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FestivalNet

by dreamweavers, posted January 31, 2013

I agree with almost everything said in the comments also, accept that I am in charge of our Church Holiday Market. I do not, and will not allow any buy/resale of anything. Being a crafter for almost 30 yrs I understand all yur concerns. There are a few shows run by crafters who do care.

by mp4544, posted January 27, 2013

I try to hold all my vendors to homeade arts & Crafts.
patton3369@bellsouth.net

by superfifi, posted January 25, 2013

I.m fairly new at booth renting and have had poor results. I argee with the crafter who said why don,t people say which shows are good???This is the ideal place for crafters exchanging what places are good spots verse those shows with a $1.00 clientel market. superfifi@comcast.net

by idesignilona, posted January 25, 2013

I agree that there are a lot of shows that really don't keep out the riff raff. A few of the shows I've been in had vendors selling Pandora-style jewelry, they had bins of large hole beads and chains to string them on. I should have complained, but I didn't. I will not return to those places this year. Also, I am going to avoid the church run shows. Last year, at one local church fair whose main attraction was the food, all the vendors were put in a rear parking lot away from the crowd! It was the hottest day of the year, too, so most of the crowd stayed where the food tents were. I sold 1 pair of earrings and that was at the end of the day when I was packing up and most vendors were gone. Never again!

by hardball, posted January 24, 2013

I'm new at this.
Why are all of these commenters not leaving names of their best show promoters?

by tzstrange, posted January 24, 2013

I have been at shows that have been good for me one year and then the next I will sell next to nothing. Makes it tough for me to figure out which shows to do.
I have been at shows where they have removed vendors with buy/sell. That was really nice to see. I have also been next to the buy/sell vendors also.
Some items that have been considered handmade that I have seen have been a real stretch. Rocks with sandblasted and then painted names on them, potpourri, pulled pork and cds with your childrens' name inserted into the songs.
Even deciding on what shows to do based on the rating on this site can be tricky sometimes.

by reyerware, posted January 24, 2013

The last show I was suppose to be totally hand made, but the booth behind me was resell (china) jewelry.

by loripasch, posted January 24, 2013

to all the above people and blurheronart. Have you left feed back on any craft site about the buy sell at shows. Probably not. I look for that and rarely see any ratings. If you would do that, handmade crafters WOULD boycott that show.

by blueheronart, posted January 24, 2013

We need to boycott shows that include commercial jewelry, buy/sell, etc. Same goes for shows that do almost no advertising or signs. There are so many craft fairs out there now, we can be choosy. People have figured out that exploiting desperate artists is great for fundraising. But we need to let the organizers know why we won't be participating again, and maybe they will realize they are being shortsighted.

by hattitude, posted January 24, 2013

I guess I am very lucky. I do 12 or more shows in my area and only one allows commercial products, but that is one of my best shows so I will continue to do it. I have been doing shows now for about 5 years and really enjoy it.

by categ50, posted January 24, 2013

I agree with all. I only do craft shows with promoters that follow their 'hand crafted by you' rules. At streetfairs I know there will be buy/sell items, but only participate in the ones that group the crafter/artists together. One of my best shows last year was one of these streetfairs. I can see why promoters will take anyone. In the last 4 years there is poor attendance at shows, and if not, then no buyers. So, artist/crafters are not doing shows they normally would. I hope this is a good year. I have 4 shows scheduled already!

by nm62959, posted January 24, 2013

I agree with all. I've made the mistake of actually believing that some local High school craft shows were juried as stated in their rules. They weren't. All the school wanted was the vendor money and they did not stick by their own rules. I complained also, but it did no good.

by ewocasek, posted January 24, 2013

I did a show last year where there was a booth with "as seen on T.V." items. geez.

by hdzalp, posted January 23, 2013

i just ran into a show asking to see receipts for the raw materials used in the "hand craft" being sold. I've also had shows ask for pictures of works in progress

by tipsy445, posted January 23, 2013

I do agree with all I'm just gettin to craft shows,this will be my second year and I hope I have learned from my first year.The note book is the way to go.

by harbortown, posted January 23, 2013

yes, I agree to. Amazing what People consider handmade Crafts these days. Handmade in China is all I can say and its pretty annoying to say the least. I tried complaining to the Promoters but they dont even listen. They need to fill their Space regardless of what. I wonder why I have to supply them with Pictures of my Crafts if they dont give a darn about it anyway.

by mrstitch, posted January 23, 2013

I totally agree with slessem! Being set up next to a booth full of cheap Chinese junk really hurts the sales of a real crafts person!