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I am writing a review of a craft show I attended this past weekend.  It is held in Slidell, Louisiana, near New Orleans.  The show is a benefit/fundraiser for the Slidell Newcomers Club and is put on by the club itself.   The event was held at the Northshore Center, a relatively new facility.  I believe it was either built or renovated since Katrina in 2005.   The facility is well maintained, bathrooms are clean and had an attendant there most of the time, at least in the ladies bathroom.  We found the temperature kind of cool in the building but it can be tricky trying to find the right temperature.  We just brought jackets the 2^nd day to keep us comfortable.  The parking area for shoppers and for the artists/crafters was concrete, which eases access to the building.

This 2 day show has been going on over 30 years.  The current person in charge has been doing it for quite a long time, most of those 30 years if I remember correctly.  The booth fee starts at $100 for a 10x10 booth.  Booths were well marked by tape and we had a loading dock in the back to use for loading in and out.

This show features handcrafted items, and really does its best to keep b/s out.  We found some unique items there and we were generally pleased with the selection, though, once again, jewelry was found on every aisle.  One of our neighbors had jewelry and they use some precious stones and had a very nice selection.  I cannot speak about the others.  We were the only ones selling coasters, trivets and plaques.

Not long out of the gate we had an issue with the organizer.  We had set up our pipe and drape, and proceeded to tables, stock, etc.  While we were still setting up the organizer asked if we would take down our pipe and drape.  I was like (in my mind) .... are you KIDDING ME?  I told her that the contract did not address this issue, either prohibiting it or requiring it.  (As a side note, they did ask that all tables have table covers to the floor.)  The closest they came to addressing it in the rules was the following, and I quote ....

"15. All points not covered are subject to Slidell Newcomers' Club discretion."

She said did not want the drape and pipe set up to prohibit the view as people were coming in.  As she was saying this I looked around as booths with grid walls and other assembled walls of some sort or some sort of drape on 3 sides.  I told her that if we hd to take ours down then I though the others should be required to do the same.  She looked around and for a moment I thought she was a crawfish, starting to back up.  We came to a compromise where the outer 5 feet came down on each side but the rest stayed ... the back 5 feet on each side and across the back.  Oh, the organizer then said that this would be dealt with in their rules for future show.  "Good for her!" (tongue in cheek, see me walk off and roll my eyes.

Now, we had already heard compliments from other crafters about our set up ... beautiful, very professional, loved the colors, etc.  These are people who have done shows for years.  It did not matter to her that our booth looked professional according to other professional crafters, not that I brought it up.

Later as some of the other crafters walked by they asked why we took down part of our pipe and drape.  We explained what happened and they were shocked.  They could not believe the organizer did not want it up.   I was pretty upset about it.  If it was some sort of disorganized chaos with a ratty pipe and drape that distracted shoppers from other booths I could understand the lady wanting it down.

Our sales were not what we hoped but we made our booth fee back plus a little more.  The attendance was down from previous years.  I am not sure there is a trend yet for lower attendance or if it was a one time thing.  Sunday afternoon was our busiest time.  I think it may have been due to the fact the New Orleans Saints had their bye week, church/mass was over and people were shopping while walking off their lunch.

We were able to save a little $$ by driving home for Saturday night.  Though we live an hour and a half away, it was still cheaper than a hotel.  We had four lane till we were within 2 blocks of our home.  Sunday the show did not start till 11:00 AM so we had an easier morning that day.

Would we do it again?  I am not sure.  A lot depends on whether they allow us to use our pipe and drape.  The fee is reasonable and they plan on staying at their current location through the next few years.  So for now it’s TBD on this show.