Message Board
- I'm new to this message board and have been reading past posts about craft fairs with interest. I'm currently considering doing the Harrogate trade craft fair. We make bespoke bags and accessories, does anybody have any specific experience of this event and whether it was a positive experience? We are also considering joining the website notonthehighstreet.com, but again are looking to find out if anybody has any experience of this. We are a business in its first year of setting up and it's hard to know where it's best to invest our money!
Thanks
L6 Jan '09 - 8.29pm
- Hello
I had a stand at the BCTF 4 years ago with my handcrafted greetings cards. I was very disappointed with the number of visitors compared to the cost of the stand and didn't break even. However things could have changed. If I were to do another trade show I would try one of the London ones or the Home & Gift Fair in Harrogate in July.
I also contacted notonthehighstreet last week. The website implies it is easy for you to join but when you ask for details it becomes slightly more involved but don't let this put you off.28 Jan '09 - 10.30am
- Hello
I am a member of noths and the response I have had for my products has been superb-however the noths team seem to constantly move the goal posts-If your products sell they promote and promote you if you dont sell they dont even give you a chance of being featured which leads to very poor sales.Dont buy the crap about being a partner as you are kept in the dark about sales figures. Fundamently it is a marketing company and they do there jobs very well but be weary as they are business women and although you will be mad busy they still manage to cream off a healthy wedge!Hope this is useful -they are quite high handed aswell but the majority of my experience with them has been positaive.18 Mar '09 - 5.22pm
- Thanks for the information on NOTHS as I was considering joining... might think again about that one.
Have you thought about www.etsy.com? It is an American site and all your prices have to be in $ (although they keep saying they are looking at other currencies). On the plus side, it is very easy and cheap to list items and you can get as involved in the Etsy 'ethos' as you want, which might lead to a higher profile. I have listed a few things there and sold most of them. There is a huge section for stationery, so you want to make sure to stand out from the crowd, but, on the whole, I have had a positive experience with them.
If you are in greetings cards, check out the GCA (Greeting Card Association) website - invaluable for free advice, suppliers, etc. Also consider Business Link - you might be able to get matched funding for certain shows, the Harrogate Home and Gift being one of them, if you meet certain criteria.12 May '09 - 1.46pm