What’s your opinion? Each month, The Crafts Report invites readers to respond to the Public Opinion question. Responses are published in the magazine. This month’s question is: Describe the credentials of the ideal show juror. Please respond by March. 8. Responses to this question will appear in the May 2003 issue. E-mail: publicopinion@craftsreport.com; or answer online here. Send responses to: “Public Opinion,” The Crafts Report, Box 1992, Wilmington, DE 19899; fax: (302) 656-4894. Anonymous responses will not be published.

For some promoters, I think it might be helpful to hire professional outside marketing firms to come up with a plan to redefine the concept of a craft show in the public’s mind.

Promoters are quite happy to suggest that we as artisans bring something “new” to the show and “re-invent” our product line again and again. I’m a big girl and am prepared to do that, but show promoters need to adjust their own marketing plans to bring “new” buyers into the aisles. How can we reach the thousands of shoppers who go elsewhere because our advertising is talking to the likes of us instead of the likes of them? Can we involve corporations, large and small, by distributing discount entrance coupons to their staff? The same to students and professors at our universities and colleges? How about direct mail to select neighborhoods ...?

Pat Donaldson
Nokomis Ojibwa Art
Calgary, Canada

Ask the show promoter what they did to advertise the show. Offer suggestions on what you think can help them to be more successful in the future.

I did a show in a small town this past fall. It was their first year and very successful. I signed up for next year and offered to advertise for them through my shop and my consignment artists. I also offered a few suggestions to them regarding table fees (collecting 1/2 prior to the show) and also suggested they type up guidelines for the crafters. They had no rules as to what could be displayed and where. Going in I was unsure of what was expected of me. I also told them that they might want to include (in show guidelines) that no one is to break down until closing time. Many crafters packed up 45 minutes early. I remained set up and earned another $40 in sales.

Kim
Kim’s Craft Barn
Leicester, Mass.

Send a letter to the craft show committee and express your thoughts. I think the letter should address what was promised to the crafter/buyer vs. what was delivered. I also believe in word-of-mouth advertising — if I’m unhappy with a show, I make it a point to let my fellow crafters know to stay clear of that event! We are all out there for one purpose only, let’s not fool ourselves, we are out there to earn a living. If the promoter has let you down, don’t let your friends down and have them learn the hard way too. Friends don’t let friends participate in bad craft shows!

Tamirose Palmer
PackIt’s
Allison Park, Pa.

The show fee should be adjusted accordingly and a refund should be made. I have had at least three shows this past year that have been nowhere near the promoter’s advertised spiel.
Vincent A. Megna
Charles River Traders
Newton, Mass.

I think that if the promises made by the promoter were in writing, the exhibitor has the right to ask for a full or partial refund of fees.

When you hit somebody in the pocket, it seems to make an impression.

Nancy Stidham Reeves
Okie-Kajun Crafts and Pure Country Soy Candles
Seminole, Okla.