New to Crafts
by Alison and Ivan Petley, Traditional Crafts
Back in the cold days of early Spring, together with Paul and Angie of Craftsman, we came up with the idea of helping people new to crafts. The criteria was that we would offer free spaces to selected people provided that they had never sold any of their product at a craft event prior to our Liscombe House show in May. There, we would select two crafts to exhibit free at six of our events throughout the year.
We were all quite astounded by the excellence of the cross section of crafts submitted for selection. This was the first problem, we did not want to leave any out, but space made us be realistic. So phone calls, emails and faxes came into play and we finally accepted twelve, which was a significant increase on the number we had originally decided on.
Details were sent out, plus advice and guidelines to help, questions were answered and the big set up day arrived. Gill Mallett, a friendly face and long term exhibitor with Traditional Crafts, was on hand. She spent most of set up day helping and advising. Paul and Angie came to help and advise on display and pricing. All twelve had gone to a great deal of trouble with their stands, but what may work in the dining room often doesn't in a marquee. With the aid of cable ties, hammer and nails, levelling boards and brute force, the 'New to Crafts' marquee looked very professional come opening time. The buzz that was going was great. Old time exhibitors were just as keen to help and advise and would wander over during the show to see if all was okay. They, too, know that we must encourage new people, otherwise craft shows, as we know them and grew up with, will be a thing of the past, all the talent out there wasted.
The four of us got together during the show to have a chat about the final selection. Big problem, we knew we liked them all and would find selecting only two very difficult. We talked to the new craft exhibitors and suggested that we changed the rules. Instead of two exhibitors for six shows, how about three for three shows? This was very much approved of and helped a little.
The next thought was that whatever we liked, the public might not, so it was decided that before we could select, we should ask for a breakdown of the sales. This would indicate to us if each craft was generally popular with the public. And so we came to our final selection of four:
- David Watkins, woodturner
- Penny Simpson, ceramics
- Janice Ayres, glassware
- Paul & Janet Vowles, metal and glass
Congratulations!
To the remainder, don't give up. Ask any exhibitor, we have all had bad shows. If we got it right every time, we would be laughing. Select your fairs carefully. If you need advice, we are willing to help.
If we all feel that this has been worthwhile, and only time will tell, it may be worth trying again next year. Perhaps other organisers may take the idea on board. This way we would all be helping to keep our wonderful craft industry alive.
P.S. from Angie & Paul
When Ivan and Alison first spoke to us about this 'New to Crafts' project, I'm not sure that any of us quite realised just how important it would turn out to be. Not only for the new exhibitors, but also for those of us who have been in crafts for a good number of years.
The industry has changed in the 20 years that we've been part of it, it can feel a bit jaded and weary sometimes, a bit of an uphill struggle, trying to keep ahead of the game, come up with new ideas, generally survive the storms and stay happy.
Seeing the enthusiasm (and nervousness!) of these new makers served to remind us all at Liscombe House just what a good business we are in. It's supportive and inspiring, there's a great sense of being able to 'do your own thing' alongside others who have a similar approach to life.
We know of at least one other organiser who has tried to introduce new makers in a similar way at his shows in recent months. Sadly, he has had an extremely negative response from his regular exhibitors, who have been begrudging in accepting or assisting the newcomers.
To the contrary, everyone we spoke to at the Liscombe House event was in support of the initiative. Other exhibitors offered advice, the Traditional Crafts team were constantly on hand to help and support the new makers, the visitors to the show enjoyed chatting about the work and offered their suggestions, and we were pleased to share our own knowledge and experience with them.
The end of the show did not mean the end of the project, though. Some of the New to Crafts exhibitors were selected to exhibit again with Traditional Crafts during the remainder of the year, we'll be reporting on that in due course. And at the Craftsman Office we continue to offer advice whenever we can. Many of the New to Crafts makers continue to keep in touch with us and we endeavour to point them in the right direction to help their businesses flourish.
So our advice to those who have been around for a few years - take a leaf out of the Traditional Crafts book, look at what you can give back to the industry, help others at the beginning of their journey into crafts. With a bit of input from those who are more experienced, they might avoid some of the pitfalls that may be ahead of them and have a better opportunity to succeed. Apprenticeships are a thing of the past, but isn't this a similar kind of sharing of knowledge and experience, using what we have learned to benefit others.
Congratulations to Ivan and Alison for their continual efforts to move the industry forward - for those who see this type of initiative as a threat to their own survival, think how good it would have been if you could have had access to the same level of support when you started out.
