Arts and Crafts Network Blog

Make the most of direct mail costs

Tom Roberts — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:37:03 +0000

This morning I opened a 8 1/2 by 11 envelope received in the mail. The address and return address were hand written in pen and I recognized the town as one about 45 minutes away. Naturally my curiosity was working from the beginning, as junk mail normally does not come hand addressed. I thought maybe it was an invitation to a show. Upon opening [...]

Make the most of direct mail costs is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog

Progress on the shows listing script

Tom Roberts — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:21:51 +0000

Once in a while we get an email from a user having trouble with the registration process for submitting shows. Since we put this together we may not see some details that might make it difficult to navigate. We are constantly upgrading and streamlining the program to list the shows and to register new users. Never the less some people still may [...]

Progress on the shows listing script is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog

Choose arts and crafts suppliers with great customer service.

Tom Roberts — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:59:44 +0000

Recently I was looking for plastic bags. We want to try a new merchandising idea and plastic bags are part of the equation. A quick search of the web turned up a few likely looking candidates, the one on top is a nationally known company who supplies all sorts of packing and warehouse materials. I gave them a call and [...]

Choose arts and crafts suppliers with great customer service. is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog

How to jury out imported craft show junk

Tom Roberts — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:24:14 +0000

Just yesterday I took a phone call from a promoter who had a question about our certified hand crafted program. She was having trouble sorting out some of the submissions for her show and thought the idea of certifying artists would make her life easier. No doubt it would and that is part of what we had in mind when we started the program [...]

How to jury out imported craft show junk is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog

Made in the US Arts and Crafts

Tom Roberts — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:05:32 +0000

This morning I was speaking with a new wholesale customers for our terra cotta wild bird feeders and houses. He has a very nice gift store in Skaneateles NY, which is located in the finger lakes region. One question he had was do we indicate on the goods or literature that the items are indeed [...]

Made in the US Arts and Crafts is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog

Fall craft show weather can be iffy, be prepared for anything.

Tom Roberts — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:28:47 +0000

Most good shows require advance registration, often 6 or months in advance. This means we are paying ahead for a show when we have no idea of what the weather will bring. Take this last weekend for example. The Columbus day weekend is the launch for the fall and Christmas buying season. There are many great shows [...]

Fall craft show weather can be iffy, be prepared for anything. is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog

Finding a shared kitchen for craft food production

Tom Roberts — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:42:48 +0000

The one thing in common at any show, be it a car show, ren fest, arts and crafts show or any other of a long list, is FOOD. People like to eat. Look around at a show and see how many people are noshing on something or another. Lots, right? I just had a thought, [...]

Finding a shared kitchen for craft food production is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog

• 10 Commandments for arts and crafts show shoppers.

Tom Roberts — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:39:49 +0000

1. Thou shalt not loiter in front of an artist booth. Part of the fun when going to craft fairs and festivals is running into friends but even a small group of 2 or 3 people will keep other shoppers away from a booth. Find an open area to chat and catch up. 2. [...]

• 10 Commandments for arts and crafts show shoppers. is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog

• 10 Commandments for arts and crafts show promoters.

Tom Roberts — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:34:50 +0000

1. Thou shalt respect the artist without whom there would be no show. Remember that some crafters have been attending shows for many years and their experience and input can be valuable. Offending crafters will cause them to find another show and you will eventually fail. 2. Thou shalt keep the gate fee low [...]

• 10 Commandments for arts and crafts show promoters. is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog

Arts and crafts shows listings update.

Tom Roberts — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:45:08 +0000

When we started the arts and crafts network we wanted to list and offer free information for arts and crafts including show dates and details. We looked hard to find a script that would allow users to list their information and we found plenty of them but we could not find one that offered all the details [...]

Arts and crafts shows listings update. is a post from: Arts and Crafts Network Blog