News and Notes
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Exhibitor Show Reviews Appearing in the Nov/Dec 2006 Issue
Celebrate West Hartford, City of West Hartford, Town Green, West Hartford, CT June 3 4, 2006.
Over 100 exhibitors. Eight reviews received. Overall rating: Good+, Layout of show was: Good -, Were imports allowed? Yes - 2, No - 6, Were crafts limited by category? Not sure, Would you apply again? Yes -6, Maybe - 2. Comments: 1. We always do well at this show. It is well attended even in the rain. One of our best shows of the year. 2. Noticed that two woodcarvers were side by side, four artists with handmade handbags were all together - why, when there are so many exhibitors? Some imports allowed. I'm very upset about that - this is supposed to be a fine craft show. 3. Very well organized, promoter and staff very available. Weather was lousy on Saturday but people still came and bought. Sunday was Great! Music, food, kids activities far from the arts and crafts area which is just fine with me! 4. Well organized. Variety of crafts and fine art except too much jewelry. Quality was good. 5. This show is always an okay event whether rain or shine - especially for me as I am from here so I have little overhead and it serves me to advertise to these customers other shows I do (later in the season) in this area. I always make at least ten times the cost of the show and often exceed this amount. 6. This has always been a good show for us but the weather this year did not cooperate. Rain all day Saturday into Sunday kept the crowd down. Those that did attend were more lookers than buyers. Sales were down over last year. 7. Very well attended show even in the pouring rain. Quality artists which is a rarity these days. Crafts were limited; maybe there was a bit too much jewelry but it was not just a "jewelry show" like so many others out there. Lots of great food to eat, pleasant atmosphere, too bad about the rain! 8. Saturday was a total washout. Sunday the crowds came out and actually came prepared to buy. The layout with construction was not great. My sales were below normal, but I'd still do it again.
Topsfield Strawberry Fest, Topsfield Town Common, Topsfield, MA June 10, 2006. Over 50 exhibitors. One review received. Comments: Rained all day, but still did well!.
Gallery on the Green, Litchfield Junior Women's Club, Litchfield, CT June 10, 2006. Over 100 exhibitors. Five reviews received. Overall rating: Fair, Layout of show: Fair Average sale: $10,
Were crafts limited? No, Were imports allowed: Yes Would you apply again: Maybe - 3, No - 2 Comments: 1. Light crowd, very windy. Very light in the morning, very muddy. 2. The show fee has doubled over the past six years. The show is way too big for the amount of buying customers. There are many people with mass produced jewelry and other imports. The women are very nice and it's a nice show - not much buying that day. 2. They never came around to see if you needed any help. The show was over at 4 pm and no one was around to help you. They also had over 20 jewelry crafters at this show. 3. I was told by one of the volunteers who was directing vendors that in the past they had had bad weather, so I am quite shocked that they were not better prepared. They did not have bales of hay on hand for those aisles/booths that were very muddy. They did not move those vendors who were in very muddy aisles to better locations. In addition to all of this, I discovered that almost a third of the vendors were selling jewelry in some form or another, so the competition was pretty stiff.
Hidden Garden Tour Marketplace, Westport Historical Society, Westport, CT June 11 1 - 49 Exhibitors. Nine reviews received. Overall rating: Fair, Layout of show was: Good, Were Imports Allowed: Yes, it was an open show. Would you apply again? Yes - 6, No - 3. Comments: 1. Last year this show had more craftsmen. This year 80% was resellers with imports. Buyers here are not looking for quality handmade work. Booth fee is high for one day. 2. A very pleasant day in a pleasant spot. 3. Great location but this was an open show with lots of imports. Crafts also were not limited in each category so there were actually 5 or 6 handbag people of which all were imports except for one. There seemed to be a very limited amount of customers. Maybe promoters should advertise. 4. I had heard good things about this show. However, it didn't pan out for me. I think other Westport shows are more successful. 5. Not enough buyers. Perfect day (weather) but sales were low. 6. Set-up was pretty good, places were not marked but the coordinator had a detailed map. There were several tents housing merchandise from local boutiques; definitely buy/sell merchandise. Some did very well - others just OK. Fee was high for a single Sunday - $175.
35th Annual Strawberry Festival Craft and Fine Arts Show, Monroe Congregational Church, Monroe, CT June 17 - 18. 50 - 99 Exhibitors. Two reviews: 1. Weather was threatening on Saturday, crowd was less than expected. By 4PM one of the church staff was overheard to have said that attendance was down more than 25% from the previous year. Buying was slow - heard that comment from everyone. Sunday was sunny and extremely warm. I think the weather really affected this one! Les us hope, however, that whoever runs the show next year after Barbara Ruot "retires" will do it as smoothly as she has! The Cub Scouts were in full help mode at check in, and also around at break down. Registration was quick, the coffee was good and there were donuts each day. In addition, I was able to take a break when needed with a church member helping me out. 2. Very well run show. Promoter cares about crafters. Well juried show. Sales down a bit from last year.
44th Annual Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Arts & Crafts Show, Old Town Hall, Green, Fairfield, CT June 24 - 25. 50 - 99 Exhibitors Six Reviews Received. Overall rating: Good, Layout of show was: Good, Were imports allowed: Yes, Would you apply again: Yes - 3, Maybe - 1, No - 2.
Comments: In spite of pouring down raining most of the weekend, the staff maintained a helpful, positive attitude. On of the most organized shows around. Crafters get endless free tea or coffee and bagels, muffins, etc. 1st day of show. Volunteers help to load/unload. Security, indoor toilets and overall excellent ambience. Price was average considering quality of show. 2. Over 15 vendors didn't show up. Several packed up Sat night - weather too threatening. Jury fee of $20 excessive - not acceptable for outdoor shows. Excellent advertising, sponsors tried their best, but still so many flea market booths and some were half-crafts. Coffee only 1st day. 3. Nice setting. Too much simply beaded jewelry. Overall quality does not justify $20 jury fee, and $200 show fee. This show should be $120 - 140 comparing to other shows. 4. 24 jewelry booths out of 78 booths! One jeweler actually made his own things, the others were all stringers. Booth fee was too high plus a $20 jury fee.
Derby Days, Derby Cultural Commission, Derby, CT June 25 50 - 99 exhibitors. One review received. Comments: Though there was good advertising, good layout and many vendors, the weather was bad. People still turned out but nobody was buying. Most vendors were first time sellers at this show which is telling. I left early to mitigate my losses.
Harbor Arts Juried Arts and Crafts Show, Camden-Rockville-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce, Camden, ME July 15 -16. 100 - 150 Exhibitors. One review received. Comments. What a beautiful show. Fine, handmade quality items. Crafts were limited by category. A bright sunny day in downtown Camden overlooking the harbor with many shoppers. The jury committee did a great job selecting a great assortment of fine artisans.
The Penobscot Valley Craft Fair, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME July 15 - 16. Less than 50 exhibitors. One review received. Comments: Nice setting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. There were not as many craftsmen this year and instead of some being inside and some being outside, I think we all should be outside to create a better traffic flow. There is plenty of room on the great lawn. Good crowd and nice selection of items.
Meet the Artists and Artisans, Denise Morris Curt, Mystic, CT July 22-23. 50 - 00 Exhibitors. One review received. Comments: This show has a loyal following. Even on a rainy weekend, my sales were equal to the previous year. Plus, it's a nice crowd.
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