Hi Denise!

I just had a look at the pics of your beads. My God, woman, you have to get yourself set up in a website!! You could be making some serious money for yourself.

Your work is extremely well done, and I love the dime alongside to get an idea of the size.  Very professional - well done!!

Blessings,

Joanne

Hi Sheryl,

I'd almost forgotten how rewarding it was to do the Christmas craft fairs in NY. There were many customers who would look for me to be at the show each year so they could add new ornaments to their collections.

Denise

Hi Joanne,

Don't get me started!! I have done everything but that. Maybe it's time to take the plunge.

Thank you so much for your appreciation of my work.

Denise

Hi Jenny,

interesting stuff.  I am not sure that this happens very much here in France, although I am not in the mainstream of this, so i could be wrong.

What IS happening here is the appearance of people working in crafts (not so much the arts area) in the assorted Vide Greniers, Puces and Brocantes (Empty Attics, Flea Markets, and lower-price second-hand markets).  How they do, financially, I am not sure.

However and following on from the previous paragraph is the undoubted fact that these markets are shifting their quality - or should I say, their price base - upwards. Vides Greniers stay the same and are really mainly rubbish - an alternative to throwing the stuff away. Puces are now starting to charge what used to be Brocante prices, and Brocantes are now charging Antiquaire prices!

This year I intend putting some paintings and prints into a couple of Brocantes to see what happens.  I will also try out the biggest Puce in the region - called La Grange Rouge, which has over 1,000 exhibitors.

Finally, and this could be something of interest, i- some local French people are putting together a meeting of French/Foreigners to see if we can develop workshops and contacts together.  This is a brilliant idea and we meet for the first time on 13th Feb. to see where it takes us. Amazingly- and it shows how reserved we Europeans tend to be, there are dozens of foreigners in our area and we never knew.  Apparently there are English, Dutch, Belgians, Swiss, Germans (logical as we border both of these countries), and maybe even some others.  I will report back if you are interested?

I will put up the idea of an Arts & Crafts Fair and see what the reaction is.  One very big advantage all French villages have are the Salles des Fetes.  These are inexpensive halls that can be rented for local events from the Mairie at ridiculously cheap prices - literally the cost of the electricity and heating in our village!

Thanks for the input.

Norm

Hi Mary,

Thanks for posting all that information about the open air fairs in your area of Ohio.  Good info for any artists and craftsman in OHIO there.

Many fairs are not the official juried ones that some people have talked about here.  All over the States and Europe there are a large variety of open air markets where you can participate for free or for a nominal amount - just bring your table and products.  I have done quite a lot of these

There are flea markets - where artisans work is welcomed along with                                  second hand and antique and collectible stuff

Markets run by local town halls and charities  - for artists,  & artesans

Farmers markets - where you can often be alongside food!  great for long days!

They can be a great way to reach people without a large investment - although their success depends a lot on the publicity they are given by the organisers.

This is a BIG ISSUE - when you put your name down for a Fair - ASK HOW IT IS BEING PUBLICIZED!!!

Thanks for an informative post Mary
Love
Jenny