The 45th annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) “Tidal Forces: The Next Wave” runs March 30-April 2. Ceramic educators from across the country will come to Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla., to view exhibitions, presentations and demonstrations of their craft. For more information, visit http://nceca.net.

The Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts’ Masters Symposium returns April 2-24 to San Francisco, Calif. Open to jewelry artisans of all skill levels, the symposium will include 14 master classes taught by leading international goldsmiths. Each Wednesday the academy will host an evening lecture and reception for the visiting masters. To learn more, visit www.revereacademy.com.

The annual Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) conference themed “Flux” travels to Seattle, Wash., May 26-29. Expect lectures from leading names in the industry along with educational and professional development seminars, demonstrations and an exhibition. For information, visit www.snagmetalsmith.org.

The Glass Art Society’s 41st annual conference runs June 1-4 in Seattle, Wash. Themed “Creative Crossroads,” the meeting will celebrate the community and diversity of glass throughout the country. Lectures and glass blowing demonstrations will keep attendees up to date on the latest techniques. For more information, visit www.glassart.org.

On June 8-11 in Portland, Maine, the Craft Organization Development Association (CODA) presents “Connecting the Dots.” Workshops at the conference include speed networking sessions, panels with state and national government agencies, and fundraising tips. Visit www.codacraft.org to learn more.

St. Paul, Minn., hosts the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) 25th annual symposium June 24-26. The conference will include three days of demonstrations and meetings, an “instant” gallery of pieces brought by attendees and a trade show. For details, visit www.woodtuner.org.

On July 20-23 in Las Vegas, Nev., the Furniture Society, in conjunction with the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) hosts the “2011 College of Woodworking Knowledge Education Program.” Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in eight educational tracks, from business to management. For information, visit www.awfsfair.org.

The Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts’ 2010 Master Symposium classes run April 3-25 in San Francisco, Calif. Prominent master jewelry craftsmen from all over the country will partici-pate in the event by offering work-shops in their area of expertise. Classes include nature-smithing, design, gold and steel, and much more. To register, visit www.revereacademy.com.

The Craft Organization Development Association (CODA) Conference will focus on how to successfully market your organization in the current economic climate. “Aspects of Identity” runs April 6-8 in Savannah, Ga., and includes presentations, roundtable discussions and informal dialog on creative marketing solutions, the role of crafts in education and how to help students transition into the workplace. For details, visit www.codacraft.org.

The Conference of Northern California Handweavers presents “A World of Creativity” April 9-11 in Santa Clara, Calif. The conference will feature a broad range of classes and workshops in all aspects of the fiber arts with teachers coming in from all over the world. For details, go to www.cnch.org.

The 2010 Quilt Surface Design Symposium (QSDS) kicks off its 21st year in Columbus, Ohio, May 31-June 11. It offers classes for all levels of quilters, textile artists and surface designers. There are also opportunities to learn about color, design, hand vs. machine quilting and embroidery, and a meeting place to connect with other innovative artists. To find out more, visit www.qsds.com.

Don’t miss Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA)‘s conference in Memphis, Tenn., June 2-5. Focused on blacksmith education, ABANA will feature demonstrations from some of the biggest names in the business, a Memphis-style BBQ banquet and an auction. Visit www.abana.org for the most up-to-date information.

The Glass Art Society (GAS) Conference celebrates its 40th anniver-sary in Louisville, Ky., June 10-12, addressing the “Ingenious Possibility” the region provides for glass artists. Participating artists include Stephen Rolfe Powell, Lino Tagliapietra and Judith Schaechter. For more information, visit www.glassart.org.

The Furniture Society holds its annual conference entitled “Fusions: Minds & Hands Shaping Our Future” in Cambridge, Mass., June 16-19. Pre-meeting workshops range from discussions of compound curves to computer-aided design courses. For more information, visit www.furnituresociety.org.

Hartford, Conn., will host this year’s American Association of Woodturners Symposium June 18-21. The popular four-day conference will include a rotation of the world’s best wood-turning demonstrators, a gallery with work from the attendees, and an auction and trade show. Details can be found at www.woodturner.org.

• The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) will hold its 33rd Appraisers Continuing Education Winter Conference Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Tucson, Ariz. The programming includes a three-hour certification examination, advanced gemology classes and presentations examining various topics pertaining to the industry. For information, go to www.najaappraisers.com.
• The Society of North American Goldsmiths’ (SNAG) 39th annual conference “going to eXtremes” runs March 10-13 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Along with nine presenters, the conference will feature two nights of exhibitions with art inspired by the themes “Liquid Lines: Exploring the Language of Contemp-orary Metal,” “No Boundaries” and “Extremities: Exploring the Margins of the Human Body.” Visit www.snagmetalsmith.org to find out more.
• The Society of American Mosaic Artists will hold its annual summit March 17-21 in Chicago, Ill., recognizing the organization’s 10th anniversary in a big way. The event includes everything from speakers and seminars to a raffle and mosaic marathon during this five-day affair. Learn more at www.americanmosaics.org.
• The Surface Design Association, Studio Art Quilt Associates and San Francisco State University’s Art Department are holding a conference of speakers, tours and workshops March 19-24 in San Francisco, Calif., based on the idea of “Reinvention.” Highlights include museum and emerging artist panels, bus and museum tours, and educational workshops. To become a member and attend the conference, visit www.surfacedesign.org or www.saqa.com.
• “Independence” is the theme of this year’s National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference. Running March 31-April 3 in Philadelphia, Pa., the conference will celebrate the artist’s spirit with presenters and exhibitions. For details, visit http://nceca.net.
• The Craft Organization Development Association (CODA) Conference will focus on how to successfully market your organization in the current economic climate. “Aspects of Identity” runs April 6-8 in Savannah, Ga., and includes presentations, roundtable discussions and informal dialog on creative marketing solutions, the role of crafts in education and how to help students transition into the workplace. For details, visit www.codacraft.org.
• The Conference of Northern California Handweavers presents “A World of Creativity” April 9-11 in Santa Clara, Calif. The conference will feature a broad range of classes and workshops in all aspects of the fiber arts, with teachers coming in from all over the world. For details and to learn more, visit www.cnch.org.
• The Glass Art Society (GAS) Conference celebrates its 40th anniversary in Louisville, Ky., June 10-12, addressing the “Ingenious Possibility” the area provides for glass artists. Participating artists include Stephen Rolfe Powell, Lino Tagliapietra and Judith Schaechter. For more information, visit www.glassart.org.
• Hartford, Conn., will host this year’s American Association of Woodturners Symposium June 18-21. The popular four-day conference will include a rotation of the world’s best wood-turning demonstrators, a gallery with work from the attendees, and an auction and trade show. Details can be found at www.woodturner.org.
• The Handweavers Guild of America is holding its biennial “Convergence” July 18-25 in Albuquerque, N.M. It will feature special lectures, workshops with experts, studio classes and half-day seminars as well as a vendor hall with an artists market. For more information, go to www.weavespindye.org.

If you saw your fourth-quarter sales slip last year due to a slow holiday season, now is the time to start forming your game plan for a stronger showing in 2009. According to The Conference Board in New York, N.Y., consumer confidence rose more than expected in August, an indication that shoppers’ outlook on the economy may be improving.

Although it’s difficult to gauge when the recession will begin to abate—even business experts find it impossible to come up with a solid forecast or corresponding numbers—there are things you can do to encourage customers to bring their holiday shopping lists through your doors.

For good ideas, we decided to go straight to the source: Main Street. The gallery owners we talked to plan to take advantage of customers’ good cheer with the right mix of inventory, events and promotions. Read on to discover how to formulate your own strategy this holiday season.

Tweaking Your Inventory Balance
A major part of your holiday plan should include inventory management. Review your recent sales reports to determine which items are outpacing others, and offer a range of price points. “Starting in late September, we boost inventory in the affordable gift price ranges,” say Michael Gamble and Danny Burris of Pura Vida Gallery in Jerome, Ariz., and Kapa’au, Hawaii. That translates to work in the $50-$200 range.

Barbara Kaylor, who co-owns R. Grey Gallery in Boise, Idaho, with her husband Robert, has a different approach in mind this year. “We have a broad range of prices,” she says. “We’re also bringing in children’s handcrafted items.” Although they already carry lanterns and kaleidoscopes, they plan to expand their stock with handcrafted wooden toys and track how well they sell. And because the Kaylors specialize in jewelry, they’ll add work by a few new artists to keep the mix fresh.

What About January?

In-Store Events that Sparkle
Despite the economic climate, customers are always looking for memorable shopping experiences, especially during the holidays. Crafting special in-store events and exhibitions will help make their visits memorable.

Sandra Randolph, owner of Good Goods in Saugatuck, Mich., organizes two major holiday events, but is sure to do something a little different each year. On Nov. 12 she’ll host “Shop Fabulously,” a “posh holiday event not to be missed” where she’ll serve refreshments and offer free gift wrapping. “This year we’re going to combine it with our twenty-year anniversary party,” she says.

Good Goods’ second holiday event captures the often-elusive New Year’s Eve crowd. As a rule, Randolph does not discount merchandise, but she does offer a one-day bartering festival, the “However the Spirit Moves You Sale,” Dec. 31. “Usually we agree on a price,” she says. “Most people take it in the spirit it’s intended. They’re happy to have a percentage off.” The event boosts foot traffic and increases calls to the gallery. “Some of our customers call us from other states and pay for purchases that day,” she says.

R. Grey Gallery has a year-round approach. “We focus on various trunk shows, catered events and charitable fundraisers throughout the year,” explains Robert. “That way, when the holiday season comes around, we have established our gallery as the place to go for the perfect handcrafted gift.” This year, the Kaylors will unveil Robert’s new line of steel-and-diamond jewelry Nov. 5 to coincide with Boise’s First Thursday event.

At Pura Vida Gallery’s Arizona location, Gamble and Burris also align special exhibitions with local events. Their “Artful Giving” show features affordably priced items such as wine coasters, glasses and scarves—paired with mulled wine and chocolate—during Jerome’s Dec. 5 Art Walk.

Customers mingle in R. Grey Gallery in Boise, Idaho.

Boosting Traffic
No matter how enticing your event, it’s critical to get the word out. R. Grey Gallery prints a multi-page newsletter with gift ideas and a coupon to entice holiday shoppers. Barbara mails it to regular customers, and also pays to have it inserted in local newspapers. “It’s a pretty inexpensive way to get it to some new homes that aren’t familiar with our gallery,” she says. The 2009 newsletter will premiere at the end of October to promote Robert’s jewelry show.

Randolph mails and e-mails postcards announcing the gallery’s events to her mailing list, but she’s also sure to target holiday visitors. “Usually all of our bed and breakfasts are booked,” she says. To capture that crowd, she places promotional materials on site.

Connecting with Customers
Once you have customers in the store, it’s important to keep them interested. Homemade cookies and hot cider will help, but you may also want to offer additional services like free gift wrapping, wish lists or in-store giveaways.

“Many last-minute gifts come over the phone or e-mail from our wish lists,” say Gamble and Burris. “We maintain and update a list of their favorite gallery items, including ring and clothing sizes, and color preferences.”

Randolph has another tactic to keep customers buying. During special events, she has giveaways of chocolates, small items from the floor, grab bags and discounts to use that day. “We do something different almost every year,” Randolph explains. For the holidays, she plans to have custom-made jute shopping bags.

So give yourself a gift a little early this year—with careful planning and a bit of creativity, you can soar through the holiday season with increased traffic, bigger sales and very happy customers.