What I've Learned in My First Year of Craft Shows

Craft shows in North Carolina have been a bit tricky in my first year. There are busy periods of time that I had to decide which to choose and other times when there was none. My personal life keeps me from traveling to other metropolitan areas so my lessons are based on shows in the Raleigh-Durham area of NC.

Craft shows are seasonal. Many patrons of craft shows tend to visit during the spring and fall. Our summer weather is usually in the 90's, a temperature that keeps people inside or by a pool. Right after Christmas there is a 3 month lull that coincides with the winter weather. There is a lack of interest and of sheltered venues.

Between spring and fall, fall is the best season for craft shows for products like mine. Customers are interested in Holiday gifts. If you have garden related items such as yard art and birdhouses I would imagine that spring would be a stronger season for craft shows.

Advertising is everything. I remember being involved with a show that was the first show for a local group. The venue wasn't the best. We were in an environment that didn't have a lot of passerby traffic; some of us were inside and some were suppose to be outside. I decided to be outside so I could use a standard space of 10x10 instead of one 6' table. I also felt that being outside would draw more attention to the show and bring more customers to us all.

We barely had any traffic and by 1:00 I packed up.  On my way out, I looked for the signs that directed traffic to us. I was very disappointed when I saw how my application fee was applied. There were signs alright. Little 18x24 signs with curly Q lettering in pink. The signs looked like it was directing people to a private party for a little girl, not for a shop-worthy show.

You can advertise like crazy in local papers and social networks, but if you don't have signs that screams "here we are" all that previous talk is for naught. People who are interested in you will drive right pass if the sign is not an eye-catcher, especially when its a new show. Looking back I'm not sure if it would have been better if I had been more involved and educated about what steps the coordinators took or to stay away from start up shows and visit them instead for future shows.

Big shows don't necessarily mean better. Everyone who vends at craft shows has asked themselves at one time or another whether its better to choose a church or small town show or a larger city show. Many of the larger shows are juried which means you have to adhere to the category that they accept you in.

I applied to one that was a really large show that I knew would bring crowds. I was accepted in the Fiber Art Non-Wearable category only. For someone who likes to make what I like, this was a hard category to fill but I felt I was up to the task and was soon producing products that I thought would work. Unfortunately, Hurricane Irene had other ideas for that particular weekend. Subsequent shows proved that some of my items were on target, others were way off base. Interestingly the more popular items were the most wearable. My Kitty Cat Kindle Case is now widely regarded as a purse. And purses are considered outside of the category I was accepted in.

Would I apply to this show in the future? I’m not sure, honestly. It was a great learning experience as it was. It forced me to grow in ways I hadn’t thought of before. But the enforceable limitations makes me consider not applying again.

The alternative to this setting is working with shows in smaller towns and churches. These are usually associated with themes. Here in NC there are a lot of farm related theme shows and churches have shows associated with community yard sales and child-friendly events. You have a smaller amount of participants and potential customers. But, word of mouth is a great way to advertise.

People are excited about the opportunity of doing something outside the norm at their small town festivals. The church’s congregation is openly supportive and many times this support applies to extended family members and friends. I’m not sure how this venue would be for other types of craft but for me, it’s a wonderful way to meet new people who would never drive to the big city for the larger shows.

This coming year I will push the limits on the seasons. I want to involve myself with a farmers market. There are several in the area and they inherently run through the whole summer. This is one event that does bring people out in the summer and many close as the pavement heats up. I can successfully set dates in advance when other types of shows are in hiatus. It’s going to be a great year of growth and I’m really looking forward to it.

What have you learned? I'd love to hear from you if you have any advice you would like to pass along.

NC Country Christmas Updated Classics

This is an ode to Christmas past. Historically awesome gifts with new twists and applications.

BDS Authentic North Carolina Red Dirt Shirts. From the mountains to the coast you can enjoy playing in the dirt!  David and Cindy Bennett create this wonderful line of shirts. I have bought three myself. You can find more information and order from them at their website. 

These are baskets made by Jane Murray Robertson of Raleigh, NC.  She decorates baskets -and who doesn't love baskets? with decoupaged designs with festive flair for decorating.









You can find out where Jane will be next or order from her via email.

Crafts by mama and me confirms that most mothers and daughters bond but some are crazy glued. A great mother daughter team with a wonder selection of baby clothing and accessories, and crochet accessories.

You can visit them on Etsy for quick online shopping, or if you want to know where they will be next I'm sure you'll find an answer contacting them through their shop.

NC Artists of Precision and Detail

I'd like for you to meet some artisans and crafters I met at NC Farmer's Market Fall Craft Fair. It was so fun to meet new friends and visit with old ones and share in the joy of what we recent made. Seeing what others do inspires me to do the same. All this week I've been having new ideas run through my mind.  Here is a small selection of who I met.

This little boy's portrait was watercolor painted by Andrea Wilson in Holly Springs, NC. She has also recreated it in pencil.

In addition Andrea is a fabulous acrylic painter. When my daughter saw I bought a small one of a flounder, she immediately took ownership. We are currently in negotiations. Andrea also makes polymer clay jewelry in wonderfully fun shapes and colors.

For more information on custom portraits or where you find her next, you can find Andrea Wilson by email.

Richard Coates of Holly Ridge Woodcrafting combines photography with woodworking and his end results are stunning in detail. This year he introduced revolving pen containers. So cool! Holly Ridge Woodcrafting is located in Rougemont, NC.  For more information about where to find Richard next or to place an order, you can email him.

 Pens and Banks is a family affair with Frank and Clint Johnson of Raleigh and Clayton, NC. I love the antique feel of the coin banks made with vintage post office box doors that Frank makes.

Clint lathes beautiful pens from exotic woods and other materials like corian and deer antlers. He says his wife insists the manufacture of the antler pens to be done far from the house. I can understand why. The end result from all of his hard work is a great gift for your father, boss or mentor.

You can find more information by emailing them.

I Feel Pretty from NC Crafters

Gorgeously girlie bows of all styles and color. Great stocking stuffers and an easy way to get little girls to dress up for the holidays.

Victoria Jones' business, Bethie Bows specialized in hair bows in Disney Princess designs as well as flowers and butterflies. There are some seriously sweet creations in her line of grosgrain ribbon hair barrettes.

Email Bethie Bows for information on her next craft show or to order from her.

Bella Grace Bows is run by Cheryl Davis. She has a wide variety of classic ribbon bows, hair bands and other hair accessories. She also has fabric handbags for little girls. She can custom make your order and ship it to your door.

Find Bella Grace on her website or you can reach her by email or on Facebook.

Christy Kenyon of the Bow-Tique and Gift Shop has children hair accessories and other unique items. She has a permanent location at the Raleigh Flea Market.  Her bows include feathers and over-sized flower hair pins.

In addition to hair bows, Christy works with glass. She has some elegant, hang-able, upcycled glass trays perfect for cheese and appetizers and modern glass votive candle holders in gorgeous color combinations.

You can find more information on Bow-Tique and Gift Shop on their Facebook page or by email.