crafthaus2024-03-29T00:36:42ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelmanhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/357591022?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://crafthaus.ning.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?groupUrl=crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016&user=3tsec5are0g7p&feed=yes&xn_auth=noFinal Post: Misconceptions, Questions Answered, Difficult Situations, Best Moments, Final Thoughts - Melanie's viewpointtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-05-12:2104389:Topic:5454162016-05-12T17:52:27.200ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760078?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760078?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.staceyleewebber.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Stacey Lee Webber</span></a></span></strong></span> <span class="font-size-2">and …</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760078?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760078?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.staceyleewebber.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Stacey Lee Webber</span></a></span></strong></span> <span class="font-size-2">and <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.josephleroux.com/work/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Joe Leroux</span></a></span></strong></span> in their booth at the 2016 ACC St. Paul show. Great display job that Joe is largely responsible for. They both have a wicked sense of humor and are lot of fun to hang with. (Sorry that the image is a bit dark. My fault. - BM) Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Continued from <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/10-show-layout-booth-assignment-handmade-policy-booth-set-up-and-" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(10) Layout, Booth Assignment, Handmade-Policy, Booth Set-up and Take-down</span></a></span></strong></span><br/> <br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: What are the some of the misconceptions people have when it comes to putting up the ACC show in Baltimore?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> One of the things people like to suggest is that we change the show date. What they fail to understand is that I secure dates 10 years out, I've put them on hold, and so do all the other groups and organizations that are holding space in the same facility. That is a firm commitment. You can’t just move the show dates on a whim. </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The other misconception is that people think I can make big changes to the layout and to the move-out procedure. People think we could just do anything we want, but there are limitations. We've been discussing the move-out and the layout already and I hope that explains things a bit more. I mean, I get it, the show is over, everybody is tired and people just want to go home. But they have to remember: four days move-in, one night move-out. That’s just how it’s going to be.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What was the most difficult situation for you to handle at a show and how did you handle it?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> I’ve been doing this for a while now, so there have been a few difficult situations for sure. The most current one was last year, moving the Wholesale/Retail group of artists to a different location within the venue. I spent a lot of time explaining things on email prior to the show. Then on site, I didn't get to see any of the retail show, because I had to spent every moment of every day going around and talking to the artists in that group to try to get them to calm down about the move I had to make. The other thing was that the artists were standing in their booth looking really angry and guess what, as the customer, I'm not going to come into your booth and buy anything if you have an attitude. I had to do spend the whole show walking around calming people down, and reminding them that they are still trying to sell.</span><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3">And occasionally, I have to deal with disputes between artists. That is something I'm used to, I'll handle that. But last year was the top year in terms of difficulty, having to spend all my time with the one group of artists.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761011?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761011?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Let's Make booths at the ACC St. Paul 2016. Top left clockwise: ceramics, boat building, tea, letterpress, polymer clay. Photos: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: In contrast to that, what is your favorite story from all the shows you organized?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #339966; text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></span></strong> My favorite story goes back to 2005, and I think about it to this day. I even have videos that were sent to me about it, and I still sometimes pull them out and watch them.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">The council had gone through kind of a black spell back in 2003 and 2004. Artists’ spirits were really low, things weren’t going well. We're at the Baltimore show on a Friday night, it might have been around 6 o'clock in the evening with three more hours to go for the show that night. A long-time artist comes over to me at the ACC booth. Next thing you know, there's another artist that comes over, and then somebody else comes by who is playing a musical instrument and then, I think in the end, there had to be probably sixty artists that were all gathered. We just all began to dance and connect and laugh. We carried on until the show was closed, and we were having a great time. That was a really good bonding moment that needed to happen and it was one of my really fun moments, especially at a time when things were not going well.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: What your story tells me is that there are people in the field who understand that this is not an "us versus them" situation. We all want the same thing, namely, we want this to work for as many people as possible. We want this to be successful for the artists and we also want this to be successful for the show organizers, because if this is not successful for you, you can't continue to do it. So, we're all in this together. I like that story.</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #339966;"><strong>Melanie Little:</strong></span> That's true. I think if you asked most artists I’ve worked with they’ll tell you that I shoot straight from the hip. I'm really honest with them and I always tell artists to just contact me with anything they have questions with. I'm open. I'm there. I try to get around on-site to see and greet everybody, but at the Baltimore show in particular that’s really hard to do because there's so much going on behind the scenes, I am being pulled in a million directions. It is hard for me to greet six hundred and seventy people, and I know some artists are upset about that. I just have to apologize. It's a large show. But I always say that people can pick up the phone and call me, or send me an email. They should not be afraid to reach out and ask me anything. You can't keep saying it enough, but we are all in it together.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759371?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759371?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.gloriamcroberts.com/index.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Gloria McRoberts</span></a></span></strong></span>, fiber artist, in her booth at the 2016 ACC St. Paul Show. Gloria won an ACC Award for Excellence in St. Paul for her work.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: If you were able to give three suggestions to participating artist that would enable them to have a better craft show experience, what would those be?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> My first would be to ask artists to create something new, every year. Some artists are just bringing the same work. Always look to create new work.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: That's a good one. Two more?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> Two more...They need to reach out in advance to their local customers and they should be thinking about the booth they are creating. Really think it through. Stand on the other side of the counter and look in as if you were the customer. Make that booth inviting. Make it so that people will walk out of the isle and step into your space. I think that's really huge. Lastly, think about your presence in the booth. Don't be sitting there in the back corner reading a book or a newspaper. That's not inviting to me.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761729?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761729?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">Melanie chatting with past exhibiting artists on her walk through of the 2016 ACC Show in St. Paul. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</span></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: Those are great suggestions. Now, how about three suggestions for a visitor. What suggestions do you have for a visitor, be that a first timer or repeat guest?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> Well, this is something I always do when I go to the show: walk in and go left, not right. When the majority of the crowd wants to go right, you should go to the left. Also, go to our website before coming to the show and research artists by media, look at who you absolutely don’t want to miss seeing. And allow yourself more than one day to visit.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: Here are a few questions people on crafthaus wanted me to ask you: In your opinion, has the wholesale segment and the craft market overall changed or shifted because of the internet?</strong></span> <br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> Yes, to both. However, we at the ACC will continue to do wholesale shows for the foreseeable future.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058764923?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058764923?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.ritavali.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Rita Vali and Steph Duce's</span></a></span></strong></span> booth at the 2016 ACC St. Paul show. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: When it comes to better booth display, what is your opinion of having a Tim Gunn-style critique at your booth, would that be helpful? When would be the best timing for such an event, and how should this service be offered?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> I think it would be helpful, but it would have to happen away from the public eye in order to be effective. It could probably happen on the setup day and people could pre-register for that kind of help during their registration process. We are currently thinking of offering webinars about better booth design that our artists could watch in preparation for the show, but we could also bring someone in, or do both. I’ll look into it.</span></p>
<p><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What do you think about having music in the background at the show?</span></strong></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> That’s difficult. I understand some people like some kind of noise in the background, but musical tastes differ greatly and the chances are too high this would go wrong.</span></p>
<p><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Will you increase the number of Hip Pop booths?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #339966; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Melanie Little:</strong></span></span> Maybe, but only slightly. I am more interested in keeping them the way they are with a diverse group of artists in them.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058764932?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058764932?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.kmhats.com/" target="_blank">Karen Morris's</a></span></strong> booth at the 2016 ACC St. Paul show. (<em>This booth made me wish I could wear hats, but unfortunately, I can't. I'd look like a dork. No Ascot horse races for me</em>.) Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><br/> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: When it comes to bringing in more buyers to the show, someone remarked that another group is hosting buyer groups and pays for their hotel fees. Is this something the ACC could do?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #339966; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Melanie Little:</strong></span></span> We are a non-profit organization, unfortunately, we cannot do this.</span></p>
<p><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: An artist asked if the ACC could provide food to boost artist morale? Or would it be possible to give artists food and snack tickets they could use or pass on to their customers?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> I can talk to catering, see what we can do here.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058765121?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058765121?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Melanie Little jokes with jeweler <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.thomasturnerjewelry.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Tim Turner</span></a></span></strong></span> and a friend at the 2016 ACC Show in St. Paul. These two are too funny for words. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760830?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Alright, last question. Let’s say you had a trainee for your position. Somebody who should at some point step into your shoes whenever you retire which, hopefully, won’t be for a long time. If you were looking to hire someone to help you with your job, what traits and abilities are you looking for in that person?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> I think the person would have to be very, very even tempered and able to immediately handle a variety of situations that come up. That person should have a very good knowledge of budgeting, because especially for this show, that's huge. Honestly, I think a pleasant personality is always important in any job, being able to handle pressure and be diplomatic.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How about having a sense of humor and being good with people?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> Oh yeah, I think a sense of humor is very important. </span><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: It helps in all kinds of situations, doesn't it.</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Melanie Little:</span></strong></span> It really does.</span> <br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3">[***end***]</span><br/> <br/> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760316?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760316?profile=original" width="741"/></a><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: andale mono,times;" class="font-size-3">Dear Readers,</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: andale mono,times;" class="font-size-3">This segment concludes the series "<span style="color: #333333;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016" target="_self"><span style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">Crafthaus goes to ... ACC Baltimore.</span></a></span></strong></span>" However, if there are still any questions you'd like to ask either of Laura Jaklitsch or Melanie Little, please feel free to post them in the comments, or message me privately and I will get you some answers.</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: andale mono,times;" class="font-size-3">I hope you enjoyed this series and found it interesting, fun and useful information. The next 2 crafthaus' series are already in the works and will be posted shortly. Something to look forward to!</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: andale mono,times;" class="font-size-3">My best,</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: andale mono,times;" class="font-size-3">Brigitte Martin</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: andale mono,times;" class="font-size-3">Crafthaus Founder & Editor</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: andale mono,times;" class="font-size-3">May 2016</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: andale mono,times;" class="font-size-3">crafthauseditor at live dot com</span></p>
<p></p> (10) Show Layout, Booth Assignment, Handmade-policy, Booth Set-up and Take-downtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-05-04:2104389:Topic:5442832016-05-04T20:30:44.770ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
<p><span class="font-size-3" style="color: #ff9900;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758838?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758838?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></span> Melanie Little talking to Minneapolis-based jewelry artist <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://georgesawyer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">George Sawyer</span></a></span></strong></span> in his booth. ACC St.…</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff9900;" class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758838?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758838?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span>Melanie Little talking to Minneapolis-based jewelry artist <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://georgesawyer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">George Sawyer</span></a></span></strong></span> in his booth. ACC St. Paul 2016. Photo: B.Martin for crafthaus</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a><em><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;">The last segment of the current crafthaus interview series highlights a third perspective, the ACC show director's viewpoint. <strong>Melanie Little</strong> offers an in-depth look at the Baltimore show, describing what it takes to put up a major event that brings in twenty thousand visitors over the course of three days.</span></em></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Continued from previous post</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/-artist-selection-jury-return-criticism" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(9) Artist selection, Jury Selection, Jurying Process, Return Rate, Criticism</span></a></span></span></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Planning the layout of a huge show must be difficult to manage. Does the layout ever change or does it usually stay the same? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> Sometimes a layout has to change for reasons outside of our control. The Wholesale Only group and the Retail Only group for instance, these sections occasionally had to move within the building. One time, they could not all be on the same floor but had to be on two floors, and some artists were quite unhappy with that.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">Last year, due to the high demand for corners booths, I decided to do everyone a favor and change the layout to have more corners booth available for our artist. In all honestly, it looked real good on paper, but when I got on site I realized, "Okay, it doesn't really work so well." So, I did make changes again this year and I hope the layout is better for all.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Aside from the booth layout, there’s also other things to consider, such as where the electrical outlets are, if the room has columns that cannot be moved out of the way, and then there's ACC-specific programming that we're also trying to fit in.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760977?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760977?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Ani Kasten in her booth. ACC St. Paul 2016. Photo: B.Martin for crafthaus</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Do artists typically aim to get the same location every year or do you have to switch them around? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> I think we are pretty generous in what we're trying to do. We ask people to tell us what their first, second, and third booth location choices are. They can also let us know if they want to be next to certain other artists, or if they want to be in the same general area as the year before. I have a group of 10 people who all want to be in a block together, every year.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">For specific location requests it’s best to give me that information early, not at the last minute. I really try hard to get people into the slots they want to be in. That is a daunting task. I handle the booth assignments for Baltimore myself and I work on that over a two-month period to make everyone happy.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">All incoming location requests are time stamped to the minute because sometimes 30 people all want the same booth. It’s important to me to be fair, so I go by when the form comes in. I even reach out to certain artists and say, "Okay, I can't get you in that corner in that area, but I can get you in the corner someplace else." Probably, 60% of artists come in with very specific booth request. People sometimes even call me to get the booth they want, and I always tell them that I strictly go by the time stamp on the incoming requests.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">I also honor change requests if I can, I do this for every show. If someone cancels, I reach out and ask if people want to move to a spot they originally wanted. </span></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3"> Crafthaus: You guys really bend over backwards. </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> Yeah,... I mean, that's part of it. That’s what we should be doing. </span></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759731?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759731?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">ACC Executive Director Chris Amundsen speaks with Furniture Maker <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.marklaub.com/about.html" target="_blank">Mark Laub</a></span></strong> at the 2016 ACC St. Paul show. <strong>Mark received an ACC Award for Excellence at the show.<br/></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What are the booth sizes that are available? </span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> There's not a large quantity, but we do have some 10x8 booths, those are very limited in Baltimore. The typical booth is a 10x10. The largest I've ever had was a 30x10. But on average it goes from 10x8 up to 20x10, and we also have 20x10 end caps. </span></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: If people go to the ACC website, they can find all the price information and what’s included, right? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">Melanie Little: Yes. If you go in to our website, go to <em>applications</em>. A prospectus will be there that lists all the prices. (<span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://craftcouncil.org/shows/apply" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">http://craftcouncil.org/shows/apply</span></a></span>) </span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SLCORmP1ih8?wmode=opaque" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p><span style="color: #ff9900;" class="font-size-3"><span class="font-size-2" style="color: #333333;">Wood turner demo at the 2016 ACC St. Paul Show. Video: B. Martin for crafthaus.</span><br/></span></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Let’s talk about ACC polices. Are demos allowed? Do you encourage them? Do you find them helpful? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong>Melanie Little</strong>:</span> I like to see somebody in their booth and they are actually creating their work there. I think that's great. <br/></span></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What kind of demos don't you allow? Something to do with fire? That’s probably not a good idea... </span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> Not a good idea. Once we did that in San Francisco, but it was outdoors. The fire code just won't allow for fire inside most public buildings. </span></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759683?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759683?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">Melanie Little talks with Sharon Rosenthal in her booth at the 2016 ACC St. Paul show. Photo: B.Martin for crafthaus.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Is there something like a recommended price range for artwork in the show, or can everybody basically do whatever it is they want? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong> Melanie Little:</strong></span> Anybody can do whatever they want, we are just saying we want to be able to offer the visitors a wide range of pricing. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What is your policy about non-handcrafted items? Do you have a policy in place about what you allow at the show and what you don't allow? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> I don't want to say that there's a full policy in place. If you look at our prospectus, we do list the things that are not allowed in our shows. When we are on-site, we (the ACC show staff) look at the work in every booth to make sure that there's not something there that looks like it’s not hand-made. </span></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: When you do visual inspections through all the booths, what do you look for? What would be grounds for not re-inviting an artist? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> We have to have good evidence that things are not hand-made. If I saw something stamped "Made in China", they’d be out, of course, but there’s really not a huge number of people we ever had to remove from the show.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong> Crafthaus: The jurying process obviously takes care of most of it beforehand, however, sometimes work looks very good on photos, but when you see it in person, it can be a disappointment. These kind of discrepancies, you would look for them, right?</strong> </span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><strong>Melanie Little:</strong></span> Yes. Absolutely.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761081?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761081?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">Interesting clothing made from Tyvek. <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://www.conceptualclothing.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Mau Schoettle</span></a></span> at the 2016 ACC Show St. Paul. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What kind of security is provided at the venue? </span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;"> Melanie Little:</span></strong> We have a huge amount of security. We hire a company that oversees all of the security for the show. There are people at every exit, every elevator, plus overnight security. We have security for jewelers, which is armed police, so they can bring their work to a room where it's locked and guarded by a police officer overnight. </span></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Is the work automatically insured through you? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;"> Melanie Little:</span></strong> No, there is no insurance through us. The artists have to take care of that themselves.</span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Is free Wi-Fi available for the exhibitors and the customers? </span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> We offer WiFi for the artists, it's $125 dollars for the week, but it's not available for the visitors. </span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758101?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758101?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Dolls at 2016 ACC Baltimore show. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3"> Crafthaus: Let’s move on to logistics. When the artists arrive to set-up their booths, when they all come at the same time with their vehicles up to the ramps, that's got to be chaos. How is this handled logistically? Do you give people certain times to show up and you kind of just stack the time slots so that not everybody shows up at once? How is this done? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> Many, many years ago, we did it like that, we assigned time slots and we stacked people so that not everybody would be there at the same time. That didn't really work well because some of the artists only needed one day to set-up and they didn't want to come a day early to fit into an assigned time slot. Maybe 8 years ago or so, I took a gamble, and thank goodness it paid off. I just said, "Everyone, your set-up days are Monday and/or Tuesday, come whenever you want between these hours." And I held my breath, and it worked.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The move-in really works well every year. We have 4 days of move-in, there's hardly ever a line. In most cases, the artists can even drive their vehicles immediately up to their booths.</span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3"> Crafthaus: How about the move out? </span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;"> Melanie Little:</span></strong> Yeah. </span></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: [laughter] </span></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span></strong> That's another story and that's always been difficult. I think one of the biggest things that I'm trying to explain to artists is that we move all of them in over a stretch of four days, and now we need to move all of them out in one night!</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Here’s the timeline: The ACC show closes at 5PM at which point, but not before, all the artists start the break-down process. Everyone has to have left by midnight that day. That's 6 hours for 670 booths. The whole ACC show has to clear out entirely in that time, because the next show is already coming into the venue.<br/></span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">So, with that very short time slot in mind, there’s going to be a line at the door, there's just no way around it. Artists would like to have their move-out go like their move-in, where they bring their vehicles right to their booths, but that just cannot happen with the move-out because everyone’s breaking down their work at the same time. Everyone is putting all of their work and their booth components into the isles, which means that now no one can get through anymore. Especially not with cars.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Also, at the end of the show, we have to clear out all the restaurant tables and chairs and the actual restaurant itself. We have to get other things removed as well, such as the Let’s Make Stations and our own booths. Also, we have to get the visitor crowds out. The public sometimes takes quite a while to leave, security usually helps to get them out the door.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">I do know that last year there were issues with the move-out, and I've been dealing with that. I have started a facebook group to help with ongoing communication between artists and the facility. This year, my whole team will be there to answer questions, and I will be driving around on a motorized vehicle to monitor the whole thing and assist to make sure it all goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">It is a lot that has to happen in just a few hours. <br/></span></p>
<p><br/> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span class="font-size-3">Upcoming next (and final) blog segment:</span></strong></span><br/> <span class="font-size-3">(11) <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><a href="(11)%20Final%20Post:%20Misconceptions,%20Question%20Answered,%20Difficult%20Situations,%20Best%20Moments,%20Final%20Thoughts%20-%20Melanie's%20viewpoint" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Misconceptions, Question Answered, Difficult Situations, Best Moments, Final Thoughts - Melanie's viewpoint.</span></a></span></span><br/></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761819?profile=original" width="741"/></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758292?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758292?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span>Hip Pop Booth at 2016 ACC St. Paul show. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p></p> (9) Artist Selection, Jurying Process, Criticismtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-04-25:2104389:Topic:5436602016-04-25T19:55:13.453ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759690?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759690?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> Melanie Little, ACC Show Director, checks in with a craft show artist in St. Paul, 2016. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" width="741"></img></a> <br></br> <span class="font-size-3" style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="color: #888888;">Continued from…</span></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759690?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759690?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Melanie Little, ACC Show Director, checks in with a craft show artist in St. Paul, 2016. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <span style="color: #ff6600;" class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #888888;">Continued from</span> <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/-baltimore-visitors-attendance" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Baltimore attendance, Let’s Make, and Style Slam</span></a></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How many applications do you typically receive for the Baltimore show?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> Artists can apply to wholesale plus retail, or they can apply to the retail segment only. In general we have about 1,700 artists that apply to all of our shows. Typically 1,600 of those apply for Baltimore plus at least one other show. We have about 300 spaces for retail only in Baltimore, and then it's about 360 spaces in the combined wholesale-retail segment.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Is there a jury fee or an application fee for the artists and how much is it?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> Yes there is, it's $30 per show and there is a one-time $10 processing fee. So if you apply to one show, it's $40, two shows will be $70 and so forth.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How are the artists selected for participation in an ACC show? Is this a jury process? And who sits on the jury?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> It is a jury process and it has changed over the years. Believe it or not, many years ago it was a jury of 81 people, there was a glass jury, a ceramics jury and so on. Every media had its own jury and each jury had, I think, six people on it. Obviously, we had to change that because the cost became too high. Today we have four juries. We have one jury that’s just for jewelry. We have one that’s for fashion and other wearables. Another jury is for glass and ceramics, and then the fourth one is for home décor. Each jury consists of seven people, four of which are artists and three are professionals from the field, could be buyers or a range of other professions.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">We also send out a form to artists who participated in a prior show to either self-nominate or nominate somebody else that they recommend to be on a jury. We look at all those nominations and some additional ones too, and from those names we select the four artists we want for each jury. In the past I was in charge of this process, but for the past two years, Kristine Goldy, our Show Operations Manager has been selecting the jury.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">For the jurying process itself, we give the juries one week in August where they all go online. They get instructions from us to view all the images that have been submitted and they score them on a range of 1 to 7. They're told they really need to use that whole range when scoring, and then those scores are calculated and applied to each show the artist wants to be in. Next I get the applicant list sorted by media and with their scores from high to low. I have to look at each show separately and consider how many ceramic artists are there, how many glass artists and then I do the cut-offs. Next I create a wait list and then, sadly, especially in the jewelry category, I do have to decline many. That’s where it gets painful, because declining these artists doesn’t mean that their work isn’t good. I simply have to be realistic. I don’t want to put somebody on a wait list knowing that I would never get to their number. That’s just not fair.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756800?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756800?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.modernhandcrafted.com/" target="_blank">Damian Velasquez</a></span><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">'</span></span>s booth at ACC St. Paul 2016. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus. Artist website: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://www.modernhandcrafted.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">http://www.modernhandcrafted.com/</span></a></span></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How diverse are your jurors as far as age is concerned and as far as their taste preferences is concerned?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> We do try to make sure that we have some younger people on the juries. It's the full range age spectrum, and I'm sorry, I couldn't hear your second question?</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: I asked for age and taste preferences. People often have a track record of liking more conservative work or more edgy work. How do you balance this out?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> I'm looking at who we are approving to be on the jury plus, on the jurying instructions, we’re asking the jury to put their personal taste aside and look at the work neutrally, zoom in on the image and look at the detail. We instruct them to be really open minded.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
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<p>Video: B. Martin for crafthaus. ACC St. Paul 2016.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: What are the criteria for acceptance into the show?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> Looking at the quality of the work and a unique expression. We always aim to get some newer work in there too, something that will appeal to a younger generation.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What I'm trying to get at is that one of the comments I hear is that when you go to craft shows it's always the same people who get in. The perception is that edgier or more, shall we say, unusual work does not get into the bigger shows. Do you agree with that sentiment or do you disagree?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> I sort of go a little bit on the disagree side here. It's actually the opposite. We are really trying to reach out and appeal to those artists to get them to understand what the show is about and then try out a show like ours. That’s even part of the Hip Pop program, to reach out to that fresh segment. We would like for more to apply to our show.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: And then of course the follow-up is…</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> Being viable.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Exactly. That would be the follow-up. You have to think about whether or not the work would actually sell in that environment. You’re a data person, so is the customer who typically comes to an ACC show the person who would buy work that’s on the edgier end of things? You want your artists to be financially successful as far as their sales at your show are concerned. If you have edgier work on display and it doesn’t sell, then everybody’s unhappy. That is the counter argument. Would you concur with that?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> Yes, I do. But the truth is we have been getting more edgier work into our shows and for the majority of those people it seems like it is working because they do keep coming back. We are doing constant outreach to that group of artists, we’re always trying to find edgier work, invite the artists to our show, ask them to give it a try.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What would be helpful to you and your research process? Would you welcome people and organizations to be in touch with you and introduce you to what they consider edgier work? Would that be helpful or not?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> That would totally be helpful. We also have our “School to Market” program in every show city where we are trying to introduce students to the shows, but yes, totally, to have other organizations nominating names for new artists that would be welcome. We’re all in it together.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: That’s how I feel. So if I put this out and make this public, then people would be welcome to just send you artist information <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://craftcouncil.org/content/show-staff" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">to your email</span></a></span>?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> That would be fine, but let me stress that I only need the artist information and then I can take a first look. It’s not a promise that someone will get into one of our shows, they will still have to apply and there’s still a jury process to go through.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761760?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761760?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758151?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758151?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><strong>Top:</strong> Melanie Little talking with Hip Pop Artists at 2016 ACC St. Paul show.</p>
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<p><strong>Bottom:</strong> 3 Hip Pop Booth displays: L-R: <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://www.makwastudio.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Maggie Thompson, MAKWA Studio</span></a></span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/DominiqueBereiter?xg_source=profiles_memberList" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Dominique Bereiter Jewelry</span></a></span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://smoothhillsweaving.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Mandie Smethells/Smoothills Weaving</span></a></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Back to the organizational side. How many artists are typically allowed to come back to the same show in the following year? Is there a built-in option to return? What's the average return rate for artists that come back every year?</span></strong> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> We have a really high rate of artists that come back every year. I'll probably put that in the 75-80% range, at least. We don't have a built-in return promise. I know artists have brought this up, it's something I hear a lot. Many have done the show for years and years and years and they would like a return option. But I always want to leave space for the new artists too. So at this point we don't do any kind of a return program. Except for people who show at the Wholesale Only segment. We do a lot of that there.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: That means if you have on average 75-80% return rate then a quarter of the people in each show are usually new artists. Right?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> I'd say that would be correct. Probably 20-22% are usually new.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How many Hip Pop spots do you offer for Baltimore?</span></strong><br/> <span style="color: #339966;" class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> In Baltimore this year, there are going to be six spots. We have 36 Hip Pop artist at that show.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How do you fill your booth spaces, do you go by craft category? How do you balance the individual categories so that they are all equally represented? </span></strong></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> That's part of my work when I'm considering the cut-offs. I want to make sure that, as best as I can, I'm balancing the show between fashion/jewelry and home decor. I try to keep that an even split. Then I have to look at how many applications we have within each media. Jewelry is always a big group. I'm looking to balance it out.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758414?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758414?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://www.lizgardner.co/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Liz Gardner, Designer,</span></a></span></span> who chose to view her theme, SOUTH, through a Miami lense. Make Room. ACC St. Paul 2016. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759757?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Criticism has been leveled at the ACC show in Baltimore in the past by some who say the artist selection at the show is “uneven.” I'm not talking about the categories. The criticism that has been brought up is that some of the work shown is just really not that good. How do you respond to that?</span></strong><br/> <span style="color: #339966;" class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> I honestly feel when I look at the size of the show, when I walk through, that most of the work is very, very good. Yes, there are a few times that I come across work where I am wondering, "Wow, how did that get in the show?” Then I go back and look at the images that were sent in for jurying, just to make sure.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">At a show of the size of the Baltimore show there’s always going to be a few of these instances where you could wonder, but overall, that number is smaller than some people feel that it is. Just once have I had work in the show where I had to ask the artist to leave. Well, I didn’t actually make them leave the show right then. I told them that they would not be invited back.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: That must be a very difficult conversation to have with an artist.</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> Yes it is. I felt awful about it. At a show the size of Baltimore there is going to be some work that might not be at that absolute highest level people think it should be. But I also want to respond to those who might be critical of some of the work, that everybody started out at some point, and then, over the years, they worked hard and improved to where they are today. I would ask for some kindness and fairness and understanding. People hopefully are going to improve and get to that higher caliber eventually.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">I had one particular artist in a show and I personally thought their work wasn’t all that great and their booth display was, well... But the customers loved it and that person had a fabulous show. Also, a lot of younger people were drawn to the work.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">It takes time to hone mastery, give every person a fair chance - and be kind.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Next post:</span> <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/10-show-layout-booth-assignment-handmade-policy-booth-set-up-and-" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(10) Layout, Booth Assignment, Handmade-Policy, Booth Set-up and Take-down.</span></a></span></strong></span><br/></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762246?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762246?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></strong></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://www.jeralodge.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Jera Lodge</span></a></span></span> in her booth at the ACC St. Paul 2016. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p></p> (8) Baltimore attendance, Let’s Make, and Style Slamtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-04-21:2104389:Topic:5434402016-04-21T17:53:36.171ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
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<p><span class="font-size-2">Danny Saathoff demonstrating one of his kinetic sculptures at the American Craft Council's St. Paul show in 2016. Danny went on to receive an "Award of Excellence" by the American Craft Council as an emerging artist.…</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-2">Danny Saathoff demonstrating one of his kinetic sculptures at the American Craft Council's St. Paul show in 2016. Danny went on to receive an "Award of Excellence" by the American Craft Council as an emerging artist.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a><em><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;">The last segment of the current crafthaus interview series highlights a third perspective, the ACC show director's viewpoint. <strong>Melanie Little</strong> offers an in-depth look at the Baltimore show, describing what it takes to put up a major event that brings in twenty thousand visitors over the course of three days.</span></em></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058757572?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058757572?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></strong>Melanie reacting to one of her artist's comments at the 2016 ACC show in St. Paul. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><strong>Continued from ...</strong> <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">(<a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/about-melanie-acc-show-director?xg_source=activity" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">7) About Melanie Little, ACC shows, and Hip Pop booths</span></a></span></strong></span></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What was the average attendance number for Baltimore over the past years?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> We average around twenty thousand visitors for the retail show segment, over three days.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What is the demographic of your average customer, the buying audience?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> The average person attending is probably in the forty to fifty year-old range and possibly even a little bit older than that. We really are working hard to reach out to a younger generation.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: The forty to fifty years range is the age range when people actually may have a little money to spend on things. I assume most of the visitors are female?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> Yes, a higher percentage of female customers than males.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> <span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761910?profile=original"><img width="650" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058761910?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="650"/></a>Make Room, Modern Design Meets Craft: WEST. The room designer is Drew Beson (<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.besonart.com/" target="_blank">besonart.com</a></span></strong>) pictured sitting in his chair. Drew is a fine artist who found he has a knack for interior design. The painting in the back is his. Photos: Brigitte Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What’s the entry fee?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Melanie Little: For Baltimore the on-site fee is $16, you can go online and get a ticket for $14 in advance. We also have a three-day ticket that we offer at $34, and if you’re an ACC member you can gain access to all of our shows for free.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: I'm a member, so I get in for free, that’s a good deal.</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> Oh good. Thanks for being a member.</span><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: You’re welcome. Is there customer parking in Baltimore and is it free?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> The parking in Baltimore is not free, you will have to park in one of the various parking garages or hotels, it seems to work.</span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Are there food concessions of the show floor?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> Yes, there are three locations throughout the show with plenty of seating. There are lounges on the show floor that will have little grab-and-go-type food, and we have coffee service. </span><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: With anticipated twenty thousand visitors on the retail days, and bad weather outside most of the time, it’s helpful that people don’t have to venture out and leave.</strong></span> <br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> Right.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762338?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762338?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Woodworker James Carlin (<a href="http://www.kinderrealm.com/about/" target="_blank">http://www.kinderrealm.com/about/</a> received the ACC Award of Excellence for his booth design.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Are the ACC shows, and specifically the one in Baltimore, ever held in conjunction with other activities that are taking place in the city at the same time?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> We have not done anything like that. No.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Because you typically get enough visitors as it is, or is it just not something that’s been explored?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> I think really it's something that’s not been explored yet. Our marketing director reaches out to different groups in the cities to try some things, but so far we never tied-in with other events happening at the same time.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: What have been successful partnerships for the ACC at their shows? I'm familiar with the Balvenie connection, but what are other successful partnerships of that kind? </strong> </span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> For the past three years, for the wholesale show we brought in Cindy Edelstein, she has her own list of buyers and helps to promote the wholesale portion. That has been a really valuable partnership. There are also a number of other marketing and partnership initiatives that Pam Diamond oversees and manages, such as the LINKS Smithsonian Women’s group, the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Charm City Craft Mafia, the American Federation of Art, the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, WCBM-AM and Downtown Diane.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">And the one you mentioned, the Balvenie group, they have really been great too. They are partnering with us again this year.</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762217?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762217?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758103?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758103?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>LET'S MAKE Area: Sewing onto old photos (above.) The Beer Growler bus (below.)</p>
<p>Photos: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
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<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: So the Balvenie will have a booth and hand out whiskey samples?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little</span>: Yup. They do that at all our shows. We’ve actually created this structure that we bring to all our shows. It almost looks like a Tinkertoy structure, for lack of a better name. It's beautiful, made out of wood. It's an open structure, but it's got little individual spaces. Craft groups come in and take over those spaces.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">For example, we have a space in there with a stack of really old photographs and when people come into that area, we supply them with needles and thread and they can sew directly into the pictures. In another space we have someone offering beer samples, somebody might be making homemade soaps or jellies and things like that, and then the Balvenie is the large group, they're anchoring that whole area. They have a really huge space where they do tastings throughout the retail show, every day. </span> <br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Is there any kind of entertainment like live music, a performance, or a fashion show planned for Baltimore?</span></strong></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> There is. What's new this year is our Style Slam which is going to take place on the retail days. They're going to be in a booth near our Let's Make area. The designers will be inviting show attendees to get a makeover with work selected from show artists. That is the new thing we’re doing this year. In terms of music, we really don’t have live music at our shows other than during the preview receptions.</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756776?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756776?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://grantwhittakerstyle.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Grant Whittaker, Style Slam emcee</span></a></span></strong></span>, and his team of designers walk the show floor looking for highlights to feature. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
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<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Do you ever conduct surveys from your customers during or after the show about their ACC show experience?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> Yes. That’s something we do, but not every year. We run surveys on average every two to three years. The response rate on those is usually fairly low, but we do read through all of the responses we receive to try to improve anything that we need to improve. Same thing with the office as well. They always send out surveys after the show and we’re looking for sales figures, of course, but it's also about feedback, positive and negative. We honestly read through every single one of those responses to see what's going on.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: So what's the one survey question you would like everybody to respond to?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> I think the most important questions would be, what can we do to improve the show? What would you like to see?</span><br/> <br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Upcoming post:</span></strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/-artist-selection-jury-return-criticism" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Jury Makeup, Jurying Process, Artist Return Rate, Criticism.</span></a></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br/></span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058762294?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759783?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759783?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Partial views of the show floor from the ACC Show office at St. Paul. The calm before the storm. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p></p> (7) About Melanie Little (Show Director,) ACC shows, and Hip Pop booths - Melanie's viewpointtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-04-20:2104389:Topic:5429952016-04-20T16:17:50.684ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
<p><span class="font-size-2"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759734?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759734?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> Melanie Little on the show floor problem solving with her team. 2016 ACC Show St. Paul.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Photo B. Martin for crafthaus.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original" width="741"></img></a> <span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;">The last…</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759734?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759734?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Melanie Little on the show floor problem solving with her team. 2016 ACC Show St. Paul.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Photo B. Martin for crafthaus.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original" width="741"/></a><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;">The last segment of the current crafthaus interview series highlights a third perspective, the ACC show director's viewpoint. <strong>Melanie Little</strong> offers an in-depth look at the Baltimore show, describing what it takes to put up a major event that brings in twenty thousand visitors over the course of three days.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 12pt;"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span>Continued from <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="font-size-2"><span style="color: #339966;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/6-sales-suggestions-and-final-thoughts-laura-s-viewpoint" target="_self">(6) Sales, Suggestions and Final Thoughts</a></span></span></span></strong> - Laura Jaklitsch's viewpoint</p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How long have you had this job at the ACC?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> I have been with the Council since 1985. I've first worked in accounting, then I became Show Operations Manager, and I've been Show Director now for about ten years.</span><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: That’s a long time. Did you move with the ACC from New York City to Minneapolis?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> No, I didn’t. Many years ago, the show department had offices in Highland, NY. In 2004, the ACC decided to close those offices and move the operation down to Manhattan. I made the commute to the city for two years, which was a five-hour round-trip for me. That got old, so for the last eight years, I have run everything from my home office in the Hudson Valley, NY. The whole organization moved to Minneapolis, but the show office stayed back in New York, and my show team is in a studio space in Brooklyn. </span> <br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: What's your professional background?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> I went to college for accounting and worked for a CPA for three years before I decided to go back to college. Initially, I wanted to go into teaching, but I realized that I really was a numbers person after all. I like that field and decided to get into private business. I worked for three years for an international trading company before I got my current job with the council, and I have been here ever since.</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760423?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058760423?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">Alanna Nissen, Show Operations Assistant, and Melanie Little, 2016 ACC Show St. Paul. Photo B. Martin for crafthaus.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: How many people work in your show department?</strong></span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> Over the years the number of people working in the show department has gone down as technology improved. At this point I have a staff of two full-time employees and two part-time employees. In addition there’s Pamela Diamond, the ACC Marketing Director, who is situated in the Minnesota office. She is in charge of all the marketing efforts of the council, a great deal of her time is spent on marketing the shows.</span><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What's your personal connection to craft?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> In all honesty, before this job, there wasn’t a huge connection to craft for me. But then I met the artists and learned how wonderful they are, I appreciate the work they create. Over the years I've been able to buy things for my home, which I love. I love that personal connection, knowing the person who made the work.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How many years has the Baltimore ACC show been in existence?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> The Baltimore show has been in existence for forty years. Initially it was held at a different location, but it's been in the convention center for at least thirty, thirty-plus years.</span><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: The ACC organizes four shows all over the country. How would you describe the differences between the four ACC shows, besides that they're located in different places and take place at different times?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> Okay, first I want to say that we run five shows, because I look at Baltimore as two shows. We run the wholesale show first, followed by the retail show. Baltimore is the one show that really stands out from the other three because of its size. We have a section of artists that are doing wholesale only, we have a group of artists that are doing wholesale and retail, and then another group that are just there for the retail end. I always joke that I feel like during the entire show, there's always a move-in or a move-out going on.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The wholesale show size is about 500 artists in Baltimore, and the retail show is about an average of 670 artists. So, it's really a large show. When you look at Atlanta and St. Paul, those run each at around 230 to 240 artists, and San Francisco, due to space limitations, that show has about 220 artists.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759122?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759122?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">Melanie Little and a customer at the 2016 ACC Show St. Paul. The customer bought a heavy piece and needed assistance with transportation. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus</span></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Are the shows different in style? When you have different locations one could assume that people in San Francisco have a different style, or different tastes than say, somebody in Baltimore. Do you think that’s true and is this reflected in the makeup of sellers in your shows?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> I would say that the style for all those shows is pretty much the same. We do have a good number of artists that work all four locations. So, I can’t really say that there's a huge difference between the show cities.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: So there's not some hipper, cooler vibe going on in San Francisco versus other places?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> Well, I would say, yes, San Francisco could have a little bit more of the cooler vibe, I would agree with that. Not to a huge extent, but there is a little difference. Just in terms of where the show is held is also more unique. The other shows are in convention centers, whereas San Francisco is held at Fort Mason, which is the federal government’s old piers. You’re situated on the bay, looking out the windows at the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, and that does have a different feel to it.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759307?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759307?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">Hip Pop Booth at 2016 ACC Show in St. Paul. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058758488?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: A few years back I had the opportunity to be a juror for one of your shows in San Francisco, I was a juror for “Alt Craft”, as in “alternative.” I haven’t seen that format since. Why is that?</span></strong></p>
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<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> We’ve done different things over time. What we’ve implemented in 2015, I think successfully, is our<span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> <a href="http://craftcouncil.org/hippop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">new Hip Pop program</span></a></span></strong></span> which we show at all our shows. We take a 20x10 feet space and create, for lack of a better word, individual pods. They're made out of compressed cardboard and six artists share the 20x10 feet space. Each pod is basically a four foot wide space with shelves.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">We started this program to help bring in not just emerging artists, but also new artists that have never done our shows before. They are in a group environment where they can support each other. We do some training with them in advance and they're getting their pods for a lesser price than a regular 10x10 would cost them. This program is available to them for three years after which, if they feel ready, they can move into a regular show booth without having to be juried-in again. They can be in those booths for an additional three years. All in all, this is a six-year program for new artists, after that they have to go through the application process like everybody else.</span></p>
<p><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: How do the more established artists react to these newcomers that seem to get such a good deal and extra promotion? What’s the reception and perception on the side of the more established artists who have to pay the full price and who did not have these same opportunities back in the day when they were starting out?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> I'm very happy to say that the reaction has been really positive. I know in the past, when we tried to do new programs like these, we put the new people all in one area, they were creating kind of their own booth space and it didn’t really look good. We did get negative feedback on that. So that’s why we came up with the Hip Pop pods. They're scattered throughout the show and they're a nicer looking display. Honestly, I have not had any negative feedback on these pods. I think the established artists understand that they themselves had some breaks along the way, and that we have to encourage getting new artists in as an older generation is retiring.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3">We also have what we call our “buddy program.” This is not just for the Hip Pop artists but for any new artist. Experienced artists who have done our show for years can volunteer to sign up to work with a new artist coming into the show. We’ve done that program for as long as I can remember and it really seems to help. We connect people, and they work their way through the process, helping each other. And that really does a lot for everybody.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: The craft community is usually cooperative and people are quite generous with their time and advice, they want to see other people succeed. I can see how this is a good program.</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little:</span> Oh yes.</span><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: I received a question about the Hip Pop pods at your show in San Francisco that I am supposed to ask you. Someone noticed that the local San Francisco Fire Department sprayed loads of fire retardant on the cardboard booths which left the cardboard look blotchy and soggy. Can you tell me what happened?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Melanie Little: </span> I know what you are talking about. Here’s the story: The San Francisco Fire Marshall changed their fire codes on us, and as a result all SF booths had to be sprayed with retardant, including all cardboard Hip Pop booths. They went totally overboard last year, I agree, and we addressed this issue with them, as you can imagine. They will always spray retardant because they must adhere to their fire code, but in the future they will be more careful and spray much less.</span></p>
<p><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3"><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #ff0000;">Upcoming post: </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/-baltimore-visitors-attendance?xg_source=activity" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(8) Baltimore attendance, Let’s Make, and Style Slam</span></a></span></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Followed by:<br/> (9) Artist selection, Jury Selection, Jurying Process, Return Rate, Criticism<br/> (10) Layout, Booth Assignment, Handmade-Policy, Booth Set-up and Take-down<br/> (11) Misconceptions, Difficult Situations, Best Moments, Final Thoughts</span></strong></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759192?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058759192?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Melanie Little and Tor Erickson in the <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.ericksonwoodworking.com/" target="_blank">Erickson booth</a></span></strong> at the 2016 ACC St. Paul Show. Photo: B. Martin for crafthaus. Artist website: <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://www.ericksonwoodworking.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">http://www.ericksonwoodworking.com/</span></a></span></p>
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<p></p> (6) Sales, Suggestions and Final Thoughts - Laura’s viewpointtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-04-05:2104389:Topic:5420962016-04-05T18:11:00.674ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752633?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752633?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Caitie Sellers in her booth at the ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo B. Martin for crafthaus.…</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752633?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752633?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Caitie Sellers in her booth at the ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo B. Martin for crafthaus.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a></strong></span><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Continued from previous post</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(<a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/preparations-set-up" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">5) Preparations and Day of Set-Up - Laura’s viewpoint</span></a></span></span></span></p>
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<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Let's talk about customers for a bit. Can you describe the typical customer who comes to the show?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I would say that around age 40 would be the younger customer attending, it goes up from there. Most of the visitors are usually fairly well-engaged in the craft world, especially those that come on the first retail day, Friday. They're coming to this show because they are excited about craft. We get more of the general public on Saturday and Sunday, and they don't necessarily have that same level of engagement with craft. It’s mostly women who attend, some couples, maybe a few men shopping for themselves too.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: How would you respond to a comment often made that craft show audiences skew older and that there is not enough effort being made to bring in a younger crowd?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> I think it is certainly important to reach out and think 10, 20 years down the line about who will be buying our work. I am just not sure that everyone in the younger age group is ready to buy today. Younger people may have been a little halted by the economy, they are not in that place where they feel comfortable buying. The other thing is, I am not sure if younger people would necessarily come to a craft show of this caliber? If they do, I wonder if there are ways to reach them, maybe through the internet? It's definitely something that needs to be brainstormed, but the younger audience just doesn't have the money or the financial stability to buy our work yet. If they are buying, they are buying mostly home goods, things for their apartments.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">The other issue is trying to get them interested in our craft in the sense that they see it as contemporary and not kind of this old-fashioned thing. ACC Baltimore is not the same show as <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Renegade</span></a></span><a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff;">.</span></a></strong></span> Renegade has a younger audience because of the much lower price points and lower quality standards for the work they show. I think there definitely needs to be some more outreach to get younger folks in, but if they come, would they buy?</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: The ACC has a newly-designed Hip Pop program that offers smaller, pop-up style booths for younger artists and their, hopefully, easier to afford work. It will be interesting to see how effective that approach is with a younger audience. It sounds like a good idea to me, what do you think?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> I agree, it is a good idea.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a></strong></span><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058751982?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058751982?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Biba Schutz in her booth at ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo B. Martin for crafthaus.<br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a></strong></span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Back to your customers. Have you had experience with customers who came to your booth and who were, shall we say, "difficult"? Did you have bad experiences with customers?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> Occasionally, yes, that happens. But you are dealing with the public so you have to expect it. Honestly, in my other jobs in a luxury retail environment or as a barista, my retail stories from those places are crazy [laughs]. Don’t get me wrong, most people are great to deal with. I do have some people being critical, which I don't necessarily view as being “difficult.” They're giving me their opinion and I take value in that, b</span><span class="font-size-3">ut occasionally people are just straight up rude and that can be pretty hard to handle. If it's really bothering me, I ask myself, "Okay, how about eating? Do I need a break, do I need to take a walk?" You know, sometimes you just need to walk things off if something is really bothering you.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Have you ever undergone any kind of sales training?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> Not really. I did some of my own reading about sales and business. Coming from art school I didn't really get that in my education. I did a lot of open-studio events previously and that's a great way to learn if you've never talked to anyone about your work and you're nervous. Open studios are pretty low-stakes and you're going to deal with people who've often never dealt with art before, it’s a good training ground. It desensitizes you to a lot of things, and it also just gets you comfortable talking about your work.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">I try to offer good customer service and if someone loves a piece they want it. I don't like trying to talk people into something that they don't want because I don't want them to later regret making this purchase. I want them to be excited about the piece, love the piece, and have a positive interaction with it.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: Is sales technique also something that you can talk to your ACC show buddy about?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> You definitely could. For me, it was more the logistical side I had questions with, but I am sure, I could have talked to my buddy about any other aspect of the show as well.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752239?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752239?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Segment of Tara Locklear's booth at the ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo B. Martin for crafthaus.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a></strong></span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: When you are in your booth and have a person who seems to be interested in a piece, what's a good opening statement to approach someone who is on the fence and needs a nudge?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Well, in that case, I'd probably just pull out the piece from the case and hand it to them so they can take a look directly. Or I'll just ask them, "Is there's anything you want to take a look at?" I also start off by greeting everybody who comes into my booth. I smile and say, "Hello." I think that’s very important. Some people want to be talked to and some people don't want to be talked to. I try to feel that out. If they just want to look, I let them look and try to bring things out and hand it to them if I sense interest. I found that people are curious about my materials, so that's always been a good entry point for me.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: That's a good, non-threatening approach. How do you keep the conversation moving along? I think that’s difficult for a lot of us artists. It’s a special skill to be able to know when to approach and when to back off. How do you navigate that?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> That is something I am still learning. I have only been doing shows for a year so far and I don't have that kind of “crazy sense” that some people have that they just instinctively know what that customer wants. I try to give everyone the same attention and see how they respond. If they're uncomfortable and don't want to talk, I back off. If they want more interaction, letting them handle the piece is the biggest thing at that point, because they need to be allowed to touch it and try it on.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3">So, I try to get them to at least to try it on and see how it works for them. Usually, if they like the piece from there, that's great. If they have an objection, then I try to find something that can fix that – "Oh, I don't know about this shape. Do you have something else?" Usually, they'll tell me what they want done differently. My customers seem to know pretty much what they want. If I don't have what they want, I can make it for them.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How many people can you deal with at any given time and still keep the overview of what's going on in your booth? That has to be hard if you don't have any help?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> It's very hard. I can usually deal with two people at once, but when it starts getting to three or four people it’s getting more and more difficult to keep track and giving everyone the attention they deserve. I hope that no customer feels as if I am neglecting them.When someone is buying, it seems to make other people want to buy things too, so at that moment it can be quite challenging because you are dealing with a lot of very excited people and you want to keep everyone happy.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a></strong></span></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755874?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755874?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p>Let's Make Pavillon (segment) at ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo B. Martin for crafthaus</p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a></strong></span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Has anything ever been stolen from your display?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I personally have not had anything stolen, knock on wood, but I know artists who that happened to. It seems to be a crime of opportunity a lot of times. Thieves will get you when you are busy and if it is something that they can reach very easily.... I know someone even had something stolen once during the wholesale portion of the Baltimore show. That woman pretended to be a buyer and took a piece when the artists were distracted. So, I think it's really good to be vigilant. If someone makes you really uncomfortable, you don't have to pull your work out and show it to them. It's unfortunately the cost of doing business. And that goes not just for the show itself, you want to watch out when you are outside of the show too. Thieves know you might have stuff with you so just walk with other people, don't leave late at night by yourself carrying a bunch of valuables. Use common sense.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Here's an idea, you might actually be able to take on a trainee yourself. There are people who are looking at this as an opportunity to learn, and they might be interested to be taken on for a day or so, just to get their feet wet. This could be a win-win for all. They get incredible insight and you get some help.</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I like that idea a lot. So: If there is anyone out there reading this who would like to give me some of their time helping out in my booth in exchange for getting first-hand insight into the show, please be in touch! [laughs.]</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a></strong></span><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756080?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756080?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Meghan Patrice Riley's booth at the ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo B. Martin for crafthaus</p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a></strong></span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How streamlined is your checkout process? You have to be efficient because the next customer may already be waiting. How do you do handle people when there’s a lot going on at once?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> All my the boxes and packing materials are right there with me where I need them. Sometimes people don’t even need my box, they wear the work right then and there and that's fabulous, I love that. I wrap it up as nicely as I can and hand the item to them and I say thank you! The square process is very fast and the actual transaction process is super quick. Most people understand that they're going to have to wait until you're done with someone else, I honestly never had a problem. You just have to keep calm. I think sometimes I do get a little flustered when there’s a lot going on, but I’m trying not to show it.</span></p>
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<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What part of working a craft show do you personally enjoy the most and what part do you dislike?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> The part I enjoy the most is meeting my customers and getting direct feedback from them. I also enjoy meeting other exhibitors. Showing my jewelry at the ACC Baltimore is an accomplishment too. The part that's really hard is the getting-there and all the logistics. I've got to ship all these heavy things and when I'm carrying my boxes in from the curb it can be frustrating. I am trying to get into the mindset of thinking this is going to get done, it doesn't matter how, it's going to get done'. The logistics part, where you need actual muscle, I could live without that. But it's just part of doing these shows.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: From what you've experienced, what do you think are common misconceptions people have when it comes to meeting an artist at a craft show?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> They often don't understand that I've made all the work myself. People can be confused about the materials I use. You would think that people know that there are a lot of different materials out there which artists work with nowadays, but apparently that’s not the case. I also think there's an assumption that we're either starving artists or that we must be making a killing. We're not making a killing. Sometimes people ask me if I have a day job and I don’t have that either. People don't understand the realities of being a self-supporting artist and all that behind- the-scenes type of work that goes into making our art. For instance, I try to make almost all my findings myself, which is not something the general public necessarily understands or appreciates.</span></p>
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<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: What's your favorite story about something that happened to you at one of these shows?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> This one is recent: A man and his wife came up to my booth and the guy was looking at my work intently. He finally looked up to me and said, ''Don't take this the wrong way. I hate looking at jewelry, but I like looking at yours."</span></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752582?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752582?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>Kirsten Denbow in her booth at the ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo B. Martin for crafthaus.</p>
<p><br/> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: If you could give three suggestions to a newly participating artists, what would they be?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Bring food, get a good night’s sleep and number three: completely go for it. Go all out, don't scrape by and just do the minimum. This is a big show and I think it's worth participating. If you're wondering if you should spend the next hundred dollars on something that's going to make your booth pop, do it!</span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3"> </span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: How about three suggestions for first-time visitors?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Wear comfortable shoes, because you're going to do a lot of walking. Figure out where you want to go, look at your map, make sure you get to your highlights, and bring some water - definitely bring water.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Last question: if you had three wishes, what would you like the ACC to provide you with or do for you that they don't already do?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I think my number one wish would be that the isles were carpeted, I know it's very expensive and I know that it's a lot of square footage, but our customers are often elderly and a lot of them have mobility issues. It would be more comfortable for them and look nicer too. Secondly, I did a show where the organizers provided an artist lounge with food, that was great. And lastly, continue to think about outreach to younger customers in ways that would make sense for all.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">I don't think the ACC is really lacking in any of these areas. I think they're doing the best they can with what they have in the current state of the craft world. I don’t have any pointed criticism or complaints at all. Truly, most of what I focus on is what I can do myself to improve my own work and my own sales. There are successful artists out there who are doing it all really, really well. They've cultivated their businesses and relationships over a long period of time.</span></p>
<p><br/> </p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752017?profile=original"><img width="250" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752017?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"/></a>Crafthaus: Thank you, Laura, for your wonderful insights. It was a pleasure speaking with you.</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3"><span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></span></span></strong> <span class="font-size-3">You are welcome.</span><strong><span class="font-size-3"><br/></span></strong></p>
<p><br/> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++</p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff6600;" class="font-size-3">After the Baltimore show was over, Laura emailed crafthaus the following message as a concluding thought:</span></p>
<p><br/> <em><span class="font-size-3">On Sunday I ended up having a pretty good day, so when I tally everything up including wholesale orders, I ended up making back my expenses. I did get many things out of the show that are harder to put a dollar value on; mentorship from experienced exhibitors, the chance to show galleries and curators my work in person, increased visibility for my work, a larger mailing list, and the chance to get together with my colleagues from around the country and "talk shop". I also feel energized about my work with clear goals for the year. </span></em><br/> <br/> <em><span class="font-size-3">I think I would amend my three wishes - instead of an exhibitors lounge I would wish for a smaller show. The entrances were switched again so that I ended up with a lot of tired customers, and the feeling I got from many exhibitors was that there was just too much jewelry. I am not convinced there is a enough of a buying public to support 650 exhibitors. Although I would like to say that this is not just an ACC Baltimore issue - many of the shows have more exhibitors than the local buying public can support. </span></em> <br/> <br/> <em><span class="font-size-3">If I get into the show next year I will do it again, and I would probably tweak some of my display for the show. I am considering going down to only 1 or 2 cases for larger work because although it makes me very uncomfortable to have my work out of cases, a large part of my work is the tactile experience. Also because of the size of the show, many people just look from the aisle so I would have a more vertical display. </span></em><br/> <br/> <em><span class="font-size-3">For exhibitors wanting to get into shows I would stress that this should be just one part of your revenue earning strategy. Most people will not do well enough to support themselves solely on income earned from shows, especially within the first 3-5 years. There are a few exceptions but this is the reality and it may not be the greatest thing to say publicly but I think it's important for people to understand so they can adjust their expectations and plan for it financially. This is also why I think that programs like Hip Pop are great. They give exhibitors a chance to try out the show, find out who their customers are, and strategize their full booth with a lighter financial burden.</span></em></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">- Laura Jaklitsch, March 2016</span><br/> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752222?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;" class="font-size-3">NEXT UP:</span></span></strong><br/> <span style="color: #339966;" class="font-size-3"><strong>The third segment of the crafthaus series will highlight yet another perspective, the ACC show director's point of view. Melanie Little offers an in-depth look at the Baltimore craft show describing what it takes to put up a major art event that brings in twenty thousand visitors for the retail portion alone.</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><br/></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/about-melanie-acc-show-director" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(7) About Melanie Little (Show Director,) ACC shows, and Hip Pop booths - Melanie's viewpoint</span></a></span></span></strong></span></p>
<p></p> Clarify..setuptag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-03-30:2104389:Topic:5416432016-03-30T15:51:59.881ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
Personally I have done the acc show in Baltimore for 25 years, I have never been able to pull right up to my booth, into the building yes, but you still need a dolly.<br />
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Also, a 2 day set up is a luxury, maybe at an ACC show but not most others. If we can't set up the booth in 3-4 hrs...it needs to be re-thought.<br />
<br />
I also agree that there's is more to the show then just sales. Plenty of connections are to be made. Most other show promoters do walk the show and check out work and display...many…
Personally I have done the acc show in Baltimore for 25 years, I have never been able to pull right up to my booth, into the building yes, but you still need a dolly.<br />
<br />
Also, a 2 day set up is a luxury, maybe at an ACC show but not most others. If we can't set up the booth in 3-4 hrs...it needs to be re-thought.<br />
<br />
I also agree that there's is more to the show then just sales. Plenty of connections are to be made. Most other show promoters do walk the show and check out work and display...many will send out "invitations" after seeing work "live". Keep in mind that artist in the show may end up being jurors for other shows. Also, magazine editors use to be all over that show....if you are ready with a CD ROM of your work and some fluff to go with it..you may end up with some free advertising.<br />
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All in all the Baltimore acc show is way down compared to how it was in the 80s and 90s....now a days I clod more sales after the show then at the show itself....and I find the wholesale to be pathetic....it's not the craft councils fault...it's just how or is.<br />
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I am from the greater Baltimore area, i am proud to say I have helped plenty of exibitors figure it all out....if anyone has a question feel free to ask....I know where all the hardware stores are and all the challenges that come with getting into "the big show" (5) Preparations and Day of Set-Up - Laura’s viewpointtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-03-29:2104389:Topic:5416162016-03-29T18:58:46.655ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756562?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756562?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="650"></img></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Laura Jaklitsch being interviewed in her studio during preparations to ACC Baltimore show. January 2016. Photo B. Martin, crafthaus</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"></img></a> <br></br> <span class="font-size-3">Continued from previous post:…</span> <br></br></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756562?profile=original"><img width="650" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756562?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="650"/></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Laura Jaklitsch being interviewed in her studio during preparations to ACC Baltimore show. January 2016. Photo B. Martin, crafthaus</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Continued from previous post:</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3" style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/4-booth-design-participating-in-craft-show-laura" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(4) Booth Design, The Reality of Participating in a Craft Show</span></a></span></strong></span></p>
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<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How long does it take you to set up your booth and when do you start?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> There are usually around two days before a show when you can set up. The retail portion for Baltimore starts on Friday. I'll get there on Wednesday and set up part of Wednesday and all of Thursday. To do it well it takes time, you should not rush this. I like to get my whole booth set up in one day, the next day I focus on arranging the work, fine-tune the lighting and take care of all the other little details. If you have help it's going to go way faster. And for some shows, like Baltimore, people can drive directly onto the show floor when they're setting up, which is a huge help.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058754958?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058754958?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span>Image source: <a href="http://www.aynhanna.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/day-2-set-up-2.1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.aynhanna.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/day-2-set-up-2.1.jpg</a></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: Drive onto the show floor with their cars?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> Yes. I don’t do that, but many do. I get dropped off via cab in front of the convention center and I'm bringing my stuff in that way. Usually it takes me about a day. I'm slow [chuckles]. In Philadelphia people drive their cars right up to the booth. It's everybody all at once.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: What about noise and the fumes from the cars?</strong></span> <br/> <span style="color: #808000;" class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;"><strong>Laura Jaklitsch:</strong></span> It's a pretty intense process. I had never done anything like that before, so I was a little overwhelmed the first time. But you got a task to do, you got to get your booth set up. You just kind of get into this mode, like, all right I'm just going to do this. It smells like exhaust and last year it was snowing, so everyone's cars had snow on them which fell off. You have to watch where you're going because the union guys are also zipping around in their vehicles. It is a little chaotic, but when it's all set up it's fine. You just have to power through and get it done.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: By the time you're set up you’ll need a vacation.</strong></span> <br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> Well, that's why I'm trying to get all set up in plenty of time so I can get a good night's sleep before the show. If you're coming in exhausted, it’s a lot harder to deal with everything. You have to be able to think on your feet and problem-solve a lot of times. What happens if you run out of stuff? Can you run to a store locally and get it? Do you need to go to the Home Depot? If I can recommend anything, it's to make sure you have food with you, because you don't want to be hungry. Give yourself that lunch break if you need it. Some people are amazing and don't seem to need to eat anything, but I'm just one of those people who needs snacks. Check in with yourself. Am I tired? Am I hungry? If you're really pushing yourself you’ll notice that you're getting a little frayed on the edges and then your decision-making skills go way down.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755691?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755691?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">First time exhibitor, blacksmith <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.nimetaldesign.net/resume.html" target="_blank">Nick Ireys</a></span></strong> in his Hip Pop booth at ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo B. Martin, crafthaus</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: What's the most helpful thing that you have experienced while setting up your booth?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> Last year, I was across from an artist who was about to retire, it was her last show. She was very nice to me and offered me her step stool to use and she kept giving me good advice. At the end of the show, she offered to let me take the step-stool with me. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take her up on it because I did not have any room in my luggage.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">In general, people at craft shows are really helpful and that's one of things I love about doing the shows, there’s a real sense of community. I have offered to help others too, I always try to pay it forward. If you need something a lot of times people notice and just offer on their own. I was struggling with my screwdriver just to hand-screw something in and someone came right up and said, ‘Hey, let me just help you out here.’</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">The ACC has a buddy-system where they pair newbies with more experienced attendees. Last year, my first year, they assigned me to someone local in Boston that I already knew and she was super helpful, Melli Finelli <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">(<a href="http://www.mellefinellijewelry.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">http://www.mellefinellijewelry.com/</span></a></span></strong></span>.) She's also a jewelry artist and she came over on the first day, nicely critiqued my booth and helped me do a better job.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Tell me more about the buddy system, please.</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> When you are signing up and get a contract from the ACC, they give you the option to be a part of what they call a buddy system. They match artists who are looking for advice with seasoned exhibitors who have done these shows a million times. I had a lot of fairly basic logistical questions for Mellie, she was very helpful to me as a buddy. Everyone has their own system of how to get things done, so the more you can speak with people, the more you learn.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058754065?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058754065?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.thomasmann.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Thomas Mann</span></a></span></strong></span>'s booth at ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo: B. Martin, crafthaus</span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Do exhibitors hang out together in the evenings?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Yeah, they do. A lot of people go out and grab dinner together. I am kind of an introvert, but I enjoy doing this. These are my colleagues and my co-workers, and a lot of them have become great friends by now.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: You also have interaction with the ACC staff, how has that been?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> It is a huge show and I haven't had a ton of interaction with every single staff member. I did have some interaction with the marketing team and they were really wonderful. They are absolutely enthusiastic about their artists. They were doing an interview on television with one of the local Baltimore TV anchors last year and had her wear one of my rings, that was really great for me, of course! My experience is that the ACC staff is wonderful. I understand there are 600 artists or more out there, so there is no way they can meet and attend to every single one of us. I would love to meet more of them though if I had the chance, just to say thanks.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: A show of this size is very difficult to manage, lots of things happen behind the scenes that need attention. To go back to the application process for a moment: If you could name three things that an artist should take into consideration when planning to participate in a show as far as the application process is concerned, what are your recommendations?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> My personal philosophy is, "Apply now, decide later." So, if you've ever been thinking about doing a show, just apply for it. You can make your participation decision later. The next thing I recommend are professional photos. I think they are worth every penny. A lot of people see thousands of images, and that's the only way that they will ever see your work. Make photography a priority. Jurors see many images in succession, if you have a homemade photo that is a little dark or a little blurry, your photo is just not going to be considered. Jurors move on. Thirdly, consider the cost of the application fees because they can add up. Plan and budget in advance. These application deadlines come up quickly one after the other, they're often to be paid six months to a year in advance of the actual event, so you want to have your images and everything planned out. You're not going to get into everything but you may be able to get into some shows and then you better be ready.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: Especially in the jewelry segment.</strong></span> <br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> Absolutely.</span><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: I think jewelry is the biggest segment in every craft show.</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> Oh yes, it is.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756008?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756008?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">Laura Jaklitsch, ring display at ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo: B. Martin, crafthaus. <span class="font-size-2"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(Find Laura's jewelry in the crafthaus shop!)</span></a></span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058755522?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: So, now the big day comes. You are at the show, and then, what happened last year for instance, there’s a big snowstorm and attendance is very, very low. What happens on the show floor when that kind of reality sets in? What happened last year?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> Well [laughs], you kind of walk out into the aisles and you look up and down, and all the artists are standing in the middle of the aisle.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3">When I went into this show I said to myself, "Am I prepared to lose the $4,000 I invested? Can I do that?" And I decided for myself that I'm going to take that risk and am going to accept that it's a possibility that something will happen, and I won't sell a single thing. I went into the show with that reality clearly in front of me. You just have to realize that stuff happens. You can't put all your eggs in one show. You have to always have other things on the horizon, so if this one thing doesn't work out, that's not going to completely devastate you financially. That’s how I chose to look at it. Did I ultimately lose some money? Yes, but I didn't lose the complete $4,000 so it's not the worst thing that could have happened. Did it help my career? Absolutely. Did I learn a million things? Yes. And I was just proud of myself that I made it too. It gave me confidence to do more shows. I just got a lot more out of it than purely the financial aspect. You always have to go in with the possibility that you could lose some money.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: You said this helped your career. In what way?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span></strong> I felt that participating in the ACC Baltimore show raised my profile by a lot. More people than ever saw my work. More people than ever heard my name. It gave me great connections in the field. I met so many people and many of them I now consider friends and colleagues. I got a lot of useful advice from seasoned artists that were hugely helpful. I kind of feel like a part of this community now.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Upcoming post:</strong> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #339966;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/6-sales-suggestions-and-final-thoughts-laura-s-viewpoint" target="_self">(6) Sales, Suggestions and Final Thoughts</a></span></span></strong><span style="color: #339966;"><br/></span></span> <br/> </p> (4) Booth Design, The Reality of Participating in a Craft Show - Laura's viewpointtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-03-23:2104389:Topic:5401092016-03-23T16:41:36.277ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058753078?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058753078?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></span> <span class="font-size-2">Laura Jaklitsch, necklace. Dispayed at Baltimore ACC show 2016. Photo: B. Martin, crafthaus…</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"></a></span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058753078?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058753078?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span><span class="font-size-2">Laura Jaklitsch, necklace. Dispayed at Baltimore ACC show 2016. Photo: B. Martin, crafthaus</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(Find Laura's jewelry in the crafthaus shop!)</span></a></span></span></strong></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Continued from <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/about-laura-jaklitsch" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(3) About Laura: Background and start-up cost</span></a></span></strong></span></span></p>
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<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: In your preparation for the Baltimore show, how many jewelry pieces do you bring with you?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> So this is something I still struggle with. I've heard numbers from various people saying you should have at least $40,000 worth of work and about five pieces of everything. Well, that’s just not possible for me. I just try to bring as much as I can. I usually have around $20,000 worth of items at a show. My goal is to offer five big neck pieces, ten rings, ten brooches, and so on. Ultimately, I just need to fill my three cases and then have some extra if people want to see additional work.</span><span class="font-size-3"><br/></span></p>
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<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: Let’s talk about your booth design. How do you plan your booth, what about traffic flow, and how do you bring people to come into your booth? What are your thoughts on what works best? </strong></span> <br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I have multiply banners all the way around on the inside, which I think is important because you can’t just design a booth from the vantage point of people looking squarely at it. People are walking past your booth and up and down an aisle, so you have to think of that space that they are going to see as they are walking. You have to have something placed within the first two feet at the front of your booth, or your space looks empty from the aisle. Sometimes people are looking down an aisle from far away. You want them to be able to see your booth even from a distance, and especially when you are dealing with smaller items, like jewelry.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">In terms of the flow, I portioned off half of my booth so I make the accessible part of the booth smaller, more intimate. I have my storage in the back so the booth looks clean. I use white drape and white minimalist backgrounds overall, which works best with my work. My rug adds visual warmth so my booth feels almost like a living room. It’s its own little environment. The floors at the craft shows are concrete, they are not pretty and I think having a rug to cover them helps, they make a space look more polished. It’s also way more comfortable to walk on for the customers than the concrete.</span><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3">The next consideration is how you draw people into your booth. I put a big photo of my work within two feet of the border of my booth. When people see my booth, they also see what type of work I make right away. As I said before, my cases are fairly close up front too, generally in a V-shape which draws people in from the edges. There is a little space in the middle where the displays meet, I kind of just wedge myself in there and I have my sample blocks on hand there as well. This works for me because I have all the things I need right at my finger tips. It gives me quick access to the display cases so that I can pull work out and hand it to people, which is really important when you sell out of closed cases. People like to touch work and you should be able to allow for that. In the end, everyone has to figure out what works best for them, this happens to work for me. </span></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756786?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756786?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">Laura Jaklitsch in her booth at Baltimore ACC show 2016. Photo: B. Martin, crafthaus. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(Find Laura's jewelry in the crafthaus shop!)</span></a></span></span></strong><br/></span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: Do you have someone to help you?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I generally don't. Some of the artists at these bigger shows pool their money and share a booth assistant between them. I think that’s a very good idea. If you have a family member or a friend who can help, that is really great. Last year, on the Friday of the ACC show, I was totally overwhelmed with many people coming to my booth at the same time, I could barely keep up. So if you can get help that would be good, but if you don't have help, or if you can't afford help, you will probably be okay on your own too. There often are booth sitters available at shows and you can flag them down if you need to step away for a bathroom break. These sitters will be in your booth but they won’t sell anything for you, just keep that in mind.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How do you process your sales?</span></strong><br/> <span style="color: #808000;" class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I use <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://squareup.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">a square</span></a></span></strong></span> and my phone. It seems like most artists use the square system these days. Some people also have a <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/reader?&PID1=sFWlk3rlv|dc;88030229168;paypal%20reader;e;;eu84e2fpi0;&kw=paypal%20reader&adgroup=TM-PPH+-+PayPal+Reader+-+Reader+%28e%29&creative=88030229168&matchtype=e&PID2=FWlk3rlv&network=g&adposition=1t1&target=&devicemodel=&campaign=TM-PPH+-+PayPal+Reader&adtype=&geo_region=NA&geo_country=US&ct=PPH&act=PayPal+Joint+Google&obj=Acquisition&ch=SEM&tt=TM&mv=google&feeditemid=&campaignid=381387728&adgroupid=21242059088&loc_physical_ms=9021458&loc_interest_ms=&targetid=kwd-33983997728&slid=&gclid=CjwKEAjw_ci3BRDSvfjortr--DQSJADU8f2jafOLs91q9BeLNzJswzK_UjCQA2pgPauVniUmvMCzJRoCadXw_wcB&mpch=ads&rftp=4&srce=cnvr&ercc=27722-205546-2056-4&spid=270403176039216894" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Paypal reader</span></a></span></strong></span> which does the same thing. When I first started many artists had credit card machines and things like that, but everyone has since switched to a smartphone reader. It’s cheaper and portable. The customers are comfortable with this form of payment by now, it’s just much easier for all involved.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: What other equipment do you bring along for your own comforts? How about a chair to sit on?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I typically end up renting a chair. Which is outrageously expensive.</span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How much is it?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I think I paid $130-180.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: For a chair?</span></strong><br/> <span style="color: #808000;" class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Yeah. [chuckles]. That just the thing, if you want to rent tables, chairs, anything, you're going to pay quite a bit of money.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: So, why don't you bring one with you?</span></strong><br/> <span style="color: #808000;" class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I do bring it with me when I bring my car, but this year I am flying. So I would have to ship a chair and then carry it ... it’s easier to just pay for the rental. It’s really a trade-off. If I am driving, I can bring a chair, but then I have to pay for gas and parking. If I fly, I have to pay the rental fee. In the end, the cost is the same so it ends up being a convenience issue.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Some people use shipping companies, such as <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.artmoves.biz/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">Art in Motion</span></a></span></strong></span>. Art in Motion also rents chairs and tables and things like that. Sometimes their rate is better than the Convention Center rate, so it's always worth shopping around. I know some people who fly and they just rent tables which they cover with tablecloth and put their cases on top of. That works. For my booth, for the look I want to achieve, I prefer to have my own tables.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752879?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752879?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><span class="font-size-2">Laura Jaklitsch earrings displayed at the ACC Baltimore show in 2016. Photo: B.Martin, crafthaus. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(Find Laura's jewelry in the crafthaus shop!)</span></a></span></span></strong><br/></span></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original" width="741"/></a><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Very good advice. One more question about the drape that’s being provided. You said you use white drape. I assume there's a choice of black or white?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> At a lot of places there’s a choice between black and white drape. At Craft Boston drape is included but it's black. So I bought my own drape because I prefer white. A lot of artists have their own pipe and drape, some of them even prefer it in a different color altogether, so they bring what they prefer and that’s usually ok too. In some places you only get black drape with the booth cost, if you want to rent white drape you have to pay extra for that and vice versa. And then there's also fire regulations. A lot of places have rules about what kind of materials you can use in the drapery. Fire marshals will inspect the drapery to make sure it is flame retardant. The plugs and the lights, they get really quite hot over the course a day. </span></p>
<p><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Looking at it from your experience and having gone through the process of purchasing some things and renting others, what do you recommend new artists should buy and what should they rent?</span></strong> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Definitely buy lights. I've got lights that break down into two-foot portions that fit into my suitcase. It's basically a track-lighting system. I buy halogen lights, some people use LED's. They are more expensive than halogen, but use less electricity. My lights click into my track and I can adjust them to best light my work. I zip-tie everything to the drape bars. Rental fees on lights are very expensive, and then you got the labor for the Union to set up your lights on top of that fee, so that starts adding up really fast. <span class="font-size-3">Check Home Depot or Lowe’s too. That’s where I got my lights.</span></span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Ask around, some artists may want to get rid of some of their stuff that they don’t use anymore, or they will be willing to rent or lend you things. <br/></span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">I would probably rent the pipe and drape because that's a $700 investment. Rent the tables and bring your own covering. For me, it's important that my booth stands out and that’s why I bring my own tables. There are about 700 artists at the Baltimore show, people have a couple seconds to decide if they want to come into your booth. If you think your work does not need your own table design, rent the tables.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Most artists use tables also to hide stuff they do not want to have out in plain sight. Wrapping materials for instance and all the other items you may need at hand. You will need pedestals if you're displaying sculptural pieces. Those I would buy because renting them is very expensive. You can’t really rent banners, those you should have custom made. Banners is a must. [laughing]. You want your name in big letters, maybe an image of your work too.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Some people don't use cases, that's a personal choice. For me, I just feel more comfortable when my work is in cases.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Two things that someone recommend to me when I started out was that everyone needs gaffer's tape and zip-ties. Gaffer’s tape is tape that you can peel off and not leave any residue. And zip ties. Everything seems to be held together with zip ties. [laughter] Bring your own tools, you don't want to have to rent a laborer, it's very expensive. Be aware though that there are Union regulations to consider. In Baltimore, they don’t let you use your own power tools. They want you to rent their labor.<br/></span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">I would recommend that you just reach out to your artist network and see what you can borrow. A lot of people go through different booth displays when they've been doing craft shows for a while. So they might actually have some stuff that they're not using anymore that you could borrow or rent from them. <span class="font-size-3">(<em><span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">Note to READERS: Remember the info in a previous post about <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/booth-display-acc-baltimore" target="_blank">Deb Karash being interested in selling her display?</a></span></span></em>)</span></span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original" width="741"/></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756617?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058756617?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Standing behind Laura Jaklitsch's display cases at ACC Baltimore 2016. Photo: B. Martin, crafthaus. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(Find Laura's jewelry in the crafthaus shop!)</span></a></span></span></strong></span></p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058752951?profile=original" width="741"/></a></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Do you have a book out for people to write down their address and contact information?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I have a sheet printed out for that and a folder that contains all of my paperwork. </span></p>
<p><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: Does the Baltimore show give you any kind of marketing materials?</strong></span> <br/> <span style="color: #808000;" class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> They provide us with postcards and they have stickers that you can add to those postcards too. If you are reaching out to your own people, have your own postcards printed with the show info on it. And you want to print up a ton of business cards. I would say print up a thousand. Write your booth number on your postcards.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How about the location of your booth. Do you have any say in where you are being placed?</span></strong><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Well, you can't really choose, but you can request a booth number range you would like to be in. There's all kinds of theories about what location you should pick or where you should pick. I don't think it really matters in the end. It is just a gigantic show. It's kind of overwhelming. Visitors have their booklet in hand and they pick out the booths they really want to see. They'll come around the first time and make notes in their books so they can remember what they liked, and come back during the second walk-through. People that come to these shows often have a system that they use every time. Make sure you have your booth number ready and printed on your cards so that they can come back and find you.</span><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: From the contact information you collect, do you conduct surveys of customers who have been to your booth? </strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I don’t survey. I usually just like to be able to remind people that I exist. They're not going to remember your name or anything like that. There's just so many artists that they've seen, so alerting them ahead of a show that you will be there is a very good way to stay in touch.</span></p>
<p><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Next post:</span> <span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/preparations-set-up" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(5) Preparations and Day of Set-Up - Laura’s viewpoint</span></a></span></strong></span></span></p> (3) Background and start-up cost - Laura's viewpointtag:crafthaus.ning.com,2016-03-17:2104389:Topic:5395782016-03-17T16:09:52.880ZAlison B. Antelmanhttp://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/AlisonBAntelman
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058750891?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058750891?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a> Crafthaus: For how long have you being making jewelry?</strong></span><br></br> <br></br> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I started making jewelry in 2005 at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. I took some time off in between and gradated in 2011 with a BFA and jewelry and metal.…</span> <br></br></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058750891?profile=original"><img width="300" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058750891?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a>Crafthaus: For how long have you being making jewelry?</strong></span><br/> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I started making jewelry in 2005 at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. I took some time off in between and gradated in 2011 with a BFA and jewelry and metal.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Is this your first time participating in a bigger craft show?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> The first show I ever participated in was Craft Boston because they offer a mentorship program for which you share a booth with someone else. This is something that benefits new artists a lot, especially those who have not been out of school for that long. The ACC in Baltimore 2015 was my first solo show which was an intense experience. I also already did Philadelphia and Craft Boston in my own booths this year, and then this year will be my second solo Baltimore show.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Do you participate in any of the other ACC shows?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Not in all of them yet. Last year, I only applied for Baltimore and San Francisco and this year I applied for everything. I'm still on the wait list for San Francisco, it's a smaller show and pretty competitive. All the booth fees are due to be paid fairly closely together and I am a one-woman show, so I'm not sure I could have enough money and inventory to really make it worth my while to do a show every single month.</span> <br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3"> </span></strong></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058749262?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058749262?profile=original" width="722"/></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(Find Laura's jewelry in the crafthaus shop!)</span></a></span></span></strong></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: When you say, that's a lot of booth cost to shoulder, let’s talk about that. What is the price for your booth space in Baltimore?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> If you're just there for the retail end it's about $1,400 and that doesn't include electricity, pipe and drape, or anything else. The wholesale-retail combination is somewhere around $2,000 and the other ACC shows are usually around $1,000. So in total, I've got to consider an accumulation of booth deposits that are typically at around $500-600 per show, and dues usually around this time of year. It adds up pretty quickly. Doing craft shows is a huge financial commitment and something to think about for someone who is just starting out. How are you going to fund these expenses? For many people I know, they zero out their credit cards and then pay them off after they did a show and made some money. You have to think hard if it is worth it for you to pull money out of your savings, or maybe even loan some money to tie you over.</span></p>
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<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Do you participate in the Baltimore wholesale segment as well?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> I did last year, but this year I decided that I would just do the retail end.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Why?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> One factor is cost. Other than the booth fee, you have to include the additional hotel days, additional food you’ll need, and other items for a longer trip.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3">My impression is, and I heard this many times, that the wholesale buyers really want to see a new artist for several years before they place an initial order. They want to see where your work is going, they want to make sure you're not just going to disappear one year. It's a relationship that you are forming with them, so things take their time. My work is mostly one-of-a-kind type work, so my problem was to make buyers comfortable with buying it. I am currently considering to offer a huge stock of pieces that wholesale buyers could go through, like in a "pick-bag" situation, I package it and send it to them. Maybe at some point I will have a large enough inventory for that. If I had someone helping me with more production-type work, I would definitely think more about wholesaling, but at this point I just want to keep my cost really low.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Give me an average cost for you to attend the retail show.</span></strong><br/> <span style="color: #808000;" class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> My cost at this time are about $3,000 plus. The booth fee is $1400. I'm doubling up in hotel rooms with people to save money, so that’s about $300 for the hotel room. Pipe and drape runs at about $200, electricity is usually between $100 and $150 just for the basic rate.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">Keep in mind, I just have a 10 x 10 booth, if you have a larger booth this is going to cost you more. My plane ticket is about $200. I ship a lot of things to Baltimore because I am not taking my car, so that's probably about $250 in shipping. Then there's cabs from the airport, that's another $100 both ways, and then food, another couple hundred bucks. Last year, I didn't have any equipment yet, so just the start-up cost and booth fees and cost me about $4000 to be able to do the show. I think this is probably a good estimate to give out, if you don't have any equipment and you're by yourself in a 10 x 10 booth, and you're doing wholesale/retail. It’s not that outrageous for a show of this caliber, but it is a factor for sure.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: How about insurance? Don't you have to have your own insurance at the event?</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Yes, you should have your own insurance. Insurance is not covered by the show organizer.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;">(Find Laura's jewelry in the crafthaus shop!)</span></a></span></strong></span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: You mention start-up cost, you mean the cost for getting displays, cases, display furniture, lighting, business cards, that kind of stuff. </span></strong><br/> <span style="color: #808000;" class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> That’s right. My display is pretty bare-bones but it displays my work well so I am happy with it. Other people’s displays are much more elaborate than mine and will cost much more.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3">I bought a rug which was around $100, I bought lights which ended up being around $150, and then there's all these little things like tape, zip ties, clipboards, pens, just basic things to conduct business. My cases disassemble and flip together so that they fit in a suitcase for easy shipping and transportation. I spent about $150 getting the plexiglass cut. My table tops are really inexpensive, they're just home depot table tops, the table legs I had made, I already had one set and they're around $200 per set so that was a comparatively big cost. What else? Banners! I found a place online and spent $130 on banners. All that adds up. Just to get my booth set up I probably spend around $1000, and that does not includes things like the suitcases I needed to get my items transported in. I designed my booth so that everything fits into two suitcases and what doesn't fit in there I have to ship. I ship table legs, table tops, the rug and the banners, everything else fits into those suitcases. They're pretty big, it takes a whole lot of muscle to move them around, but I put them in checked baggage and then I have a small suitcase for myself that just contains my clothes, which I carry on the plane.</span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3">Crafthaus: Let's say your cost to do this show runs you about $3,000 and that’s after the initial investment in armatures you already made. You will need to sell a lot of one-of-a-kind pieces just to cut even and then, obviously, you need to sell some more work to make a profit.</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Right. But before I decided to do this show, I called up everyone who would talk to me and ask them if they thought it would be worth it. A lot of people told me that participating in shows like these offer benefits you cannot put a price tag on. Getting your work out in front of a lot of people is important as are the connections you make with other artists and galleries. Having your work up on the ACC website is great, I still get a lot of website hits from that, and just being able to say that I got into that show is big for me too. I do feel it raised my profile a lot. If you do the wholesale end, your image goes in a little booklet that gets sent out to many galleries and I got contacts through there as well. I mostly consign my work to galleries so that was one of the reasons why wholesale wasn't the best business fit for me, people don't outright purchase my work yet, they consign it, at this point in my career anyway.</span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><strong>Crafthaus: What's your price range for a one-of-a kind brooch?</strong></span> <br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Between $280 to $425 retail. My pieces are labor-intensive and my profit margin is really not large on smaller-sized brooches. This is something that I'm starting to figure out as I go along, and it’s one of the reasons why I am starting to make larger-scale work. I believe that the type of people who typically buy my smaller work will probably also like this in larger. I want to bump up the size with my current body of work which is also another reason why I chose to do the retail end this year. </span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;">(Find Laura's jewelry in the crafthaus shop!)</span></a></span></strong></span><br/> <strong><span class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058751641?profile=original"><img width="300" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058751641?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a>Crafthaus: It sounds like you need an assistant.</span></strong><br/> <span class="font-size-3"> </span><br/> <span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #808000;">Laura Jaklitsch:</span> Yes, I would love an assistant. This is another thing I've being looking at. I've also been thinking about getting some technology involved, some laser cutting to help me move things along faster. Having an assistant is great but it also has its drawbacks.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">During a slow month like January for instance, there are no shows and you are basically burning through money, then you add to that the cost of doing a show plus the money you have to pay an assistant for making work that you will need later on in the year. It gets really difficult if you're just starting out. No one really has a huge profit margin to begin with.</span></p>
<p><br/> <span class="font-size-3">I don't think buyers always understand the reality of being a self-supporting artist, they just think this stuff is ‘so expensive’, but the reality is I'm not standing there making a killing, it's a labor of love, basically.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Next:</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><span style="color: #339966;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/group/crafthaus-goes-to-acc-baltimore-2016/forum/topics/4-booth-design-participating-in-craft-show-laura" target="_self"><span style="color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;">(4) Booth Design, The Reality of Participating in a Craft Show</span></a></span></strong></span><br/></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #808000;" class="font-size-3"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058750585?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1058750585?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://crafthaus.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">(Find Laura's jewelry in the crafthaus shop!)</a></span></strong></span></p>