Craft & Design Fairs - How Do You Find Them?

[AB Editor]

I wondered if any of the crafty/designs people on here could advise how someone could find upcoming design fairs?

Is there a usual process for applying etc?

Asking for a friend obviously!

[woofgang]

big or little? for the big ones, go to the location website (NEC or whatever) and email an enquiry. For little ones, google "craft fairs Bournemouth" or sussex or wherever the info should tell you what's going on and tell who organises them, you can then email the organiser. Other people who run small affairs are district and parish councils and community associations. Again google the area and contact the associations and councils.

[rockyracoon]

The craft magazines are quite a good source of info if I remember rightly and there's this website that might help

http://www.craftfairsuk.co.uk

[nungate]

I suppose it would depend on the sort of craft fair your friend was looking for. There a some really large Craft and Needlework shows all over the country, but you can quite often find smaller local ones through local newspapers and crafting groups. We have small craft fairs in our town about half a dozen times a year, but if we want to go to the larger shows we travel to Glasgow a couple of times a year - shows are often advertised in crafting magazines

[DTCwordfan]

Local newspapers, craft magazines, Country Living mag, societies etc (for example, quilters, potters & cermaics, and artists have their groups), local craft shops, art shops, local museum info, - what's the craft and the area, Ed?

[tearinghair]

Check in the specific magazines for the craft you/he/she is interested in. They may not have places left by then (my daughter books up for the big ones at Alexandra Palace and Olympia a year ahead) but you'll be able to find the details of the organisers, who usually run several over the course of a year. Some fairs are in smaller venues and may have spare slots. warning - they are expensive.

[woofgang]

Our local community craft fairs charge about 10 to 15 quid for a table and seem to do well, especially around christmas and in the visitor season. depending on what your friend wants to do, it might be a good way to test the water. Most of the folk who take a table also have cards with their website, etsy address or at least email, for future custom.

[boxtops]

Are they looking to sell things, or to go to one to get some ideas?

This is a biggie coming up in London in early April http://www.creativestitchesshow.co.uk/london/ more details of other national events at www.ichfevents.co.uk

I attended a school fair selling craft items, just before Christmas, and there are local fairs around at larger venues - usually advertised in the local papers as well as in the various craft mags.

[rowanwitch]

http://www.craft-fair.co.uk/MainCatPage.cfm
http://www.artsandcraftsdirectory.co.uk/craftfairs.html

depends on what the person makes though and what quality. craft fairs are graded and some have a panel that approve potential exhibitors. Some things like hand made cards, bead jewellery and wood turning are oversubscribed and unless you offer something special you may not be accepted. Did the fairs for a long time but although we got into some of the highest graded fairs we struggled to make much money as it is surprising how much you need to charge to get a fair return on your work. Also worth considering taking a stall at general markets as sometimes fees can be better and competition is less. But you will probably need a lighting set up for display and the ability to produce stock at a steady rate

[AB Editor]

Thanks all.

I will look through your answers in more detail and forward on the useful bits for my friend.

Some answers:

They'd like to sell the product at a fair.

It's not a "craft" in the sense of it's "woodwork" or "knitting" - it's a product designed and made by herself. It's my mate who does this stuff: https://www.facebook.com/zillowpillow - but for duvets. They're pretty good, and all made to order.

Ideally we'd be looking at more the "design" end of the spectrum I'd guess? I only say this because she's using higher quality materials now so it's less "homemade" chic and more "bespoke design".

[boxtops]

Hmmm..... so rather than selling existing stock, she'd be taking orders for (say) specific colours or themes? I think a good local craft fair would be a good way to test the water - or what about opening a Facebook page? Several people I know sell their craft-y items on Facebook (one makes baby shower fabric "cakes", for instance).

[AB Editor]

Hi Boxtops - she has a facebook page (you can like it if you lwant to stay updated!) and she does create standard stock to sell (but most people have wanted something specific - and she's happy to oblige).

She's done some local craft fairs before, but they were definitely "crafty" - and as such there's a great number of people who have literally no interest in parting with anything more than a couple of quid for anything. This is her experience anyway!

[boxtops]

How about contacting local (good) furnishing outlets, seeing if they'd put some flyers and samples out for her? Or making links with local interior designers, if she's selling high-end stuff?

[AB Editor]

Good ideas Boxtops. Hadn't considered a "partnering" route.