Comments on: Inexpensive First Craft Shows

By: Jeanne Lyons

Jeanne Lyons — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:01:11 +0000

It really depends on the size of the show and the expected number of visitors. The smaller the show the less jewelry pieces you need. Just bring what you think may sell the best, or just a few items of each style. You can always bring more but keep it under your covered display tables to bring out if needed.
It also depends on your type of jewelry… my friend is a repurposer in addition to her clay work and makes larger pieces, mostly necklaces and earrings. She usually brings around 30 – 50 pieces.
I’m a wire wrapper with pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, anklets, boot bracelets (anklets for boots). My shows now are usually for a couple thousand or more (100 – 200+ vendors). Do to the large variety of what I make and being mostly one of a kind and I display around 150 – 200 pieces with another 50 – 100 under my tables. I guess the bottom line is “know your venue”. If possible visit the show the year before attending and ask questions of the jewelry vendors or talk with the promoter about the number of previous attendance and the type of visitors/community… farming, industrial, vacationers, university, suburban, urban, artsy… Choose your pieces accordingly. I occasionally found the need to change out my display based on the visitors I encounter during the show or what I see selling elsewhere, hence the need to bring things to keep under the tables. Sometimes you just have to experience it.

By: Lale

Lale — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 14:36:45 +0000

I would like to know how many (at least) jewellery articles we should have if we want to participate to those fairs. I have a hundred items in my internet shops but it seems to me a very small amount for a fair.
Thanks!!

By: Margo

Margo — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 02:30:03 +0000

Great tips. I’m a complete amateur at art and craft fairs and have only tried my hand at one and can completely agree with the suggestion to avoid church fairs. It was in my mind a failure; people looking for bargains without appreciation for hand-made stuff. Together with a beading buddy of mine, we’ve had success at home shows.

By: liz love

liz love — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 06:30:12 +0000

This is so good-thank-you very much!

By: Wanda

Wanda — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 13:13:46 +0000

Thank you,Jeanne, for the tips. Alot of the stuff that you wrote about,I found out through trial and error.Last year was my first year doing craft fairs and boy was it an experience. I’ve learned to avoid the church shows,flea markets and so-called “family events.” These last usually have toddlers and parents running around after them, with no time to stop and shop for nice hand crafted items. Like you,I’m still refining my searches and choices. Again,thanks!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:41:28 +0000

Great post by Rebecca – and fantastic additional info from Jeanne! Thanks to both of you! 🙂

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:29:28 +0000

I found that a lot of your show choice depends on the cost of your pieces. As the prices go up so should you show choice.
In my first year I tried a few of nonjuried, craft and arts and craft shows… type shows because there was no jury fee and booth fees ranged from $25 – 50 which sounded good to me at the time – but didn’t sell very well. These often included resale items (usually from China). I also visited higher end juried shows and spoke to the jewelry vendors and organinzers. This led me to stay away from them especially those that allowed resale items; and from most craft/church/school/markets/rummage…fairs because my time and material costs just couldn’t compete and people were mostly looking for inexpensive things or a deal. They recommended looking for shows that at least required all items be handmade. So, my next show was at a small town “arts and craft” fair. Most people were more friendly and liked hearing about my pieces and work. This was a big improvement over the other types of shows. While it was juried the photos were just to make sure your items were handmade, not an exclusion tool. The jury fees at these shows ranged from free to around $15 and booth fees from about $75 – 100 per day.

I then tried a few higher end shows, that required applying online through an outside service, like ZAPP. It required very specific, high end photos(read professional). My photos just couldn’t compete, even though they were taken by an experienced, amature photographer. And these jury fees were $25-35. Jury fees are not refunded but the booth fees ($125 and way up for these showes) in all cases are returned if you’re not accepted. Someday, when I can afford a professional photographer, I may try these shows again.

Right now, I’m applying to juried “arts/fine arts/arts and craft” shows (no shows that are called just “craft shows”) that accept real photos rather than sending digital ones which can be blown up so they are too blurry and are then rejected. At this level it is also suggested that you spruce up your booth display. They often like something hanging from the interior back of the booth (curtains, photo posters…) and using shelving or… along the back of your tables or toward the back of your booth to create height differential and visual appeal. I also recommend getting PVC pipe/bed risers or… for your table legs to raise the table height. People don’t have to bend over so far so they may remain longer and helps with the interference of little hands.

My best advise is 3 fold – try to visit shows you might be interested in, talk to the jewelry vendors, ask them if they have any shows to recommend you check out. If you can find talk to show organizer s/he can will usually answer your questions; or if you can get the organizer’s phone number ahead of time, often on the website for the show, you can get a lot of info to help you decide whether this is a show for you. Watch out for application deadlines. They kind of sneak up on you.
I’m still searching and refining my choices to find the just right shows. I think this is an ongoing part of the business. While you might find a following looking you each year you can also over extend your welcome to others looking for something new. Returning customers can usually find you at other nearby shows.
Maybe this is too much info but you can take from it what you will. Good luck!

By: Natasha Burger

Natasha Burger — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 01:08:35 +0000

wonderful article – sharing with everyone I can 🙂