HOUSTON CRAFT FAIR PLANNING

[thinkgeek]

Hello. I started this new thread as a space to throw out ideas for the craft fair we all seem so interested to have in Houston.

Please post any ideas or experiences you have regarding alternative craft fairs.

At any point during the planning, if something is decided (meaning: definite) I will post it on my domain in order to keep a running list of the plans (and so they won't get too lost in here). The page is - http://www.prettyinprint.net/craftfair.html

I'd like the first event (here's to hoping there will be more to follow) to be later this year (to allow plenty of time to plan/promote)... in the fall sometime of maybe specifically November if it is marketed as a good place to shop for holiday gifts. At first, that sounds like a while away, but when you think about how many things have to be done between now & then (and the fact that I'm sure we're all busy with school/work/families), I think it will be here in no time.

I have a few requests to get us going...

First - Anyone have any name ideas?

Second - Location ideas?

Third - Should we do all of this here on craftster? Do you think it will get lost in the mix? If we need a separate space, I can set up a discussion board on my domain so that we can have several different threads covering all the different aspects of organizing the fair. Think we need one?

Also - There is a craft fair to go along with the Southern Girls Convention being held in Houston in June. I've reserved a space for myself there, and will hopefully come away with a better idea of what we should/shouldn't do. Please let me (us) in on any craft fair secrets you may have!

[RandomCrafter]

Hey I emailed you earlier today but I just found out my e-mail is acting funky so I'll resend it. I went to a Mom's/Baby Faire at the Astrodome like 2 years ago and it seemed to be plenty big a room. November sounds perfect as for a time to aim for. It will give us plenty of time to get everything set up and get the vendors plenty of time to get their products in order. If there's not a craft fair by this name already Craft-o-rama is the name idea I've come up with so far. I'm a SAHM so I'm on this computer pretty much all day and don't have any problems e-mailing people and going out to deliver fliers and such. If you'd like I can probably go to the craft fair in June to meet you, talk more and look around and see what we're looking at. Thanks so much for starting this idea!

[aliceownsj00]

X3 I'm no good with coming up with good names for things, I like Craft-o-rama 

I think if we start getting more people involved we should open up our own forum, that once this goes down, it can turn into a Houston Crafting forum 

I have to say, we should offer all ranges of crafting styles... I went to one out in Rosenburg and I was so bored. Offer things that generations of families can come and find something they like. From the elderly to the teen to the child. You know?

[teapotdnky]

I like the area of November. That is a great amount of time. I am not really good at computers, but I am on Craftster pretty much all day. "Craftster Army, Texas Corps"? 

[thinkgeek]

ooooookay... I went ahead and set up a discussion board for us to use for the planning, b/c I thought it would be easier to have different threads for different aspects of the planning (and I liked the idea of having the board turn into a general Houston Craft forum in the future).

I added the link to the planning page on my domain -- http://www.prettyinprint.net/craftfair.html

[RandomCrafter]

thanks so much thinkgeek! Is there a way I can get the password to post in the Administration Discussion forum?

aliceownsj00: I like out here in Rosenberg and the only craft event I've been to is there Christmas one and it does tend to lean towards all things Craftster is not (think potpourri covers, etc... things your grandmothers probably have in their attic). I agree about having it be more "hip" but still have something for everyone. Remember that some of the teens that we would be aiming for might have to have their parents bring them.

[thinkgeek]

I do agree that the event should be geared to a fairly wide audience, but it also needs to have an "identity" of being another of the "alternative, hip" fairs, instead of just another craft fair (b/c there are TONS of those around here).  Plus, I can honestly say that my mom (who was born in the 50s) would be much more interested in this type of craft fair, than the country-toaster-coazie kind.

RandomCrafter: Unfortunately, because it's the free version of the board, I am unable to set up any other moderator/admin accounts. The only account there is, is the that controls the whole board ("houstoncraft")... Once there is some money coming in, maybe we can upgrade or move to one that has more options with that (especially if we're going to leave the board up as a Houston crafter hangout type thing).  Is there any specific reason you ask? Something you wanted to post?

[RandomCrafter]

oh no i just saw the discussion so I thought thats where we're supposed to go LOL.

[thinkgeek]

The "Houston Craft Scene" & "Craft Fair Planning" boards are available for anyone to post on.  : )

[Nikobee]

Hi everyone....  I just ran across this post.  Has a name been chosen?

I'm better when I can talk it out and brainstorm with people but what abou Zakka Houston or Houston Zakka?  making the word Zakka the most prominent word.  For those of you who don't know what it means it is a Japanese terms generally meaning "a little of this, a little of that" .... here is a copy paste of some more info... Oh maybe Southern Zakka!  or Hot Zakka... ya know cause its so freaking hot here!  ok here is the more info about Zakka

******************
Zakka
"In Japan, all the 'small, various sundry products used in everyday life' are commonly called 'zakka,' a term which encompasses household goods, daily necessities and sundries. However, the specific range of products covered by this term is unclear. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, the following eleven products fall under the definition of 'zakka,' . . . :
- Light sheet metal products
- Glass products
- Ceramics and simple china
- Fine ceramics
- Enamelware
- House furnishings
- Musical instruments
- Stationery
- Toys
- Leather products
- Leather shoes

However, this definition does not include products made from materials such as bamboo, cane, cloth and plastics, as well as various, small sundry goods being sold at hardware stores and kitchenware stores." - JETRO Japanese Market Report on Household Products, No. 55, March 2001, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
********************************

Ok just my thoughts and ideas....

So far how many people are in on the planning of this? 

[thinkgeek]

Nikobee --

There is a board set up over here -- http://p086.ezboard.com/bhoustoncraft for the planning details.
(Easier link to remember - prettyinprint.net/craftfair.html has a link to the board)

So far, it's me (the original thread creator) and whoever wants to have any input in the event... Head over to the board, register, & post away!

[CosmicCranberry]

i would love to see this happen!

how about : "Houston Craft-O- Rama!!"

but...i am moving to dallas soon.....so i dont know if i could be in on this

[CosmicCranberry]

any progress in this?

[thinkgeek]

Yes, actually... I was just coming here to start a new thread announcing the website...

http://www.handmadehouston.com

[vainvixen]

ooo I'd be interested in participating
i dont know if what i do is considered crafts tho.

I make hair extensions and do henna tattoos... ?

[Wondergirley]

I have been reading that you are trying to set up a huge craft show...if any of you would like to preview your crafts, I am planning and hosting a craft show at my church on October 18th! I would love to have any and all of you come on out! The location is good: Beltway 8 and 288. Right on the freeway! If anyone is interested you can e-mail me at: Wondergirley@sbcglobal.net or call the church at 713.433.0500!

[emilee rose]

I really think that we should work on this Handmade Houston!

I would be interested in helping with the planning. Let me know if anything is still going on!

[whisp3rd]

I've so wanted a big craft fair to come here for years! Like Handmade Parade, Felt Club, etc...

I've wanted to organize one for charity purposes.

I think it would be great! But a committee would have to be organized and it would really need to be planned out. And we need a place to meet, because I've seen that trying to negotiate things on forums can be a bit dodgy.

I can't believe we don't have a big craft expo here in Houston! It seems to only stay in Austin :/ and we have such a massive and talented group of craftsters here!

To organize something that would be held in the George R. Brown convention center would be so freaking cool.

[megrenae]

agreed...I would love to help if things ever get off the ground.