Patti here, I live in St. Paul, MN and make cashmere hats, scarves and fingerless gloves. I have occasionally tried a summer show and they mostly don't work for me. I have found a number of good ones in Sept-Oct (people looking at fall leaves). But I would like to find a couple of good ones for Nov-Dec since many people buy my things for gifts. Any ideas. Also my products are on the high end of price.
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Hello Patti and welcome to our group. There are several good shows off in your "neck of the woods". Have you looked at the Midwest page in the Art Fair Calendar? There are several good shows up there. Would you be willing to travel to Wisconson? There are several good shows there and Chicago has some very good ones, too. I can understand hats and scarves being hard to sell in the summer. Have you ever thought about selling rugs or something else in the summer? I think rugs would sell well.
I hope you are able to find some shows that are good for you and your work. Good luck.
Patti - how far are you willing to travel? I know several fiber artists in the Pacific NW who have some of their best shows in November, plus they also seem to do well at the early spring shows here before summer arrives.
Patti Bowes > Ruth FinkenbinerJune 9, 2011 at 9:38pm
Thanks, I could travel in November. I can fit all my tent and supplies into my Prius. I think early spring or some late summer could work. I tried to get into the Sun Valley Art Fair in August but was'nt accepted. Those who live in or near the mountains know it will get cold again.
Some of the artists / crafters we know regularly do the Custer shows in Spokane and Pasco WA, not sure what the deadlines are, but that's an area that definitely gets cold. We didn't do well at those shows but I think our price points on our silver jewelry were too high, the beaded jewelry did much better. The first year we tried that show we were next to a lady who sold hand made moccasins and she did really well at those shows. They have shows in March and November in both cities each year, about 2 weeks apart. I no longer do those shows, but again, wearables, seem to do better than jewelery there, especially during those months of the year. Not sure if you want to travel quite that far. Fall Best of the NW in Seattle (applications are passed for this year) have also been good for at least 2 different fiber artists I know who sell hats and other winter accessories.
Patti Bowes > Ruth FinkenbinerJune 9, 2011 at 10:10pm
Replies
Hello Patti and welcome to our group. There are several good shows off in your "neck of the woods". Have you looked at the Midwest page in the Art Fair Calendar? There are several good shows up there. Would you be willing to travel to Wisconson? There are several good shows there and Chicago has some very good ones, too. I can understand hats and scarves being hard to sell in the summer. Have you ever thought about selling rugs or something else in the summer? I think rugs would sell well.
I hope you are able to find some shows that are good for you and your work. Good luck.
Jacki B
Some of the artists / crafters we know regularly do the Custer shows in Spokane and Pasco WA, not sure what the deadlines are, but that's an area that definitely gets cold. We didn't do well at those shows but I think our price points on our silver jewelry were too high, the beaded jewelry did much better. The first year we tried that show we were next to a lady who sold hand made moccasins and she did really well at those shows. They have shows in March and November in both cities each year, about 2 weeks apart. I no longer do those shows, but again, wearables, seem to do better than jewelery there, especially during those months of the year. Not sure if you want to travel quite that far. Fall Best of the NW in Seattle (applications are passed for this year) have also been good for at least 2 different fiber artists I know who sell hats and other winter accessories.