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Press Releases
Emerging Artists Take Center Stage
at the PHILADELPHIA BUYERS MARKET of AMERICAN CRAFT
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Philadelphia, Pa. (July 29, 2008) -- The Buyers Market of American Craft returns to Philadelphia Aug. 2-4 with a wholesale tradeshow featuring emerging craft artists. Of nearly 800 exhibitors, more than 150 are new to the wholesale marketplace or are first-time exhibitors on the Buyers Market artist roster.
Retailers who shop the summer show will find fresh designs for the holidays, including ornaments, fashion accessories, wearable art, tableware, wedding gifts, fine jewelry and fashion jewelry, Judaica, handbags and more.
Artists are responding to a challenging economy by emphasizing the quality and durability of handmade goods; the value of knowing where your gift products are made; and the thrill of discovering great artist-designer fashions and décor that you won’t find in big box and department stores.
Trends seen in design this summer: increasing use of eco-friendly materials; products that do double-duty, serving as works of art with a practical function; and collector-quality art with appeal for the luxury consumer.
NEW THIS SUMMER: In conjunction with the Buyers Market, two exhibits will be open to the public during show hours (Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Mon., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), on the second-floor concourse in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
· “BRILLIANCE”: Authors Cindy Edelstein and Frank Stankus will sign copies of their just-published book, “Brilliance: Masterpieces of the American Jewelry Design Council,” (Lark Publishing), and will display spectacular fine art jewelry from the nonprofit design council’s collection.
· “PEACE & POLITICS”:The American Made Alliance, a nonprofit arts advocacy group, will sponsor “Peace and Politics: An Artists’ Agenda for America.” This exhibit of fine craft will feature quilts, sculpture, jewelry, beading, ceramics and even handbags designed to express artists’views on themes including war, peace, immigration, the economy, gun control, education and arts advocacy. Sometimes poignant, sometimes humorous and always thought-provoking, this is an exhibit of craft with a mission.
WHAT’S NEW at the BUYERS MARKET of AMERICAN CRAFT?
· GOING GREEN:Recognizing that going green is not a fad but a lifestyle choice and consumer demand, the Buyers Market is taking steps in August to help retailers locate tradeshow exhibitors who have eco-friendly products. Artists who use found, recycled, repurposed or sustainable materials will identify themselves on the tradeshow floor with a new booth tag bearing the slogan “Green Exhibitor.”
· PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Seminar speakers and roundtable leaders will offer tips for green retailing, maximizing Web sites and Internet-based selling, simply wonderful in-store events, and retailing during a challenging economy.
· FABULOUS FIBER: For the first time, several of the nation’s top fiber art guilds and associations will jointly exhibit art quilts, silk paintings, and art/fashion garments.
· NEW ONLINE SERVICE: The NICHE Marketplace Café will feature demonstrations of an online service linking art galleries and artist studios.
The Buyers Market of American Craft, held twice a year, showcases art products handmade in America and Canada for the buyers representing art galleries, museum shops, jewelry and gift stores, catalogs and other retail businesses.To register as a credentialed buyer and attend the show, please call 800-432-7238, ext. 211.The Buyers Market is open to the trade only.
For the media, the tradeshow is a preview of the fine, handmade craft and latest designs that will appear soon on the shelves of craft boutiques and gift stores across the country. Press credentials are required. For more information, please contact Jean Thompson, Public Relations Director, at 410-889-2933, ext. 218, or (cell) 443-845-6130.
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