Do you go to craft shows? If so, which ones?
Also, do you go as an exhibitor or as an attendee? Tell us why?
Eryka
P.S. - I forgot to mention this earlier, all respondents will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Gift Card from Knit Picks! The drawing will be held on December 31.
25 comments:
I'll mention your contest Monday!
I occasionally go to craft shows. I went to one of the Handmaidens shows at the Lyndale VFW last year. And for the past two years, I've gone to Goods from the Woods in Grand Rapids.
Thanks Chris. BTW, there is method to the madness here. It will be revealed next year!!!
i do go to craft shows and i participate in them with my knitting group. we just finished an artists sale and for the second year, we were the top sellers though we raised a little over $400 and that was a little less than last year.
we've done three craft shows and raised over $1300 this year. I would love to get into it with my own stuff. I'm looking to go to some in 2009!
nice contest prize!!!!
Great!!...do you remember the names of the shows? Also, what was the name of the artist sale? I would love as much information as you can remember. Thanks!
I just went to the home studio show that Jennie the Potter put on in South Minneapolis. It was last weekend - in addition to her pots she had felted goods by Misty Meadows Icelandics and some handspun yarn and some prints that some of her other artist friends had done. Very cozy.
I also attended the Alexandria summer craft festival. I can't quite recall the weekend - it is a big deal with a wide variety of stuff, though not really fiber focused.
And I love to go to Shepherd's Harvest on Mothers Day weekend. It is at the Washington County Fairgrounds and is full of fiber, yarn, and all sorts of crafty things fiber related.
I love craft shows. I have popped into the Shepherd's Harvest and a Danish group I'm in has a little boutique each fall to raise money for local charities. We made many beautiful knit items and Christmas ornaments and raised almost $2,000. I'm dying to know what madness will be revealed next year! Love the blog.
hope i'm not too late. i go to madrona fiber arts retreat in tacoma, wa. i usually go with a few long time knitting buddies. it's great fun. ^_^
I try to go to Sugarloaf every time it's here. (It comes to the Fairgrounds and that's only a couple of blocks away from where I live...so easy-peasy. I know that one's kind of commercial.
Last year a neighbor and I went on a artisanal tour out in a neighboring county. You definitely had to drive from shop to studio to farm...but there were good maps and decorations and everything was decorated for Christmas...it was a lot of fun. But a long day.
Depends. I won't go if it is one of the ones that seems to crop up here where everything is basically granny square TP roll covers. But I do like the nicer ones for two reasons: (1) to pick up something cool; (2) for inspiration to make something/learn something new myself.
I go to several craft fairs around Christmas. Three years ago I had a booth in one with my sister. She does a really great job at making lots of stuff for free or next to it and she brings home about $1,000 per show. I admit that some times I just peruse the booths to get ideas for gifts to make at home myself.
I go to a few local craft shows sometimes (nothing really big, though). I go as an attendee, because most of the things I make get given away shortly after I make them.
I used to go to craft fairs often when I lived in Maryland, but the ones here in California just aren't the same. I think about going to them here, but I haven't made it to one in awhile. And there are tons of "art and wine" festivals, but that's just not a draw for me.
I sometimes go to craft shows, especially if they're held around farmers' markets. I'm planning to go to the fibre fest in my area next spring.
I use to go to General holiday craft shows around town but everything started to look the same. Haven't gone to any in the past two years.
Guild Shows have much nicer stuff. Here in San Diego there is a Ceramics Guild and a Weaver's Guild Show that I know about. Then there is the Artist's Studio Tours in the spring and fall, where they give you a map and you do the Tour at your pace. These are what I like now a days.
Last year was the first time I attended any craft show, and I managed to make it to 3. This year has been worse, but since the excuse was a huge baby-belly, I think it's a fluke year. I really enjoy visiting those shows and slowly walking through the different sets.
I do not go to craft shows. I have in the past. I also did exhibit at one but it was a bust..
I find that the effort and fees for going to a craft show usually outweigh the profits so I don't do them.
sorka,
Can you tell me more about your experience?
i do try to go to craft shows...i love them! But i do work usually on saturdays , when most of them are usually held here. I used to sell at craft fairs as well and that was a great experience too.
I've attended Knitters' Day Out near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Other than craft shows run by local community groups and churches (e.g., holiday-related craft bazaars), that's pretty much the only one I attend.
I love craft shows! I've been in several and the ones I'm not in, I always attend. I like them for the variety and the unique nature of the items often found at craft shows.
I tend to be in ones around xmas (better sales).
Junior League women almost always have a holiday craft show - these are great as those women usually have quite a bit of extra cash to sling around.
Also, I used to be in the one on base every year (usually put on by Officer's Wives club). If you aren't military but there's a base near you, could be worth checking out.
I try to go to craft fairs, but they tend to be on Saturdays and I tend to have to work on Saturdays.
I did go to the Handmaiden craft fair in the fall. It was really fun. I've never exchibited, but I always have a friend or two there exchibiting.
I occasionally go to craft shows to see what people like to make, but for the most part, I'd rather make my own stuff. Personally I prefer quilt and stitching shows.
I go to fiber fest type shows (both as a vendor and as a shopper) but not so much to craft shows. Last year, a young friend asked me to share her space at her high school's annual holiday craft fair. She had handspun yarn and hand knit goods (including lovely lace scarves), I had my handcrafted drop spindles and we both demo'ed spinning--she with wheel, me with spindles. We had very few sales. I don't think the people who come to that sale are really the right market for us. The $30 (wool) lace scarf wasn't understood in comparison with the $5 fun fur.
I really don't go to craft festivals. I have gone in the past but lately church holiday and or craft sales have been the extent of it.
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