News and Notes
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Exhibitor Show Reviews Appearing in the Jan/Feb 2007 Issue
Old Saybrook Art and Craft Show, Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, Old Saybrook, CT July 29 30. 150 -199 exhibitors. Two reviews received. Comments: 1. Great Show! Lots of jewelry -well juried. Good crowd, even in the heat. 2. Promoters remedied the problem (of imports) on the spot. Weather was oppressive. Hot and very humid. Sales were respectable despite the conditions.
Canaan Railroad Days Craft Show, Canaan Chamber of Commerce, Canaan, CT July 29 - 30. 50 - 99 exhibitors. Two reviews received. Comments: 1. The extreme heat kept many away from this traditionally strong show. More can be done to improve attendance. Some imports got past the jury - more experienced jurors would help. Generally the level of crafts displayed were mid-range to good. Overall a good looking show. 2. Exhibitors parked in ways that locked others in - many took customers spaces and left cars all day. Wonderful committee - water all day (free) Wish there were space between and behind booths.
Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic Chamber of Commerce, Mystic, CT August 12 - 13. Over 200 exhibitors. One review received. Comments: Great promoters, great weather, well organized and run, big crowds who spent very little. Promoters did their job, and I'll gladly go back. Hopefully, the economy will get better.
Old Lyme Fine Arts Festival, Cindy Fecher Productions, Old Lyme, CT August 19-20. 50 - 99 Exhibitors. Four reviews received. Overall Rating: Good Communication and Registration were: Prompt Layout of show was: Good Were imports allowed: No Would you apply again 3- Yes, 1 No
Comments: 1.(Media - Wearable Art) The show was extremely well-organized, the promoter very attentive, kind, friendly. Refreshments were available to vendors all day long. Set-up was easy and convenient. Promoter was always available, in person or by cell phone. High-quality of crafts/art was maintained by asking buy/sell (one, who snuck in) vendor to leave: promoter eventually called police to escort him away when he refused to leave. Well done!!! Sales were satisfactory, crowd well informed and knowledgeable. Very good show! 2. (Media - Jewelry) There was no traffic - can't sell if people don't come. 3. (Media - photography) We had an excellent show - this promoter really goes overboard with extras as in coffee/food - both days free! And she did a lot of advertising. Quality of other artists was top notch! Will definitely do again. This show has awesome potential.
Meet the Artists and Artisans, Denise Morris Curt, Mystic, CT September 2 - 4. 50 - 99 exhibitors. One review received. Comments: The weather was very challenging - high winds on Saturday, rain on Sunday, some sun Monday. I didn't expect to sell much, but the show's loyal fans showed up and I actually sold more than last year.
Fairfield Kiwanis Fall Arts & Crafts Fair, Fairfield Kiwanis Club, Town Hall Green, Fairfield, CT September 16 100 - 199 Exhibitors. Two reviews received. Comments: 1. This was a very good show for me - the day was forecast to be rainy and gloomy and instead, it was glorious! There were lots of people out and about - lots of families with kids leading to the usual crafter scramble for kid control in the booth! I heard a lot of mixed coments about sales from my surrounding craftsmen - some did very well and some did not! 2.Only one restroom available for customers and crafters.
Simsbury Women's Club Arts and Crafts Festival, Simsbury, CT September 16 - 17. 100 - 199 Exhibitors, Three reviews Received. Would you apply again: Yes - 2, No - 1. Comments: 1. This show is well run (though they do let cars in before people are packed up which slows down getting out) and consistently brings in good traffic. Signs were up this year but no we well placed as in years past. Sales were very good and weather was excellent. 2. For many years this has been on of my best shows. They've always tried to keep the entry fee reasonable, excellent signage, helpful staff, boothsitting available and I always made at least double my entry fee. This year, however, the show was dealt a double whammy of two new events taking place nearby. The crowds were down. Noticed that quality control is slippling a little. They need to more closely scrutinize some of their vendors for commercially produced/import items. Will try again next year as these promoters have been so good to me. 3. I have done this show for years hoping it will get better. It's always on opening week-end of the Big E. They've also allowed more and more buy/sell in just to fill spaces.
Arts, Crafts and Blues on Bedford, Prism Marketing, Bedford Street, Stamford, CT September 16 - 17. 100 - 199 exhibitors. Two reviews received. Comments: 1. Food parking, hotels, and other amenities were superb. Huge crowds. Police, organizations and staff made you feel very special. Lots of popcorn and baubles for kids which usually adversely affects sales - but among the lookers there were many who obviously appreciated and bought "ART" although many with functional work also had good to very good sales. 2. Very nice music and layout. Too much jewelry. Obvious imports in 3 booths. Amber jewelry from Poland and embroidered children's soft books, etc. Imported plates being sold with decorated flatware.
Trumbull Arts Festival, Trumbull Arts Commission, Town Hall Green, Trumbull, CT September 17. 50 - 99 exhibitors. 26 reviews received. Overall Rating Excellent Communication was: Prompt Registration was Prompt Layout of Show was: Good Were imports allowed: No Were crafts limited by category: Yes Were there visible signs and advertising: Yes Would you apply again:25 -Yes, 1 No
Comments: 1. My first time at Trumbull Arts -very well run and attended show. Their advertising is really great and everyone in town seems to have attended the show! I had a very good day - we were really busy from 10 AM on - unusual for a Sunday. Kudos to the Arts Commission for a well run show. 2. Very average unsophisticated people - if you've a quality craft, stay home. 3. Fee is kind of high for a on-day show. 4. As always, a great show. 5. Very helpful promoters, Great Show! Traffic all day. 6. Very nice show, well run, good customers, entertainment interesting. 7. Great! Emily's (Areson, the chairperson) the best! 8. Thank you for inviting me. I am quite impressed overall. 9. It's very enjoyable to do a show that's really juried. Great people, great show. 10.Well organized - A lovely day. Thank you. 11. I sold caricatures here for the third year and it was my best ever with sales exceeding the two prior years.
Seymour Pumpkin Festival, Pumpkin Festival Association, Seymour, CT September 17. 100 - 199 exhibitors. One review received. Comments:1.The crowds were a little down this year from years past for this usually outstanding show. They cut the number of buses for people from the parking area from four to two so perhaps this is why there were fewer people than in years past. Sales were still quite brisk however, and with the long tradition (41 years) of this festival it was still more than worth it.
Arts & Crafts Festival & Gift Boutique, Fairfield Women's Club, Mill Plain Green, Fairfield, CT September 24 50 - 99 exhibitors. Two reviews received. Comments: 1. This is such a nice show location. It is on a major crossroads and is a very cute show but the people just do not come out for it. Too much jewelry. I might apply again because it is such a nice group of people. Did not have to use porta potties which is nice. They should offer relief for craftsmen who are alone. 2. Jewelry seemed like it was all purchased in New York. Lots of purchased/resold. Not a true craft fair.
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