BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Jewelry Making Summer craft/bead shows........

Has anyone been to any good Craft/bead shows this summer?
Share your experiences with us.

I participated in my first summer "county fair" and it was a bust! First of all I was invited to share a booth with some rubber stamp people. They were nice - but setting up and tearing down daily is not so good. Also, being inside when the main attractions are outside is not a good idea.

We were put in the Harry Potter stairway ~ click here to see article Creative Cafe
and people would just walk on by without even looking at our booth. I had a raffle for three really nice necklace sets that I could not hardly get anyone to buy (.50 or 3/$1)

I was hot and I sold 2 earrings, 1 bracelet, 1 ring, 2 necklaces.

Not sure I am really sold on the fair thing. I just don't know what to do anymore. (despondent) Perhaps I am not a traveling jewelry person.

Hope others had more luck than I.

Sorry that you had such a bad experience, but don't let it sour you on the whole thing! There are craft fairs and craft fairs, and some are good and some are awful.
I've been making my living selling my pottery at fairs for 30 years and one thing I've learned is to find out about a fair before I sign up for it. Either visit the fair and see if you want to sign up for it next year, or ask around among other bead/jewelry people for advice, or check magazines that rate fairs, like Sunshine Artist or Art Fair Source Book. By sharing a booth with a totally different craft you risked being overlooked.
It also helps to visit fairs and see how other jewelers are displaying their work. You can get a feel for what is appealing to the customer and what doesn't grab them at all.
So pick yourself up and use the disaster as a learning experience. When you get the kinks worked out you will do much better, I am sure!

I was hoping someone went to the Bead Fest Philadelphia, I'd like to hear about .