FOLSOM ANTIQUE FAIRS UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
BY TWIN BRIDGES ANTIQUE PRODUCTIONS
What excites many collectors who visit our Antique Fairs," says
Carole Berry, Event Coordinator, "is the "thrill-of-the-hunt" for an
overlooked treasure, the discovery of a piece needed to complete
a collection, or the chance to have an extensive selection of
quality pieces, all in one place, from jewelry to glassware to
furniture . . . its like going shopping at many stores in many cities
over many days." Berry was hired in 2004 by the Sutter Street
Merchants' Association to promote their antiques and collectibles
events. Her business, Twin Bridges Antique Productions, has
promoted antique shows at indoor shopping centers and to benefit
various service organizations throughout Northern and Central
California for twenty-eight years.
"As the new Event Coordinator for Folsom's antique fairs," says
Carole Berry, "I wanted to get as much feedback as possible from
dealers and collectors on the direction we should go with future
events, so I conducted a survey after the April, 2004 Show. I
learned that dealers and collectors want "just antiques and
collectibles." While many acknowledge the popularity of arts and
crafts, they prefer a separate event. Collectors coming from the
Bay Area or the Wine Country for the show say they don't want to
bother coming for a show that has antiques and collectibles plus
arts and crafts. The majority of dealers and collectors do not want
reproductions or new merchandise in the shows. We came up with
an age limit of twenty years which will be enforced. Most want to
allow items that support the industry, such as plate stands,
restoration products, reference books, display cases, etc., and are
okay with allowing a limited number of items crafted from
antiques (i.e., ring trees or ornaments from glass or silver,
refashioned jewelry, pillows from old quilts) so long as they are
clearly marked. My survey of dealers produced some noteworthy
comments which guided me in clarifying merchandise policies for
this event, such as this comment from a 20-plus-year Folsom
dealer: "New and craft item dealers are allowed to rent spaces in
order to fill shows. Soon antique buyers don't bother attending as
they have less to buy, then quality dealers don't make enough
money to warrant their time and booth rental money, a vicious
cycle. New merchandise ruins antiques shows."
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