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New From Illinios

Posted by Betty Sehr on June 15, 2010 at 9:52am in Welcome to Art Fair Insiders!
Hello everyone. My name is Betty Sehr and I'm fairly new to the festival circuit. My first year participating in shows was last year. The very first show I did was called the Backwoods Fest in Thornville, OH. It was a learning experience, but a lot of fun as well.  I am an esthetician and handcrafted soap maker and the name of my company is Bella Tesori Soap. I'm also looking to expand my business to include bath salts, lip balms and candles. I have virtually no marketing/festival experience so suggestions, tips, prayers are greatly appreciated!

backwoodsfest_house_display.jpg

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  • Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney June 15, 2010 at 2:31pm
    Betty, the new City Market here in Rockford also has a variety of arts and crafts. They have a website you can check our for information at rockfordcitymarket.com.

    You might also try craftlister.com.

    Betty Sehr said:
    Thank you, Geri. I'll definitely check it out.
    geri wegner said:
    Welcome Betty. Try festivalnet.com for shows in Illinois that are more craft than art. Also, check into farmer's markets. A lot of them sell way more than produce these days. The one in Grayslake has an entire craft area with yarn, soaps, pot pourri, etc. Practically every town has a farmer's market these days.

    Good luck to you.
  • Betty Sehr June 15, 2010 at 1:17pm
    Thank you, Geri. I'll definitely check it out.

    geri wegner said:
    Welcome Betty. Try festivalnet.com for shows in Illinois that are more craft than art. Also, check into farmer's markets. A lot of them sell way more than produce these days. The one in Grayslake has an entire craft area with yarn, soaps, pot pourri, etc. Practically every town has a farmer's market these days.

    Good luck to you.
  • geri a. wegner June 15, 2010 at 11:43am
    Welcome Betty. Try festivalnet.com for shows in Illinois that are more craft than art. Also, check into farmer's markets. A lot of them sell way more than produce these days. The one in Grayslake has an entire craft area with yarn, soaps, pot pourri, etc. Practically every town has a farmer's market these days.

    Good luck to you.
  • Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney June 15, 2010 at 11:03am
    Plainfield is not far from where my kids live in Lisle. I am not as familiar with craft fairs as with fine art, but I'll do some checking. The first that comes to mind, however, is here in Rockford, at Edgebrook, called Cider and Cinnamon. I don't generally get to go anymore because it's the same weekend as the local ArtScene gallery walk.

    Betty Sehr said:
    Thank you, Barbara. I'm in Plainfield which is southwest of Chicago. If you would care to share any information on the shows that are worthwhile in Illinois, I would greatly appreciate it. Last year was my first year attending festivals and I did several shows where the only sales I made were to other vendors! Fortunately, I found this site because I have no other friends who are crafters that I can go to for advice. I am doing the Autumn on the Fox show in St. Charles in October and Christmas Crossroads in Lockport. I did both of these shows last year. The weather was a cold 43 degrees and raining for Autumn on the Fox so I barely made my booth fee. I am hoping the weather cooperates this year as all of the vendors there told me that this particular show was one of their best in years past.

    Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney said:
    Welcome, Betty. You will find this site very helpful, with many kind and caring people. I'm in northwest Illinois, in Rockford. Illinois has many opportunities. What part of the state are you in?
    Barbara
  • Betty Sehr June 15, 2010 at 10:48am
    Thank you, Barbara. I'm in Plainfield which is southwest of Chicago. If you would care to share any information on the shows that are worthwhile in Illinois, I would greatly appreciate it. Last year was my first year attending festivals and I did several shows where the only sales I made were to other vendors! Fortunately, I found this site because I have no other friends who are crafters that I can go to for advice. I am doing the Autumn on the Fox show in St. Charles in October and Christmas Crossroads in Lockport. I did both of these shows last year. The weather was a cold 43 degrees and raining for Autumn on the Fox so I barely made my booth fee. I am hoping the weather cooperates this year as all of the vendors there told me that this particular show was one of their best in years past.

    Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney said:
    Welcome, Betty. You will find this site very helpful, with many kind and caring people. I'm in northwest Illinois, in Rockford. Illinois has many opportunities. What part of the state are you in?
    Barbara
  • Betty Sehr June 15, 2010 at 10:40am
    Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney said:
    Welcome, Betty. You will find this site very helpful, with many kind and caring people. I'm in northwest Illinois, in Rockford. Illinois has many opportunities. What part of the state are you in?
    Barbara
  • Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney June 15, 2010 at 10:39am
    Welcome, Betty. You will find this site very helpful, with many kind and caring people. I'm in northwest Illinois, in Rockford. Illinois has many opportunities. What part of the state are you in?
    Barbara
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