Finding Arts/Craft Show to sell at.

[Moocifer Joe]

I make multiple  types of crafts and would like to do 8 to 10 shows in 2023. 

My problem is finding the show early enough to apply and schedule. 

Is there a magic trick or something I'm missing.

[Joe W.]

Well, the new way is to google it for your area.
The old fashioned way is to call/visit the local chamber of commerce, churches, senior centers, etc. etc. and see what you can discover.
Another thought is to talk to a few few food truck vendors - depending on the size of the venue, they may be setting up for business.  The farmer's market I went to this past summer had a food truck there on multiple occasions.
Good luck 

[Moocifer Joe]

2 minutes ago, Joe W. said:

Well, the new way is to google it for your area.
The old fashioned way is to call/visit the local chamber of commerce, churches, senior centers, etc. etc. and see what you can discover.
Another thought is to talk to a few few food truck vendors - depending on the size of the venue, they may be setting up for business.  The farmer's market I went to this past summer had a food truck there on multiple occasions.
Good luck 

Thanks. That gives me a starting point.

[Wichman]

Another way is to search the local paper:     https://wilcoxnewspapers.com/?s=craft+fair

Once you find a craft fair you can talk to the other vendors, or ask the promoters of the shows you find if they know of any others and the contact information.

Visit your local Farmers Market in the spring and talk to the craft vendors there for leads.

If you do Facebook, there is an "events" sidebar that will let you know when something is coming up, check who the promoters are. You may get additional leads from the promoters.

 

[Moocifer Joe]

8 hours ago, Wichman said:

Another way is to search the local paper:     https://wilcoxnewspapers.com/?s=craft+fair

Once you find a craft fair you can talk to the other vendors, or ask the promoters of the shows you find if they know of any others and the contact information.

Visit your local Farmers Market in the spring and talk to the craft vendors there for leads.

If you do Facebook, there is an "events" sidebar that will let you know when something is coming up, check who the promoters are. You may get additional leads from the promoters.

 

Good info, thanks

[barb.j.enders]

I was going to chime in with the Facebook option.  In my area there is a FB page called Manitoba craft & trade shows.  This is exclusively for shows looking for vendors.

 

[Moocifer Joe]

33 minutes ago, barb.j.enders said:

I was going to chime in with the Facebook option.  In my area there is a FB page called Manitoba craft & trade shows.  This is exclusively for shows looking for vendors.

 

TY.

[kywoodmaster]

I am not sure about all states but KY & WV both have Tourism departments that usually have a list of up coming events. When I was doing shows that was one of my resources.

[Moocifer Joe]

3 minutes ago, kywoodmaster said:

I am not sure about all states but KY & WV both have Tourism departments that usually have a list of up coming events. When I was doing shows that was one of my resources.

Great idea, I will check into it. Thanks. 

[Puzzleguy]

A source we use to use may be a good start for you -

sunshine artist magazine -its basic to get your feet wet -

but experience which takes years will tell you

which show to do and which to stay away from .

-to save a buck ask an artist if they could give you an old copy of the magazine !

[Wichman]

46 minutes ago, Puzzleguy said:

A source we use to use may be a good start for you -

sunshine artist magazine -its basic to get your feet wet -

but experience which takes years will tell you

which show to do and which to stay away from .

-to save a buck ask an artist if they could give you an old copy of the magazine !

Here is their website, and it has an event list and map :   https://sunshineartist.com/events

 

[new2woodwrk]

There are a few organizations that setup many events (100's)  during the year. They have calendars for more of the year you can search for your area.

 

[Puzzleguy]

Another source for you to consider are other artists in your area , most are nice people who

are happy to help you .  Something I learned along time ago is to ask your questions carefully -

one persons idea of what a good show is can vary . sunshine Artist magazine is an ok place to start

but not necessarily a end all answer . Id even call an event organizer with a short list of questions,

stuff like number of visitors , how many vendors , cost  etc. ( some even ask for donation of craft item -which is ok )

 

Edited December 21, 2022 by Puzzleguy

[kmmcrafts]

Used to be a website ( I think it was called craftlister.com)? and another similar one but don't recall the name.. it had events listed throughout the USA and maybe even worldwide.. vendors could post events on it as well as sellers or even the shoppers could post events. There was more than just craft shows on it too.. many other entertainment events etc.. maybe it was called eventlister ? I don't know.. you could search by location and event types. I never did shows but would search so I could go shop / browse, lol

Edited December 29, 2022 by kmmcrafts