Craft Shows - Finding One Near You

   by Natalie Goyette

in Entertainment    (submitted 2007-05-28)

In response to several queries I have had over the past few months, I have compiled a list of places where you can find a craft show near you. This information is only as accurate as the last updates made to the websites I have listed, so it is always a good idea to make a phone call or two to see if the shows in your area are still up and running.

Following are a variety of directories and listings for craft shows across North America:

http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/craftshows/index.html - This directory is filled with links to regional and specialized craft shows across the country.

http://www.craftlister.com/ - This site boasts over 13,000 listing for craft shows from all over. Once again it has regional shows and also provides a description of many of the craft shows available. A login to view detailed information is required.

http://www.craftsfairguide.com/ - This listing not only provides craft shows, but for a fee you can get detailed information and reviews on the craft shows that are on this site.

http://www.artfairsource.com/ - With listings of juried art and craft shows, this site provides statistics on top-selling events along with sales statistics that can help you decide if you are choosing a qualified event for your craft.

http://www.craftshowsusa.com/ - This site provides listing information for craft shows in all of the 50 states, and also has crafting resources and even a craft show promoter's page for reference.

If you are just starting your craft show business, keep in mind the cost of a craft show, how far it is to travel, as well as things like the traffic at the event, the types of crafts that are sold at the show, and what sort of amenities it has (computer access for payment, electricity outlets, booth size, etc).

Choosing the right craft show for your operation is important to making a good profit in this business. If you are selecting shows that aren't giving you a good return on your investment, then you might need to do a little more research to get the best bang for your buck!

Don't forget to bookmark the sites you like. This handy feature available in all browsers will save you lots of time searching for scraps of paper with all the urls you have collected. You can even organize your "favorites" into folders to truly organize your online life. Hint: often times pressing the ctrl key plus the letter d will bookmark a site.

About the Author

Natalie Goyette shows you how to make your craft show business profitable in her best selling ebook: Craft Show Success Secrets. Visit her site:
http://www.craftshowsuccess.com

Art Craft Shows

    by Ryan Roelkers

in Business / Entrepreneurship    (submitted 2011-01-14)

Art and craft shows are one of the greatest methods to allow your thoughts, talent and enthusiasm get a platform and way to express itself. These art craft shows and movements were taken up by the Americans in the later part of the 19th century and also the artwork and craft fashion was also termed as Mission style. It had been later included in the working conditions of factory employees by giving them pride and merit for their good craftsmanship and abilities. By early 20th century the art and crafts form started ruling the American architecture, interiors and furnishings in most of the locations in the US.

Today the art and craft fairs have become the best location to watch, buy and sell a wide range of art and craft goods and materials. This platform can also be good for meeting designers and obtaining links to numerous art and craft associations, craft clubs, guilds and craft societies present at your place. If art and crafts is your hobby and you make handmade traditional or modern crafts then these art and crafts festivals will give you useful tips to additional design and show your artwork and goods.

Look out for arts and crafts festivals to view and display antiques, collectibles, apparel, style, accessories, their services and products. At times you'll discover it challenging to find the right location, time and center exactly where an artwork and craft festival of your option is happening. Having a festival calendar is the simplest way of being aware of the entire festivals routine, their locations, events and the precise dates and time for them. These calendars even include the event name, web address, event contact names, e-mail and other relevant telephone numbers. For individuals who wish to display or sell their products a detailed description giving them the attendance, booth costs, prize money and jury status are also there in these festival calendars. Combined with the art and craft festival routine the calendar also displays the link to event application and their deadlines for taking part in the show thereby providing you with sufficient time for forethought and study for your craft goods.

You will find websites which give you the whole listing of the artwork and craft shows being planned and held in your region. Being in the correct location of your choice allows you to shop with craft experts from all over the nation under one roof. It also gives you a chance to see magnificent displays and learn about various things in free workshops being held at these art craft shows. These shows exhibit a big variety of goods produced from many different supplies, art, models and styles and demonstrate to be a heaven with specialist products you won't discover anywhere else in the world. The exhibitors might be displaying calligraphy, cross-stitching, knitting and felting, crocheting, patchwork, quilting and sewing, woodworking, sculpturing, jewelry making, calligraphy, beadwork, paintings and much more.

If you're in love with these art and craft products then keep in mind going searching for these asks you to invest weekly roaming across the nation searching for the greatest. However going to the craft show listings will be the best ways to finish this task of viewing, select and purchasing your option in only a single day. It also occurs to be the very best place for learning, sharing the understanding and skills with a lot of art and craftspeople at just one place.

About the Author

Ryan Oelkers is a contributor and moderator for CraftShowListingsSite.com. A website dedicated to craft show listings, art craft shows, and festivals schedules.

Craft Show Tips

  by Julia Derby

in Hobbies / Crafts    (submitted 2010-03-03)

Helpful craft show tips. Have an added advantage when selling at craft shows. Make good use of these practical craft show ideas.

How to choose a craft fair

Know what to look for in a craft show and make sure it is the right opportunity for selling your crafts. Consider these criteria when deciding on renting a booth at a craft show. What are the entry fees? Is there a straight fee for the booth or does the promoter take a percentage of your sales? What other products are for sale at the show and will your product fit in with the general style of the show? What sort of attendance numbers can you expect? How many vendors are there and how many are selling similar products to you? How much marketing and advertising do the promoters do for their craft show?

How to set up your craft fair booth

Craft show tips for setting up a good booth include the following. Delineate your space by using a canopy or display boards. Set up your display tables in either a Y, L or U shape for easy access to your crafts. Customers must be able to easily reach your display and move around freely. They need to be able to pick up the crafts without too much effort. Put your table at the right height. Often the table is too low for comfortable viewing making customers bend over. Avoid tables that are too wide making it difficult for customers to reach across to items at the back. Avoid cluttering your booth with too much product. If you provide too many different options it becomes overwhelming and customers will often choose nothing. Use attractive signage to inform people about your products and draw them into your booth.

Craft show tips for displaying your products

Help customers visualise using your crafts by displaying the product as it would be used. Create an attractive arrangement of candles, use mannequins and display busts to show off clothing and accessories, fill your ceramic vases with flowers. Highlight the benefits of your product in the display. Light the candles so that customers can see how they burn and enjoy the smell they create. Create different levels, a flat row of crafts is uninteresting. Use risers or display items to do this. Use background colors that complement rather than compete with the products.

Come up with different sales strategies

You have a wonderful product but you still need to come up with great ideas to keep your product selling. What about combining items at a special price? For example pair up a handmade candle with your handcrafted soap for a beautiful bath experience! Make use of the many different holidays by offering customers a holiday related deal. Offer special promotions like a lower price for seniors. Tailor sales promotions to the type of people likely to attend the craft show.
Selling at craft fairs requires preparation and imagination! Don't be afraid to try something new and create a great craft fair booth that brings in the customers and makes the sales.

More craft show tips and helpful information about craft shows can be found at About Craft Shows

About the Author

ulia Derby has many years experience working in small business development. She left formal employment to be a work at home mom and has successfully started and developed a number of home businesses. Her free website  My Home Business Ideasprovides good ideas and practical advice for people who want to start a home based business and enjoy all the benefits of making money at home.