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The Buyers Market of American Craft will present NICHE: The Show June 6-8, 2010, at the Bally’s Event Center and Grand Ballroom during Jewelry Week.
We’re excited to be taking artists to the epicenter of jewelry shows. We anticipate that thousands of jewelry retailers from across the globe will congregate in Las Vegas.
While we expect to see many friends among the buyers, we are certain that we’ll also be selling artisan jewelry and accessories to a new audience that typically sees mass-produced work.
They will be delighted by studio handmade, Made-in-America and Made-in-Canada luxury products. Think of this as the “not-your-same-old-solitaire show,” where buyers will discover innovation and high quality, plus heirloom value and handmade appeal, in a competitive price range.
Every jewelry store has customers who lead the fashion pack instead of being followers. They don't want what every other woman is wearing. They are trendmakers and individualists who are very attracted to fresh and new looks that they can afford to buy for themselves, and they are impressed by handmade luxury. That's just one major market where we can be a resource.
This will be a small show for us. A very high percentage of the 300 participating artists at NICHE: The Show will be jewelry makers, but we also want to present studio artists who make products for weddings; high-end fashion accessories; tabletop display items that the stores themselves can use as decor; fashion accessories; jewelry and treasure boxes; and other decorative glass, ceramic and wood objects.
Apply today to exhibit at NICHE: The Show.
If you are a jewelry artist, contact Rebecca Mercado, 800-432-7238, ext. 202.
If you are a glass or ceramic artist, contact Allison Muschel, 800-432-7238, ext. 203.
If you are a wood, metal, mixed media or other artist, contact Laura Bamburak, 800-432-7238, ext. 227.
Show director: Christine Kloostra, 800-432-7238, ext. 216.
Cuffs displayed in this article:
Top: Steven McGovney
Middle: K. Mita Designs
Bottom: Aura Dror
Thank You to everyone who attended the winter Buyers Market of American Craft, Feb. 12-15, 2010.
We recognize that many of you overcame serious obstacles to get to Philadelphia. It was heartwarming to see artists helping artists, night after night, as storm-weary exhibitors arrived and built booths overnight.
We're grateful, also, to all of the retailers who came from near and far, and who remain dedicated to handmade goods made in the U.S. and Canada.
We have such a nice collection of pictures, we thought we'd share a few highlights from the show as we say, "See you next time, in Las Vegas and Baltimore!"
On the Wednesday afternoon before the Buyers Market, Wendy Rosen convened two discussions about credit and consignment. An uninvited blizzard arrived about the same time, bringing white-out conditions to downtown Philly. Hooray for the 10 hardy participants who attended the discussions anyway! More than 100 had RSVP'd and could not come.
This is where trade show magic begins...in a shell of a booth. The pipe and drape go up, then each artist makes the space his or her own. Many chores later, a simple space becomes a visual delight.
Look at that sparkle! We did a double-take, first to enjoy the lovely stacking rings, and then to admire the exhibitor's single white glove. Was he paying homage to the late Michael Jackson? we teased, prompting a laugh. Ah, but the glitter wasn't on the glove: It was in the display cases.
Robert "Max" Maximowicz, from the Philadelphia office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, helped attendees understand SBA-backed loans, and the latest news on federal economic stimulus programs for small business. Get free resources and advice at your local SBA office. Find it listed at www.sba.gov, click Local Resources.
Everyone has a favorite place to grab a take-out lunch during the Buyers Market. Even the snow could not keep us from making our rounds of the bbq, the corned beef, the cheesesteak and the hand-carved turkey. And the cupcakes, the fudge and...so on.
In her "other life," technology expert Amy Larrimore is an aspiring jewelry designer, so she understands what we need: commonsense advice about building an Internet strategy that eliminates time-wasters and leads to sales. Don't sign up for an Internet service to be part of a fad, she said. Figure out your business strategy and only use social networking tools that fit your plan. Amy is a business counselor with SCORE, a nonprofit that provides free expert advice and mentoring by your peers. See www.SCORE.org to find the chapter nearest you.
Congratulations to Don Miller, who teaches at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has been named the 2010 Arts Educator of the Year by NICHE magazine, based on nominations submitted by his students in the university's crafts program.
During the NICHE Awards ceremony, winner Susanne Williams of the handbag design company Willi Nilli gave an impassioned thank you to the Arts Business Institute. A couple years ago, faculty from ABI journeyed to North Dakota to teach artists how to launch their businesses and sell wholesale. Taking to heart the advice of faculty member Nancy Markoe and others, Williams poured her energy into handbag design and her company is now one of the stars of that ABI class. ABI sponsors the Visiting Artist Program at the Buyers Market, a two-day training seminar helps aspiring artists learn to sell their art.
On the runway... Daily fashion shows put wearable art in the spotlight.
More glamour on the runway.
Well, we'll end it here, where the excitement takes place at the Buyers Market...on the trade show floor. The orders written at winter BMAC will sustain many of the artists for months to come. Thank you to everyone who supports fine craft made in the U.S. and Canada.
Here are the photos of the C.R.A.F.T. Design Challenge Winners.
Kristin D. Godsey, our judge, has added captions to help us all learn from these designs.
Thank you to all who competed during the Buyers Market of American Craft.
Congrats to the winners!
Of all the entries, this one was the most balanced and pleasing to the eye. The grouping makes sense—it could be your nightstand or, more importantly, your nightstand if you have fantastic taste and a great eye. (So you’d better buy it all!) Each piece of merchandise stands out nicely, and the only prop, the books, are used perfectly in a way to set the scene without stealing it.
The large C.R.A.F.T. display sign could have easily overwhelmed this display, but it doesn’t because of the excellent arrangement of the other items to create interest and symmetry (without being too symmetrical). The items themselves are each given the opportunity to shine—nothing is blocking anything else, or overlapping—but altogether, the composition has nice balance and whimsy.
This is another nice, uncluttered display, and while it would be better if the plastic risers weren’t so visible, the variation in heights and the placement of the merchandise are very nicely handled. The small pile of rocks as propping suggests the rugged scene without going overboard.
See additional posts about the contest below.
Monday, Feb. 15, 2010
Many artists reported seeing old friends and meeting new buyers this winter.
While storms may have affected attendance early in the show, many buyers were not deterred, and many were replenishing their inventories.
Colleen Jersild, whose makes charming felt mice (Despite Distractions, Booth 2510), said, "This has been my best show ever. I love my booth and I want that space forever."
Here are a few photos of action on the show floor. Enjoy!
Photos by Jim Burger for the Buyers Market of American Craft.
