Doily Boutique

Well, there are several ways to figure out which show to participate in.

First off, there's word of mouth.  Call it crafter networking, just as you would network in any business, while at a show, usually crafters share their experiences at other craft shows.  HOWEVER, what works for me may not work for you and your product.  You really have to keep that in mind when you talk to other exhibitors at a show.  For example, there's one show that I used to participate in that has evolved over the past 10 years to be a "clothing, jewelry, and food" show in the eyes of the exhibitors.  SO, if you're an artist who paints, or a photographer, while the show is good for a clothing person, you wouldn't do well as an artist.

Secondly, in the beginning I relied heavily on the "Ronay Guide" which isn't being published anymore.  But Bill and Camille Ronay still do a really good job of managing an on-line source at http://www.events2000.com/.  As you will quickly see though, they cover the south east portion of our country -- and YES, I consider shows in all those states as my territory to cover.

Thirdly, I also had a subscription to a magazine called "Sunshine Artist" and you can find them at http://www.sunshineartist.com/.  The magazine is totally for Artists and Crafters.  They publish reviews of different shows that are submitted by fellow crafters and artists.  Best of all, they do a survey in April and you have to subscribe to participte, and then publish the results in September of the top 100 craft shows and the top 100 art shows in the country.  And I mean nationwide -- coast to coast.  There are other sources of listings of arts and craft shows available for purchase.  Again, recommendations from other folks who do something similar to you is the best way to figure out which book to purchase.

Lastly, sometimes to get the best feel for a show, you just plain have to go and see the show.  In the beginning, when I was rejected from one festival, I just had to go see for myself what this show as all about.  After going, I could see that there were many many crafts that I just hadn't seen elsewhere and gained a new respect for that show.  On the flip side, I applied to another show and didn't get in -- so off I went to go SEE that show.  After walking the show, I could see that the show was more on the artsy side vs. craft even though it was called an "Arts and Crafts" show.  Don't let a name fool you either.  One of my favorite, but hard to do show, is a Flea Market!  None of the exhibitors have flea market items, they are all crafts and art.