Someone recently told me about the Arts and Crafts Festival in Fredericksburg - managed by Ballantine. I've heard a few good reports - but not first hand.
Has anyone done this show?
Shows with the word "craft" are hit and miss for me..... sometimes very good, sometimes just the opposite. The booth fee is not too bad though - for an indoor show.
Kathy
Replies
Wendy, please let me know how the holiday show works out for you. Lots of "first-time exhibitors" scares me a little because where did all their long-time vendors go? It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it can mean that revenues are down so much that more venerable artists don't think show is worth their while. I'm also concerned that there will be an overabundance of jewelry. The application says juried, but sometimes all the promoter cares about is how good your check looks. Your observations will be invaluable! Thanks so much.
Posted a review of the show:
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/review-fredericksburg-h...
The show didn't really work for me. I had done their Spring Faire also. It's a nice show but perhaps Fredericksburg isn't really my scene. I do much much better at other shows.
Hope this helpful!
Thanks,
Mel
For both shows I have done there, the crowds were good and they were buying. For the last Holiday show, the crowds thinned quickly as a snow/ice storm loomed, but otherwise no complaints on attendance (sorry, I do not have the numbers). It is my impression that they know what they want and don't ask a lot of questions (very different from my experience at other shows).
If they like what you have, you may do well. However, they may not be willing to look at new things. But that is my opinion. Your art is neat, and it may do very well there. And the promoters are always looking for new exhibitors (I am sure that they would love to have more artists). So if it is not a huge investment in time or money, I would recommend with reservations.
Thanks,
Mel
Thanks for taking the time to review the show, Wendy. I've tried several new shows this year and it takes a while to build a following. We're all looking for shows that are reasonable but still quality, which seems like the holy grail. Helping each other by providing information about our experiences is a great way to "preview" a show without actually having to go there.
Nolly
Hi, I have not done this show before (am participating this weekend for the first time). I did do the "Spring Arts and Crafts Faire" at this location (same organization). There were a lot of first-time exhibitors at the Spring event, and attendance was good (sorry, no solid numbers though).
However, I am not planning to hold it to the same standard as EMG's Christmas Markets, or Sugarloaf and I am not sure what these crowds will be into. But, this event is for "hand-made" goods only, so I am optimistic. Maybe I'll see you there!
Nolly - No - I didn't try any of the Fredericksburg shows.
Good luck.
Kathy
Kathy, did you decide to try any of the Fredericksburg Civic Center shows? I have their application, but since they require prepayment, I thought I'd look around to see if anyone has any experience with them.
Thanks,
Nolly