BUSINESS: British Craft Trade Fair - Do You Remember The First Time?

Exhibiting at your first trade show is one of the most thrilling and nerve-wracking experiences for a designer-maker. It’s hard to know what to expect or how to prepare for what could be a golden opportunity. In BUSINESS, we gave you advice from the British Trade Craft Fair on the do's and don'ts of Craft Trade Fairs. Today, in SCENE, Kathryn Sharman speaks to three designers who will be exhibiting for the first time at the British Craft Trade Fair in April to find out what approach they have taken.

Helen Taylor, of osedesigns, tells us: 'I would like to get my designs out into the wider arena for interior designers, new stockists and specifiers. This has been on my agenda for a while and BCTF seemed the perfect opportunity. 

I've been planning my stand and deciding how to present my wares. Because this is a trade show and not a show for the public, I don’t need to worry about taking enough stock. That means it's possible to concentrate on presenting things beautifully, and that's a nice aspect for a designer. I am launching two new designs at the show which I’m excited about!

Helen Taylor - Standard Lamp

I hope to gain confidence from exhibiting and to obtain some new stockists. I’d be absolutely bowled over to receive some orders from specifiers such as hotels and some interest from architects and interior designers. That is my dream scenario for the show. My only real concern is how exhausting it might be, I'm expecting sore feet... 

I hope visitors will find my work unusual and striking - the shape of my lampshades looks great in many settings and I hope they will see the potential for using my designs in their projects. '

Rachel Lucie Johns of Rachel Lucie Jewellery Designs, admits: 'I nearly didn't apply for BCTF 2011 as I wasn't sure I would be accepted. It's a real professional compliment and my first real opportunity to show my jewellery designs to the trade world.

Rachel Lucie - Zest Necklace

Organisation and admin haven't been my strong point but this has given me the focus I needed to create the back office organisation to take my business forward. I have been looking at everything from pricing, literature, advertising, websites, my products and order processing.

There will be some totally new designs of mine at this year's show, along with some of my most successful designs from the last year or so. I think it will be a great place to network with other designers and attract trade buyers. I am hoping to expand my stockist list and get some national exposure.  Putting myself 'out there' by exhibiting is pretty nerve-wracking, so I am feeling a little 'stage fright'. I’m really looking forward to immersing myself in the craft world for a few days. I’ve organised child care and am taking my caravan so I can even stay on site!'

Gail Myerscough of 7071 Design, explains: 'I’ve visited a lot of trade shows but It’s completely different as an exhibitor. I’m wondering how my work will look and how people will react to it. Will it be good enough? Exhibiting for the first time at a trade show like this means my design is crossing the line from successful hobby to serious business.

7071 Design

I’m worried about getting the first impression right and I want my stand to look very clean and uncluttered as that’s how I like to present things such as my website. My designs are very much about colour and I want them to have maximum impact. So, I’ve been to IKEA and bought some white furniture (a table, chairs and some picture frames) and I’ll be taking my trusty mannequin Florence, which I always use to photograph my work. I’m going to have my brand name in bright pink vinyl above the stand because, from my own experience, I think people remember things if they’re very visual. I’ve even made a small scale model of my stand to ensure everything fits and will be doing a full scale dummy run in the lounge soon!

I’ll be showing both my classic corsages; the Loopy brooch and the Betty brooch in the core colours of purple, turquoise and red plus some new spring/summer colours including tangerine, yellow, coral, deep pink, lavender, mint green, royal blue and grey, which coordinate together as a range.

I’ve also developed some new designs including my felt necklaces, rings and headbands plus a new wrist corsage, which is great for special occasion wear such as weddings.'

The British Craft Trade Fair is on the 3rd, 4th & 5th of April, 2011. For more information, please visit: www.bctf.co.uk