CCPottery on thu 11 dec 97
I have just returned from doing the Bizarre Bazaar in Richmond Virginia and
would like to offer these comments.
The craft show is well organized and well run. They advertise having high
quality craftsmen, fine artists in mixed media and gem cutters....and we were
all there. There were at least 75 of us in all hand crafted fields.
The problem is that this a basically a buy-sell show dominated by
merchandisers who are only reselling volumes of factory made items. The crowd
that is attracted to this show does not know the difference and does not care.
Maybe one in 100 even paused at the booths and would not make eye contact or
walk in. One in 500 (maybe) bought.
All the hand crafters had very dismal sales. This included five potters. One
with plain functional gas fired ware, two with functional decorated ware, a
raku potter and one decorative. The gem cuters were barely making booth fees,
painters and water colors same deal.
Lest you think I am "sour grapes" because of poor sales ... of the forty or so
crafters I met only 3 were returning artists - all the rest were first timers.
Makes you think this must have happened before, right???
We managed to make enough to clear expenses, but the waste of time and energy
was annoying. Things I held back for this show could have been sold to others
and it is too late to make up for that now.
I felt I owed it to any others considering this show to know that you are up
against huge merchandisers here and the crowd is NOT looking for fine crafts.
Well, I believe I will set up my Christmas tree now instead of scrubbing down
my studio. Best of the Season to ALL !!!!
Chris -under rainy, cold, grey Carolina skies
Kathi LeSueur on sat 13 dec 97
<would like to offer these comments.
The craft show is well organized and well run. They advertise having high
quality craftsmen, fine artists in mixed media and gem cutters....and we were
all there. There were at least 75 of us in all hand crafted fields.
The problem is that this a basically a buy-sell show dominated by
merchandisers who are only reselling volumes of factory made items. The crowd
that is attracted to this show does not know the difference and does not
care.
Maybe one in 100 even paused at the booths and would not make eye contact or
walk in. One in 500 (maybe) bought. All the hand crafters had very dismal
sales. >>
Your experience with this show is a lesson for everyone. Before doing a new
show visit it if possible. Barring that, talk to people who have done it
before. I believe it was Wendy Rosen who suggested to ask for a list of the
previous exhibitors and call them. Good advice.
The only time I don't personally follow this advice is if a promoter I am
familiar with starts a new show. If I believe in that promoter's ethics and
integrity (and I wouldn't do her shows if I didn't) and the local sounds
good, I'll do it.
Kathi LeSueur
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