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NewsMay 12, 2009The 24TH ANNUAL FLEMINGTON SPRING CRAFTS FESTIVAL Hunterdon County Fairgrounds off route 179 in Ringoes, NJ May 16 & 17 Craftproducers is pleased to announce that this long-time, popular craft show is once again being staged at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in Ringoes, NJ. While the show has a 24 year history in Flemington, this will be the first time that the festival is presented by Craftproducers, based in Charlotte, VT. Craftproducers acquired the show from United Craft Enterprises in 2008 but chose not to promote the show that year due to insufficient lead time. The event was postponed, much to the chagrin of its loyal followers. Well, it’s 2009 and Craftproducers stands ready to be judged. The Flemington Spring Crafts Festival is a juried craft fair and the exhibitors were screened before acceptance. Craftproducers ensures that the actual artist or artisan is at the show and scrupulous care is taken in not allowing imports or buy/sell exhibitors. Over 150 craft designers and artists will exhibit and sell one of a kind pieces and multiple production works. The operative word is “handmade.” In these challenging economic times, there is actually a reinvigorated interest in all things handmade. This is especially evident in the proliferation of farmers markets and the numerous restaurant chefs using local ingredients to the greatest extent possible. People are burnt out on gaudy luxury items, as witnessed by the universal outrage at the AIG bonuses. “This is an era of small treats,” says Tim Cianciola of Craftproducers. “We are perfectly poised to enjoy a solid year. Many of the artisans are reporting successful shows so far this year.” He continues; “The public sees us as comfort food. They want to go out and have a good time, spend a little money and support our artist/entrepreneurs. They’re not going to the mall to buy big ticket items but going to craft shows where they purchase something meaningful that is made in a sustainable way. They get to meet the artist/maker and get a story with their purchase.” The Flemington Spring Crafts Festival will take place at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds, which have undergone many upgrades since the last craft show. This is true especially in regards to the drainage. When the show moved from the old fairgrounds in Flemington, the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds did not yet have interior roads. Of course it rained 10 inches and wreaked havoc. The very next show, held in the spring before roads could be installed, experienced a similar deluge. Today there is a series of interconnecting paths that allow for safe passage and also drain the rain before it reaches the buildings. Over 150 artisans will attend the Flemington Spring Crafts Festival, coming from all across the Northeast and selling their own goods. The Festival is a traditional marketplace where the maker sells directly to the customer. As such, good deals abound. Not only can one find creative decorative artifacts for home and garden, and jewelry and clothing for accessorizing, but fun can be had by the entire family! There is a food pavilion, musical artists, and face painting. Craft demonstrations are continuous and illustrate the fact that everything here is genuinely handmade. Craftproducers invites one and all to come out and experience the show. Their goal is to make it the finest craft market in New Jersey. The Flemington Spring Crafts Festival at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds will be held May 16 & 17. The site is easy to find off Routes 202 and 179, the Lambertville exit. The entrance fee is $6 for adults. Kids are free. The show is open 9am – 5pm on Saturday and 10am – 5pm on Sunday. Parking is free. No pets are allowed on the Fairgrounds. For more info, call (802) 425.3399 or visit www.craftproducers.com. March 31, 2009 Doc Scanlon Trio at the Adirondack Arts and Crafts Fair  The Doc Scanlon Trio plays hot swing jazz of the 1920's through the 1940's. Their song list includes the great standards of Gershwin, Berlin & Porter as well as the hot jazz of Django Reinhardt, Fats Waller and Benny Goodman. This is a versatile trio with a big sound, red hot solos and tight three part harmony vocals. Franklin Micare is a walking catalog of swing, pop and soul. His ability to mingle musical styles keeps him a top draw on the social circuit as well as in the clubs. He doesn't mind giving 'Viva Las Vegas' a Brazilian beat, or segueing The Strangeloves' 'I Want Candy' into Sinatra's 'One For My Baby.' Micare's magical voice has been heard on all kinds of commercials -- from Manischevitz wine to Campbell's soup -- but it sounds best wrapped around his own melodies, or any one of the many standards he's got in his song bag. Ernie Williams: The Blues - from a 13 year old boy playing a beat-up six-string on a Virginia Plantation to the 80 year old dynamo playing for adoring fans at such places as Buddy Guy's Legends, Ernie has lived the blues. Ernie Williams, an extraordinarily talented musician, has paid his dues and has won the right to take his place among the legends of the blues. His voice - "the voice" - is instantly recognized and personifies "the blues". Catch The Doc Scanlon Trio on the broadway at the Adirondack Arts and Crafts Fair; the band will play intermittently on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. March 23, 2009 Why We Bought Art When the Economy Went South This is a short piece sent from Craftproducers exhibitor Aaron T. Brown, written by a friend. As we heard day after day the reports of the economy in turmoil, we found ourselves buying two thousand dollars of a local artist’s work. We both had our jobs, two paid-for older cars, some savings, and no debt besides the house–but also a mortgage, other bills, a failing stove, an old fridge, and a house needing work. We had some savings, but also our first child on the way. So why did we choose to buy art now? The reasons are many: - DF & DM February 24, 2009 2009 Season Update, Some Needed Good News from Craftproducers Every year we work with hundreds of artists and artisans and over the past few weeks we have been getting extensive feedback on the 2009 season. While there is a lot of doom and gloom on the news, the overall report we are getting from artists is pretty good. Here are some of their observations. These comments represent the consensus of thinking of dozens of exhibitors. Dave Wallace, specialty food exhibitor, proclaims: “While the crowds at Chantilly were not quite as big as last year, those attending had discretionary cash and were spending it. We were up over last year. I recently spoke to a friend who was in the middle of exhibiting at the Cleveland Home and Garden Show. She told me sales were up every day. While it is clear people are not buying homes and cars and other big ticket items the experts use to gauge the health of our economy, it appears people are going to shows as an inexpensive form of entertainment and are buying while they are there. I am optimistic about craft shows this year and intend to increase my schedule rather than decrease it. The downturn in the economy may well translate into the upturn in the craft business we have been waiting for!” Steve Stamas, jeweler: “I was truly amazed at the turn out at Chantilly. 12,000 people braved the cold winter weather to come out to see us! They were excited to see their regulars and new faces as well. Sales were equal to a year ago which surprised me, so I was pleased, needless to say. All in all it was a positive, reinforcing experience for everybody. A fair amount of exhibitors were pleased. People seemed to leave any worries at the door and just experienced the fun and creative atmosphere of the show.” Joryel Vera, jeweler, exclaims: “The Florida circuit is good…there’s money to be made. A photographer friend just made $20,000 at a recent Bonita Springs show….he sold all his new work, the same with me: my new work is selling.” Marijke Benedict, clothing designer, says, “I just had another very good show at Coconut Point. My high end pieces get me through the jury and my low end pieces are selling well. Many others had a good show. I just heard that several high end jewelers had a good Coconut Grove” Harry Besett, glassblower, says, “Wholesale is dead. Big ticket items aren’t moving. The middle of the road, mid priced stuff is doing well. The famous juried shows are way off but I think shows like yours (Craftproducers) will do well this year, shows with a diverse mix of things.” Also from an anonymous exhibitor working in an undisclosed medium: he is keeping his own at the Howard Allen shows. Not everyone is making money but there are people out buying. Some weeks are up and some are down, so, it’s a pretty typical year, he added. So, folks, as FDR said, “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” And, that is the most crippling factor facing you today. Keep the faith, get out of your studios and go to shows. Today’s economic conditions might very well bring about a revival of the handmade movement. Make some new work, keep sane price points, and take your goods to the marketplace. February 5, 2009 Washington toy story shows why regulation helps the big guys By Timothy P. Carney Examiner Columnist | 1/30/09 5:10 PM From DC Examiner Thousands of self-employed businessmen, artists, and boutique owners who make or deal in hand-crafted children’s toys, clothes, or furniture could be out of work next month. A 2008 federal law, with the salutary-sounding name “Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act,” could drive these craftsmen out of business. ...read more January 14, 2009 Charley's Analysis: State of the Union 2009 Artists, Artisans, Friends of Craftproducers, Upheaval is the word of the year. I am not surprised. I had been baffled for decades on how long our society has been able to float along blissfully, unaware of our unsustainable lifestyle. When the Soviet Union disappeared overnight and the Berlin wall fell, some rejoiced as it signifying the defeat of Communism by Capitalism. I saw it as Russia simply ran out of money. Ever since then, I have been waiting for the other shoe to drop. Now it has crashed resoundingly to the floor echoing a crescendo of wailing not heard since the Great Depression. It’s obvious: our government was running its own Ponzi scheme, financed by borrowing trillions from a willing China. When the mortgage and banking crisis hit, the world no longer had a superpower. read more...
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