Craft shows can be as elusive as the 'perfect' bar of 
soap. Unsuspecting crafters in your area can be some of your greatest links to the 'hot spots.' Pouting, whining and breaking down in tears will sometimes work on seasoned veterans of the craft show circuit, they may take pity on you and give you some fantastic locations coming up, or they may steer you in the wrong direction if they think you are any competition to them. Here are some signs to look for that will help to clue you in on whether or not you've been duped: 

1. Pulling your overburdened vehicle into the parking lot of said location, you notice that you seem to have arrived before anyone else! 
2. After getting the parking space of your dreams, you decide to send whomever you've conned into going with you to find out where your table is located before you start lugging all those back breaking containers out of the car. Important clue no.2- the conned individual walks up to you with the complete and utter "what have you gotten me into" face. This means
A. they couldn't find a soul to help them 
B. they just realized that they agreed to spend all day at said location. 
C. After calling out "halloooo" several times, someone does come to your aid, only problem is, your table seems to have gotten lost... but never fear, so many crafters have cancelled that you are free to pick any table you want to call your own for the next 8 HOURS!!!!!

• Driving up to the show spot, you notice that a line of vehicles has formed just to get INTO the parking lot.
• Smiling-faced volunteers are waiting up ahead to take your name and give you a map to your table and coupons for free coffee and donuts!
• Upon exiting your vehicle, you turn around and bump into a muscular individual who asks if you need any help carrying the millions of items you've  managed to fit into your poor overworked vehicle!
• On the way to your table, you mentally spend most of the money you plan to make for the day at the booths filled with the most gorgeous crafts you've ever set eyes on.
• While setting up your booth, you notice the most enticing smells coming from a corner of the building... on closer inspection you find out that they have a well stocked kitchen offering those most important food group items vital to a crafter's survival: chocolate,  nachos, sodas, coffee, chips, hot dogs, chili, chocolate, donuts and more chocolate... and if you've really lucked out--cotton candy!
• 2 hours into the start of the show, you realize that you should have been busy making stuff for the last twelve months just to be prepared for this one show!
• After convincing your helper that no customers will walk up to your booth while you take a potty-break, from your hiding place inside the stall, you overhear other vendors talking about your display!
• The lady working the concession stand tells you that she is not going to be able to give you any more change.
• And last, but not least, looking at the time, you just now realize that it's time to start packing up--but wait a minute--something can't be right, it took you 1 1/2 hours to set up your display and only 15 minutes to put it all away! 

1. 1.Some local cable companies will have a channel that lists all up-coming events in your area.
2. Up-coming shows will often be listed in your local newspaper.
3. Call the churches in your surrounding areas and ask if they hold shows.
4. Look in the phone book for the numbers of area V.F.W. Halls, American Legions, banquet centers... chances are good that they'll put you on a mailing list for up-coming shows.
5. Go to the shows and talk to the crafters themselves--you can get lots of info this way! Once you start doing shows, chances are that you will see many of the same vendors at most of the shows. Introduce yourself and become friendly with some of them, some crafters will  share which shows are in their opinion worth doing and which ones they would never do again.
6. Keep your eyes peeled at shows for someone selling show books--look through it before you buy, some are worth it, some aren't. For approximately $10.00 some of these books will list shows in your state including dates, locations, times, # of years it's been held, contact, attendance and any services they may offer.
7. Many community colleges hold craft shows that attract large audiences. Give them a call and find out. Remember, good detective work is a must  for getting out there and getting noticed.