I keep reading about shows you guys show and sell your work at. What kind of shows are they and where can i find a list? Does anyone knoaw of any n\in or near Pa.?
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Shows ?
- Thread starter Mark Warden
- Start date
Steve Worcester
Admin Emeritus
First I would start out in local shows, craft fairs, etc and build up to juried shows. You need to decide what the investment on your part is. Some shows will require tents (as opposed to being able to use their tents or renting a tent from them), photos of displays for the jury process, etc. in addition to the photos for the jury process.
I did a 12 in one year and then decided to focus on a few local shows. Being able to accept credit cards will help immensely at larger shows. You are in one of the perfect area for wood art sales though.
As far as what shows, the better/higher end shows you might look into Sunshine Artist magazine to see what is in your area. You definitely will need quality photos of your work and understand that they take applications probably 6 months before the show.
I did a 12 in one year and then decided to focus on a few local shows. Being able to accept credit cards will help immensely at larger shows. You are in one of the perfect area for wood art sales though.
As far as what shows, the better/higher end shows you might look into Sunshine Artist magazine to see what is in your area. You definitely will need quality photos of your work and understand that they take applications probably 6 months before the show.
Here's a good place to start: http://www.eventlister.com/
They list just about every kind of show you could think of.
They list just about every kind of show you could think of.
I did pretty much as the earlier comments, i started with a list site like event lister for my local area. Started booking for local arts and craft festivals and town festivals. Last year was my first at all of this and i can tell you i booked waaaaaay to many, but had to figure out which ones were better shows. All in all i have about 4 that i am doing this year so far, all of them are 2 and 3 day shows. One other thing i do is set up on occasion at the farmers market costs me 6 dollars, 8 dollars if i rent a table, typically just little piddly stuff like pens, bottle stoppers, hand mirrors (Thanks to john lucas i have gotten quite good at them) and small bowls. don't carry anything major but ussually walk out with about $100 or so. BTW some of them i was actually able to get discounted and even free booth rental in exchange for demonstrating. I would haul my rikon mini and turn candle holders and candy dishes and such. Draws a crowd and helps with sells also. Make sure you have insurance of some sort to cover your tail if the worst were to happen. It is surprisingy cheap. One last thing, some shows require sales tax ID here in NC and may be the same there.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
A farmers or Saturday market is a great way to test the waters. You can ask other vendors about other shows, and which ones are worth the effort. Any place that has tourists going by is good as well (people spend as much or more than they do at Christmas when they are on vacation). Some of the major shows are requiring liability insurance, some just say you should have it. I will be doing a show in Davis, CA on Mothers Day Weekend, and they have liability insurance available through them. Credit sales help. Our Saturday Market can do transactions for us. Some shows will have ATM machines available. They are all different. If you are planning to visit friends out of the area, ask them about any local shows, and you can avoid motel costs if you stay with friends. It is fun. At least half of the people who will look at your stuff will be other woodworkers. If it is a local show, you can also get good leads on trees. Bartering is great as well. If you have a lousy show, you barter just to come away with some thing. If you have a great show, you barter because you are feeling good. Do take a wood bowl or plate to the food booths. They will fill it up and ask you where you got the bowl.
robo hippy
robo hippy