Jewellery show NEC - disappointment!

Just returned from the NEC, total round trip of 180 miles, lots to see ran out of time really. That's not the disappointment.
As someone starting out designing making and selling my own silver jewellery I was shocked at the negative attitude of around 50% of the people I have spoken to today. Considering the target audience at the NEC in the jewellery halls I was shocked to find that staff on many stalls were more than happy to cut conversations short and walk away once the word 'student' was mentioned. This was dispite me genuinely wanting to talk about their jewellery on show. One guy even so much as told me that if he had known I was a student he wouldn't have sold me the silver chains I had bought from him. After initially thinking it was just me I thought I'd test the water and make up a complete story about who I was and that I was looking for stock ideas. Surprise, surprise how that changed reactions.
Needless to say not sure I'll be baack next year....What is wrong with supporting people in your own field of interest, we should be encouraging creativity and individuality surely?

:(|

I was there yesterday too - I found a lot of people where more interested in what I did/produced this year than last year. Last year they just sold me beads etc without all the questions - this year one person asked me what my turn over was!!! I told him my accountant hadn't finished the accounts yet. Real answer that I wanted to give was "none of your business". Wonder why they were so nosey this year?!

The springfair is all about the big wholesalers now this is where the attitude comes from, they think student will only spend £1000 a year on chains. I used to go when i bought and sold jewellery and spend £5000-£10000 and they still didnt particularly like it. Its like they all want the big big customers. Also i find alot of the stone 'suppliers' and bead sellers aim their prices at retail and very much hobby prices. it is ment to be a business and wholesale show. its lost all appeal to me. IJL from now on for us. Much better joice of real jewellery production stands.

Regards

Stuart

I think I'm going to stick to IJL as well - visited there for the first time last year and really enjoyed it.

Think I might just do the same....glad to hear others experiences on this.

WOW'D by SPRING FAIR
I was wow'd by the spring fair today, and the people we talked to were very friendly, even when we weren't buying but just looking, we only bought small amounts from a few different stalls, it was obvious from our questions that we were just starting out or were students. We didn't get to see that much as we would have needed a couple of days, but I loved what we saw and chatted to some very friendly people, we didn't talk to or get to see any designer/makers (I was told that they can be a bit abrupt with students). Suttons and Walsh's both very friendly and it was lovely to meet Carlton (moon willow), what a lovely bloke. My whole experience of the day was very positive and I can't wait for the autunm fair
Wendy

I had a great time at the Spring Fair but mainly as I was introducing the new owner of my shop to all the current suppliers ;)
My friend Louise has bought my shop so another month in Deeping before moving to Worcester and starting a new shop (hopefully).
It will so, so cool to have full and proper internet access again (rather than iphone access ~ not the greatest way to interact on forums :()

All my suppliers are fab folks with lots of time for everyone, having said that I have sometimes been behind some "students"
who have happily been discussing how they could make the designs on a designers stand and then expect them to answer questions
like who their suppliers are!!! :(|
Nic x