To find exhibits in your hometown area that will be a good fit for your particular craft items, you might start with shows you've attended as a shopper, ones that are within an hour or so of your home and shows where other vendors have attended.

You may not always know if the show has the same culture as you until you find out for yourself, so taking the word of other vendors may not always be the best way to go, but if you've known the vendor a while and you trust their judgment, the shows they recommend may actually be the first places to visit.

If you're a member of a craft guild or organization or subscribe to a trade journal, you might be able to gain access to show suggestions there. a number of websites are equipped with lists of local and national shows with their respective contact information.

You should also visit some of the craft forums where you can ask other crafters for some consensus on the best shows.

When you visit the websites to get more information, watch for FAQ links where the craft fair lists useful information that exhibitors are required to know.

If there isn't a website and you call the promoter or organizer instead, have the following questions handy:

• How many booth or table spaces are available?

• How are the spaces assigned?

• What kinds of crafts are allowed?

• Is electricity available?

• If so, is there an additional charge for it?

• Will tables and chairs be provided?

• What was the previous show's attendance?

• What is the expected attendance for the upcoming event?

• What kinds of people does the show seem to attract?

• What kind of advertising is done before the show?

• Will vendors receive some promotional materials?

• Will the exhibit be juried?

• If so, what are the entry and jury fees?

• How quickly are applicants notified that they're accepted?

• What happens if it rains or snows?

A proficient organizer should have this information or should be able to get back to you with it in a relatively short period of time.

The best promoters are selective about who they allow at their shows based on unique, original quality items and appealing arrangements, Good hosts also look for a reasonable diversity of groups of crafts.