The document summarizes a craft show held in Wilmington, Delaware organized by the Pennsylvania Guild of Fine Craftsmen on July 25-26, 2015. It describes the show details including the location, contact information, booth fees, number of exhibitors and attendees. The author discusses their positive experience at the well-organized show and interviews other exhibitors who reported mixed results, with one feeling the promotion was lacking and crowds were down from the previous year. However, the author was pleased with their sales, which exceeded those from a similar previous show in Lancaster.

1. July 25 &26, 2015. Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Show in Wilmington. Contact Diane
Richards at the Guild Store, 335 N. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. Phone: (717) 431-8706.
Email: diane@pacrafts.org. Website: pacrafts.org. Space Fee: $465. Space size 10x10 (varied).
100% indoors. Exhibitors: 163 Hours: 10-6 (Sat.) & 10-5 (Sun.) Attendance: 2,000 (ticketed)
By Lisa Bair
New Jersey State Reporter
Email: bairlbi@msn.com
Medium: Woodcarving
Having previously taken part in The Pennsylvania Guild of Fine Craftsman’s show in Lancaster
and walking away with smiles on our faces, we were excited about participating in the guild’s
July show in Wilmington, Delaware! An indoor show in July and a trip of less than 30 minutes
from our home added up to a possible special weekend!
Set-up was held on Friday and was extremely well-organized. Each crafter was given a specific
time block in which to arrive. We were directed to the appropriate parking area nearest to our
booth and given access to a cart that would help us dolly in. Once our vehicle was unloaded, we
parked in a nearby lot across the street during set-up.
For break-down, we had to fully disassemble our booth before obtaining a load-out pass. I have
to say that this was a VERY relaxed procedure! We were able to pick up a load out pass from the
front desk without any proof we had broken down, and the policeman directing us to a parking
spot did not ask for the pass. We were given the first spot closest to the door! This may have
been the fastest and easiest break-down we’ve ever experienced!
The craft at this show was remarkable and extremely well-juried!
Amenities included a storage room, free RV parking and local restaurant discounts (we took
advantage of a 15% discount on Saturday). Three awards were handed out-Excellence in
Craftsmanship, Resolved Design, and Unique Style.
Advertising included radio and newspaper ads, web banners, social media ads, travel magazines
like AAA, and post cards. Opportunities for discount coupons were available in many of these
ads.
The crowds were fairly large on Saturday morning, but thinned in the afternoon. On Sunday, the
crowds were smaller, but steady throughout the day. This attendance pattern was eerily similar to
the one in Lancaster last November. If the buying was also comparable, we knew we would walk
away happy. I am thrilled to report that is exactly what we experienced! I wasn’t sure how others
would fair, so I journeyed out to ask them.

2. A jeweler who had participated in this show for eight years described the show as “elegant”.
He/she felt the promoter was historically good, but thought the crowds were down this year and
wondered if the promotion was not what it should have been. He/she reported an APP of
between $60 to $75 and a sales total of less than $1,000. He/she was unsure about whether or not
to return next year.
A fiber artist who had participated for 2 years (with a 3 year break in between), felt the show
was “disappointing”. He/she did not think the promoter did their job promoting the show because
the crowd was “missing”. He/she reported an APP of $75 to $100 and a sales total of about
$1,000 (which was about half of his/her expected take). He/she did not plan to return next year.
A crafter who worked in leather and had participated for eight years, said this show was “a
quality, well-juried show”. He/she felt the promoter did a fine job, but also felt the crowds were
down a little from last year. However, this crafter also felt the patrons who came were savvy
buyers. He/she reported an APP of about $100. Although he/she was not willing to share a total,
he/she said this was an average show take, but down about 25% when compared to last year.
This crafter would definitely return next year.
For us, this show was similar to the Lancaster show in every way including sales. As we were
nearing breakdown, I realized our total was almost exactly the same as that of the previous show!
That is until a substantial sale 15 minutes prior to closing boosted our total above the Lancaster
show! Again, we found that the patrons at the guild shows are savvy and willing to pay the price
for quality work. This will keep us coming back to shows run by the PA Guild of Fine
Craftsmen!