Wholesale Matters

NEWS RELEASE: Applications Being Reviewed for 2010 Buyers Market of American Craft

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christine Kloostra
410-889-2933
christinek@rosengrp.com

Applications Now Being Reviewed for 2010 Buyers Market of American Craft

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until show is full

Baltimore, Md. (September 16, 2009) -- Applications are now being reviewed for the 2010 Buyers Market of American Craft. Show dates for 2010 are February 12-15 (Jewelry Preview on February 11) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia and August 23-35 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

The biannual Buyers Market of American Craft is the nation's largest wholesale-only tradeshow of work made by hand in the United States and Canada, featuring more than 1300 artists. More than 7,000 buyers represent retail gift shops, jewelry stores, catalogs, museum stores and galleries that sell fine handcrafted jewelry, glass art, furniture, ceramics, art made from recycled goods and more. 

Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year. To request an application via mail, call 410-889-2933. Applications can also be downloaded from www.americancraft.com and are accepted via www.zapplication.org.

More information about the Buyers Market of American Craft can be found at www.americancraft.com, www.facebook.com/BuyersMarket and www.twitter.com/BuyersMarket.

NEWS RELEASE: New Year-Round Virtual Tradeshow for Craft Artists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jean Thompson
410-889-2933, ext. 218
www.NICHEmag.com/Marketplace
JeanT@rosengrp.com

The Buyers Market of American Craft Expands Online Catalog
Now Open to the Nation’s Craft Artists

BALTIMORE, Md. (June 30, 2009) – A new wholesale catalog of handcrafted products is delivering the gift tradeshow experience to the retailers’ computer screen, at www.NICHEmag.com/Marketplace.

NICHE Marketplace launched less than a year ago as the virtual catalog of artists who exhibit at the Buyers Market of American Craft. Both site and show promote American and Canadian artists who produce fine jewelry, glass art, home accessories, handbags and other goods for resale by museum gift stores, craft galleries, gift shops, art catalogs and other retailers.

 

Since its inception, NICHE Marketplace has grown to 1,400 handcraft artisans and studios displaying nearly 5,000 products. The site has just opened membership to the greater art community. Artists may purchase a $225 membership to receive a full year of Web promotions seen by credentialed wholesale buyers.

 

For retailers, this will mean an expanded offering of the same quality work for which the Buyers Market is known: For example, the goods must be wholly produced by artists in the U.S. or Canada. No imports or overseas finishing is allowed. Memberships for credentialed buyers are free.

 

For some, NICHE Marketplace will become “a local annex” of the national tradeshow. Gerry Etzler, owner of Etzler’s Antiques in Keymar, Md. was thrilled to discover the new service. “I often have a conflict of dates to get to the Philadelphia show each year so having a website with the Buyers Market artists all together makes a wonderful way to browse their wares and place orders at any time of the year.” 

 

Opening the site to the wholesale trade during the recession, The Rosen Group has attracted anticipated questions about the future of its biannual tradeshows.

 

“We see NICHE Marketplace as an extension of the Buyers Market, not a replacement,” said Wendy Rosen, founder of The Rosen Group shows and publisher of AmericanStyle and NICHE magazines.

 

“Nothing will ever take the place of the one-on-one, face-to-face relationships between artists and retailers that the show has built over nearly 30 years. If you’re an art retailer and you’ve had to cut back on travel, you can visit NICHE Marketplace to stay in touch with Buyers Market artists. Between the shows, this will also make just-in-time ordering easier for buyers who have that gap in inventory to fill today.”

 

Qualified retailers register for free at www.NICHEmag.com/Marketplace. The next Buyers Market of American Craft will take place August 1-3 in Philadelphia, Pa.

       

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Produced by The Rosen Group, 3000  Chestnut Ave, Ste 300, Baltimore, MD 21211

 

New Exhibitor Spotlight: Cynthia Gorman

Cynthia Gorman’s work is based on visuals that have mingled a way into her life, like the retro style wallpaper in the parent’s bedroom and artifacts she studied while in England. 
 
Each enameled piece is made by fusing glass to copper. Delicate lines are formed out of fine silver. Each piece is fired in a kiln at least 6 times at temperatures of 1400-1500 degrees Fahrenheit. To complete the enameling process, each piece is hand ground flat and then flash fired to bring out the beautiful glowing glass finish. Handcrafted settings are fabricated in sterling silver with a fine silver bezel. All findings, including the earring wires and clasps, are handmade.

 

NEWS RELEASE: Buyers Market Announces 2010 Dates, New Location

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Jean Thompson, Public Relations Director

PHONE:  410-889-2933, ext. 218

CELL: 443-845-6130

E-MAIL: JeanT@rosengrp.com

DATES ANNOUNCED for 2010 BUYERS MARKET OF AMERICAN CRAFT  

SUMMER 2010 SHOW MOVES to BALTIMORE

 

BALTIMORE, Md., June 18, 2009 – With the goal of improving sales opportunities for fine craft artists from the United States and Canada, the Buyers Market of American Craft today announced a new schedule for its 2010 wholesale tradeshows.

 

BUYERS MARKET OF AMERICAN CRAFT, 2010 Winter show:        

      February 11, 2010 (Thurs.) Jewelry Preview

      February 12-15, 2010 (Fri.-Mon.) Buyers Market of American Craft

      Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19107

BUYERS MARKET OF AMERICAN CRAFT, 2010 Summer show:

     August 23-25, 2010 (Mon.-Wed.) Buyers Market of American Craft

     Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201

 

The biannual Buyers Market of American Craft is the nation’s largest wholesale tradeshow where art, gift, jewelry and fine craft retailers buy directly from U.S. and Canadian artists. Produced by The Rosen Group for nearly 30 years, it is listed by Tradeshow Week as one of the nation’s Top 200 tradeshows.  

 

With revised Summer dates -- and a new Summer location – the Buyers Market will be better positioned to attract the nation’s jewelry stores, museum gift shops and fine craft galleries, said Christine Kloostra, show director.   

 

Mindful of economic challenges faced by artists during the recession, The Rosen Group has been seeking ways to reduce the costs of tradeshow participation. Moving its Summer show to Baltimore from Philadelphia “allows us to keep booth fee increases to a minimum while also decreasing exhibitor costs for show services and rentals, including freight, cases and carpet,” Ms. Kloostra said.  

 

The next Buyers Market of American Craft will take place this coming Aug. 1-3, 2009, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For details, visit www.AmericanCraft.com or call 800-432-7238. 

 -end-

 Produced by The Rosen Group, 3000 Chestnut Ave., Ste. 300, Baltimore, MD 21211

NEWS RELEASE: Buyers Market Debuts AmericanStyle Gallery Pavilion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jean Thompson
Buyers Market/The Rosen Group
410-889-2933, ext. 218
jeant@rosengrp.com

Juried Pavilion Introduced at the Buyers Market of American Craft

Baltimore, MD (Sept. 26, 2008) -- A new, juried pavilion of museum-quality crafts will be the centerpiece of the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft, Feb. 13-16, 2009, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

“The AmericanStyle Gallery Pavilion fills a need by creating a destination on the tradeshow floor for the galleries that cater to high-end collectors,” said Christine Kloostra, show director. “Our aim is to provide a premium display setting where they can meet the artists who are producing museum-quality and master-level work, such as fine sculpture and glass art.”

With the unveiling of the new pavilion, the winter Buyers Market expands its specialty sections. Retailers already can find the top designers of precious metal and gemstone jewelry in the Premier Jewelry Pavilion, and the best in studio furniture and home accessories in the Inspired Interiors Pavilion.

To ensure the collector quality of works in the AmericanStyle Gallery Pavilion, exhibitors are being reviewed by the internationally recognized Holsten Galleries of Stockbridge, Mass. Holsten Galleries represents leading contemporary glass artists, including Dale Chihuly, William Morris and Christopher Ries.

Featuring home and fashion accessories, art jewelry, wearables, holiday décor and sculpture in wood, metal and clay -- thousands of works by North American craft artists-- the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft is the nation’s largest wholesale tradeshow of fine craft.

Online registration for qualified retailers (credentials required) opened October 1, 2008. Retailers can visit www.americancraft.com to get the best deals on seminar and event packages. Returning buyers can also use online registration to upgrade their status to Preferred Gallery, with benefits including a complimentary Web listing for their stores, free copies of AmericanStyle magazine, advertising discounts and more. Buyers can register today by calling 800-432-7238, ext. 195.

Artists interested in exhibiting in the new pavilion should email info@rosengrp.com or call 410-889-2933.

About the Buyers Market of American Craft
The Buyers Market of American Craft is produced by The Rosen Group, a Baltimore-based arts marketing, publishing and advocacy firm. The Rosen Group also publishes NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for retailers of fine craft art, and AmericanStyle magazine, the arts lifestyle magazine for enthusiasts, collectors and travelers. The Buyers Market is wholesale to the trade only.

New Exhibitor Spotlight: Joel Hunnicutt

Joel creates stunning wood vessels in his North Carolina studio through a process called "segmented" wood-turning. He precisely cuts and assembles small pieces of wood, often 3 or more species, and turns them to a final shape on the lathe. His vibrantly colored finishes create a rainbow of color not generally associated with wood.

Registration now open for February Buyers Market of American Craft

Buyer registration opened today for the Buyers Market of American Craft, taking place February 13-16, 2009 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Qualified buyers may register online or by calling 800.432.7238 x195. Discounted hotel reservations can also be made through our website or by phone.

The Buyers Market is wholesale to the trade only.

Become our fan on Facebook

Are you on Facebook? Have you become a "fan" of the Buyers Market of American Craft?

If not, you're missing out on fascinating daily posts relevant to the show: Will there be a casino attached to the Convention Center? Why did New York Gift change its dates? What is a General Services Contractor anyhow?

Joining our page will also give you access to the artists and retailers who are already our fans...perhaps you'll find a mentor or even a new buyer for your work.

If you aren't already on Facebook, it's easy to sign up. Once you're on, just search for "Buyers Market," and click "Become a fan" once you get to our page.

New Exhibitor Spotlight: Robin Bowman Designs

I'm thrilled to already begin introducing you to some of the new exhibitors who will be joining the Buyers Market of American Craft next February. We'll continue to review applications until the show is full, so if you'd like to be among them, send yours in!

Robin Bowman turns piles of fabric, paint, polymer clay, threads, and sometimes even a grapefruit bag into intricately detailed collages of tropical and sea themes. After creating the basic collage using a variety of applique methods, Bowman embellishes the work with yarns, beads and other items to create a multi-dimensional work of art.

UPDATE: Online applications via Zapp

Due to a delay on both ends, the Buyers Market application for 2009 should be available on Zapplication by Wednesday.

Prospective exhibitors can also download a prospectus and application from our website. Or email me, and I'll send you a PDF.

First review will take place on September 1, 2008.