Cheryl Hoeft - Hoeft Promotions - Saline Craft Shows

Catching up with Cheryl Hoeft (for once!)

March 24, 2010 – It is fitting that the second Arts and Crafts person I feature in The Faces of America’s Arts and Crafts has also been around longer than I have.   

Since day one, I heard from more crafters than I could count about how good the Saline Craft Show was.    I have found out over time that good craft shows are made.    They don’t happen spontaneously or by accident. 

Over a span of over fifteen years, I have been to thousands of shows.  Based on what I have seen and what I have heard, in my opinion, for what it is worth, Cheryl Hoeft and the Saline show in November is the best in the state.  It has been for quite some time. 

Of all the people in this business, Cheryl is the only one who outruns me.  When I go out to the shows on the weekend, the first thing I hear is “You just missed Cheryl Hoeft”.  She went through here about a half hour ago”.   Just like me, she is out there working, looking for the newest, unique and most original Arts and Crafts.  That’s one of the reasons she stays on top. 

In past years I have attended her show at the end of the day.   There were many Arts and Crafts booths whose shelves were empty and crafters who had smiles on their faces. 

On Saturday, March 20 at about 7am, I caught up with Cheryl Hoeft at the Saline Community Education Spring Craft Show.   Here is our conversation.

George:  Have you always lived in the Saline area or did you move here later in your life?

Cheryl:   I was born and raised in the Saline area.

George:  How many years have you been married?

 Cheryl:  I have been married for 32 years.   No children.

 George: When did you promote your first craft show and why did you do it?

Cheryl:   I promoted my first craft show in 1986.   I was a teacher at Saline High School and advisor of the local Future Homemakers of America chapter. Our fundraising needed some help. So a parent suggested we try holding a craft show for a fund raiser. The parent I had helping had a small list of Arts and Crafts vendors. We started recruiting vendors for the show in late August. Our first show had 66 vendors. We stayed at the same building for the first three years. In the beginning we covered tables and provided tables for everybody. Over time we learned the crafters didn’t need tables or chairs, just the space to set up their booth. Over the years, our show that is held in November has evolved from a bazaar, to a craft show, to fine arts and crafts show that it is today.

George:   When did you add your other shows?

Cheryl:   I added the spring show in 1994.  It was originally in Tecumseh, but we now hold it at Saline Middle School.    I started the December show in 1998. 

George:   What advice would you give promoters who are trying to start a new show? 

Cheryl:                Before you try to start a new show, ask yourself why you are doing it.   

Most organizations start a show to raise funds for their organizations.   If you want to raise funds, first review the talents of your group and what services they can provide to the public.  You may find you will come up with some other ways to raise money that may be better than starting a craft show.   In other words, look at your goal and all the ways to achieve it.       

If you are really serious about starting a show, keep some facts in mind.  In recent years, the number of craft shows has increased beyond the market.  As a result, the craft show promoting business is highly competitive.   

You must give it 100%.   Live and learn.  Really learn what it takes to have a successful show.   Although many expect big results in one year, it isn’t going to happen.  Even if you do everything right, it will takes five to eight years to get a show off the ground.   You can’t do it in six months. 

George:           What advice would you give to existing crafters as well as new crafters starting the circuit? 

Cheryl:           For existing crafters, my advice is don’t get complacent.  Always look what you are doing and how you are doing it.    Try to keep your crafts original, new and fresh.  When you have the feeling you have captured the market is when you start going backwards. 

For new crafters, I suggest to take it slow.  You have to do shows for awhile to get a feel for where your crafts will sell.  Also, learn what the philosophy and mission of the shows you are setting up at is.  

At the shows I promote, we’re here to provide a service, giving to our customers, our school, and our community.  If you don’t agree with the philosophy of the show, don’t do it. 

Finally, understand what handmade crafts are.    Be dedicated to your work and find your niche.  Understand what creating a craft is.   It is not adding an embellishment on an item you did not make yourself.   Be able to tell the story of what it takes step by step to make your one of a kind craft. 

Final thoughts:  Cheryl’s remaining two shows are Saturday, November 13, 2010 at Saline High School and Friday, December 3 at Saline Middle School.  

If you have one of those weekends available, I would suggest walking through those shows to determine if you would want to apply to one of them next year.   As for this year, her two remaining shows are already full.   The Saline High School Craft Show website is www.salineshows.com 

For more on the history of the Saline Shows click on the link: http://www.salineshows.com/History.htm

March 24, 2010 - George and The Faces of America's Arts and Crafts

Michigan Craft Shows and the Official Web Site of Michigan's Arts and Crafts Business -  michigancraftshows.com