Who's Got The Best Carving Show?

Lynn O. Doughty · #1 03-01-2007, 07:51 AM

In my never ending quest to find the best woodcarving shows to attend I'd appreciate your input. I'm looking for shows with good attendance, great competition and the possibility of making a few sales! Dayton, Ohio is a good one in my opinion, as is the Kansas City show. Any other suggestions?

Nancy-ID · #2 03-01-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynn O. Doughty

In my never ending quest to find the best woodcarving shows to attend I'd appreciate your input. I'm looking for shows with good attendance, great competition and the possibility of making a few sales! Dayton, Ohio is a good one in my opinion, as is the Kansas City show. Any other suggestions?

Lynn, I don't know how far you are willing to travel, but March 10th & 11th is the show in San Jacinto, CA. It is the largest show in California. Huge attendence, very tough competition. John Anderson carves the same subjects as you, cowboy caricatures, and usually gets Best of Show (until I beat him

) Definately a show to consider if it isn't to far for you to go and it is very soon.

hobo · #3 03-01-2007, 12:43 PM

i would say FL but your going to spend it in gas to get there. if i was you i would drop my price a little bit on my carvings or carve something common people can buy and carve more you got a good web site and you do good work . If you ant got money by now you ant going to get it carving.its a ruff row to hoe . you ask and im a telling

falconer · #4 03-01-2007, 01:36 PM

I agree with Nancy, the SanJacinto show is the largest California Carvers Guild Show in the state. I go every year and have done very well there each time. There's alot of people that come from all over not just the carvers.

www.sierracreekstudios.com

Lynn O. Doughty · #5 03-01-2007, 01:54 PM

Nancy/Falconer....Thanks! It is a long way off but we're always looking for an excuse to travel!

Hobo......Lower my prices? You've got to be kidding! If anything I plan on raising them!

hobo · #6 03-01-2007, 02:49 PM

Like i said you ask and im telling .

wood-whittler · #7 03-01-2007, 03:59 PM

if it is sales you are after, sometimes a carving show is not the best place to sell a woodcarver a woodcarving, they will look at your work and say i can do that and go home and carve their version of the peice. maybe some type of art expo would be a better venue. like hobo said you asked and i'm telling.

bart

even some type of mixed-media competition would work for you

falconer · #8 03-01-2007, 04:19 PM

I was wondering if anyone has ever rated the carving shows to find out what the best is. What would be the criteria?

Kenny_S · #9 03-01-2007, 05:24 PM

Is the "Biggest" the "Best"?

Kansas City and Ok City are the best around these parts but I like the little Tulsa, Topeka and Wichita shows Just as well!
Oh, I forgot Grapevine Tx has a fine show also.

Mitchell · #10 03-01-2007, 05:32 PM

A "good" show would be different for different people.

It depends on the individual.

I go to shows for a variety of reasons and selling is not one of them. My number one priority is "socializing" with people that share my hobby - especially those that I know. Second would be to see carvings in the styles that I like. Third would be to shop for supplies, and fourth would be to enter pieces into competition for ribbons/prizes.

Your (Lynn) priority would be totally opposite. You make a living from selling. To do so would dictate having a good flow of potential buyers - not necessarily other carvers. High traffic is key. Since money is key, prizes would also be a big draw. A side benefit with prizes (and recognition) is notoriety - which can allow Lynn to demand premium prices for his work.

There's more than one kind of car - there's Dodge and there's Mercedes..... both are for riding around in, but the cost to ride is much different between the two. The people making Dodges and the people making Mercedes (which is the same company) make money by selling each.

To answer the original question - I don't know any other than Dayton that would suit you well. Woodwhittler and hobo kind of hit on an idea - you may want to try some venue that is not limited to Woodcarving specifically (and that's not meant in any negative way). Using the car analogy, you may improve sales (and pricing) by targeting a more affluent clientele. Not that carvers arent, but you should be targeting a greater quantity of high end buyers.

Collectors that is. Maybe a furniture type show would be appropriate as these generally bring in high numbers of high $ spenders. These buyers are looking for center pieces and your Western Themed art (for lack of better description) could/would fit in well in some of these shows.

There's a couple in North Carolina and even Las Vegas. I'd expect you to do very well in one of these type venues........(cough, commission, cough).......

Matter of fact - not just furniture type shows, but home interior, etc. If you can find one or two reputable contacts, you'd be "in like Flynn".