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Monday, December 6, 2010

a good idea for a blog! good luck , eva


Eva Baum <buamjewelry@gmail.com>




















hello ! 
i just read your blogpost about sieraad, and you are 100% right that they were misleading with the information: its a good post, 
and a good idea  for a blog too! 
good luck


eva 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Sieraadfair, Amsterdam, November 4-7 , 2010

Blog-Introduction:

The idea to create this blog came up while exhibiting at the „Sieraad Art Fair“ in Amsterdam this November (2010).
George and myself had set off for the Netherlands, in order to present our jewellery beyond our own Gallery „Camara“, which we run in Nafplio (Greece). The decision fell on „Sieraad“ because of three simple reasons: First: The web-performance of "Sieraad" made us understand, that the fair is nothing less but a win-win "happening". Second: we were cordially welcomed by the organizers, although the application deadline was long exceeded. Third: November is the perfect time of year for us to take some time „off“ the Gallery. 

Without any further knowledge, except the information "Sieraad" provides on its own website, we signed up for participation.
Even if we  had had the time in the fore-run of the fair to do some serious research on jewellery-exhibitions – there would have been no informative online source of any value to us and our concerns, wondering, which fair would offer the best environment for our jewellery.   

Here we are.

We now want to initiate a forum with the best possible information on jewellery fairs, beginning with our personal feedback on Sieraad 2010, which might do as some kind of guideline for further posts.
We definitely do not want to impose on future bloggers – the outcome of the blog should just be as informative as possible on the basis of  personal experiences with jewellery-fairs. Furthermore we would like to emphasize: please write about things (positive and/or negative) you have experienced on first hand – this is the most worthy info for readers, who are in the decision-making process about participating in a fair.
Main info should be: Characteristics of Fair (which, where, when, costs) – weblink – personal experience – personal weblink.

In order to address a broad public and taking in account, that not everybody will understand Greek and/or German, we decided on English as “lingua franca” but this is not obligatory! Feel free to write in your language.

If it is too much trouble to make a comment in the blog – you can send us your note via e-mail   jewelleryx@gmail.com  and we will happily do the posting for you. 
  
George and Sigi Agathos
http://camaraworkshop.com/



Sieraad Art Fair, Amsterdam
04th  – 07th November 2010
Fair is open to everyone
Entrance: 12,50 Euro

Standhire for 4m²:     995,65 Euro (plus VAT)
Credit card facility:      49,00 Euro

We expected a highly commercial fair, due to the info provided through the official website plus the Newsletter. (following). Based on the results of Sieraad 2009 we were informed that out of one hundred visitors only 10 had come just to “orientate” themselves and 90 intended to make a purchase. In the end 70% had bought something. (see newsletter, chapter “Questionnaire”).
The participating-fee of approx.1,200 Euro seemed to be of no risk to anyone.

Our personal experience was quite the opposite to these numbers:
We got the impression that 90% of the visitors were students, professionals and hobby jewellers, who came to “orientate” themselves meaning: get inspired either for commercial or for amateur use.  A Dutch lady, put it like this:
“For me it is like going to the museum – I paid entrance, and I want to see things – not to buy.”

The bottom line:  
Business-wise for us it was not worth going there, the participating-costs were far too high, for what the Fair offered. The info in the web was absolutely misleading.
We won´t do Sieraad again.

Here is how the organizers described the exhibition 2009 :


 SIERAAD was a big succes!!

 SIERAAD is the platform for contemporary jewellery designers, the place to meet his/her public. There has been an
increase of 55% in purchases compared to 2008. The number of visitors increased by 8% - 6200 very interested visitors
who said they had come to Amsterdam especially for SIERAAD. For our participants it is important that many
journalists, galleries, boutique owners, stylists, etc. come to the fair and they did! From at home and abroad. One in 4.6
visitors actually made a purchase at the fair! This number shows an increase every year!

 SIERAAD could be seen on national TV, heard on the radio and of course be read about in magazines and papers.
There were many links to many websites where information about SIERAAD could be found.
Because the format has proved to be very successful and clearly meets the need of this group of artists/designers,
 SIERAAD has definitely proved its right to exist.
Participants in SIERAAD make direct sales, make contacts where orders can be placed, while at the same time
 appointments are made for exhibitions. The exhibitions on show during the SIERAAD fair were highly appreciated and
this tradition will certainly be continued.


During the fair we asked a lot of questions to our visitors, who were so kind to answer those with pleasure.
The outcome we want to share with you;

- Most of the visitors came to Amsterdam especially for SIERAAD.

- Most people came to buy something.

- 85% of the visitors stayed at the fair longer than 3.5 hours.

- 50% of the people intended to buy something in price range of
 100-500 euros

- 40% intended to purchase something of 750 euros or more.

- 10% came just to orientate themselves.

- 70% bought a piece of jewellery for no particular reason, often for themselves.


For all contemporary jewellery designers who are still debating whether or not to participate in SIERAAD 2010 –
6 reasons why not to miss this fair:

1. Consider the results of the 2009 edition – the turnovers realised by the  participants (100% net revenue) rose by
55% compared to the 2008 fair. In general it can be said that almost all exhibitors make a profit on the sales
of new, but also older work. Can you afford not to seize such an opportunity with both hands? Invest in your own
professionalism!

2. In the course of four days the fair attracts people connected with museums, gallerists, trendsetters, stylists,
collectors and an affluent public – all people of consequence.

3. During these four days you can considerably develop your network.

4. Direct contact between artist and (potential) client leads to a proven increase in sales.

5. SIERAAD is a fair with style, with a clever mix of very diverse but top-quality work, which guarantees some
inspiring and pleasant days with colleagues.

6. If you think the stands too expensive, have a close look at what you get in return and put a price tag on it – the
high quality of the surroundings that you are part of during four days, all the publicity, the catalogue, etc.  Here too
the saying holds: nothing ventured, nothing gained.

We only allow about 10 new participants so be quick!

If you are interested please send us by mail: 5-8 good photo’s of your work + a cv before May 2. 2010.
TO: info@sieraadartfair.com
KEEP in mind, you need to be a professional jeweller!!

-  More and more celebrities find their way to SIERAAD

-  This year the lost and found department took in as many as 20 types and colours of umbrellas.

-  A male visitor spent as much as € 4,239.00 in one hour.

-  Snack number 1 at the fair: salmon wrap, big and good.  Number 2: coffee and apple pie

-  For those who asked us and have meanwhile forgotten: the name of the plants at the fair is Asparagus. (photo)

-  A Dutch characteristic? We do not believe it happens very often that people do not take something that is
   free, let alone if jewellery is concerned, but the boxes with rings on the exhibition “Diamond Matters” remained untouched for two days. However, after the organization’s ‘yes, they’re really free’, the rings disappeared in no time. 

Source: Sieraad Newsletter mailing FP apr 2010 UK.pdf