HAPPY 2013 TO YOU ALL !
We would like to hear your views on UK Papercraft shows.
We would like to hear which shows you like and why you like them.
What do you want to see from UK shows ?
What is missing ?
What in your opinion would improve UK shows ?
Where in the UK would you likr to see a show and why ?
Tell us your likes and dislikes , make your views and opinions count by posting your comments here .
We need your positive input !
Gordon
In terms of geography I'd like to have shows on my doorstep, unhelpful I know... I don't go to shows in London anymore because you have to use the trains and they are expensive, full and the whole experience is stressful.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like to see? The new trends, ideas, techniques and of course products.
Finally a very important factor is the ticket price as when I go to a show I intend to spend money on crafty things not admin fees !
Thank you for that . Venues can be very expensive to hire and unfortunately costs have to be spread around . What would you see as a reasonable entrance fee ? Your views on London shows are noted so if not London where would you recommend ?
ReplyDeleteAround London there is the Creative Crafts show in Sandown Park (Esher in Surrey), Hobby Crafts in Bluewater, and I know of craft shows in Farnborough and Stevenage (Stamperama) although I have never been myself. As entrance fee, my maximum is £ 5.
DeleteThank you for your comments.
DeleteYes, it would be nice to see some more shows in the middle of the country - although I appreciate not everyone can have one on their own doorstep!!!. Went to the NEC this year but it was sooo busy (had to go on the Saturday)The car-parking there is extortionate and there is not enough seats etc in the venue. It was also nigh on impossible to get to see any demo's as the stalls were thronged with people -and also there did seem to be quite alot of the same thing. I enjoyed the show at Donington- I know there were many issues about admission etc but the fact was there were some good companies and demonstrators there and it just seemed more personal.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment . There is a reason we are asking for your views which will soon be revealed to all and you will hear it first on the Blog.What would you all think if every stand had a make and take area for everyone to sign up to and to take part in for a max fee of around £2 .You could book as many make and takes as you wanted to throughout the day at the show . Your views on this everyone ? What does everyone think on show entrance fees , what is reasonable , we need all of your opinions .
DeleteMake and takes are a great idea. Unfortunately with previous shows I have attended, the queue to sign up for one is really long and then you are not guaranteed a place even when you eventually get to the front!!!
DeleteBut to want to buy products you need to know how to use them - brilliant demo's and samples are a must (although it does make you spend more!!) - sometimes the NEC seems more focused on shopping rather than educating.
Thank you for your input , very interesting . Make and takes should be bookable in advance not at the venue on the day , that would solve that problem dont you think . Maybe every stand should have a make and take bookable in advance for a small fee of maybe up to £2 / person at most . What do you think of that ?
DeleteI'm lucky in being able to go to lots of shows throughout the year, so am not bothered about possible venues for new ones. What I do think is important is plenty of space between the rows of stands, and big enough stands for the vendors - I know they are priced according to size but one very big show I attend has heaps of empty space yet the smallest stands are absolutely tiny. It wouldn't cost the organisers any more to increase the size without charging extra! Also it should be routine for ALL stands to display the vendor's name - often I have no idea where I saw something because without checking in the catalogue I can't tell who it is.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly , thank you !
DeleteI would like to see another show at Newark Showground, it is a good venue with loads of parking, and various buildings for hire. Of course, this venue is on my doorstep which is convenient, but is close to the A1, A17,A46 and Newark has 2 railway stations, one serving cross country from Lincoln to Nottingham, Derby, and connections to Leicester. The other is East coast mainline, from London to the North, ie Doncaster, Leeds, Durham, Newcastle and many other stations to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Parking is FREE
ReplyDeleteI do not go to the NEC anymore, as there are too many changes on the train (It used to be straight thro to New Street Station) which only leaves a short time at the show, and not worth the £8 or so to get in. the parking is also too expensive. To stay over in a hotel would mean less craft spending, which after all is the reason for going.
Recently I have been to the Sincerely yours at Lincoln and Which stamping at Doncaster Dome, with a double knee replacements, that is about all I can manage, but the big names are not inclined to attend these events.
Interesting . We attend the Dome show organised by Whichcraft . The bigger names as you call them do attend this show as it is an excellent well run friendly show run by a lovely person , Paula. As for the other show you mention , i can fully understand why fellow exhibitors do not attend these shows.
DeleteI like Exeter because we combine it with a short break (so visit on the way to Torquay or on the way back, last time it was late on the last day - not so good, will be earlier this year), and it is the only one apart from Shepton Mallet I manage to get to these days. I have been to Cardiff, and Cheltenham in the past, both have been very good.
DeleteHappy New Year to you too.
Thank you for your input , everything is being considered.
DeleteI love the Stamp Magic show at Doncaster Dome and go there twice a year.It is not too busy, easy to get to and a reasonable price to get in (£5)- parking is free. I tried going to Harrogate, but felt it wasn't different enough to Stamp Magic and got quite crowded by comparison. A show that is a little further south, like Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire would be good, and maybe in February or March to balance with the Doncaster ones in June and October.
ReplyDeleteThank you , very interesting.
DeleteThere seems to be a dearth of shows in Scotland! Having recently moved up from Notts to SW Scotland, I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms! The Glasgow/Edinburgh shows are too big and too expensive. I'm not aware of any in the Dumfriesshire or Borders areas, or even Cumbria, all of which have centres with good enough access, though I'm sure there are just as many crafters up here as down south. (Why is the south always favoured - not fair!) My favourite show has always been the Whichcraft one in Doncaster (great mix of exhibitors, just the right size, plenty of space), and I still get to that, but it would be great to have one nearer home.
ReplyDeletePersonally, whilst I like to see demos, I'm not interested in make and takes. I prefer to experiment with my purchases afterwards at home. I go to shows primarily to get ideas, find out about new products and see how people are using them (as well as to shop, of course!). I realise that entrance fees need to be charged to help with costs, and I'm prepared to pay up to £5, but more than that would eat into my craft budget too much. Same with car park charges. I'd think twice about going somewhere where I'd have to pay to park as well as to enter the show. In all respects, the Whichcraft Doncaster show comes out top in my book. If they could just move it up to the south of Scotland now and then, that would be great!
So where in the south of scotland , it would have to be a good venue and would there be enough people to attend ?
DeleteI liked the Whichcraft show and the GNPE in Harrogate both of which I attended. The cost of fuel and parking means I no longer travel to the big shows in Birmingham, Manchester or London. I also attended the new show at Kettering but it was rather empty.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I remember of the other two shows there were different things to see and there was plenty of room to move about. I particularly like it when there are workshops available and demonstrators.
What I like or would like is free or cheap parking and easy access from public transport. Perhaps a minibus from local train or bus station and I don't think it needs to be free but not extortionate either. Somewhere that people can put a bag or two so they don't have to carry them around the show all day which would be particularly useful when travelling by public transport, somewhere to sit and refreshments available.
Make and Takes would be fabulous as long as there was somewhere to sit where you wouldn't be constantly in someone's way.
The midlands is where I attend craft shows so Newark or Lincoln show grounds would be great places for me ;)
Thank you , we are thinking alike.
DeleteI only attend the NEC Hobbycrafts show as it is just 45mins away, but it costs £20 in car parking and entrance fees not to mention the petrol which makes it an expensive trip. I think £5 entrance fee is more appropriate, perhaps with a free printed list of exhibitors/stand no's/websites, which would be really handy to make notes on and to keep for reference after the show. I don't need a fancy show guide full of adverts which I have to pay for.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see more local, smaller shows too. Telford has an International Cantre which has hosted craft shows before. Although not as big as NEC, it is cheaper to park and was a lot cheaper entrance fee. What I would like to see more of is demonstrations, especially for newer or more expensive products like dies. I like to see different ways of using things, although all too often I buy something at a show then can't remember why once I've got it home, so samples or make & takes would be good. Or handouts with picture and instructions.
Thank you , your suggestions are very interesting.
DeleteWould love to have a decent show in the east of England - there's nothing in Norfolk, well, that's not completely true, there is a Sincerely Yours show in Thetford but the last one coincided with a new show (cant remember where)and some exhibitors went there instead - it's only small as it is, and there's not many big names that go there either.
ReplyDeleteI pay £3 to get into the Thetford show, so £5 for a bigger and better show would be a good price.
so where in norfolk or around is there a big add good venue for such a show ?
DeleteHi Gordon, I have been to Doncaster - Summer Crafting - and to Harrogate - Stamping show at Ellesmere Port but the one I attend reguarly is Sincerely Yours at Leigh - Lancashire, Its not far from me so I dont have to get my husband to Drive - dont like driving long distances, The admission fee is £5 but would like to see more BIG names attending, as it s a good show - room to move - and seating for drinks etc. Jean
ReplyDeleteHi
DeleteThe problem is the organiser of these shows im afraid.
Leigh is £3
DeleteGordon, please grow a pair you little boy.
See you recovered quickly!!!
Lol
DeleteLove your blog Gordon!!
Still being a complete billy bullshitter eh!!
You really make me piss myself laughing.
Come on stop being a coward and put into print what you really think.
DeleteYou really are such a soft billy billshitter.
It really is time you grew up and grow a pair.
Total twat!! Lol
Well everyone , can you guess who is behind these comments , who is the coward who leaves no name for all of you to see.
DeleteMaybe the name of the show mentioned above gives it away???
I cannot believe these rude comments!! Childish doesn't begin to describe them! I will never attend a 'Sincerely Yours' show ever again! Unbelievable!
DeleteI must admit after attending NEC before I do like the slightly smaller venues. NEC was great, but the expense of travel and parking did mean I could not spead as much on my hobby.
ReplyDeleteThe smaller venues like Doncaster Dome, and Newark, were easy to get to, cheaper parking and less exhausting, I did feel I could enjoy the day more, and spend more!
At the end of the day we go to see new things, experiance new techniques by veiwing samples near the products or watching small quick demos, and to come away with fresh new stash and also to feel we have picked up a bargain along the way. I do like it, if I can see a regular craft item at a very good price as well, you go away having spent, may be a little too much on new things, but on the way you collected a bargain as well!
I think if you purchase something from a stall it is great if the seller puts a little leaflet or card in the bag. I always review what I purchased when I get home, and the next few days go through any of these promo items and review web sites or blogs for more ideas, which on the way I could see other things to purchase. You could get an all round package for a customer by supplying them with a lovely day out at a show and sending them away with a little material in the form of a promo leaflet for a web site, that they can also get ideas from in the form of a gallery, or I like to see video demos for new products, they are time consuming to make but can be looked at time and time again, and in the relaxed atmosphere of my home I can plan other new purchases when I have saved more money!
Thank you for your interesting views.
DeleteSo when did you start shows?
ReplyDelete20 years ago or 12 years ago?
Check your posts, caught lying yet AGAIN!!
Actually i have been doing shows for well over 20 years now , not just papercraft shows. Gordon
DeleteSo whoever you are ( ? Anonymous ) at least everyone can see my name as i have no anonymous to hide behind !
Hi Gordon, Just realised that I have seen you at shows at the NEC, Harrogate and Doncaster, which are all a fair drive away from where I live. Will you be attending any shows in the North West this year e.g. Manchester Central or Trafford Centre? Would love to see you at more places in the North West.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading the weird comments, sounds like someone needs to either keep taking the tablets,change them or come off them all together. I'm so sorry for you Gordon for all that. I went to the Kettering Show last year which was good for me because we stayed with our family and my daughter in law is into crafts. I live in South Lakes part of the world so close to there would be good, I realise you need a lot of folk to attend also I agree I'd rather spend money on crafty stuff rather than entrance and parking fees. Good luck with it all and I wish you a Happier and Healthier New Year than last year.
ReplyDeleteHi Gordon
ReplyDeleteJust read the weird comments and all I can say is what a coward this person is, he or she should grow a pair and not hide behind the anonymous. There are some sad people about who have such empty lives that they have to resort to this.
Heather x
I have been reading these comments, and I really can't understand why people have to hide their identity, except that they must be very cowardly.
ReplyDeleteBut back to the question. I'm Suze, I live on the South Coast, and would ask that if you are planning shows, please don't forget us down here. I often feel that we are left out, most of the big shows, suppliers and companies are based much further 'up country'. We do have Brighton and Make It, but both are timed to be very close together, so something at another time would be great, and to not have to travel too far would be fantastic, I'm happy to travel a reasonable distance, we have been to the NEC, but it takes such a long time, and the journey can be very difficult.
I am really looking forward to the details of your new machine, I was planning to upgrade my Cuttlebug, but have seen problems with other machines on the market, and I really want a bigger one, so roll on February!
Suze
Thank you . Its not difficult to work out who these people are as they mention one of the shows they organise !
DeleteWe are very excited about the new machine as one will be with us this monday . You wont have long to wait until we publish more details.
I cannot believe how someone can post those sort of comments after everything you have been through Gordon. I'm pleased you have kept them up on display so all of us reading can be very sure not to attend another 'Sincerely Yours' show ever again! Childish, jealous little vendetta. Fortunately this forum shows how well and widely you are loved by friends and customers!
Delete