The To Bead True Blue Show in Tucson '07

[Karen Dickey]

Hello,

Looks like a lot of you participated last year in the To Bead True Blue Show in Tucson. Can anyone share last year's experiences with me? I have received an invitation as an exhibitor for next Jan. I have only participated in two shows on the East coast where I live. My work is one-of-a-kind and moderately priced (www.kjoia.com). Thank you for any help you can give me. Regards, Karen

[helensharvest]

I did. The work was gorgeous, the place was gorgeous, the number of buyers was not gorgeous. I didn't hear anyone say they were satisfied w/ their sales...not one. Best Bead show is the best, I think. I'd try that one before True Blue. It's older, established, and has better sales, I think. Love, Helen

[Karen Dickey]

Hi Helen,

Thanks so much for the info. I think I will go next year just to check them out first. Best wishes and good luck. Karen

[graffiti jewelry]

Hi ladies...I got an invite last year and this year as well and was also wondering the same things. Thanks Helen. It sounded like a beautiful venue but after plane fares, hotels, etc....even the exposure would not pay off without the traffic.

Thanks for your input as I was waffling about it myself.

Hugs
Sandra

[cherylsart]

I did To Bead True Blue and I had a blast. It was my first show and I was selling my polymer and dichroic glass pendants and my beach beads, and I did really well considering it was my first show. We're doing it next year; already have a booth reserved. It's a new venue and I think that's why there wasn't as much traffic as most artists would have liked. I think it will be better next year. But that's just the opinion of a newbie to doing bead shows. But its a beautiful building, there's food onsite, and for a first show it was great for me!

cheryl

[beading57]

I second that Cheryl! To Bead True Blue wasn't my first show...but I also had a great time! I have already reserved my booth for next year also. I know that a lot of people that put off coming to that show until the end of the week (because other shows were done) had said they wished they had come there sooner. I agree about it being a new venue....the crowds were a little thinner than I anticipated, but am looking forward to that changing as word travels fast! :-D

[e. mort]

To Bead True Blue wasn't my first show...but I also had a great time!

Does that translate to "I made a bunch of money", or was it more like "I had a lot of fun hanging out with other glass and bead people?" I am not trying to be a smart-alec with my question - I am just trying to determine which shows I am going to try next year since I will need to pay some bills as well. I did the best bead show years ago, but I hear there is a pretty long waiting list to get into it now.

Eric

[cherylsart]

Eric- I don't know if it's considered bad manners to say how much money you made so if it's a no-no- I apologize, but I came home with over $3000 profit which I think is good for a polymer clay artist. Most of my sales were wholesale to bead stores. Polymer clay is not always a good seller, but I had something unusual in my polymer clay and dichroic glass combo and I think that made a difference. Anyway, it was worth it to me and I wish I could do about 6 shows like that a year! I can't afford the booth fees; I had someone who was nice enough to front me the money for the trip or I wouldn't have been able to go!

[LoriGreenberg]

Does that translate to "I made a bunch of money", or was it more like "I had a lot of fun hanging out with other glass and bead people?" I am not trying to be a smart-alec with my question - I am just trying to determine which shows I am going to try next year since I will need to pay some bills as well. I did the best bead show years ago, but I hear there is a pretty long waiting list to get into it now.

Eric

Best Bead Show added an additional tent for bead booths as well as a smaller tent for tools/supplies last year so there might still be space available. The long wait list is to get into the actual building.

[cherylsart]

We had a booth at The Best Bead Show and we didn't do well. Our booth was in one of the tents, and it was right near the door so it was windy and cold the whole time, and the lighting was terrible. We did better at To Bead True Blue. BUT we were doing polymer clay, not lampwork so the glass artists may have done better...

[e. mort]

Thanks for the feedback! It is hard to decide which shows to do, and the cost of doing a bad one can really eat up your pocket book. I know there are no guarentees in this business, but at least it helps to give me an idea of I should take a spin at the wheel or walk out of the casino. :-)

Eric

[Anne Ricketts]

This is the 2nd year I've got the invite. I'll be doing my first show at the Gathering this year so I'll see how it goes to see if I want to do anymore shows other than the Gathering. Oh and Eric, your avatar is scaring me dude! :hide:

[lunesse]

How much is it to be in this show? I got an invite but am having trouble finding other information about fees. =)

[Haley]

How much is it to be in this show? I got an invite but am having trouble finding other information about fees. =)

Just respond to the email asking the questions you need answers to. That's what I did. My first invite to do a show - EVER! :D I was thrilled....

....however the prices (for a newbie like myself) were pretty high. I believe it was $1100 - $2200 for a booth for the 6 days. Again, I'm pretty new at all this and have never done a show...so I have nothing to compare that to.

I went to the show last year and loved it. It was warm and inviting and I loved the artists that were there. I would very much like to participate when I feel I'm ready for it. :)

[HannahRachel]

I got an invite to do the show, too, and have heard all sorts of varying thigns about it, but I decided to take the plunge and do it. I'm still suffering sticker shock, but we'll see what happens. I hope I recoup my cost...

I'm going to head from here to the show and then onto a teaching gig in Sedona, AZ and then I'm going to head into the desert for a few days. Honest, I've been DREAMING about the desert for years. Went once when I was a kind and still have dreams about it a couple times a month. So... I figured it was a great excuse. Except I'm not sure how I feel about scorpions. Anyhow, my fav thing about my job is that I can travel and call it a biz trip.

[Haley]

Except I'm not sure how I feel about scorpions.

Momentary thread derailment: HIGHLY unlikely you'll see scorps in February. Just enjoy the desert in one of it's coolest months. :grin:

[lunesse]

Ok! I signed on! I'm doing it! It's $$$ but I am fortunate, my family lives in Tucson so I can avoid hotel fees. Not sure I could otherwise. I have to start making inventory now with the Dolby Tour and all this Fall. Aye!

[MaryBeth]

This is the third year that I have been invited. I would probably drive - it would be about 12 hours for me. Does anyone know if it is possible to split a booth with someone? That would make the cost more affordable and I wouldn't have to worry about filling up an enormous space all by myself;)

[WhiskerWood]

I got an invite too!

I won't be doing it because I am still pretty much a hobby beadmaker.
I don't get enough time to sit and make beads... maybe someday...

[nivedita]

Gee, i was so excited when i got invited!!!!As i looked into it did seem cost prohibitive, esp after i heard from others about some of the details listed above,,,,The organiser was very nice and accomodating and willing to help facilitate any way she coulld.I just recieved an E from her offering space inside a bedouin style tent she has created....BUT........
I sure would love to go there and observe{and Shop...!!



WWW.glassartists.org/niveditaPhoenixRising:love:
www.theannealermagazine.com:love:
www.justbeads.com:love:

[lunesse]

This is the third year that I have been invited. I would probably drive - it would be about 12 hours for me. Does anyone know if it is possible to split a booth with someone? That would make the cost more affordable and I wouldn't have to worry about filling up an enormous space all by myself;)

I think there is something in the fine print about not sharing space...but she's just a phone call away to ask.

[Carlabeads]

I just got a call yesterday inviting me to exhibit at this show, and I did ask her about sharing space. She said that if the person I wanted to share with contacted her and they were approved and also signed a contract that it would be ok. I am probably going to take the plunge and do it. If anyone is interested in sharing space, let me know. :)

Oh, and if anyone has any advice about setting up a booth, PLEASE share! I have only done very small things locally (ie: a table at the farmers market, etc...) so I pretty much have nothing for a good show booth set up.


Carla

[Mustang Dawn]

I've been wondering about this too since I received the invite.

Thanks for all the info, Dawn

[Kaye]

how does one get invited...I have never been invited to any shows...guess I am not show material in whoever's eyes that does the invites

[lunesse]

Kaye, I asked how I was, because I just got an email out of nowhere. Anna said she gets referrals from folks she works with, I have no idea beyond that. :/

I think you are definitely qualified, personally!:waving:

[Haley]

how does one get invited...I have never been invited to any shows...guess I am not show material in whoever's eyes that does the invites

You are FAR more qualified than I am, a FAR more talented artist...... I think my website helped...that's how the gal found me. I was shocked, honestly. I even asked her how she found me. I'm listed on the lampwork glass website and she just found me there. Once your website is up and runnin', I bet you anything you get tagged for lotsa stuff. :) :D

[Carlabeads]

Kaye - I have been speaking with Anna (the show coordinator) for the past couple of days, and if you'd like, I would be happy to pass along your name to her... I'm sure she would LOVE for you to participate in the show!


Carla

[PaulaD]

There were posts here and on other forums after Tucson 2006 saying that overall sales were way, way off. It seems to me that you need to make a ton of beads just to pay for the space.
Paula

[Cosmo]

Anyone know if any of the shows still have spots open? We didn't think we'd be able to go after we bought our house, but it looks like we may now. I know most shows are sold out, but I hope someone may know of something...

[NLC Beads]

I got an invite that amazed me... Considering I only sell on eBay... I think the show organizer may have bought a bead of mine, maybe? It's too much in our busy season at work for me to go - too close to Valentine's... But I was honored by the thought.

Kaye - Your work rocks, I'm wearing the bead I got (today!) right now and love it. :love:

[betzbeads]

Kaye, I got an invite a couple years ago, but I don't know how they got my name. My friend did it last year, had fun, but was disappointed in sales after all the expense to get there. C

[krista michael]

I've been invited for a few years too but I thought the booth space was too expensive for me. I may be wrong, who knows? LOL I can't imagine doing a 6 day show, that is a long time to stand there. Ususally I do a 2 day show locally and one time it was 3 day and I was exhausted. I only paid about $200 for that space as well so thousands seems really out of my ballpark. I'd have to work steadily for 6 months to have enough inventory to make it viable I think. And that doesn't count in what I'd spend at everybody else's table! LOL

I assumed that I got invited because I belonged to the ISGB. I may be wrong about that now that I see the other posts, maybe she stumbled onto my website? Hmmm......

Ok, whoever goes please post on here so we'll know if it was worth it financially and if it was maybe I'll get busy at the torch for 2008!

[krista michael]

Another question about this show, and really any show in Tucson......is it mainly other beadmakers and shop owners or does the general public make up a good section of customers?

[rubytwoshoes]

Glad I saw this thread because I too was invited to do the show and I had many questions. As it turns out the dates are conflicting with a trip to Mexico that I just booked. Of course I can't do both and it didn't take me long to figure out what I wanted to do more....duh!
I did email a couple beadmakers that have participated in the past and their consensus was about the same. One of them told me that she took mostly jewelry made from her lampwork and quickly saw that as a mistake because there were so many designers looking to buy beads as components for their own designs. Very valuable information for me because when I do show I sell jewelry not beads, (I sell just beads on Ebay).
I can't fathom being able to sell enough to cover a space fee of $1100-$2200 plus airfare or car expenses, hotel and meals for 6 days. So unless someone can convince me otherwise I probably won't participate in the future.
I also asked the organizer how I came to be invited, (since I don't have my own website), and she said that someone had seen my work on Ebay or glassartists.org.
Helen, I'm glad I saw your post here because you were another person I was going to email for info. Vickie

[shigee32]

I have signed up for the show.... and now want to find someone to split a hotel room with! Not sure if here's the place to look, but it was my first thought.

I'm not sure what the posting rules are here as far as email or webbies... so pm me if anyone wants to share or has recommendations for me!! Thanks!!!
Dawn

[lunesse]

Just an FYI, splitting tables did end up to be feasible...Carla and I are splitting one and that is making it totally reasonable, esp. for so many days. I am really looking forward to having a booth buddy, and we still each have lots of space.

[andreajane]

I did the show this year, and my best customer of the week bought several pieces of finished jewelry for her gallery, and has placed two more orders with me since then. I'm going back next year. I sold a third of the inventory I took down there, and made a couple business arrangements that turned out well.

For me the hardest part about shows in general is the unpredictability of people's shopping preferences. My solution is to try to take a mix of what I do, but I'm starting to rethink that....I think I need to focus my inventory more.


Andrea

[whimzicalities]

Loco and I are splitting a booth at To Bead True Blue. For me, this will be the second year at Tucson, but my first year for this particular show. Last year I shared with Turtle Moon Arts at Bead Renaissance.

Sharing the booth was great fun and did ease the pressure of having to manage a booth by myself. I wasn't terribly impressed with the location of that show and hope that the change of venues will make it better for us this year.

[lunesse]

Yay I get to meet you! And see Loco again! =)

[Ashtonjewels]

I got a phone call the other day from these people. It sounded like a great show, but there's no way I could go the expense of it. Booth fees, plane tickets, hotel room, rental car. :shock:

[wmill3]

I spent way too much money at the last To Bead True Blue and Best Bead.

As a buyer I would encourage you to email, or drop a card to your customers and let them know where you will be located in Tucson and the opening days for the show(s) you are doing. Many of my Bead addicted friends plan their Tucson shows around their favorite Artists. Have plenty of business cards... I have made repeat buys from probably 40% of the Artists that I discovered in Tucson.

If you set up at 2 locations try to have a mix of your work at both locations.
Last year I rushed to get into Best Bead on opening day to buy from a particular artist. Unknown to me the Artist that I wanted to buy from was at another venue across town and the Spouse was set up at Best Bead. The Spouse was more than 15 minutes late...didn't have any beads out...and when they were finally set out the "speciality" beads that I came to buy were all at the location across town. Needless to say I was VERY disappointed.

I saw lots of Artists that were sharing booth space... I would try to find someone to share space with whose work is sufficiently different from yours. This way you draw a mix of customers and your work does not compete with each others...so there are fewer hard feelings.

Above all act like you are happy to be there and having a great time no matter what kind of a day you are having. I still remember the lady at True Blue who sat there with a really sad face. She had beautiful work and I bought several of her beads...I would have probably bought more, but she acted like she just didn't want to be there and be bothered.

[Ever After]

Catherine Weaver and I will be sharing a table there this year! its our first show im nervous and excited!!! and I cant wait to meet you all!!! lol maybe we should make LE name tags., or wear ribbons in our hair?
good luck to everyone!
xo Laurie

[christina lee]

I had a very bad experience at To Bead True Blue 2007, along with many, many other exhibitors. If you would like a copy of my experience contact me and I will e-mail it to you. creationsbychristina@tampabay.rr.com. I had finished fused glass jewelry, lampwork beaded jewelry and hand painted silks. It was not a artisan show, it was a bead show. Spent over $3000.00 getting there and I sold $131.00 for the whole 6 day show. If you are going to do the show, have lots of beads or components for sale, not finished work. Customers are coming to buy beads so they can make their own jewelry. Not buy finished pieces. I felt very mislead by the promoter. I drove from Florida to Tucson.

I was in the "Redondo Pavilion" as Anna the promoter call it, it was really "the Tent"

Christina Lee

[shigee32]

I did this show 2007 and overall I'm glad I did it, but don't plan on doing it again. I drove from New Orleans, and the 22hr drive was exhasuting! The show was very unorganized with many vendors standing around waiting to be told where they were since the layout wasn't correct. The first day we waited hours for electricity hookups and then it kept going down. The 'tent' was literally that, and everyone out there was very upset with their location. They paid the same amount as those of us inside from the cold rain... yet the customers didn't want to venture out into the weather to see what was out there. The building layout was very confusing and on setup day I actually couldn't find the room I was supposed to be in. The room I was in could not be accessed from the front door of the building. Instead, people had to walk around the outside of the building and enter the back entrance for the 3 back rooms.

Another neg to my experience was that I did the trip solo. I was unable to leave my booth and shop... which was my main (ok, second :)) reason for being out there. When I wanted a bathroom break or to stretch my legs, I had to see if a nearby booth could cover for me. If you do the show, bring a buddy!!

There was a silver vendor about 2 booths away from me, so I was able to spend plenty of money still. I bought what I 'thought' would last me at least 6 months, at a very good wholesale price. Had I not spent that, I would have come home with a profit about equal to what I spent for the trip/show total. Having bought all I did... I ended up $200 upside down for the trip overall.

Hope this helps someone in their decision for next year's show. I know they'll be sending out the invitations for 2008 really soon.

Dawn
http://jewelrybydawn.com

[Lois]

how does one get invited...I have never been invited to any shows...guess I am not show material in whoever's eyes that does the invites

It is my understanding that all you have to do is ask and you will be invited to that show. I have sold in Tucson for 13 years at The Whole Bead Show and I love it! I think there are still openings on the 2nd floor of the hotel. It would be a great place to start especially of 3 people split the fees and room. Info is available at wholebead.com
Good Luck! Lois

[Teresa justice]

I live in Sierra Vista, AZ and the only way I knew there was a show in Tucson
was because a friend had a booth and told me about it. I never seen any adv
ertising on TV or the newspaper. If it is not publicised the only people you will get is people that already know it will be their. I went and their were very
little of the general public , alot of beadmakers. The work was some of the best I have ever seen. I can't wait till it is here again. You guys ROCK
Good luck Teresa Justice