perspective from a craft fair juror

from the archives: 19.10.10

A few weeks ago, Andrea and Robert asked me if I’d help them test out the new jury system they’ll be using to select Got Craft vendors after they move to London next year. Since they receive more than three times the number of applications as they have slots, I can now totally appreciate the difficulty they face in choosing which vendors are accepted.

I was struck by a few things I hadn’t really thought about since I left Interweave Crochet and reviewed design submissions four times a year. So here are my thoughts about craft-fair applications after my one day being on a test jury:

Photographs are everything. I was surprised that a few applicants didn’t include photos at all. How were we to decide if they’d be a good fit for the show?
Photos should be appropriate to an application. A few applicants included very fashiony or artsy photos that were lovely as photos but that didn’t really show off the products very well. A few photos left us all confused about what the product actually was. Unless you’re applying to sell your photos at the show, please take care to include good photos of your work, and even include one of a craft-fair table you’ve designed in the past.

Even though you’re not being chosen to be a writer, please please please spellcheck your application. It takes two seconds and it really does affect the first impression you make. Please please please then take an additional three minutes and proofread your writing. Spellcheck isn’t fail-proof.

Know the show you’re applying to. Got Craft, for example, has a very distinct atmosphere and type of vendor. If your crafts are, say, more upmarket or traditional, they’ll probably fit better at a different show. And that’s okay. There are a ton of craft fairs in Vancouver. Each one is different.

Holy smokes, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing vendors for a craft fair! Andrea and Robert can’t simply accept all the vendors they love – they have to make sure there’s a good balance between types of wares (to avoid, say, too much jewelry or baby things) and price points. That means that sometimes very awesome vendors aren’t accepted. That’s some very tough decision-making. I’m glad they’re shifting to a jury system, if only because I love them both and want them to maintain their sanity!

photo via a beautiful mess

field trip :: blitz

Blitz is London’s first ever vintage department store. Situated in the uber chic Brick Lane, Blitz was started by a group of established vintage dealers and carries furniture, books, records, clothing and accessories for both men and women and soon, an on-site cafe that will serve coffee from a converted vintage Fiat car. Items are curated and hand-picked and include vintage pieces from designer labels, so be prepared to pay for this service. Set inside a former furniture warehouse, it covers 9,000 sq feet and five rooms; which alone, is worth a visit!

Blitz, 55-59 Hanbury Street, E1 5JP London

got craft :: vancouver vendors

It has been a busy few days with the computer, but the Got Craft? Vancouver vendors are up and ready for you to peruse! Here is a sample of some favourites, but you can make your own wish list by checking out the vendor page here.

More details to be announced soon including swag bag goodies and DIY table projects. In the meantime, check out the full event details here or RSVP on our facebook page here. See you there! X

vendors: sassy contessa, banoo, its your life, mélanie kimmett

cargoh’s curated collection

Cargoh launched their first ever ‘Curated Collection – Selections from Today’s Top Taste Makers’ yesterday with some top picks by Erin Loechner of DesignForMankind.com. If you haven’t heard of Erin’s blog, you must be living in a cave. A writer, speaker, stylist and consultant, Erin’s art / design blog was honoured as one of London Time’s top 50 design blogs in the world and she also hosts a renovation column on HGTV.com and has been featured in Glamour, Dwell, Apartment Therapy and Lucky to name a few.

You can check out Erin’s top picks here including my (Roxypop) pinback set! Yeah, I have pretty much been doing cartwheels all morning. Thanks Cariann + Erin! X

featured artist :: tiny warbler

from the archives: 09.11.09

name: Kate
company: Tiny Warbler
links: shop | blog

What do you make?
I make small, soft animals made from my original patterns. They are made from melton wool, cashmere blends and I use cotton fabric and Japanese cottons as accents. They are stitched entirely by hand and are now being stuffed with soft (local) lambswool. I also make some limited edition items during special holidays. There will be bats in the shop again soon, just in time for Halloween. (and for fun, I am teaching myself how to make quilts.)

What or who inspires you?
I can find inspiration in almost anything! Obviously I am inspired by nature (I love watching animal planet!) but sometimes all it takes is a song, or a color. My creative husband is a constant source of inspiration for me as well.

How did you get started?
I’ve been creating and making things since I was little. Drawing, coloring, ceramics, collages- I loved it all. There was then a long period where I didn’t make anything, then I started to work for a local designer couple making their jewelry as production work. That got my hands moving again and inspired me to create something of my own. I had the urge to use some the fabric I had started collecting, so I picked up a pencil and started sketching. One thing lead to another and next thing I knew I had made an elephant. It all happened within a few hours. I was hooked. (and shocked!)

What are your favourite materials to work with?
I love working with textiles.(meaning, I have a slight fabric addiction!) Wool, linen, cotton fabric. It’s a nice contrast to the silver and bronze I had been working with in the jewelry studio.

Do you have any advice for those in the biz?
Oh, I don’t think I’m qualified to be offering up advice! I just try to keep an open mind, do everything to the best of my ability and treat people the way I would like to be treated in return. For me, I always try to remember that I started doing this because I like to make stuff. If it stops being fun, then I think it’s time to move on.