Contemporary Crafts Market

Hello all,

The Contemporary Crafts Market is in Los Angeles next weekend (the
4th): http://www.contemporarycraftsmarket.com/

If you’re local, you should check it out. I’m going as a buyer, I
always find great stuff there, and usually get some holiday shopping
done.

I was also curious to see who was exhibiting. I hear it’s a great
show (from the sales side).

Amery
Amery Carriere Designs
www.amerycarriere.com

I will be there. Booth 354. Looking forward to meeting you.

Joan Dulla

I will be there. Booth 354. Looking forward to meeting you. 

Me too. Booth 306. (Hi, Joan :-)!)

Beth

Ladies, I hope you make a bunch of money. Would you please be kind
enough to let us know how the show went for you?

Best wishes, Craig

Ladies, I hope you make a bunch of money. Would you please be kind
enough to let us know how the show went for you? 

Not great! It was a disappointing show for me and for many others
(various mediums) that I spoke to. Attendance over the three days was
average for this show but people didn’t seem to be buying the way
they have in past years. I’m sure there were some artists who did
very well but I would be surprised if the percentage of success
stories wasn’t significantly lower than usual.

Beth

Beth, I’m sorry to hear you did not do well. Some potters I know
said the same thing. Now I’m glad I decided to pass on this one. I
did the show this summer, as well as the one last November, and just
barely beat the booth fees- which are steep, as you know. Several
jeweler friends(and others) did even worse.

I sure hope this is not a trend, because this used to be one of the
few slam-dunk shows in southern California.

Allan Mason

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you all, but I had two
commissions to get out before I leave on Wed for the Crafts America
Show in DC. I had a good show at CCM… All costs covered, met some
very interesting people who I am sure will be back. and Sunday for me
was very busy. Friday was dead on the floor, and Sat a bit better.
Have only been doing shows for a few years now, and still haven’t
figured it all out… Roy runs a great show with lots of extra help
for the participants, and he listens!!! Having someone to help me
unload and reload my car is heaven !! Booth sitters pass by with
bathroom help and lunch, if you ask for it. This was probably the
best numbers that I have had at Santa Monica, but it was only the
second nov show that I have done. Like doing the June one too.

My two cents… Joan

Maybe it’s a price point issue. I am not saying that those who
didn’t do well overprice their work. What I am saying is the booths
that seemed the busiest to me were the ones with lots of things to
sell under $50.00. I talked to some friends there who had jewelry and
they sold mostly their $50-$60 items and lower. They had inventory
priced higher, but people didn’t seem interested. Maybe the audience
for that show is changing…

I’ve been thinking of doing it myself, maybe I need to rethink it.

amery

I’m so glad you did well, Joan! When we spoke Saturday night, it was
iffy. One day can make a huge difference.

What I am  saying is the booths that seemed the busiest to me were
the ones with lots of things to sell under $50.00. I talked to some
friends there who had jewelry and they sold mostly their $50-$60
items and lower. They had inventory priced higher, but people
didn't seem interested. 

I heard the same thing from several people, Amery. I don’t think the
audience for the show has changed, though; I saw a number of
previous customers (who’ve bought multiple pieces from me) and they
stopped to say hello and moved on without even looking at my jewelry.
I think they came to the show intending to “window shop” and/or to
buy only specific types of items they’d decided on in advance. But
who knows? It’s always a crap shoot – that’s the nature of this
business.

At any rate, I’m working only in gold these days, which means my
pieces are expensive by definition, so to speak! And I have no desire
to return to silver.

Beth

Thanks to everyone who has posted their experiences about this show.
I traveled quite a distance to participate in this show for the first
time and was very disappointed in sales. It was nice to know that I
wasn’t the only one having a down show. (not that I wish it on anyone
else!). I had heard it was a good show. I was impressed with the
quality of work overall and met some fantastic folks who were very
supportive. For these reasons and thanks to the chat on Orchid, I’d
probably give the show another try before I would write it off.

Best regards,
Karen

From what I have heard… Sales have been down at many of the shows.

Cheers,
Denise