E Learning Vendors

E Learning Vendors

HEY CRAFTERS.. how do I become vendor in AZ craft shows?

I was recently emailed a list of all the upcoming Arizona arts & craft shows. Which it seems as though there are only a few. Does anyone have a list or know where to go online for upcoming shows( big & small)? I contacted all of the shows that are coming up and they are all FULL! Plus they were all over $200 bucks to get a space. The contacts told me that the previous years vendors get first rights. So how do I get in this?
I'm so confused... I thought I'd just pay to get a space and set up, But now I need to get City Tax things settled and learn all this craft show lingo i.e. 'Juried,' 'Regional,' 'Slides' etc.
Its all overwhelming!
And if you;ve never even previously been to their show, how do you know if it will be worth it?
Does anyone know of good cheap white tents too?

This is no easy question you have ask.
1) check with your local gov to get the rules and regulation because they will be different than ours in Texas. In Texas you do need a resale certificate so each vendor can pay the sales tax on their sold items.
Some shows will let you use their certificate and after the show you turn in the sales tax to them.
2) In Texas we have a magazine call "Where it's At" www.whereitsatmagazine.com This has show listing Texas, Oklahoma, N.C. , Mo, La., GA, Co, fl, Az, and adding more all the time. It started out as a one page, letter. The shows are listed for the Artists not the promoters, which means if it is in one magazine and not the next it doesn't mean the show is full, it means you have been told about it already. Promoter can get the shows listed a second and third time, but they have to pay after the first free listing.

3) Go to lots of shows and look at displays and you can create you own displays. I don't want to get into detail here, but if you need ideas email me.

4) You can talk with the artist and they can tell you which shows are good and which are not. You will just have to do some and see where you sell the most,

5) Be sure to keep a calendar diary and write about the show, the set up, the help you got or didn't get from the promoter, etc, etc, and what your sales volume was so you can know if you want to got the following year. But some shows you will do badly but that doesn't mean it is a bad show, because there are a lot of factor to consider.

I've been doing show for about 40 years and I used to love them, but am getting burned out and I've been working on my attitude so I can get back into the groove again. There are so many local craft malls and I think they have hurt sales at shows. People who like to buy handcrafted gifts know that they don't have to buy at the shows because they can always pick it up locally. And be careful at the shows because craftsmen will be shopping your booth for ideas to "steal" I teach a lot of workshops and I share ideas but I do resent people to come to shows to "steal" ideas from the craftsmen who are there to sale their handcrafted items. I wear several hats.

And you don't know if the show is worth it, until you go talk with the vendors, and one good question to ask is "have you ever done this show before" If you get a lot of "Yes I have" then you know it is worth coming back. If you get a lot of " no this is my first time" then you know they did not get returning craftsmen.

Be sure to have a wide variety of items, I do paintings, both craft level and fine arts, stained glass, mixed media, jewelry, etc, etc. I pick the craft that will be best for that show. It it is bad weather I don't take paintings, Some show I have items in the $10 to $50 range some shows I take the more expensive items. I can gear my items to the show and the weather. I also face paint and if there are going to be lots of kids, I'll add that to my list of art to be brought on the "sign-up" sheet. Don't bring something that you did not sign up for, or the promoter can ask you to remove it. You don't want everyone at a show to be doing the same thing.

I was to be in a show this past week=end and declined when I found that they had 3 other people doing face-painting. No one makes any money that way. But the promoter was willing to let me come because she didn't care that I would be hurting the people who had already signed up; but I do.

Be sure that you have some business cards and a web site. Make your presents known. Be polite to everyone who comes into your booth. They may not buy this time....but will remember you the next time. I won't buy from a vendor who is rude, regardless that I may want their work.

Your tent is one of your most important investments. I like the "EZ up"
It is water proof and some that are labeled waterproof are not. Tell the tent people that you are an artist and it is very important that it be leak proof, most are also available with sides. You can expect to pay from about $200 up. I bought an EZ up in their low end range ($125) and have been very happy with it. I've used it for years and years. I recently bought 2 new tents and they both leak (I learned the hard way) that waterproof does not mean waterproof.

good luck to you.

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