Something for everyone to consider ...

[Fair Do]

Hi all,

I've been off the scene of late as I have been really busy running searches for crafters. It's been great doing them, and I've still got some recent ones to do, but I need a little break!!!

Anyway ...I've had a thought ...while I've been doing the work it's become even more apparent just how many card crafters there are out there. I think they could fill all the events I know of 10 times over on their own!!!

Thing is, I know for a fact that there are some highly talented card makers out there who really do deserve a break. I also know only too well that many of them get knocked back by organisers as they need to keep a sense of balance to their events.

So, I got to thinking ...why doesn't some enterprising organiser take up the gauntlet and present a 'cards only' event?

Let me say right now that I have already done it. I wanted to do something a bit different for my first ever fair and that's what I did ...cards only. Did it work? Well, yes and no. Being new to the game I picked a bad location, so didn't get the footfall. But I did get 16 stalls, some of whom made a few bob on the day. I concluded that the world wasn't quite ready for a cards only event ...then.

But, to be honest, I still think it could work. It would need a novel 'twist' in the way it was marketed ...maybe billed as a 'Card Fest' or something. And it would have to be bob on for timing and location. I'm thinking near a busy town centre and near Christmas ...the biggest card buying event of the year.

So, anyone up for it??

By the way ...I'm not offering to organise it ...I did that and I've got the T shirt to prove it ...but I'd be happy to help in other ways ...not sure how yet!!!

Fair Do

[Ifor-Jones]

Interesting John. I had had the same thought about jewellery only - and as a card maker I had not thought about cards only!!!!!!!! Probably because we seem to have more jewellery people looking in this area than cards - the main card people I keep falling over are Phoenix Cards!! Will be keen to see what other views are. I am sure that if something like that was marketed properly and in the right location it might work. I think it is a thing for a central location though. Can't imagine people traipsing out to a village for a card only event, which they might do for a craft fair.

I await the comments of others with interest.

[beckyboo]

Being a jewellery maker i've had the same idea.

The cards one could work very well before Christmas ,even more so if a hall etc could be found nr a town centre or busy high street.
The possibilies at that time of year are endless, present wrapping could be offered ,cards with your own unique verse inside,personalized cards.

People love to have special cards for loved ones at Christmas, I know I do,I'm sure a fair could run along the same lines for jewellery.

(lol am I making sense , i'm only midway throu my 1st cuppa of the day)

[janetdc]

Don't know the cards market at all but yes I too had the same thought for jewellery as there are so many of us and only so many spaces on offer at fairs. Worth some more thought I'd say.

[Ifor-Jones]

Chipping back in - I think the main thing is people would know what they were coming too - whether it be a card fair or a jewellery fair - so they could then make their own mind up if it appeals. The trouble with all crafts in a craft fair is you need to have a good mix because that is what the customer wants and will soon moan about if they think it is weighted in any direction

[Tania]

We have had many requests for our first craft fair in November 02/11/08 at the Cresta court Hotel Altrincham from both crafts and the thought of expanding the jewellery section from 5 to possibly 10 to a separate are of the room. The question is, would people who work in jewellery be happy with this or see it as too much competition?
Let us know we could bill it as a winter craft fair with a jewellery fest incorporated.

[beckyboo]

I'd be quite happy to be one of 10

Every jewellery maker is unique and we all have a different aspect to our designs ( unless your taking your designs from the bead magazine, then you may be in trouble of duplicates).

I've clocked up a few fairs now and at each one there has been at least 2 of us. I havn't come across any makers who have the same stuff as each other,I'm sure the same can be said about cards.

There are so many different slants to jewellery making (wireworking,seedbeading,pmc work etc etc...) it would be quite unusual to see duplicates.Although this may only work for big events such as Christmas,Valentines day,Mothers day

I know it could be a risky move for the organizer but for a reasonable table fee it's a chance I would take as a seller.

[nettie]

Great idea...I do cards and there are so many different techniques like you say, ones like quilling, the hot wax drawings, stamping and a few others I don't actually do, so having all these different types of cards under one roof is a fab idea. Most card makers have a favourite style so the only thing I'd suggest is perhaps to identify what 'types' of cardmaking they do, unless of course there are some clever so and so's who can put their hand to anything...unlike me!!

[sherrielinda]

I'd be in

good idea, " Card Fest " & I'd be in if one was about an hr from Guildford somewhere. Keep us posted.

[Fair Do]

Thanks for the replies. Some interesting thoughts here. It's pretty obvious that the jewellery makers are of the same mind, so maybe a different organiser could pick that up!!!

Regarding too much competition. That concerned me for my event as well. Of course some people said it would never work ...but on the day there was a good feeling of support and 'togetherness'. I also felt it gave card crafters the opportunity to discuss technique etc, so it was good in that way as well.

Cynthia was right when she said visitors would know what they are coming to. It would have to be that way to avoid the obvious "do you only do cards here". But at Christmas (and Valentines etc) people are often out shopping specifically for cards so hopefully could be enticed into an area providing a huge array of fab, high quality, hand crafted cards rather than the factory produced 'copies' that the high street shops do ..."get the real thing ...support UK card crafters".

Any other thoughts??

[Fair Do]

Yikes ...where have all the "cardies" gone??

I thought there would be quite a bit of interest in this.

I know that often people sit on the sidelines and wait to see what happens ...but sometimes you have to step forward and help make things happen!

Don't forget to vote in my poll on another posting.

Fair Do

[Ifor-Jones]

Yikes ...where have all the "cardies" gone??

I thought there would be quite a bit of interest in this.

I know that often people sit on the sidelines and wait to see what happens ...but sometimes you have to step forward and help make things happen!

Don't forget to vote in my poll on another posting.

Fair Do

They are all busy making their Christmas Cards!!!!!!!!!

[nettie]

Hehe, I was just going to say the same thing Ifor

[Pagan]

ROFL.......I've been busy making cards for a craft fair this weekend

I'd be interested in a card-only fair, but only at peak seasons (so to speak), Christmas, Valentines, Wedding season etc. I think outwith those times, most cardmakers would feel there was too much competition and not enough customers, leading to a price war. Plus, people need a reason to buy cards on the whole, so seasonal card-fairs would work best.

[Jep]

I would be interested in card makiing or jewellery making only craft fairs, as I do both. I think there would be lots of competition though to keep prices competitive against each other at such events and perhaps you would see prices drop as the day progresses among the stall holders.

Does anyone know of any small to medium sized craft fairs in Dorset? The outdoor, marquee ones are way too expensive at the moment.
Thank you.