Good News on Summer Show
We have good news for you regarding the Taste of Stowe Arts Festival.
For many years we did a summer show at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, VT. It was a very successful show, well attended with good sales. For a variety of reasons, especially construction on RT 7, changes at the Museum, etc., we moved the show to Stowe. The summer Stowe show has gone OK, but has not been as successful as the Shelburne Museum show used to be. Today construction on Route 7 is complete and the new management of the Museum has invited us back. This is an opportunity that we can’t turn down. We will still do the show in Stowe in the fall when Stowe really rocks.
This is good for many reasons. Chittenden County is the most populous in Vermont. Burlington is just a few miles down the road. We have not had great success getting people from there to make the drive to Stowe. This will make things a lot easier. In the summer, all the hotels rooms in Chittenden County are full, the area is packed. We should be able to draw on this influx of tourists. The show is right on RT 7, the busiest road in Vermont. We will have signs and banners out so people will know about it. You will not be able to miss the tents from RT 7.
We are excited about this move and you should be too. If you are already in the Taste of Stowe show you do not need to do anything we will move you to this show.
If you are free that weekend, please give this new location serious thought. It is a great spot and we are sure we will do well. The dates for the show are July 27 – 29. 10X10 booths start at only $500. We are working on several ideas to enhance the Festival and will update you as things develop. If you never tried this show, it is well worth a shot.
To apply please click here. The first jury date is January 16, 2012. We will continue jurying after that date until the show is full.
November 12, 2011
PRESS RELEASE: 29th Annual Syracuse Holiday Crafts Spectacular
The 29th Annual Syracuse Holiday Crafts Spectacular
December 2, 3, & 4
Horticulture Building
New York State Fairgrounds
Syracuse, NY
Once again Craftproducers, from Charlotte, VT, presents the popular Syracuse Holiday Crafts Spectacular at the New York State Fairgrounds December second though fourth. 125 jury selected artists and artisans will showcase and sell their own handmade products. Organizer Tim Cianciola says, “We don’t allow buy/sell exhibitors. Come to our show and meet the actual makers of the goods; hear their stories and buy a piece of their work. Handmade crafts make great holiday gifts. It’s our strict policy that separates us from other craft shows. People want the real deal, not the imports you find anywhere.”
Every year 7,000 attendees come and shop, often with lists in hand, and accomplish all their Christmas shopping in a single afternoon. All craft media are represented: clay, jewelry, stained and blown glass, leather, wood, furniture, graphics, clothing, fiber, Art, photography, specialty foods, and personal care products are all on display. Many of the exhibitors return annually. John De Amicis, a graphic artist from New Jersey, says, “This is a great audience for me. They comeback each year and buy more of my work, especially my newer stuff.” De Amicis work is based on humor and he has published several books of cartoons. He will autograph copies of his latest book, Mumbles Grumbles and Assorted Worries. Ted Schiffman, a National Geographic Magazine photographer from Manchester, VT, will sign his new book, Tree Frogs.
In addition to the creative shopping, Habitat for Humanity/Youth Division hosts its annual Gingerbread House Contest where amateurs and professionals bake and assemble intricate, festive, and zany gingerbread houses. They are for sale through a bidding contest. The houses are brought to the Crafts Spectacular on Friday when the show opens and the auction closes at one Sunday afternoon. This year exhibitors at the show are donating pieces of their work for a Craft Silent Auction to benefit Habitat. Maria Miller, a Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat, exclaimed, “The artists at the show are so good to us. One of them is a professional baker and she is making a unique gingerbread house this year for the auction. That and the donations from the artists will make this a strong fund raising success for us.” For information about the Gingerbread Contest, visit www.syracusehabitat.org/youthunited.
The Syracuse Holiday Crafts Spectacular is located in the Horticulture building at the New York State Fairgrounds. Hours are Friday December 2 Noon-8PM, Saturday 10-5, and Sunday 10-4. Adult admission is $5. Tickets are available at door the days of the show and at Wegmans stores in advance. Proceeds from Wegmans ticket sales directly benefit Habitat for Humanity. Parking is free and there is also a free shuttle on the grounds.
CONTACT: Tim Cianciola (802) 425-3399 or email tim@craftproducers.com
September 21, 2011
Vermont Needs YOU
As our Fall Festival season draws near, there are still many devastated areas in the State of Vermont. Yet the spirit of community has never been stronger and Vermont is a shining example of neighbors helping neighbors rebuild from Hurricane Irene. While there are towns that will need time to recover, it is important that life goes on. Vermont needs tourists and residents more than ever to sustain our economy and to continue to support what makes Vermont so special, including its creative artists and craftspeople. So come to a festival and enjoy a splendid Vermont fall day. Support local artisans, eat local food, drink a Vermont craft beer, meet our artists and hear their stories, and take home a piece of their work.
July 2, 2011
Summer Festivals
The Vermont Summer Arts Festivals will be here soon! Make your plans now to visit the Taste of Stowe Arts Festival (July 29, 30, & 31) in Stowe or the Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival (August 6, 7, & 8) in Manchester. Or come to both!
