Folks, I'm putting together a little Organic Gardening & Crafts Fair this Sat 6th Dec in Toddington, Beds, England and have worn out my telephone trying to enlist exhibitors.
Crafts people are little problem in the Christmas gifts season but - in Winter - there's a dearth of gardening-related exhibitors.
Any ideas for potential gardening-related exhibitors? Or maybe you'd even like to exhibit yourself? (In the nicest way, of course!)
All ideas welcome - or e-mail me privately, if you wish. Thanks!
Organic Gardening Fair, Beds - what can I display?
Do you have any catalogues from other shows? I remember seeing sundials and similar items at Gardeners World Live etc. Let me know if you'd like me to sift through catalogues, magazines etc But you've probably covered this already
Thanks, Philomel. Yes, I've scavenged other shows and catalogues and found nowt but spinners, weavers and lace makers - all of whom demand money to exhibit! Because, they say, they can sell little at such events.
I'd love to have folk there whom you can't find at conventional garden shows (let alone garden centres). So lovely exhibitors of indoor plants, worm bins, seed sprouters, heirloom seed shares and wheatgrass juicers are very welcome...
(Gosh, I could fill the hall all by myself. Exhibiting just that. At this rate, I may have to!)
Do please keep the ideas coming!
This message was edited Sep 18, 2003 2:44 PM
what about someone like the Cottage garden society,and other such societies, would they be interested in a stand to promote them selves.
Or any of the gardening magazines, would they do a stand,or publishers of gardening books?
Would they let you do a plea in one of the gardening magazines for potential exhibiters,
Local garden centres? with a display of winter bulbs potted up ready for Christmas presnts.
Brilliant, Sueone! Thank you. It had never occurred to me to invite my good friends at Organic Gardening, Permaculture, The Organic Way and The Living Earth magazines to exhibit!
(Please take a pause while Yeoman smacks himself heartily over the head.)
One drawback is... these good folk have few staff to represent themselves. (Their offices are typically just them, their spouse and a goat, I find. The goat is the wastebin.)
One advantage is... if they come, they'll boost my event in their journals! (Oh, silly man, Yeoman. Why didn't I think of that?)
Bet you're on the phone again ,hope it goes well for you,I know from past experience the huge amount of unseen work that goes into this sort of thing.
A few more thoughts, though I suspect you'll have tried them
Local potter or sculpter, for garden pots or ornaments, ideal time for Christmas pressies for your visitors.
Blacksmith,one who makes things such as hanging brackets,baskets,those wind things!! (with N S W E on them....)
what about a local wildlife group, or even a school in your area. My daughters school has a wildlife club, and there's a quite big wildlife walk snd wooded area, they sometimes do displays and talks. The adults and kids would probably love to set up a display board and tell folks about it.
RSPB or some such organization, with info and goods to introduce birds and wildlife into the garden,such as bird boxes, insect boxes etc.
someone who sells seeds,I often buy them as prezzies for Christmas,
Trees and roses too I've bought over the Christmas season for prezzies,as a lot now comw in pots ready to transplant any time.
Womens Institute,or the other one WRVS or something like that, with home made preserves ,wines etc.
Local colleges ,that do garden related courses,or evening classes in horticultural subjects.
RHS, would they be interested? a stall to join as Christmas prezzies maybe.
Thanks, Sueone! Yes, I'm talking this very afternoon to the RSPB. Plus The Wild-Life Conservation Charity. I have a potter coming (I think). Plus the WI (did you know, they don't sell many cakes nowadays, but are greatly into crafts).
Um, blacksmiths are an idea (we actually have 'em, in these parts).
Plus... I just looked out the window and saw my wife's giant bird table, lovingly crafted by a local joiner. Of course! (The obvious is always under our noses...) Will phone him now.
Your idea-prompters have been invaluable. Come along and I'll give you (and a charabanc of your friends) a free ticket! That applies to anyone reading this post. Just e-mail me!
This message was edited Sep 19, 2003 11:22 AM