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View Full Version : Help! I'm getting frustrated
JVWard98
10-10-2007, 05:23 AM
I'm getting a little frustrated at some of thefestivals I'm trying to get into. Some are Oct festivals also and they say, no we are arts and crafts only, your candles have to be hand made I dont understand this, I explain to them what we are about. I havea man to call me back today regarding a Festival for this weekend as to whether I can get a booth space or not since they consider themselves Arts & Crafts too. These are big Festivals so I'm just totally confused.
What do you all think of this? Looks like alot of you are doing ok getting into them but here in Indiana for some reason im getting turned down. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif
What do you all think of this? Looks like alot of you are doing ok getting into them but here in Indiana for some reason im getting turned down. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif
DebClough
10-10-2007, 05:28 AM
Hi Valerie,
I have had this happen to me too, but TRUST me, there are events out there that you can participate in. Start asking or looking for events that are seeking VENDORS.
Some events (as you've found)are strict arts & crafts only, others are a combination of crafters AND vendors.
Goodluck!
I have had this happen to me too, but TRUST me, there are events out there that you can participate in. Start asking or looking for events that are seeking VENDORS.
Some events (as you've found)are strict arts & crafts only, others are a combination of crafters AND vendors.
Goodluck!
Kitt B Fit
10-10-2007, 07:18 AM
Hang in there Valerie, and you'll find some!
Don't give up on your search- it took me a while to get around this when I was doing expos too, but there are some out there- keep looking!
Another thought- what about offering votive roses so you have a hand made craft? I wonder if that would be enough to get your foot in the door?
I have a friend in Illinois who was also having a hard time for the same reason (she was in another DS company) so she and her friends who had direct sales/party plan businesses rented out a hall and had a huge "One Stop Holiday Shop" event. She said it was relatively inexpensive- The cost of the hall was divided by each vendor that participated- it came out to be a bout $25 per person. They advertised in church and school bulletins and put fliers up in town.
They had TONS of people come through, and it was a lot of fun. Each vendor donated a product to raffle off, and people bought tickets and put them in the box for the particular prize(s) they wanted to win. Winners were drawn at the end of the festival and this was a hit- and a great way to get contacts from the raffle slips. The local girl scouts troupe had a bake sale and the boy scouts sold hot dogs, chips, and soda. It was a win-win for all.
GOOD LUCK! Expos are a LOT of fun, you'll have a blast!
All the best,
--Kitt
Edited by: Kitt B Fit
Don't give up on your search- it took me a while to get around this when I was doing expos too, but there are some out there- keep looking!
Another thought- what about offering votive roses so you have a hand made craft? I wonder if that would be enough to get your foot in the door?
I have a friend in Illinois who was also having a hard time for the same reason (she was in another DS company) so she and her friends who had direct sales/party plan businesses rented out a hall and had a huge "One Stop Holiday Shop" event. She said it was relatively inexpensive- The cost of the hall was divided by each vendor that participated- it came out to be a bout $25 per person. They advertised in church and school bulletins and put fliers up in town.
They had TONS of people come through, and it was a lot of fun. Each vendor donated a product to raffle off, and people bought tickets and put them in the box for the particular prize(s) they wanted to win. Winners were drawn at the end of the festival and this was a hit- and a great way to get contacts from the raffle slips. The local girl scouts troupe had a bake sale and the boy scouts sold hot dogs, chips, and soda. It was a win-win for all.
GOOD LUCK! Expos are a LOT of fun, you'll have a blast!
All the best,
--Kitt
Edited by: Kitt B Fit
Candlemama
10-10-2007, 07:55 AM
I'm doing a corporate call on the 27th of October, Valerie, about this topic.
Many had the same problem here, so we did what Kitt's friend did, we actually found a hall that was FREE, so we got together some other vendors and we're going to do several of them before Christmas.
We invite our own customer base, we'll be advertising it, and all we have to do is pay for the drinks, and appetizers. It is a GREAT way to get around the problem of 'juried craft fairs'. :)
Many had the same problem here, so we did what Kitt's friend did, we actually found a hall that was FREE, so we got together some other vendors and we're going to do several of them before Christmas.
We invite our own customer base, we'll be advertising it, and all we have to do is pay for the drinks, and appetizers. It is a GREAT way to get around the problem of 'juried craft fairs'. :)
Kitt B Fit
10-10-2007, 07:57 AM
Congrats on hosting a call Jhana! I can't wait to hear it.. Yeah!
--Kitt
--Kitt
Livvy
10-10-2007, 08:01 AM
Hi Valerie,
I have the same problems too here in Portland. Most of the craft fairs are for artists or need to be handmade. So I revised my search online, instead of craft fairs I searched for Holiday Bazaar. Good luck in your search.
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I have the same problems too here in Portland. Most of the craft fairs are for artists or need to be handmade. So I revised my search online, instead of craft fairs I searched for Holiday Bazaar. Good luck in your search.
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JVWard98
10-10-2007, 08:53 AM
Thank you all for your ideas and can't wait to hear that call!
rdkatwell
10-15-2007, 03:01 PM
I know this is an older post (well by a few days), but have any of you had success with getting into these types of fairs by offering the votive rosesand crafts made with our candles? Like say sent sachets and the centerpiece decorations that I saw picutres of somewhere? Technically you would be handmaking these crafts and then you could just have a couple of jars out as well.
AvParties4u
10-15-2007, 03:16 PM
I would love to know this as well.. has anyone had success with making
crafts out our products for craft shows? I have a craft show i'm doing with
my mom in November.. I want to be able to bring some of my MB products.
crafts out our products for craft shows? I have a craft show i'm doing with
my mom in November.. I want to be able to bring some of my MB products.
soycandles4tam
10-15-2007, 07:29 PM
Hi all,
I make up crafts all the time and do them at craft shows. There are so many things you can do with our fantastic candle products. The ideas are endless! At the same time, you can still pass out your catalogs and scent samples to continue to spread your name. You're still getting exposure!
Good luck to all of you!
I make up crafts all the time and do them at craft shows. There are so many things you can do with our fantastic candle products. The ideas are endless! At the same time, you can still pass out your catalogs and scent samples to continue to spread your name. You're still getting exposure!
Good luck to all of you!
