inexpensive craft fairs in midwest

Hi Nancy, I know...I'm new and just trying out shows this year....they are expensive!

I think $150 is the lowest that I've seen non-juried Chicago shows...My sister and I have a business together and she lives in Milwaukee...I believe $150 is on the high side for Milwaukee.

Have you heard of the Randolph Street Market (Randolph and Ada, West Loop)...non-juried...end of every month beginning in May...Outside space is $150 for the weekend but I think they have smaller space for $75.00 also outside...google Randolph Street Market or Image Pilots....they are also starting a market in Winnetka this year!

There is also a Pilsen street market every Sunday?....affiliated with one of the banks in the newly developed UIC/Halsted street corridor...it is $25.00 each Sunday...contact the Pilsen Community Market...pilsencommunitymarket.org

I do collage too but people and then I solder into pendants...right now I use Angel art for most of the pendants but I'm beginning to delve deeper into mixed media...would love to learn how to use photoshop to create the collages....would certainly help with all the cutting and pasting...etc.

I've juried for the larger shows and I've been turned down but I'll keep trying and as my own collage art experience grows, I believe I can be a better candidate for the larger shows...so right now, I'm with you....I'm looking for the great, relatively inexpensive neighborhood markets and festivals...

Replies

Sandra May 20, 2010 at 12:20pm

oh...my sister loves these shows in Milwaukee....Locust Street, Brady Street, 3rd Ward Summer Sizzle, Cheery Cherry Show...The first three shows are non-juried the second show is juried.
Sandra May 20, 2010 at 12:19pm

Hi Nancy, I know...I'm new and just trying out shows this year....they are expensive!

I think $150 is the lowest that I've seen non-juried Chicago shows...My sister and I have a business together and she lives in Milwaukee...I believe $150 is on the high side for Milwaukee.

Have you heard of the Randolph Street Market (Randolph and Ada, West Loop)...non-juried...end of every month beginning in May...Outside space is $150 for the weekend but I think they have smaller space for $75.00 also outside...google Randolph Street Market or Image Pilots....they are also starting a market in Winnetka this year!

There is also a Pilsen street market every Sunday?....affiliated with one of the banks in the newly developed UIC/Halsted street corridor...it is $25.00 each Sunday...contact the Pilsen Community Market...pilsencommunitymarket.org

I do collage too but people and then I solder into pendants...right now I use Angel art for most of the pendants but I'm beginning to delve deeper into mixed media...would love to learn how to use photoshop to create the collages....would certainly help with all the cutting and pasting...etc.

I've juried for the larger shows and I've been turned down but I'll keep trying and as my own collage art experience grows, I believe I can be a better candidate for the larger shows...so right now, I'm with you....I'm looking for the great, relatively inexpensive neighborhood markets and festivals...
geri a. wegner May 17, 2010 at 4:51pm

Try festivalnet.com for festivals that may have lower booth fees. Antioch has a several festivals that probably meet your criteria. What about farmer's markets. They are so much more than produce and flowers. The Grayslake one has an entire craft area and it may not be the only one like that.

good luck!

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