Location
Lititz, PA
About
Your Medium
Handmade lampwork glass beads and jewelry
Years in the Art Fair Business
10
First show ever
RAF Menwith Hill, Harrogate, United Kingdom, in 2005. I had been designing for myself for about a year and people would buy the jewelry off my neck. A jury member of the show liked my designs and suggested I enter. My first 'booth' was a 6 ft table and I sold about £200. Next thing I knew, I was doing upwards of 10 shows a year throughout England.
What are the best things about art fairs
The sense of instant community for the days of the shows. The anticipation of setup and seeing new and different kinds of creativity. Meeting people and seeing them feel very special when they find the piece that suits them best. The look of absolute shock on people's faces when the finally get that what we do is hand created and NOT brought in from another country to be resold!
Best show ever and why
Steampunk UnLimited, Strasbourg, Pa(2013).we have been in the US since 2008 and have done a large variety of art/craft shows since. This show actually took the time to talk with both vendors and Entertainers to find out what they felt was needed in a properly run show. Then the show took those concepts and applied them on their first year - a successful show for everyone involved. One of the only shows we do that actually pays attention to the after show survey,
Worst show ever and why
Create Live! In Charlotte, NC - show was held on same weekend as 4 other major craft shows within a 20 mile radius, in the Charlottle Convention Center. Also same day as a 5K charity race across the street. The venue was so large that the few people who did go to the show couldn't find the show floor!
Who referred you to ArtFairInsiders.com? Please be specific.
There was a post on FB about an artist who unfortunately just had their entire stock of jewelry stolen from their van right before the show. Clicked to get more information and to signal boost.
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I learned Lampwork Glass making in self-defense. While living in the UK, the lampwork community was starting to really take off. I loved the look of lampwork and started designing, but couldn't do much because of the dollar compared to the British Pound. The only way to compete was to do my own, hence I started my obsession there - the rest is history!
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Hi Donna, Welcome to AFI! I enjoyed reading your bio...I discovered Steampunk when I read an article about it several years ago, fascinating.
Well, we're happy to have you here and hope we can assist you in some way on your art fair journey...thanks and enjoy!
Welcome to Art Fair Insiders, Donna. Thank you for joining us. I hope you’ll find the site helpful and that you’ll share ideas and ask questions. The site is only as good as the participants make it. We have a lot to offer one another, experienced and newbie alike.
When you have a chance, please add a photo of yourself and stop by the "Discussions" area to introduce yourself to the rest of us. Visit the "member map" and add your location.
Many topics have already been discussed. We suggest you try a search of your topic before you post your question. Click the SEARCH tab at the top of the page and “search” for your topic: tents, jury fees, Ann Arbor Art Fair, the name of a show, etc. You might be surprised that someone has already asked your question.
We also ask all new members to take a few moments to read our code of conduct. Here it is, under the Discussions tab. These are the guidelines that all members need to follow to keep the community useful and helpful to all.
Each of us is unique and has a gift to share that can help someone else. We all look forward to your sharing on ArtFairInsiders.com.
Best wishes, Connie Mettler
p.s. The best way to make this system easy to use is to click on the "Follow-Email me" link at the bottom of each Forum discussion that interests you. That way the syst