OurCraftShow.com Launches World's First Virtual Arts and Crafts Show

(PRWEB) November 17, 2003

SHREVEPORT, LA. Dee Dee’s Craft Shows, Inc., has launched “OurCraftShow.com”, the first virtual craft show of its kind. OurCraftShow.com represents an entirely new approach to e-commerce in that instead of the typical ‘search the database’ catalog environment the site actually emulates a real world craft show, an environment already familiar to the customer. Now, the arts and crafts enthusiast can go the the craft show any time and see not just regional artists and craftsmen, but artisans from across the entire country.

The site has burst online showcasing about forty of its initial seventy-five reserved exhibitors. Exhibitors range from jewelry handcrafters, to candlemakers, to exhibitors making amazing soaps and scrubs and chefs offering delicious gourmet mixes and kits. The traditional woodworking, home décor and seasonal items one would expect in an arts and crafts show are there, too. The site also features a fine arts section, where gifted artists can display their work. Dee Dee’s says all currently reserved exhibitors should be on board by Thanksgiving and new exhibitors are applying for the show every day.

Customers are greeted and welcomed into the show and offered the option of browsing the Crafts Section, Fine Arts Section or the Unique Gifts Section, where “not-otherwise-available” resale gift items are offered. The customer then goes from booth to booth where each exhibitor is introduced and the exhibitor’s goods are displayed. Clicking a picture reveals an enlarged photo and all the details for that item.

The site also offers features no real world show can offer. If the customer wants to see only booths with home décor items the site will ‘rearrange’ the show, putting all home décor booths together for the customer to browse through. Another nice perk is the product search, which can be done by either category or product name. If a customer is shopping for lamps the website goes onto the ‘floor’ and takes one of every lamp in the show and brings them all back for the customer to see.

More features are being added right away, like a Customer’s Lounge where the customers have their own message board, chat room and links to craft-related sites. Exhibitors will be making both scheduled and impromptu appearances in the chat room to answer questions, give tips and get to know the customers. A free monthly newsletter keeps customers up to date on new exhibitors, featured items and tips from exhibitors.

There are, according to Dee Dee Cryer, president of Dee Dee’s Craft Shows, some things the site does not offer. Like finding a parking space, lugging purchases from booth to booth, carrying items to the car in a downpouring rainstorm or providing the kids with a thousand places to explore or hide. “We do have a lot of features and services for the customer,” says Dee Dee, “but the real stars of this show are the exhibitors. They are the last of the rugged individualists. Gifted, motivated and creative, they work hard to please the customer. They are not afraid of risk and put it all on the line every day. Their ‘applause’ is measured in sales and their reward is in knowing that something they created is enriching someone’s life.”

When a customer purchases an item the exhibitor is notified of the sale in about one-tenth of a second by e-mail. Most orders are shipped within a day or two. So there is still time to find the perfect gift for that impossible-to-shop-for relative or friend. Some of the exhibitors also offer delivery to mailing lists, where an entire Christmas list (or customer or vendor list) can be provided and shopping, wrapping, labeling and delivering are all marked “done”.

Prior to this internet adventure Dee Dee’s promoted arts and crafts shows in Texas and Louisiana, but a downtrend in the crafts show business the last two years made it plain that a change was necessary. Dee Dee’s conducted a study and learned that the trend was not due to a lack of demand for arts and crafts products, but due to the modern lifestyle’s erosion of personal time. People do not have two or three hours in one piece that happen to fit into the show’s scheduled hours, so priorities prevail and going to the show is put off until “next time” when the same situation repeats itself.

OurCraftShow.com makes the show available on the customer’s terms and according to the customer’s schedule. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s Dee Dee’s answer to today’s non-stop, hurried lifestyle. Everything on the site has been planned from the customer’s standpoint. “Right now the website is a working prototype because no one has ever done anything like this before. The site looks nothing like what it will a year or two from now.” says Dee Dee. “We’re looking for the customers to tell us what they want and when they do, we will get it for them.”