Resources on where
to find shows
near you
Here's another thing to consider, your location in the fair. I guess you could look at this a few ways. We were at the tail end of a fair, in a hallway and not in the main gym. By the time people saw our booth it was "augh, not another jewelry booth" and no one was interested in buying. Some did look and had already bought at another booth, then realized our prices were more reasonable so we heard them saying "oh, I wish I wouldn't have bought this other item already" and they STILL didn't buy from us. It's hard to know the mentality of craft fair shoppers! Some will look first and go back for items they liked. We've noticed it's rare for people to come back. The larger the show the less likely they probably are, since they're too tired to walk all the way back. So the flip side would be they could be more likely to buy from you if you're near the end. Keep these things in mind, and it would be a good idea to find a show you have been to before where you have a feel for where the "choice" spots are and can try to request being in that area.
I did a smaller show this past November and wasn't expecting much. It turned out that it was my best show. I did have competition, but not a whole lot of it, and I already signed up to attend this year. Make sure you promote the fair to your family and friends - add it to you e-mail signature so word about it spreads. There's nothing like going through the work of setting up for a show and having poor attendance...so it may also be a good idea to find out what their advertising strategy is as well.
Sometimes you find out about a craft fair when you see a sign posted at an intersection, or from word of mouth. Some online resources may make it easier though! So here is a long list of websites to help you find a show near you. You may find the quick links below helpful if you're looking for something in particular. Nation-wide Listings are for just that - comprehensive lists for events across the United States. Regional Listings - sites I found that list for just a few states or regions, or for just a certain "brand" of fair. Show Websites are for specific fairs. State Resources are sites sponsored by the state government's tourism board.
NATION-WIDE LISTINGS REGIONAL LISTINGS SHOW WEBSITES STATE RESOURCES
ART AND CRAFT FAIR DIRECTORIES - NATION-WIDE
The following links are for directories and/or sites that list events across the US. There are also a few for the UK and Canada.Art and Craft Online - has a state list of events, appears to be free to search and list events.
ArtFairCalendar.com - Fine Arts Fairs and Craft Show Event Listings. Free art show and craft fairs calendar and email list for art festivals across the US.
Craft Calendar - show listings in the UK.
Craft 4 Crafters - show listings in the UK.
Craft Lister - a free resource (need to sign up first) for listing and finding shows.
Craftmaster News - $48.95 per year to receive 6 bi-monthly issues. Free for basic listing of events.
Craft Show Yellow Pages - $40 for annual subscription - 4 monthly news letters and 8 email updates.
Crafts Report Show Finder - listing of shows across the US. $12-15 to list an event.
Craftyshops.com - Craft Fair List - free to search, $2.95 to list.
Fairs and Festivals - $25-35 annual fee for membership, which is needed in order to view details about the listings.
Festival Network Online - a free resource to list and find shows.
Festivals and Events - free directory of shows and events across the US. Free to list an event.
Festivals and Shows - Free to search and list shows.
ICHF - craft show listings in the UK.
The Indie Craft Fair Guide - listing of a variety of indie craft fairs around the US.
LASR.net - state listings for websites and events.
My Arts and Crafts - searchable listing across the US. Free to add your event.
Sunshine Artist - free to search, minimum $25 and up to list.
ART AND CRAFT FAIR DIRECTORIES - REGIONAL
Regional lists, and some websites that produce craft fairs in several cities/areas.Artrider - fine art shows in NJ and NY.
Arts and Crafts - $50/annual subscription for Eastern US craft listing. Also offers some free e-mail updates.
Bay's List - Craft Show Schedule - available for a few states.
Buckler's Craft Shows - show listing for various cities in FL.
Community Affair - this is for juried shows in FL and SC.
Craft Producers - shows in NY, NJ and VT.
EMG Events - Fine Art and craft fairs in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Essex Craft Fair and Fine Arts Show - annual shows in Vermont.
Extravaganza Craft News - $12/annually, for monthly email listings of shows in WA, OR, ID, MT, UT, CO, WY, ND and SD.
Festivals Directory Northwest - for shows in WA, OR, ID and MT.
The Grapevine - $34 subscription for 4 issues. There is a list online of shows, but you need to subscribe in order to receive the magazine which will list the details. Show listings are for IL, IN, IA, OH, MI, MN, WA and FL.
Maine Made Craft Shows - listing of various shows in Maine.
Mike and Pat's Craft Fairs - shows in New England.
Netstreetfair.com - publishes books for craft shows in Michigan and the Midwest, online listings also and is free to list an event.
New England Craft Fairs - listings of fairs in New England.
North East Show Promoters - listings of shows in NY state.
Northwest Arksansa Craft Fairs - listing of shows in NW Arkansas.
Paradise City Arts Festivals - Shows in MA and PA.
Poppytalk Blog - blog with calls for submissions for shows.
Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival - shows in AZ, CA, CO
The Renegade Craft Fair - Info on shows in Austin, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.
Rose Squared Productions - shows in NJ.
Sami Show - craft fairs in TX.
Shipshewana On the Road Shows - craft fairs in IN, MI and OH.
Show Creations - craft fairs in shopping malls in Ontario, Canada.
Southern Festivals - for shows in AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, TX, LA, VA,
Sugarloaf Craft Festivals -listings for shows in MD, VA, NJ, PA, MI, GA and DC.
INDIVIDUAL SHOWS
These are website I came across that are specifically for a particular show only.Castleberry Fairs and Festivals - 2010 details not posted yet.
Christmas Crossroads - annual craft fair in Lockport, IL.
Crested Butte Arts Festival - annual festival in Crested Butte, CO.
The Deleware Arts Festival - annual art fair in Deleware, OH
Fairhope's Annual Arts and Crafts Show - AL.
Fine Art in the Park - Los Altos, CA annual event.
Founders Festival - annual festival in Farmington, MI.
Great Trail Festival - annual festival in Malvern, OH.
Stitch Rock, an Indie Craft Fair and Bazaar - in Delray Beach, FL.
Madison Chautagua Festival of Art - annual event in southern IN.
Offinger's Handcrafted Marketplace - OH, wholesale trade shows, not open to the public.
Ole Applegate Place Festival - Ozark, AR.
The Original Creative Festival - 2-day show in OH.
The Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show - annual show in Harrisburg, PA.
Smithsonian Craft Show - annual show in DC.
Summer Festival of the Arts - OH, at Youngstown University.
Syracuse Arts and Craft Show - annual show in Syracuse, NY.
Whitehouse Fire Company - 2 shows a year, NJ.
DIRECTORIES BY STATE
Some of these are comprehensive listings for art and craft shows in their respective states. The state of WI does a great job with their directory - kudos to my state! Look in the nationwide listings above for your state as well, as there may be more listings available elsewhere, especially the smaller venues.AL - Alabama Dept. of Tourism
AK - Arkansas Arts, Crafts and Antiques
AZ - Arizona Arts and Crafts
CA - Visit California
CO - Colorado Events and Festivals
CT - Connecticut Events (there were no art or craft listings at the time I searched)
DE - Visit Delaware - Arts and Culture
DC - Washington DC Calendar
FL - Visit Florida - Arts and Craft Events search
GA - Explore Georgia - I tried a search on "craft fairs" and found a few listings
HI - Go Hawaii - tried a search on "craft fairs"
IA - Travel Iowa - Festivals & Events
ID - Visit Idaho - Events
IL - Illinois Art Fair Directory
IN - Visit Indiana - Fairs and Festival search
KS - Travel KS - events search
KY -Kentucky Tourism - Event search
LA - Louisiana Travel - Events
MA - Massachusetts Tourism
MD - Visit Maryland - Events listing
ME - Visit Maine - Event Calendar
MI - Michigan - Antiques, Crafts and Collectibles event listings
MN - Explore Minnesota - Festivals and Events
MS - Mississippi Events and Festivals
MT - LivelyTimes - Montana's Source for Events and Entertainment
NC - Visit NC - Events listings
ND - North Dakota Tourism Event Search
NE - Visit Nebraska - Events Search
NH - New Hampshire - Festivals list
NJ - New Jersey Events
NM - New Mexico Tourism Event Search
NV - Travel Nevada - Events
NY - I Love NY Event Search
OH - Discover Ohio - Fairs and Festivals search
OK - Travel OK - Event Search
OR - Travel Oregon - Event Search
PA - Visit PA - event calendar
RI - Visit Rhode Island - Event Calendar
SC - Discover South Carolina - Event Search
SD - Travel SD - Events
TN - TN Vacation - Calendar
TX - Travel TX - Event search
UT - Travel UT - event listings
VA - Virginia Events
VT - Vermont Tourism event search
WA - Experience WA - events
WI - Wisconsin Art and Craft Fairs - here's a good resource for a lot of art and craft fairs in Wisconsin.
WV - West Virginia Calendar of Events
WY - Wyoming Tourism - Event Calendar