Each year, quilt teachers, judges, quilt shop owners, museum staff, conference/show organizers, and guild representatives gather for regional Meet the Teachers (MTT) programs. Quilt teacher, Sarah Goer, describes MTT as “speed dating for quilt teachers and guild program chairs. It’s a great face-to-face opportunity to meet dozens of people in a short period of time.”
Many people consider the International Quilt Festival, held yearly in Houston, TX to be the Mothership of all quilt shows. It’s certainly the largest, most diverse gathering of quilters in the world. As a long-time teacher in the industry, Lyric Kinard has had the privilege of attending a number of times and has met quilters from all over the United States and around the world. Who knew there were quilters in Greece and Turkey? This time around she ran into friends from Australia and New Zealand, Europe and South America. It’s truly a place where she can find her tribe in all its glorious diversity. Lyric tells us all about what was new and exciting at Festival this year in this show report.
On October 26-28, 2018, fiber enthusiasts gathered at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center for the Southeast Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF). This year’s show was no ordinary year, though, as SAFF organizers and attendees celebrated the 25th anniversary this year. Ashley Little was there and brings us this report.
Although ‘trunks’ themselves are virtually a thing of the past, ‘trunk shows’ produced from a multitude of travel bags and boxes containing all sorts of beautiful handmade items are very much a thing of the present.
The Handmade Fair took place September 14-16 at Hampton Court Palace in London. Founded in 2014 by Kirsty Allsopp, a British television presenter, the mission of the event is to help attendees appreciate the beauty of handmade and to become makers themselves. The show offers an exciting weekend of learning, community, and shopping for crafty people of all kinds.
Ask a knitter about “Rhinebeck” and you’re likely to hear stories of cider donuts, taking photos with sheep, and standing in massive lines for coveted hand dyed yarn. The New York Sheep & Wool Festival, a.k.a. Rhinebeck or simply Sheep & Wool, invites farmers, makers, families, and friends to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds for a weekend of wooly goodness. Held every October since 1980, Sheep & Wool has become a viral sensation in recent years, becoming the annual can’t-miss event for online influencers, bloggers, and vloggers.
Last week the fall edition of The Knitting and Stitching Show took place at Alexandra Palace in London and as the organizers phrased it, they gave this edition of the show (which has been around for more than 30 years) “a refresh.”
With a new layout and expanded offerings, this four-day show is considered the go-to show that spans a variety of textile disciplines, including knitting and crochet, quilting, sewing, fabric collage, fashion and dressmaking, cross stitch, traditional and creative embroidery, weaving, and stumpwork just to name a few.
In its sixth year, Yarndale is one of the growing number of yarn/fiber specific retail craft fairs in the UK. It’s held over two days in late September at the Skipton Auction Mart, giving the event an almost Rhinebeck-like atmosphere (with fewer animals).
NY NOW, the trade show for the home, lifestyle, and gifts market, took place August 12-15 at the Javits Center in New York City. Lisa Chamoff was there and brings us this report on the latest trends and buzz at the show.
One of the largest quilt shows in New England is the World Quilt New England show in Manchester NH put on by Mancuso Show Management. I’m fortunate to live just a half hour or so away from where the show is so I always make it a point to put it on my calendar. This year’s show took place August 16-18.
You’ve created a beautiful piece of art, and now you’d like to sell it. How much should you charge? Whether you’re on the national art show circuit or selling your work at a local craft fair, determining a fair price for your art is one of the hardest jobs in the business.
For Michelle Bazeley and other makers with physical disabilities, applying to a craft show or attending an event takes a great deal more energy than just checking for conflicts with a personal calendar of events, though.
Once you’ve applied for and have been accepted to vend at a craft show, or have decided to secure a booth at a show with an opening, there is a lot to think about. Here’s what you need to make your booth successful.
The fifth annual conference for bloggers happened in the UK on 15th/16th June, and was a catalyst for many small creative business owners to rediscover the passions that made them start their business in the first place.
The scale of The National Needlearts Association (TNNA) summer trade show, held from June 13-17 for the first time in Cleveland was noticeably smaller this year in terms of attendance, booth size and the rise of small, indie companies.
SURTEX is an annual trade show for the surface pattern design industry, connecting artists and art licensing agencies with manufacturers, retailers, and licensees who want to create products with their artworks. The show attracts art buyers from across many industries: home decor and furnishings, fashion and apparel, beauty, giftware, stationery, and much more. Art buyers walk the aisles of SURTEX looking for artwork to buy or license for their brand, and this year’s show brought nearly 200 exhibitors unique offerings to the show.
The National Stationery Show (NSS), hosted in the Javits Center in New York City annually in May, is the only stationery industry trade show in North America. Showcasing greeting card companies and a selection of gift companies and publishing houses, NSS is only open to registered members of the stationery trade and press. Erin Dollar was there and brings us this report.
If you’re a fiber artist from the Mid-Atlantic region, you’ve probably at least heard of the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Held annually by the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, Maryland, it’s considered one of the two premier agriculture-based fiber festivals– the other is New York’s Sheep and Wool Festival held the third weekend in October in Rhinebeck, New York.
Last month I had the pleasure of attending my very first Craftcation. I was there to teach a sewing class, lead a panel discussion about teaching craft, and spread the word about Craft Industry Alliance. I had no idea I’d get much much more out of it. I had fun, met great people, lined up some contributors to CIA, and learned new craft skills!
Craftcation is a truly unique event, held every spring in Ventura, California. The weather is amazing, the hotel is very near to the beach, and the town is lovely. Best of all, the conference is incredibly well-planned so there’s always something going on that’s fun, informative, and inspiring.
Snap Conference is an annual event held in Salt Lake City, Utah, targeting creative bloggers/content creators: “We’re joined by the best bloggers representing modern handmade, contemporary craft, mind-blowing home-based events, and DIY, along with dozens of creative entrepreneurs.” Attendees were presented with opportunities to learn skills, connect with potential business sponsors, and network with peers. CIA member Stephanie Woodson was there and brings us this report.