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Exhibitor Show Reviews Appearing in the Jul/Aug 2006 Issue
Breath of Spring, Community Service Club of New Fairfield, New Fairfield High School. April 1, 2006. 3 reviews received. Number of exhibitors: 50 - 99, Overall rating: Good-, Were crafts limited: No, Would you apply again: 2 - Yes, 1-No. Comments: 1. Needs more visible outdoor signs. Attendance was poor. 2. The weather was co-operative this year. All past years it rained. Even though it is an indoor show, the weather affected the customer turnout. This year many more customers attended and were in a buying mood. Made twice what I did in 2005. 3. Nice show. Promoter helpful and accessible all day. Help unloading appreciated.
Serendipity, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ballard Park, Ridgefield, CT. May 7.
Twelve reviews receivedNumber of exhibitors: 50 - 99. 12 Overall rating: Fair, Layout of show: Good, Were imports allowed: (Consensus) Yes, Would you apply again: 5-Yes, 7-No. Comments: 1. Need to have signs on road. 2. Liked show - nice layout for crafter; however, imports were allowed. Long-time crafter felt show was less well juried than in the past. Not enough volunteer help, but those who were there were very nice. 3. Set-up very disorganized. 4. Some vendors obviously had items that were not handmade. The Guild's website did not even list this year's show. Too many beaders. 5. The weather did cooperate this year so that was a plus. Too little advertising. Signs should be posted sooner than the morning of the show. 6. Perfect day. Half the number of exhibitors from past years, 25% of the attendance. 7. Signs limited due to town ordinance. More should be spend on print media. Locals said show was more popular when it was held on Mothers' Day. 8. Fine exhibitors, but apathetic public. Promoters did a good job, weather was perfect, location excellent, sales low. 9. Smaller show than in the past. The Guild is not offering their usual August show.
Windsor Lions Club Arts and Crafts Fair, Windsor Town Green, Windsor, CT. May 13.
One review received. Number of exhibitors: 100 - 199. Comments: Though the weather was not great and the layout left much to be desired, the turnout was good and many people were buyers. The Lions are well organized and very pleasant hosts.
44th Meet the Artists and Artisans, Denise Morris Curt, Milford Green, Milford, CT. May 13 - 14. Number of exhibitors: 100 - 199. Two reviews received. Comments: 1. Well organized. Her shows are the best. 2. How does Denise do it? The weather was discouraging and it was Mother's Day weekend and I still had a good show.
Dogwood Festival, Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Fairfield, CT. May 12 - 14.
24 Reviews Received. Number of exhibitors: 1 - 49. Overall rating: Good-, Layout of show: Good, Were imports allowed: Yes - 7, No 8. Were crafts limited: Yes - 9, No - 9. Would you apply again: Yes - 11, No - 4, Maybe - 5. Comments: 1. Five inches of rain on Friday. Did not open my booth. Saturday and Sunday were dry and sales were good. 2. Show was wonderful - even with questionable weather. Organizers were very helpful. Would definitely do show again! 3. Not enough variety in crafts. 4. Too much jewelry - mostly all was imported or beads. Should only be 10 - 20% jewelry. Four booths of quality jewelry would be enough. Heavy foot traffic - do not see many shopping bags. Booth fee is too high! Rain six years in a row. Change the date! Stop the imports!! 5. Sales - fair. 6. Complimentary coffee both days much appreciated. Volunteers offered assistance. Excellent attendance both Saturday and Sunday. Lots of advertising. 7. Very good show but there was about 25% jewelry with some imports. 8. Was strongly affected by the weather. 8. While it is a lovely location, nice size show & good quality plus the church goes out of their way to help, sales weren't there. I would consider trying one more time but fee is too high. 9. Good show - unpredictable weather. 10. We believe the economy is down. People are not spending as well as they used to. 11. Many crafters feel the $225 booth fee is just too high when you weigh it against the amount you take in for the entire weekend. Seems like most of us just made a little more than our booth fee. Maybe the date should be changed because of the rain and there are always two other local shows the same weekend.
Bruce Museum Annual Outdoor Crafts Festival, Bruce Museum Grounds, Greenwich, CT. May 20.
One review received. Number of exhibitors: 50 - 99. Comments: One of the best quality shows in our area. Artists were limited in each category. This promoter is one of the few who does not run a "jewelry show". There was a fabulous mix of artists. I saw many customers walking with bags and packages. How could you not buy things at this quality show? Great artists!
40th Annual Westport Craft Show, Westport-Weston Coop Nursery School, Westport, CT. May 27 - 28. One review received. Number of exhibitors: 100 - 150. Comments: The inside of the Staples High School was hot, humid and lacking in air circulation. Most of the few attending customers just walked out after paying $8.00 to get in. Out of 160 fine artisans, 56 of them were jewelry booths. This gives you the hint that "they took what they could get" for exhibitors to fill in the spaces. At $600 for my booth fee, I expected a little more "professionalism."
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