Blog

This was my third time at Chester Fall Show, though the first time in the main field during the Fall Show. We had tried a street spot twice in the fall, and found it wasn’t great…lots of people surprised that we were part of the show and not just a local vendor setting up in front of a business.

But it was decidedly worth being in the field! We had come for the Spring Show in May (also in the field) and were pleasantly surprised. The crowds were good for a spring show, and I was impressed by the quality and interest of the customers. They wanted to learn about my work, how it was made, were happy to interact, and also to purchase when they understood the value.

I was overwhelming impressed by the management, and the precision with which this show is run. (After last year in New Hope, as a vendor drove down the one-way street and parked in the middle before he was broken down, and held up the entire line of cars waiting to get to their spots for 20 minutes, with management and police unwilling to do anything, ‘artist treatment’ becomes quite evident.)

Chester load-in was nice, with a long time all day to set up, making it much less chaotic. Load-out was done with military precision, with tickets given to approved broken-down vendors, staff with walkie takies guiding and pre-qualifying anyone to get on to the field to pack up their vehicle, and continued direction so the tight aisles are kept moving. Amazingly well run!

The Fall Show was just as good as expected. I had 5 customers from the Spring Show track me down, including two during the rain on Sunday! Return customers came with orders from friends for similar items, plus the plan to get a little something for themselves. A Saturday customer with a custom request returned Sunday to pick up her pieces, and purchased yet another piece.

There didn’t seem to be quite the same price sensitivity as other shows, and for once, I wasn’t aware of other junior artists shopping me for techniques and items to copy. (At Kipona this was rampant, to the point I was ready to start asking “Information? You want information? The information booth is over there!” as yet another person picked something up and overtly said “dead soft, right?” or “what gauge is this?” “I know Byzantine, but what aspect ratio did you use here?” or any other plethora of questions to indicate they fully intend to knock me off. And this was just a sampling of what my husband’s work got. My PMC work got much more detailed questions and probing.) But back to Chester…

Overall a very nice show, well-heeled customers, ready to buy. I haven't been here for a spring or fall show without rain, but the customers still come. Remember this is a *Craft* Show, and there are painted shirts and light switch covers, placements and birdhouses. This is not an Art Show, but the customer still recognizes artsy work. The balance of the crafts is good, and the management makes it an easy show to participate in.