Hi everyone,

In order to better protect ourselves as artists and crafters, I feel compelled to post my recent experience at Broken Mold's St. Augustine event (Feb 4/5, 2012).

First of all, I have to state that this was the first show that I zeroed out at, and I've been doing shows full time for 7 years. There were times where there were NO buyers in attendance. The weather was perfect, and the general consensus among the vendors that participated was that the promoters, Broken Mold (Dick and Jan Bartfay), failed to make any attempt to advertise or 'promote' the show in any way. I met a younger local couple that lived in St Augustine, and they told me that they heard nothing in local media or saw any street signs posted for the show. The kettle corn guy packed up and left Saturday night, as well as numerous other vendors. The show was advertised on the promoter's website as "extensively promoted", and was listed in "Where the Shows Are" as having 100 available spaces. There were 27 vendors at the show, of which, 8 left.

Several of the vendors I met zeroed out just like me. All of the vendors I talked to said that they felt scammed by Broken Mold, and that the show should have been cancelled given the poor amount of vendors participating.

To be fair, I have participated in other Broken Mold events, some of which were worth it, but most of which I will NEVER return to again. Stay away from Broken Mold if other options are available.

Here is my bottom line from this show:

$150 booth fee, $95 for two nights hotel stay, $140 in fuel costs...$0 in sales.

Tired of feeling scammed by "promoter's", I have vowed to review any poor shows that I attend this year. All of the information I will give will be FACTUAL. I do not intend to defame anyone, I would just like to protect us all from losing money in this down economy. Given the circumstances, I feel we need to help each other out and post serious reviews of shows. We all lose when we pay promoters who simply rent a location and post a sign the day of the show. Let's not pay for their retirement and protect our bottom lines.