Applying for craft fairs question...

[Former_Member]

Hey yall,

This is my first year selling on Etsy, and also my first time signing up for any craft shows in the area.

I have applied for two more than two weeks ago. One is on Oct 29 and the other is Dec 3 & 4. Since these would be my first shows and my first time even selling in person, I'm quite nervous and have a lot I want to do in preparation (make more inventory, make tablecloths, buy a table, make displays, etc.).

However, I haven't heard back from either show yet about whether I'm officially accepted as a vendor. I emailed both in advance to make sure they had space for a jewelry vendor and they both said yes, but my checks havent been cashed yet either. I'm wary of putting all this time and money into getting ready for a show if there's a possibility I might not even be a vendor.

My question for yall is, how long does it usually take for the organizers of a craft show to let you know you are officially a vendor? Do they wait until like the week of the event? Should I just contact them both and ask? I didn't want to start bugging them this early on if this was standard procedure...

Thanks,
Janet

[Former_Member]

This is my first year to do craft shows too and from what i've read and found out on my own is that applying as early as possible, especially for jewelry, is a must! Lots of talent out there :-)

Some shows have an application deadline or they tell you when the decision will be made. With these types of shows, if I don't hear anything, I will contact them.

There have already been two shows that I applied and hadn't heard back. I emailed both and they replied promptly that they forgot to send out letters to those who were not accepted, etc. Long story short, they sent my checks back but i'm still in three shows this fall.

It never hurts to ask, just be patient and nice with the coordinators.

[Former_Member]

I have a show on Saturday and I recieved the confirmation email and booth layout yesterday. So I guess it takes time and I always kept in touch with the vendor coordinator to just know when they will send things out etc....

Also this is my first show- I am so nervous...

[Former_Member]

Good luck pandora!!!

[MariasWorkshop]

I have never done a show, but contacted three event organizers. One never responded. When I contacted her again, she said the show had been canceled due to lack of interest on the part of vendors. The second one responded right away, telling me the show was closed (they had placed an ad in the paper) and to try next year. The third one responded late, and told me the show was closed for vendors, but to come by on the day of the show and register ahead of time so that they can send me info for the show next year. She added that tables go fast. So, I guess is a question of giving them reasonable time and then contacting them again if they have not responded.

Good luck to all of you. Would you report after your show and let us know how it went?

[Former_Member]

Hi MC!

I will certainly post about my experiences if I am able to be a vendor.

If you are still interested in applying to some craft shows you can try contacting the two I applied for, both organizers seemed nice and were very prompt.

I signed up for St. Dunstan's Street of Shoppes on Oct 29 and the Cy-Fair Country Christmas on Dec 3 & 4. I'm not sure if either still have openings but I'd think at least St. Dunstan's would. Cy-Fair was initially full for jewelry vendors when I contacted them but had a few more spots open up about a week later.

[MariasWorkshop]

Thanks! I was going to try to do a show this year - my first one in twenty years - but I am so overwhelmed right now with photographs, tagging, etc., that I do not think I will be able. Thanks so much for the information. I will try to contact these shows and hopefully I will get my life organized by then.

Good luck!

[fLuxeAlchemy]

It depends on the show. If it's a juried show, they should have an announcement date. If it's not a juried show, then when you pay (& they've confirmed they have room for your category) you're in.
I wouldn't wait for the show packet. Sometimes those don't get sent until the week of.