Some events attended and outcomes

Well, I spent two days at the Axe Vale Show, in Axminster, Devon. Did I sell anything? No, I did not. The thing is, you need to try such events to see how they turn out. This was a big show, but, although they had a large tent designated for ‘Crafts’, it was clear that their promotional material included very little about craft. A lot of people visited the Craft tent, but very few actually engaged with any of the sellers. It was as if they were just visiting it to be able to say that they’d ‘done everything’. This was an opinion that was shared by most of the other standholders I spoke to. Still, lesson learnt, and this is one event that I can now cross off my list of ‘possibles’.

On the other hand, the very wonderful Exeter Craft Festival, was a different story. This event is open only to crafters and artists, and showcases only those who live and work in one of the four southwestern counties. It has over a hundred stands featuring all genres of craft and art, set in a tented ‘village’ on the beautiful Cathedral Green, and every applicant is screened to make sure there is no bought in produce in what they offer and that their items are of high quality. (A lady came to the information tent to ask how she could apply for a stand for next year’s show, and was asked where she lived. ‘China’, she replied.)

My sales were satisfactory, despite the fact that it poured with rain on Friday afternoon, and was very windy on the Thursday and Saturday. There was lots of lovely interaction with the visitors, too, which really makes it worthwhile.

So, if any of you who are reading this blog are crafters and artists living in the Southwest, do consider applying to exhibit at this event (applications open at the beginning of September 2024, see www.exetercraftfestival.co.uk).