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Organizing a craft show for the first time
By Deborah Lewis of Stuff From the Bunker Art Studio
Now that Spring is here there are many art & craft shows around the country. Many will be new to the craft show market due to groups and organizations needing to find creative ways to add to their bank account. While a well run show is good for everyone, trying to host a craft show without understanding what goes into it can lead to angry vendors, coordinating groups even more in the hole money wise than when they started and bad publicity for all involved. When considering if hosting a craft show is a good fit for you and your organization there are several things you need to consider before jumping in. The location you will be using~~How large is it and how many booths can you put in that space. At the least your vendors are going to need a 10x10 booth space with enough room in front and to the sides for shoppers to look at their wares. What you will provide~~Will you require your artist/crafters to bring their own tables, chairs, or if it's an outside show will they need to bring their canopy or tent? Security & booth setters~~Will your organization offer people to sit with a vendors booth if they are alone and need to get a restroom break or something to eat? If the show is 2 or more days will there be security or will vendors need to tear down and set up again the next morning? Booth fees~~how much will you charge your vendors for their booth space? What is the usual fee in your area & how will your show compare. How much advertising you will be doing, what you are providing, how many years your event has been going on are questions that you need to consider when setting your vendor booth fees. If providing electricity or water how much extra will vendors who need these things have to pay. If it's a mulitple day show is there camping available for vendors and how much will it cost per night is also a consideration. Will this be an art/craft show or will you be allowing buy sell, non-profit, food, political booths or any other type that isn't handmade? If you are allowing non handmade booths then what will the booth map be, how will you set a barrier between handmade and non handmade. Electricity and water~~Will you be able to provide these if vendors need them, who provides the cords, water hoses and how will you secure cords so shoppers don't trip over them. If vendors need to bring their own cords, lines, how long will they need to be. This is just a small list of what needs to be thought out before committing to coordinate an art or craft show. It is easy to think that your group or organization can easily hold a craft show but in reality there is much that needs considered. If you do decide to have one be sure that the most important thing your group understands is you are not doing the artists and crafters a favor. Your group is doing this for their benefit be it money in your account, advertising or boredom the vendors could easily find another show to do during your time frame. If they choose your show, let them know you appreciate them, treat them with respect and try to solve any problems that crop up quickly. The vendors are your new best friends and they need to know you understand that. Any show that has the attitude that they don't need the vendors, they can always get different ones next year soon find themselves without any applications for their event. Artist & crafters share their experiences and they are sure to let others know about a bad show. No matter how large your group is, how much paid staff you have, if you disrespect your vendors you will soon see your paid staff in the unemployment line, believe me I have witnessed it first hand and I was able to say "I tried to warn you." As a mosaic & fused glass jewelry artist & having been vendor coordinator for art/craft shows numerous times over the past 30 years I have witnessed shows both small and large end up finished due to not understanding their role was more than just collecting the money. With the economy as it is now its even more important that organizers understand their role. Artists & crafters are being much more choosy as to the shows they set up at.
I am a mosaic & fused glass jewelry artist and instructor. My husband, who is an oil painter & designer of fine woodcrafts for the home and garden, and I own Stuff From the Bunker Art Studio in Muncie, IN. In addition to creating my artwork and teaching I also do home parties and trunk shows with my handcrafted fused glass jewelry.
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Contributor's Note
This is an important issue to me. In my 30+ years of setting up with my artwork at local shows & being a vendor coordinator of a large festival I have learned by watching how not to treat vendors & observed a show of 20 years ruined by mistreating their vendors.
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A well written intel with great information, Deborah.
Shows are a tremendous amount of work.
Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes.
Frederick
I used to do a lot of craft fairing. One of the best I ever went to is the Mile High Flea Market. Very organized and well attended. Just north of Denver is a great location too. It would be a great model to follow for anyone looking to set up a craft fair.
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This intel was contributed by Deborah
Deborah
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May, 2012
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