Little did Wendy Rosen know that, after 30 years, her idea for a wholesale marketplace for fine craft would still be alive and thriving as the Buyers Market of American Craft. Credit: Jim Burger

The idea sprang from a few words overheard at a craft show. In the aisles, artists were lamenting the lack of dependable ways to show and sell their work. The fine craft shows that did exist in 1981 required annual applications followed by a stressful “jurying in” process. Without a guarantee that buyers would see their work every year, the artists worried about how to consistently make ends meet.

What they wanted was a venue where they could sell wholesale to the best buyers without the worry of long waiting lists and re-jurying year after year. They wanted a show that would help them market their work and grow their businesses. They wanted consistency.

When Wendy Rosen heard this conversation, an idea formed. Why not give the artists what they wanted? Little did she know that, after 30 years, her idea would still be alive and thriving as the Buyers Market of American Craft, a wholesale trade show that helps U.S. and Canadian artists to dependably, consistently market their products to wholesale buyers.

To find out the whole story, pick up a copy of the Winter 2012 NICHE Magazine.