How To Shop Our Virtual 34th Arts and Crafts Shows
As I mentioned in today’s Little Journey, the first National Arts and Crafts Conference was held at the historic Grove Park Inn in February of 1988. It featured thirty antiques dealers and one craftsman, that being metalsmith Michael Adams of Aurora Studios. Each year, as the conference grew in popularity, the number of exhibitors increased proportionally until we maximized the available show space at the famed resort hotel.
From the beginning, we separated the antiques dealers from the contemporary craftsfirms, simply because the artists and artisans were so skilled that it was often impossible to distinguish their work from the vintage antiques on display.
When we made the decision last summer to host a virtual 34th National Arts and Crafts Conference, we studied several different formats which were rapidly being assembled by other virtual show organizers and their website designers. In the end, we did what many architects do: take a pertinent piece from different formats and assemble them into our own virtual Arts and Crafts show, featuring both antiques and new works in the Arts and Crafts style.
While collectors who wish to watch the seminars, discussions, tours, and demonstrations pay an advance registration fee to do so, we decided that the Arts and Crafts shows would be free for anyone to enter, browse, and buy from our nearly 100 exhibitors.
On February 1st, anyone going to Arts-CraftsConference.com can then select the “Exhibitor Shows.” Prior to that day, clicking on that button will take you to a list of the participating exhibitors, but will not allow you to yet shop the shows.
Starting February 1st, that selection will take you to your choice of shopping either the Antiques Show or the Contemporary Craftsfirms Show. At both show locations on the website, you will find a grid of Exhibitor Profile Boxes, spaced four per row. Each Exhibitor Profile Box will contain a photograph, names of the business and its owners, contact information, an automatic email form, and a thirty-word description of his/her merchandise.
At the bottom of each Exhibitor Profile Box you will find a “Shop Now” button which will take you directly to that exhibitor’s website or ecommerce site where you will find photographs, information, and prices for their antiques or new works being offered for sale.
Each exhibitor has been urged to include on the home page of their own website the days and hours which they will be available to talk with you about any piece you are interested in. You will also have the option of sending them a text message or an email.
Some exhibitors will also be featuring at their website “Show Specials,” pieces which have been discounted for a specified length of time. These may change from day to day, so be sure to check back often during the month of February.
Bear in mind, too, that nearly every example in our shows is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. Just like at the Grove Park Inn, if you delay, it may well be gone when you come back.
To see a partial list of the participating exhibitors, click on the link below to our website and select “Exhibitor Shows” on the home page. While you are there, also check out our daily schedule of seminars, live discussions, tours, and demonstrations included in the conference registration.
As always, if you have any questions, send us an email at the address below.
— Bruce Johnson