American Craft Retailers Expo Announces 2009 Show Dates

Furniture World Magazine

Wholesalecrafts.com, Inc., producers of the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE) show, has set Sunday, May 31- Tuesday, June 2, 2009 as the third annual show dates. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, ACRE features a wide array of handmade products by American and Canadian artists, designers, and craftspeople. Held during Jewelry Market Week in Las Vegas, ACRE offers enhanced buyer incentives, a Sunday-Tuesday date pattern, and many new product lines. "ACRE offers a wide range of price points and unique products to fit every retailer's budget and merchandise mix," said Nancy Vince, President, Wholesalecrafts.com, Inc., "We are especially proud of our Emerging Artists who are showing handcrafted product lines never before seen at any other trade show." ACRE features five distinct juried showcases, two of which appeal to the high-end retailer. The Gallery of Fine Crafts and the Gallery of Fine Jewelry spotlight handmade items that wholesale at or above $100, and make up over 30% of the show. Within these two showcases retailers will find gold, silver and platinum jewelry, one-of-a-kind items, furniture, home décor, garden accessories and more. The other showcases include Handmade Gifts & Accessories, Handmade Jewelry, and Handmade Wearable Art. Liberally sprinkled among each showcase are the Emerging Artists booths. ACRE provides Emerging Artists an invaluable experience at an affordable price, while retailers enjoy new options to choose from. Finally, the Retailers Resource area offers a collection of retailer-oriented services and products such as imprinted bags, lighted display stands, industry publications, and the Craft Retailers Association for Tomorrow's information booth. Interested artists may apply for ACRE online at www.ACRELasVegas.com. Artists upload 5-8 digital images of work, an image of the artist making the work, and answer a few basic questions. All work must be original designs, produced in the United States or Canada. The application deadline is the 15 th of each month. ACRE offers artists a choice of 3 different payment options, downloadable ACRE marketing graphics, and 100 free ACRE postcards featuring an image of their work, mailed directly to their retailers. All ACRE applicants receive a copy of their jury scores and any written comments provided by the virtual jury panel. The jury consists of many top galleries as well as respected artists and Wholesalecrafts.com, Inc. staff. A complete jury list follows. Accepted ACRE artists receive a free year of web service at Wholesalecrafts.com, the premier online service for marketing handmade products. Retailers registering for ACRE gain free access to Wholesalecrafts.com, where they can source products from over 1,300 quality artists anytime day or night. Retailers also receive Wholesalecrafts.com's Buyer's Guide, a printed catalog mailed four times a year, online Show Planner, and email Weekly Newsletter highlighting product images of new artists and new work. For more information on Wholesalecrafts.com, Inc., go to www.Wholesalecrafts.com or call 888.427.2381. For more information on ACRE, go to www.ACRELasVegas.com. American Craft Retailers Expo: Complete List of Jurors Sheila Almstead, ZinGaro Home Accents, AZ Laurie Ashbach, Vine & Branches Gallery & Gifts, MN Natalie Baca, Natalie Baca Studio, TX Zoe Beach, Phoenix Gallery, KS Bonnie Belt, Bonnie Belt Studio, CA Elizabeth Bercowski, Christopher Park Gallery, SC David Brooks, Appalachian Spring, VA Karen Cavin, The 5 Senses, PA Kay Clanton, Indulge Gallery, AZ Pamela Corwin, Paper Scissors Rock, WA Alice Dietderich, Seekers Glass Gallery, CA Eric Faulhaber, Vision Gallery, AZ Terrie Floyd, Laughing Moon, CA Nancy Goodenough, Nancy Goodenough Studio, CA Sylvi Harwin, Eclat by Sylvi Harwin, CA Walter Hazzard, Topeo Gallery, PA Ann Kaplan, Artifacts Gallery, IN Lisa Krause, Deux Bijoux Bijoux, AR Bart Leatherman, Modern Artisans, NC John Lebrun, Barclay Gallery and Garden Café, WI Glenda LeSeure, Feather Spirit Jewelry, IN Chris Maxson, Idyllwild Gallery of Fine Art, CA Jorn Lynae Mork, Hey! By J. Lynaie, WI Amy Peters, Amy Peters' Studio, CA Sara Petipas, On The Cusp Gallery, MA Connie Quilter, Clarksville Pottery & Galleries, TX Cindi Ray, Carlyn Galerie, TX Michael Riffkind, Kittrell/Riffkind Art Glass, TX Rudi Riffkind, The Ole Moon, TX Betty Rinning, Palm Springs Art Museum, CA Julia Rush, Julia Rush Fine Craft, NC Micki Schneider, Spirals, CA Vicki Schwager, Details Art & Design, AZ Susan Shapiro, Shapiro's at Baywalk, FL Leah Perry Shelhorn, Studio 41, CA Wally Smith, Smith Galleries, SC Susan Amelia Smith, Different Drummer, RI Fern Soloman, Fern's Garden, CA Joanne Sterlacci, Simple Pleasures Gallery, PA Dan Taylor, Dtales on Wood, TX Richard & Annette Thurber, Artisans Jewelry & Gallery, WA Robert Unger, Moonstones Gallery, CA Terri Weisz, Two Plates Full, AZ Patricia Wellenkamp, Blue Cloud Gallery, MA