Resource for Finding Shows

[laurellanestudios]

I'm a show newbie (or show newbie wanna-be?)...

How do you find shows? I understand there are a few yearly books published? Any you recommend?

Any advice for choosing shows?

Is it possible to be profitable if I stick with smaller shows? The Artrider-type fees might be too much of a gamble right now.

Your thoughts/experiences are greatly appreciated!

[zen-mom]

What sort of shows? Craft shows or bead shows? CraftMaster News is good for craft shows. You can type in: bead shows +'your state' to find links to bead shows around you. Hope that helps.

[JanMD]

Here's a comprehensive one: http://www.jolaf.com/resources/showinfo/index.html

And another: http://www.artandcraftshows.net/

The best way to evaluate a show is to attend first as a visitor to size it up, look at your potential competition (their prices too), talk to vendors (when they are not busy selling) about the typical buyer and about the show organizers, and scrutinize your fellow visitors. This way you'll get an excellent "feel" for your prospects of success.

You might want to see if you can share a booth with a few other artists in the first year. That way, if you crash and burn it won't have cost you an arm and a leg. And if you sell like hotcakes, you can keep re-loading your small display area from your inventory stash. And you'll know for sure that you will want to come back the following year.

Another potential advantage to sharing a table is, if you don't already have the capacity to take credit cards, you can team with a seller who does. Buyers adore vendors that will take plastic. But you probably already know that!

JanMD

[i09172]

I'm a show newbie (or show newbie wanna-be?)...

How do you find shows? I understand there are a few yearly books published? Any you recommend?

Any advice for choosing shows?

Is it possible to be profitable if I stick with smaller shows? The Artrider-type fees might be too much of a gamble right now.

Your thoughts/experiences are greatly appreciated!


Hi Kathy,

Here's another resource:

http://www.festivalnet.com/

Good luck!

[Gundula]

here's one:

www.craftlister.com

you can screen by distance from your ZIP code, event type etc.

Gundula

www.glassbygundula.com

[laurellanestudios]

Thanks for the great resources. Now, another question for those of you who have sold at both bead shows and art festivals (jewelry, etc.)...

Which shows do better?