The biggest event in the handmade designer-maker’s Spring calendar has to be the British Craft Trade Fair.
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| Leigh Shepherd Designs |
When: Sunday 3rd, Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th April 2011 Sunday 10am to 6pm, Monday and Tuesday 10am to 5pm
Where: Hall 1, The Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 8PW
What is it? The BTCF is a trade fair and a brilliant opportunity for designer-makers to showcase their new designs and meet potential buyers from galleries and boutiques, jewellery shops and garden centres. Every designer is British and there is a happy mix of newcomers and returning exhibitors for those important buyers to select from.
Why should you go? If you are an emerging designer then attending the BTCF will help you to decide whether your product is ready for the retail market. You will be able to see how others display their work and enjoy the buzz of a trade fair. You will also get a good understanding of how a trade fair works before you commit yourself to next year’s event.
What you shouldn’t do. The designers cannot sell their work direct to the public at the BTCF so please don’t ask them. The designers are a friendly bunch and are generally happy to give you advice about showing your work but please don’t take up their time if there are buyers present. Oh, and don’t help yourself to their precious marketing leaflets and brochures, these are for potential buyers.
Although the public cannot buy directly from the designer at the BTCF it is a wonderful chance for British designers to make those all-important contacts with galleries and shops, sell their work by consignment and pick up repeat orders. It’s also a fabulous way for buyers to find out what the latest trends in handmade are and a way to keep their customers buying British.
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