I have been designing for a couture fashion designer for years.? She
sells to major chains (Barneys, Bloomingdales, etc.).? I am wanting
to start my own line and go a different route, fine jewelry not
fashion.? If I can only afford to go to 1 show this year, which
should be my goal to get into?? The owner of a local gallery
suggested the Philadelphia Craft Market, but others have suggested
NY gift or Atlanta America’s Mart.? What would you all reccommend to
a beginning business entrepreneur??
I think the Rosen show would be a good fit, as long as everything is
completely handmade…they are strict about that. You also may want
to look into the Accessories Show or ENK depending on how nice your
stuff is…i think ENK is tough to get into. i would recommend on
having at least 100 samples for any of these shows.
There are 2 posts currently regarding picking shows, which show is
best in the NE etc. These are very wide open questions and the
answer depends on a lot of factors. What is a great show for me,
won’t be for another artist.
I suggest looking at Art Fair Source Book to help you. It is the
“gold standard” - the Consumer Report of retail shows. The info is
quite complete. Its not cheap but if it helps you pick one good
show, instead of a dog of a show it will pay for itself and then
some. You can google it.
Usual disclaimer: I am just a happy customer of AFSB and have no
other connections.
Question - when you say 100 samples, do you mean 100 different
pieces? I am curious cause I am doing my first wholesale show (yay)
and am feeling a bit overwhelmed. Luckily it’s not a cash and carry
so I don’thave to have huge amounts made up but I do want to be
prepared for orders taken at the show. Any advice you can give on
this matter is much appreciated. Thanks Rachel - who should be in the
studio making jewelry but instead has to now cobble together a booth,
website, and business cards!
I think it depends on what market demographic you're trying to
reach. Are you designing one-off, high-end, handmade pieces? Or a
true manufactured production line of silver? Production
gold/diamond? Artistic? Traditional engagement/wedding rings?
Wholesale? Retail? A mix?
What does one-off mean?? And if I was designing a line that would be
created once, then I have manufactured/cast for reproduction to
sell, which shows should I consider?? Thanks!
What does one-off mean?? And if I was designing a line that would
be created once, then I have manufactured/cast for reproduction to
sell, which shows should I consider??
For many retail art & craft festivals your work would not be
appropriate because it is not made by your hands, in your studio.
One- off usually means the artist does it all and does it once.
Sometimes they repeat a design but they are not manufacturing
hundreds of them. There are other shows where your work will fit
perfectly.