoters) spend more time worrying about finances than taking care of their bread and butter.
* ut I am often left feeling gyped. I understand it takes money for good advertizing, but posting a few flyers and small ads in ONE newspaper just doesn't cut it any more.
* My work goes from raw wood to finished product right here in my home. I do get upset when I'm told it will be hand crafted only show and then I see market items. If their are going to be market items please let me know. I may choose to do a different show.
* About a year ago, shows started requesting recent and multiple receipts/invoices of the componenets I purchase to make my jewelry. At first I thought this was a huge hassle but did it anyway. Because of this, I have noticed an increase in the quality of the products at these shows.
* a partciular show promoter has it written on their application that the artist must be present on the day(s) of the event and be prepared to present a demonstration of your work.
* select your jurors carefully!
* Fairs that do not follow the rules they spell out in there contract my husband and I do not return to. If the fair says crafts only and they let people sell resale we do not go back.
I have exhibited at a number of "high-end" shows with plenty of retail items...intricate silver earring with a huge booth sign "Everything $5!" I did bring it to that promoter's attention (in a courteous, professional manner) and nothing was said or done.
* If we have a half-full festival coming up in a week, for which we have had to secure and prepay for advertising, toilets and cleaning, personnel, and insurance, just to name a few things, we honestly cannot afford to be "super picky" when it comes to the exhibitor and, to be frank, many of the true "artisans" were the first to start sneaking in manufactured and imported items to supplement their own crafts.
* As the saying goes these days, if you see something, say something.
* When I brought this up, her response was, "Well, I figured if others were selling non-crafted items, I could too!" How does that solve any problem?
* Educate your customers as to the difference! SELL the quality of your product, make them see that your product is worth the price!
* Show size up to 50 crafters 1 of each type of vendor if not 2. Show size up to 100 crafters 2 of each if not 3 Show size up to 250 crafters 4 of each type.
* I think all shows should REQUIRE PHOTOS of everything vendor will be selling.
* I think the best thing a promoter could do is FOLLOW THROUGH. We have all read and signed many of rules agreements and we all know most rules are not enforced.
* 1. Follow through on their rules 2. Remember, a few quality crafters with unique products is better than a warehouse full of retailers. 3. Tell the vendors who display retail merchandise there is room at most strip malls for rent and be ready to back it up with action
* I have been a crafter since 1980 and until the last couple of years resell was not that bad, now it is terrible.
* I design, cut and paint personalized Christmas ornaments, family plagues and yard signs all made from wood....Two times I was turned down because they thought it was resell so I sent (at my expense) items in different stages of completion. I was then excepted into the shows.
* Even if they have already set up. Letting them stay just makes it worse the next year.
* The application should state that this is a contract and once signed and returned they can be told to leave if it is found that they have be untruthful. This protects the promoters and the true crafters.
* I sell wood crafts and about to give up. Sure can't make a living on crafts here.
* Know your trade journals!
* I always demonstrate my craft - Ukrainian egg decorating (and yes, there *IS* a journal for something as obscure as pysanky) - at shows, and any show I do the month before Easter could get a ton of free advertising by writing press releases that I have committed to be there and committed to demonstrate. No show has ever done this, even after I explain that I used to write show advances constantly for a gourmet/specialty foods trade journal (it drives me absolutely crazy).
* Hand out oversized shopping bags at the door with the year's schedule printed on the side. Most people (especially crafters) save oversized bags in particular.
* I think that the crafters need to complain a little more and that the promoters definitely need to follow by the contracts they issued.
* I feel that the "retailers" have hurt my sales
* those of us who truly hand craft our product do not want to be associated these fake juried shows
* If they (the promoters) dont want to upset anyone or make a scene, they could just use their list of violators as a reference for the next year.
* Last year I went to 2 large craft shows and was next to knives and replacement windows at one and knives (again) and Chinese imported fur animals at another. I've also been within hearing distance of sales of "pashmina" shawls (real ones are imported anyway) that I had seen on the streets of NY just the week before.
* Maybe several pictures of the work room ,arrea ,different times . Also storage of product [lose inventory].
* require specific pictures with the application 1. of the artist at work 2. of the items be sold in various stages of production. For example, a fused glass artist would be required to show a picture of the "raw" glass, picture of a piece assembled prior to firing and a picture of the piece after firing. For a beaded jewelry artist, they would be required to show a picture of the beads prior to assembly, the piece in progress (which would also include the artist) and finally the finished piece. 3. of the tools used in production
* IT IS UP TO YOU TO LET THE EVENT PLANNERS KNOW YOUR IDEAS, YOUR COMPLAINTS AND THAT YOU WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THEIR NEXT ANNUAL EVENT IF THEY WILL NOT CORRECT CERTAIN PROBLEMS.
* We had to ask the promoter at a local annual municipal event to stop referring to us on her hand mike as vendors
* If I decide that I want to have only half a table with my custom handmade creations so that my best friend can also exhibit her handmade items, then the promoter should take our application monies. We could not participate in a show we've been in for the last three years because the new 'promoter' being used by our local municipal staff has decided that the display had to be created by only ONE artist.
* No space should be sold to people who make up and sell GIFT BASKETS that are filled with pre-purchased foreign-made products, toys and perfumes.
* and then placed novices next to experienced and very talented jewelry artists.
* tons of retail jewelry (I make jewelry) ... It was not even deceptive .... rings, sterling silver necklaces, etc
* the promoter must be vigilant if they want a quality show.
* Actual trusted Craftsman for each category should be assigned to the jury.
* AND if the craftsman / artists don't want retailers under selling them and cheaping out makets and festivals / events they will provide this service to the jury for free.
* "Retail Police" - Assign craftsman / artists or Jury members to (like you said) actually walk around - clipboard in hand with staff event jacket or shirt to survey each booth.
* Jury even the resell stuff and you won't wind up with junk.
* They are the Root Baskets and Wood Roses. Any fool could find these items on the internet. The result regarding the Root Baskets was not only were they still in those shows, at one there were 3 people selling them!! The wood roses are still out there but getting scarcer at the shows.
* Some comments from promoters are "If I don't have buy/sell I don't have a show.
* I still believe if you throw them out during the show it will make a huge statement.
* mail in your fee but show up in person on a certain date to show us what you have"
* So many show people don't know how to put on good shows, thus attendance is loosy and none of the vendors make booth rent.
* that person NEEDS TO HAVE THE BALLS TO REMOVE THE RETAILER FROM THE FAIR!
* I only do a limited number of shows a year, and I do pick and choose those ones that do have quality, hand made products. I have done several shows that obvious retail things and if the promoter doesn't ask them to pack up and leave, then I don't do that show again. On the other hand, I am loyal to promoters who are professional and reliable, and always encourage the public to attend these.
* If the beads are not kiln annealed properly, they will break when dropped, or if they bump up against something. For a jewelry designer, this is the worst possible thing that could happen, so as a designer, I do not want to be purchasing beads that will break.
* the Chinese beads do break because they are not properly annealed.
* There are also unscrupulous dealers marketing the Chinese beads. I say unscrupulous because they lie in their marketing practices, and also they copy the designs of self-representing artists and then pass them off as their own.
* the cost of the bracelet alone would exceed $20. So price is definitely a clue.
* Allow the artists to bring ONLY what has been juried.
* Learn to recognize the mass-produced stuff, the retail stuff, the (what we artists call) buy-and-sell stuff, and don't let it in. Its really not all that difficult.
* Make the artists that break rule #1 leave. Period. Make them leave the show, and do not allow them to do the show again.
* Many people accuse me of buy-sell (even "good friends"). I just invite them to see my shop etc and they believe that I made the product. I scroll saw pictures. This is now done by lasers and they are making sales that I should be getting.
* Don't let the retails (some of them can be intimidating) run the show! Show the retailers you are SERIOUS!! and they will probably NOT apply to that show again.
* Is it possible for promoters to ask to see receipts for components of the items in question at the jurying stage? It would be obvious to the promoter that the items are not handmade if the vendor balks at producing receipts.
* Charge an extremely high admission fee to the crafters. Eg: if the event would normally charge $100.00 charge $400.00 with the understanding, if you met the criteria, you would be reimbursed $300.00 the day of the show. If you did not meet the criteria the $400.00 stands.
* 2) The crafter could write two checks..The $100.00 deposited the $300.00 check returned to them that day.
* then the vendors can step up by doing a petition-type form and pass it around to other vendors during the event. The petition should state that if the promoter does nothing to prevent/stop this, then vendors will go elsewhere.
* I used to be a promoter for a Christmas boutique and some of the other promoters in our business wanted to add imported stuff so they could make more money. Eventually we lost all our legitimate crafters and our customers got tired of the same stuff they could buy at CVS.
* I am a wood turner and quit making and selling pens due to imports.
* Louis, it is my understanding that you cannot pull the "Made in . . . ) stickers off retail pruducts. I could be wrong. But one way the organizers can judge retail is to simply go by the vender booths as they are setting up and take a look at the handcrafts/merchanedise.
* more than one vendor in a class has the same item / design.
* I think that the best way to identify imports and non-handmade items is to require a photo of the artist in the process of making each item and probably not more than half-way finished. IF they sell more than one type of item, then they should have to send a photo of them making each and every type of item.
* Promoters should ask a competent vendor to quietly and discreetly peruse each booth to spot buy/sell.
* I am now getting to the point I do not even want to do anymore shows. Then promoters keep upping the application fees and letting more out of country items in.
* When I see trays and trays or boxes and boxes of items brought in by a vendor, I have my doubts that the crafter/vendor actually put together or made the items themselves. Most of the commercially made items have no uniqueness--everything is pretty much the same style.
* If its a lot and its too perfect looking they most probably bought it bulk and claiming its their work.
* I have on numerous occasions pointed various vendors out to the ones who run some of these more promonient shows and nothing ever comes our of these.
* I have had difficult conversations with a few people representing goods made elsewhere-they are rude but I turned them down as they did not fit the profile
* while it's important to keep the quality of shows up, it's equally important not to create witch-hunts...especially if you don't know what you're looking at. We need to do this in a respectful manner and remember that it's people's livelihoods we are potentially effecting.
* I was an inventor or the father of a creation, would I be allowed to enter the program because I have a manufacture to produce my product?
* I have been doing glass for over 10 years and there is no way I can get it exact.
* Also the crome plated stuff is not hand made with the glass.
* as well, perhaps request a listing of other shows the artist has done, along with contact information as professional reference. and at this point in time, nearly everyone has a website.
* It is my opinion that most do not do this for economic reasons, not an inability to spot the imports.
* One of the things I noticed about retail items made from wood is that they are perfect. or appear to be.
* the USDA only allows pieces in the US that are 2" by 6" by 6" or smaller.
* I even talked with vendors who had retail and they said they wouldn't be able to compete and survive if they only had stuff they made by hand.
* I know we have been juried out of some shows (this year) we have done for several years and that when I check to see who got in I can plainly see that even the buy & sell got by the jury committee.
* I find too that there are often inadequate signs at the show location itself, making it easy to miss. A clear, visible, sizable sign makes it easy for those looking for the show, and catches the eye of those who might stop on a whim.
* A search done using a description of an item will often come up with a site selling that item for a fraction of what the “crafter” is selling it for.
* I've also made up my own flyers to mail out to friends and to folks on my mailing list, and have included, "bring this flyer with you for a 10% discount" within the body of the flyer.
* process photos of a piece with a description of creation from start to finish.
* But if the show gets a reputation for being low quality or overloaded in one or two categories, no amount of advertising will get the crowds to continue to come out year after year.
* I was at one show recently where I brought one such culprit to the attention of the promoter, who then proceeded to defend the vendor by saying 1) she was using the items for display purposes (not with a price tag on them!) or 2) she must have done something to "alter" them in some way to make them her own (not the pieces I saw-- I had just seen them in a wholesale catalog I was looking at from the outfit whose sticker was still on the piece!).
* One vendor had items that were cast iron animals that are definately made in China because the wholesaler also sells to the garden center I work at part time!
* I certainly agree with the 'sticks in the ground' advertising....early and often. Pulls in the folks for sure.
* Once I got in, I found that 80% of the stuff there was aftermarket. If this show were to eliminate the buy/sell there would not be a show. Since its a huge $$ for me, I just go with it.
* pictures producing the products. And, not just with a paint brush in your hand.
* I don't feel it's my job to *police* a craft fair.
* I don't want to be the *dirty rat bastard* that outted someone.
* Alot of stretchy stuff.
* if you see the same thing at more than 1 booth it's a major hint!
* (this blind eye happens all too often, and is one of the reasons I'm not returning to two shows I participated in last year)
* in these cases, instead of thinking, "another craft fair," instead you think, "oh, appel & frank." a theme or a focus really helps.
* maybe requst a photo album at each table with pictures of the crafter doing their creations.
* Even with an item that is a great seller, I tend to change the colors, or put in some type of variation.
* have the artist demo the making of their product.
* I have found that crafters that buy/sell items from China are not able to produce receipts for fabric's or other supplies that you would use in handmaking an item muchless be able to explain the process that they used to make them.
* To do an event I was asked to remove my retail home business from my website
* Some juried fairs were ok with me leaving things on my website the way they are just not to bring retail to the fair.
* The last time I had an open house I sent out an email to my customers a few days in advance....that worked perfect verses the week before.
* I hear so many times from customers that there is a lack of quality at craft shows recently.
* Powder-coated metal is not handcrafted 90% of the time. The facilities for powdercoating metal are generally not available to the average artist/crafter.
* Soldered non-precious metal is usually not handcrafted unless it's a work of stained glass or wrought iron outdoor art.
* there will be variation between similar items such as color, different bead caps, different chain, a different clasp.
* they might have some imported items. These will usually be low-cost items that have a different "look" to them from what the rest of their stuff is.
* info packet
* include a card that is to be filled out before the show starts with an area to write in suspected resellers.
* business cards that were a regular business card on one side and a "I'll Be Back" discount card on the back.
* I'm sick to death of going thru the hassle of pictures/websites/etc to make sure my promotors know my items are ORIGINAL and HAND MADE by me , only to get to the show and be set up in the middle of people with 'beadwork' made by Cambodian slave labor, chip and dip crocks (who makes them, really?) or doormats printed with college logos?
* On fabric sewn items I pick it up and look to see if the tag has been cut off.
* We are retailers of upscale fashion jewelry. We NEVER apply to shows that are Crafts only or juried shows. We only apply to shows that indicate retail is accepted.
* where retail is accepted along with crafts, we are charged more money than crafters
* Perhaps crafters should check the listings to be sure retailers are excluded.
* They asked for 3 pictures of us doing the production of our product.
* For me I have spices, paper for labels, bags, etc. If you aren't buying your supplies and making your product, you will not have these receipts.
* the silver rings you see so much of. ask the vender if they do it with wax relief. You can tell by their answer they do not have a clue what you are talking about.
* As far as the imports some shows require a photo of the workspace and the artist actually in the workspace doing the work, along with a description of the process. Also many shows require picture ID of the artist to assure it is the artist and not the representative showing the work.
* junk coming from India and other countries is not fully backed. The pendants are mounted without cushion and the back of the piece is open not being covered with silver.
* Also, I have had shows ask for billing, reciepts etc. for rough rock, silver etc. How much silver jewelry can you make if you don't buy the silver sheet??
* As a juror, you cannot just look at something and say it's great without knowing something about how it is made etc. ASK QUESTIONS.
* Would it be of any help to have professional inspectors, knowledgeable people, to jury those products.
* I make soap, the real stuff as opposed to that melt & pour junk, which I would I would hardly called hand-made. I don't know what skill is required to melt store-bought soap & pour it into a mold. Hmph.
* Although these pictures could be faked, it would take a bit of work for a reseller to fake that.
* When I saw them again at a juried show I promptly found the promoter. They weren't invited back.
* Guess I better get a portfolio together of pictures of me in my shop!
* On a related point, we find most promoters don't want us giving out flyers for other shows we do that aren't their shows.
* if it wasn't in your pics it cant be at the show, they say they come around and check your display against the pics.
* Also if a vendor has 100 items exactly alike, it is very possible they are retail.
* Identifying objects from retail can be achieved only by vigilant visiting at the booths after they are set up. As a seamstress, I can usually look at the sewing and tell if it is an import.
* If they are imports, they should have a tag or a place where it is cut off.
* I have found recently that many retail venders are handmaking some jewelry, enough to take pictures and use for juried events.
* As for retail at juried shows... An absolute NO NO!! Come on promoters.. you are just making yourself look bad.. Make them remove them or you remove the vendor...
* Promoter could offer to "pay" a known and reputable crafter/artist
* to go around and preview the booths, note any suspicious items/booths and give that info to the promoter to deal with it.
* One show in which I participate each year requires that you send them a picture of me making my items, including my raw materials, tools, partially assembled items, as well as finished items. They are obviously serious about getting hand-made items but they also have a quality show each year.
* I have been next to a vendor who flagrantly opened his "made in China" stamped boxes and put the items on his tables. The boxes were then placed behind his booth in plain view.
* The promoter themselves sells bulk strung beads and pearls.
* The way to tell if they are decal or not (on the ornaments, whether they are glass or ceramic) is each and every design is exactly the same as if it were stamped on. There is no way anything hand-painted would or could look exactly like the next.
* it will now be allowing "fine hand-craftables from other countries" in an effort to add diversity, etc. But still claiming that their high standards for quality is still intact!
* I am a one person show and don't have time to walk around at shows. However , I have a dozen or so friends that are more than happy to walk the show. They make notes and then find the event organizer and complain about the retail crap at an arts & crafts show
* Usually, an event that charges only $25-75 for registration has the poorest attendance. This must have to do with the amount spent on publicizing the event.
* I have a list of over 2,000 names that I send postcards to 3-4 weeks before the show.
* I send press releases to newspapers within about 150 miles of the event. Earlier articles to advertise for crafters to set up; then closer to the show, articles to invite the public to come shop.
* Another newspaper is very cooperative and lets me send 4-5 crafters to their office for a photo shoot of them and a few of their crafts and they publish it about a week before the show.
* if you don't ask, you don't get!
* The biggest problem I see with retail is that you see it at every show and the shows all start to look alike.
* Promoters need to take suspected retail seriously. There needs to be outside on site jurying. Questions of artist intent and statement, process and inspiration, education and skill need to be asked.
* can not believe the items that are alowed to "slip" accidently into shows under the guise of handmade.
* Look on the back of wooden "painted" items.
* Can you physically see or feel where the "Made in China" sticker was removed.
* AND SOME OF THE CRAFT SHOWS I ATTEND THE HOMEMADE ITEMS ARE JUNK!
* Artists need to think about the quality of the show versus the size of the show and opt for some of the smaller shows where the buy/sell merchandise can be kept out.
* The show organizer was encouraged first off to set standards in various categories...ie fluff and hang versus start from scratch floral arranging. Once a set of standards were set, photos of work were scanned into the computer and emailed to me...no names, no other information supplied. I and a couple of other crafters offered their input and the decision was left to the show organizer. Following years results were measurably higher.
* requires 8 photos of WIP.
* Suppliers names can be blanked out as well as the prices if the crafter so chooses
* For those of us who lived further afield we were allowed to jury in with pictures but we had to present the real stuff to the jurying committee BEFORE we were allowed to set up.
* Most show organizers I have worked with think that disrupting the show and leaving an empty spot is not the way to go...what they don't understand is that by allowing the vendor to stay, they are a) taking money away from the real hand crafters, b) acknowledging that they are helpless to prevent fakes c) damaging the reputation of the show to both crafters and the buying public. All it would take is for one or two 'made in anywhere' vendors to be removed mid show (preferably within a couple of hours of the start of the show) to show the real crafters that the organizers meant business. They'd probably have a waiting list (other things being good as well) for the next show....and yes, we'd help with the packing and lugging and give the organizers a standing ovation...well at least I would...lol.
* google the product
* wooden roses, the chenille puppets, mahoghany wood airplaces/cars, recycled plastic woven baskets, of course jewellery that's not hand strung/wrapped (the magnetic stuff is rampant right now), powder coated spinners for the yard, a lot of the wrought iron work, south american imports and the CD's of 'native' music. Oh and Russian imports (nesting dolls/eggs). And how could I ever forget those awful croaking frogs..lol.
* Show organizers need to understand that good quality handcrafters who actually do their own work will/can/do walk away from a show that allows import and commercially made products in because the more of that there is in a show, the less money the handcrafter can expect to make.
* I spend all year visiting almost every craft show in our area that I find out about and "scout" for prospective vendors
* At the time of set-up, I do not have any qualms about asking for retail items to be removed, or leave if they aren't removed.
* I address the problem by vocally letting the promoter or sponsor of the show, know of my disapproval and question why they even had me incurr the expense of sending in a Portfolio for Jury.
* Shows with alot of junk are removed from my list and I request to be withdrawn from their mailing list. I've learned that a phone conversation with the Promoter or Sponsor will often tip-you-off to the quality of a show.
* If the person is practically giving away the item, they didn't make it. When the guy 2 spaces down is selling 40 hand-carved wooden roses for $10
* One thing I can guarantee, is I will never apply to a show a second time that knowingly allows retail items despite saying handmade only. - Lesley
* I do craft shows in rural areas and we have trouble getting enough "true crafters" to fill a show.
* Most painters have a style and you can tell only one person has designed and painted what they are displaying at a show.
* and also sometimes a written description of your process.
* However, there is now a group or several groups who have been set up with the cds and taught to play about five songs...it is flute music.....and they are getting into many of the shows passing off the music as their own.
* They follow the rules they establish. Juried process is intense and they require photos of every product you include in your booth, other items will be removed or you will have to leave the show.
* The booth space is expensive, compared to other shows in this area, but it is worth the price.
* for one reason or another; therefore, a lot of the "limited budget" ends up in the "circular file."
* When I call to inquire about the show, I ask "do you allow resale, retail, or home show items?" If the answer is "yes" I politely explain I am a crafter, called because your event said "craft show" and I will not put myself in the position of competing with those items, and suggest if they want to have a "bazaar or flea market" please call it that.
* I truly believe many smaller shows don't understand it makes that much difference to the crafters, a space fee is a space fee, and it sometimes takes a polite, forthright approach to "enlighten them."
* I will not knowingly go to those shows anymore.
* I have been to many shows and the only way to have known that some things were not authentically made was because it was in a category to which i was familiar and new that some things came from catalogs. Therefore, it is important that the artist take on some responsibility and bring forward any questions they may have regarding authenticity (retail goods).
* I make the schedule the size of a business card so that they can slip it in their wallets.
* I update it each week as we add events. It's really worked for us.
* Have a box where we check in to drop off a note on who we think are retailers.
* Maybe this is another way the promoter can protect the supply of hand-made crafts.
* The best suggestion that I can offer is for vendors to actually send in a piece of their work. A snapshot does not actually do just any good.
* If the suspect artisan is in your craft, ask them how they created a specific effect seen in the work.
* ask for a brief resume, on even asked for an artists statement.
* items from China etc... have unfinished clasps (crimps not neatly folded over), use beads that are plastic or ordinary.
* rtist statement also asked for a refund statement,
* juried shows will accept altered imports? Is that true?
* I REALLY resent being charged a jury fee and find that when I get to the show, two booths away the plastic airplane whirlygig guy is setting up, still ripping the tape away from the boxes he just received from the Orient.
* I don't think it should be up to the the crafters to police the shows, that is what we are paying the promoters to do!
* And if it takes the crafters policing the show then maybe we should. It might make the promoters a little more selective when filling those spaces.
* It is hard to machine make stained glass items, but these would look too polished, too even, no flaws at all! Some people use plastic instead of glass and the lead/copper lines make unbelievable curves that are not possible if glass is being used. Flaws are impossible on hand made stained glass, in fact most artisans in stained glass can tell from the solder work who made the piece and when.
* I am a professional Facepainter, and most Juried shows do not allow my craft, as my items are not allowed in.
* suggesting to promoters that they go to the wholesale shows themselves, so that they can see exactly what goods are available
* What I see in import catalogs, etc. are not factory -made so much, as they really ARE handmade -- but in sweatshops in China or the Third World and the women forced to do these things are being paid a pitiful amount to do it. Therefore, the sellers/retailers can undersell us every time.
* I certainly wouldn't sell a handwoven handspun alpaca shawl for less than $125.00....
* SImple weaving looks the same whether done by hand or by machine; there are a number of hand-manipulated weave structures that can't be done by an automatic loom, but they can be done by hand, by cheap labor. Knitting is the same way. My thought is, if the woven or knitted shawl, blanket, stole, etc. of "handspun" (may or may not be) natural fiber yarn is extraordinarily cheap, the odds are the seller didn't make it herself. If the seller can't explain what dyes she / he used, or what weaving pattern that is, might be another indication.
* make sure the application is clear that ONLY JURIED items will be accepted and require a photo with applications. (I know many promoters already do this.) What may also help at the actual event is to have a check-in/screener at registration who verifies that all items to be displayed are juried.
* If not, the vendor is not allowed in, forfeits his space fees and is not allowed to participate at the same event in the future.
* LL and in do mean ALL shows should require pictures of the work in progress. Maybe also a recommendation from a known artist or group? All work!!! ALL WORK should be inspected as the artists sign in or are setting up.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* croaking frogs made of wood in MX
* 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,
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* I have complained at shows and then the next year the buy and sell vendor is back and I am not.
* 4 vendors with identical bags, items from South America (I have been told on complaining that the family makes it and sends it here),
* Our state has a definition for flea markets, bazaars, white elephant sales, but none for craft show so promoters are not violating the law.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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?
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* I crochet so I have many pictures of the items and some of me actually putting things together. I hope this helps.
* 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.
* 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'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.
* some shows that I do will allow only 10% of your items to be wholesale.
* always offer to custom paint an object
* 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.
* 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.
* 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)
* the first rules of buesness;LOCATION,PARKING,and quality products at a fair price(not low.not cheep).
* 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.
* Then requiring at least one of the crafters to be present when the booth is set up or during the show.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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 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.
* Anything that looks too perfect is usually retail. A handcrafted item should have some "flaw" to show that it is handcrafted.
* 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:
* If this happened a few times, people would stop lying!
* 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.
* 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.
* 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
* .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...
* Most of the time you don't even need a biz license or reseller cert to get the catalog.
* I think that it's more important for them to get their fee and have their attendees happy than protecting the artisan's work.
* And it's discouraging when people come into the show actually looking for the ...wholesale... vendor.
* 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.
* 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.
* I don't know how craft show promoters can make it any clearer, but some "crafters" just don't get the hint.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* * 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.
* 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
* 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....
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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 agree this is a serious problem, and nothing makes me madder than to see retail at a craft show.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 'Retail' is fine at juried shows, as long as it is stated so. All vendors, artists, etc., should know what to expect.
* "We are not an art show; we are a village street fair."
* 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.
* 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!
* Develop new techniques that are envied by others.
* 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."
* 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.
* 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.
* If you sew items, turn the item inside out. It is esay to see if a button is sewn on by hand or machine.
* and everybody would feel sorry for the person being thrown out (who would probably continue to lie and be disrutive as long as possible).
* 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!
* They also ask that crafters demonstrate their craft during the show so that people can see that it is truly hand made.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* I am not in favor of Juried events, thus I take my business elsewhere.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* I once saw a sign at a booth at a craft fair that said, "If it's perfect, it's not handmade."
* Also, you might visit their website to look for signs that they are turners. Again, look for the language they use.
* 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.
* I don't even do the craft shows any more because of this. I can't compete!!
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Complaining to the promoters can get you kicked out of a show.--You get branded as a troublemaker.
* 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.
* 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 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.
* 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.
* I love the idea of having the show's participants scanning for imports. That would be great.
* IT IS HARD FOR US PAINTERS TO MATCH EXACTLY THE COLORS AND SIZES OF THE SUBJECT.
* 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.
* 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 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 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Also if you brush your finger across the painting, you should be able to feel the brush strokes , not completely smooth.
* 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!
* 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.
* This is going on at large juried shows and small church craft fairs.
* 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?
* 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.
* One vendor has about 5% of her inventory that is hand made the rest is imported or whole sale ladies clothing.
* You also had to send into photos of your work....so how did they get in...$$$$$$$$$$$$.
* 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 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* If the vendor has a slew of the same item displayed that is surely retail or they have a very large family helping out.
* The one that gets me are the boxes that say "Made in China" shoved under their tables.
* 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.
* Promoters need to enlist more help to monitor what is being sold during the show and how.
* 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 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!
* 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..
* 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.
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