#clcdiyfest

[artbyjenisse]

Craft Lake City DIY Festival – In Review

I almost don’t want to write this… This show was a flop for me.

The Craft Lake City DIY Festival just held their 10th anniversary show this past weekend (Aug. 10-12) at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City.

Now I just found out about this show last year after moving back from Burbank, I was going to sign up but the deadline had passed. There are a few artists I follow that I found go regularly and have a good time so I thought, “Okay I will keep an eye out for when tables open next year!” And I did.

This is the first craft show I’ve done and also the first outdoor show I’ve done. I got a table instead of a booth, because it was cheaper. Only real sucky part about that was I had like no shade and it was 102F on Saturday – I thought I was going to die. I was smart and took my umbrella for shade but it was still brutal. I mean, it’s August in SLC, I knew it was going to be hot as hell but jfc.

The good points about the show:

Local only artists. It’s a show only for local artists, sculptors, crafters, food creators, ect., and they even had a cute little section just for kids who create things.

Staff. The staff I talked to were very helpful and had answers to my questions!

Venue. The Gallivan Center is huge. Like there’s an ice skating rink there in the winter months. There’s also a good sized public restroom.

It was also a very well attended show.

Onto the bad…

The Venue. It’s outside. In the middle of summer. IT’S OUTSIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER!!!!

Vendors. Vendors are placed anywhere they can find spots for them. Now before you run off or message me asking why that’s a bad thing, let me explain. If you end up with a bad spot right by the entrances / exits like I did, you’re sales are going to suffer immensely. I also saw a few right next to the bathrooms, which didn’t look ideal either. And when you’re so packed together it can be hard to make sure you see everything there is to see. I guess part of this could go under the venue too?

Parking. There really isn’t free parking in downtown Salt Lake City. More of a personal peeve really…

If you’re local I’d say give it a try. I however will not be back next year.

Here’s what happened with me. I got a bad spot and my sales suffered horribly because of it.

My table was right by the entrance, like a foot away. Security was doing bag checks right before guests would get to my table, so by the time that was over guests are too busy putting things back into their bags or waiting for other members of their party to look around them. This is not an efficient system layout for your vendors. The table beside me and the booth across from me where having the exact same problem. And hardly anyone would walk down our way to see what we had to sell, because they didn’t want to block the exit or entrance pathways.

I had told the event during signup I’d be there all three days, (Fri – Sun). I left Saturday night after the show ended because I was so done with the situation. I could not go through another day of being passed up. In my five years of doing conventions, expos, and shows, I have not once left early. Even during the major flop of WizardingDayz, I still stayed until the end because I was holding out hope for sales.

I spent a total of $350 for this show between table, parking, printing, and other expenses. I only made $93 in my time there. I am so very far in the hole.

This was just my experience at the show. If Craft Lake City is something you want to do, go ahead and do it. I simply will not go back because I don’t want to risk that happening again.

[ashleyfairbourne]

I'm so excited I get to do #CraftLakeCity again this year! It's definitely sneaking up on me but I have some fun stuff prepared 😎 Come say hi Aug 10-12 and get some supa kewl stuffs! #art #artist #illustrator #illustration #draw #drawing #doodle #sketch #sketchbook #sketchdaily #drawdaily #artnerd #artistsofinstagram #ashleyfairbourneillustration #ashleyfairbourne #illustrationartists #clc2018 #craftlakecity2018 #diy #clcdiyfest #supportlocalartists #slcartist

[hworkssilver]

I’m so thrilled to announce I’ve been accepted as a @craftlakecity vendor! I’ve also been lucky enough to share a few words over in their blog about about a few of my experiences as a vendor. Link in their bio...head on over to learn a bit about preparing for your first event! #clcdiyfest #summermarket #handmadejewelry #hworksjewelry #naturallightphotography

[georgelife]

Very excited to perform at @craftlakecity #CLCDIYFest Friday Aug 9 at 6:30pm on the main stage! See you there! #DIYFest #DIY #Fest #Festival #musicfestival #festie #artsfest #artsfestival #craft #crafting #musician #rapper #hiphop #violin #violinist #ukulele #glife #georgelife #lifers #lifer #lifersunderground #rapfest https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQbsvQhwsI/?igshid=hpx7cw6ku2s9

[hexeh-studio]

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A post shared by HEXEH™ (@hexehstudio)

ROLLING IT OUT… our brand new, all-natural HEXEH lip balm.⠀ Made with hempseed oil, squalene, avocado, hazelnut, and sesame in a 100% recyclable/reusable tin.⠀ Restores, replenishes, and protects your lips -with a little bit of scented nuttiness- for that perfect⠀ pucker. No plastic tube = less wax, more moisturizing oils, and better for the environment.⠀ NO: Flavoring, preservatives, sweeteners, coloring, fragrance or essential oils.⠀ Making its debut at Craft Lake City @craftlakecity this Friday, Aug. 9 th at the SLC Fairgrounds.⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ #lipbalm #lipbalms #lipbeauty #lipcare #beautifullips #clcdiyfest #craftlakecity #naturallips #naturallipbalm #naturallip #naturallipcare #perfectlips #lipgoals #lips💋 #lipenhancement #lipcream #hotlips #plumplips #lipscare #careforyourself #careforyourskin #hydrating #hydratedskin #chappedlips #drylips #moisturizing #moisturize #fragrancefree #simplebeauty #beautysecret (at Utah State Fairpark) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0uSgCUhgmV/?igshid=1j46hphi9sgm6

[candiduran]

So excited for the season this year! This picture was taken last year at the @craftlakecity DIY Festival. The #clcdiyfest was the first event I participated in back in 2014 and my life has not been the same since! We've grown so much with every year that passes and I don't see that stopping any time soon! (at Salt Lake City, Utah)

[pixiedustandsunshine]

In lieu of birthday gifts or congratulatory comments this year, I would like something else. Please go visit Craft Lake City and see the amazing artists and booths there- in my top two, would be @thecottonfloozy !!! This booth has the coolest shiz!!!!!! #Repost @thecottonfloozy with @make_repost ・・・ Making these cheeky necklaces for #craftlakecity from mini hoops, vintage handkerchiefs, stitched swears, and love. See you in 10 days! @craftlakecity #clcdiyfest https://ift.tt/33pSQec

[ashleyfairbourne]

Last day at @craftlakecity today! Its a beautiful Sunday with a nice breeze 😊... Come snag one of these cute patches before they're gone! #art #artist #illustrator #illustration #draw #drawing #doodle #sketch #sketchbook #sketchdaily #drawdaily #artnerd #artistsofinstagram #ashleyfairbourneillustration #ashleyfairbourne #illustrationartists #craftlakecity #clcdiyfest #patches #handmade #printmaking (at Craft Lake City Diy Festival At Gallivan Center)

[hworkssilver]

Sometimes the most simple equals the most difficult. I know it sounds ridiculous when you're looking at these tinies, but it took me a really long time (like so long I gave up on them for months) to figure out how to make them (stable solder points and what not). But yesterday, in the middle of all my other work they pushed there way to the front of my mind. So here they are! Bringing them along to @craftlakecity! #HWorksJewelry #posts #points #triangle #triangleearrings #craftlakecity #simple #tiny #etsy #etsyseller #makersgonnamake #linear #saltlakecity #doublepiercing #minimal #jotd #minimalism #minimalistjewelry #breakthrough #silversmith #utah #handmade #shoplocal #studs #clcdiyfest #summermarket #silverstuds #metalsmith #HWorksSilver #newdesign

[candistiedye]

There's still time to make your own shirt! We're out here until 10pm! @craftlakecity #craftlakecity #clcDIYfest #tiedye #upcycled #upcycledtiedye #tiedyeshirt #candistiedye

[artbyjenisse]

Come see me at Craft Lake City DIY Fest! I am right at the north entrance. #clcdiyfest (at Salt Lake City and Gallivan Center Events)

[ashleyfairbourne]

Day 2 of Craft Lake City! I've got some fun stuff 😁 Table T12 - Come say hi!! #art #artist #illustrator #illustration #draw #drawing #doodle #sketch #sketchbook #sketchdaily #drawdaily #artnerd #artistsofinstagram #ashleyfairbourneillustration #ashleyfairbourne #illustrationartists #craftlakecity #clcdiyfest #convention #pastels #colorful (at Craft Lake City Diy Festival At Gallivan Center)

[hworkssilver]

I'm thinking horizons. I'm thinking Eighties t-shirt beach horizons. Oh, and I'm also thinking about how much my fingers swell in the summertime so I needed a ring that could handle the swell. @craftlakecity is on the horizon, and I'll have this Horizon ring there with me. 👊🏼 #HWorksJewelry #horizon #horizonring #silverring #craftlake #craftlakecity #architectural #unusual #etsy #etsyseller #makersgonnamake #linear #saltlakecity #summer #minimal #jotd #minimalism #minimalistjewelry #festival #silversmith #utah #handmade #shoplocal #craftfair #clcdiyfest #summermarket #parkcity #metalsmith #HWorksSilver #newdesign

[evanjed]

Craft Lake City was this last weekend, and after the first night was totally ruined by a sudden rainstorm, the fest ended with a great second day. I lucked out and didn't really lose anything to the rain (huge thanks to my uncle and best friend for showing up just in time to help me gather up my stuff). Many others were not so fortunate (@shyguyprints sadly lost A LOT of work). It was a pretty gloomy scene. A lot of people came out in support of local art, and that made a huge difference for a lot of people in the wake of the storm. I'm a real dummy and forgot to take any pictures during the fest, but here's a shot of the tote bag they were giving away with a print of mine on it. It was rad seeing these all over. Big thanks to everyone that came out. It was great meeting new people and seeing old friends. #clcdiyfest #evanjed #illustration #printmaking

[candiduran]

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A post shared by Cándi ☀️ Tie Dye Artist (@tiedyesaltlake)

Thank You! @craftlakecity #craftlakecity #clcDIYfest #tiedye #upcycled #upcycledtiedye #candistiedye (at Craft Lake City Diy Festival At Gallivan Center)