Renn Faires, Dragon Conventions. OH MY

Ithica

Ithica

Adept
Whats up, going into the leather working full time. I come to realization i have to start getting involved with some Renn Faires and big "cons" and what not.

Please help me, with perhaps some 2010 dates of Renn Faires, Cons, and any other gatherings you may think hosting a Leather Booth might work. I thank you all 10 times in advance.

-Toddy
www.warlordscrusade.com
 
Todd,

I guess my first question for you would be, "how are you set up?" And what I mean by that is, are you selling your work as a sole proprietor, llc, inc., or some other legal entity? Alot of Ren Faires and Cons require you to have a tax ID for your business and insurance for your booth (which requires a tax ID). I only ask this because this was the first hurdle Amanda and I ran into when we wanted to begin selling our arts and crafts at the Faires in PA.

If you're all set with that stuff, then I would recommend the annual May Day Fairie Festival in Southern PA. Amanda and I go every year and it is fantastic. It is way better than the overly commercial PA Renn Faire and the Fairie Festival vendors have the best and rarest stuff. Your work would fit in well there.

This is the website with the Vendor forms: http://www.spoutwood.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90&Itemid=45

-Robb
 
Toddy, your are pretty much automatically a "sole proprietorship" as soon as you start selling. As a sole proprietor, you are personally responsible for your products and their safety.

Getting a tax ID is pretty easy and can be done online for most states. Odds are you'll need one for each state you intend to sell at. The tax ID is pretty much the only thing the government will require you to have.

Each fair/con/etc. will be a little different. Some might require insurance, some may not. You'll have to investigate each independently. Most cons, since they are weekend only, will likely only require a tax ID.

Now, you do not have to start an LLC (limited liability company) or corporation, but you may want to. It will cost you a couple hundred bucks to set up and can likely be done online as well. What this does is protect your personal assets if anyone ever sues you. They can only sue your company, as long as you keep all company financials separate from personal financials. They cannot take your house, car, etc. Only company assets. Since you are making armor, this might not be a bad idea. Disclaimers on your website and on your booth would be a good idea too.

Also, get a decent accountant. Once you own a business, doing your own taxes gets a little tricky. A good account should save you enough taxes to cover the fees you end up paying them.

Scott
 
I agree with Scott.

My father started his own business when I was a kid, and everything was fine until he had a client refusing to pay a 125,000 invoice... if he hadn't had a separate LLC, my parents would have lost their house.

The LLC makes your business a separate entity, and getting a tax ID in CT is very easy after that. Usually a good accountant can guide you through getting one, and will have advice on how to set everything up so you don't end up paying too much in taxes.
 
ok..getting a tax id # is easy!!! no need for accountants and what not...at least no need when getting your Tax Id #, when you want to work out you taxs now thats when it helps to have an Accountant!!
 
Ok lets say i get a tax ID.

How about some east coast, new england faires and shows? Anyone know of some other places would be a good place to get a booth or tent?

Isn't there a "Glass" maker who plays HQ? i think hes even part owner of Faire Play, heard he has an entire circuit of faires he goes to with his glass goods. Anyone know who i am talking about and have his contact info?

-Toddy
 
All this can be found at http://www.renfaire.com/Sites/

There are plenty and just looking at the ones I personally wouldn't mind driving too.
Let me know what route you take for your buisness ^^

Massachusetts Faires & Festivals
Festival of the Lion - Grafton (Aug)
First Parish of Newbury Renaissance Faire - Newbury (May)
Higgins Faire - Worcester (Jun)
King Richards Faire - Carver (Sep - Oct)
Salem Pirate Faire - Salem (Sep)
The Silver Kingdom's Renaissance Festival - Charlton (Jun)
Vermont Renaissance Festival - Greenfield (Jul)

New Jersey Faires & Festivals
Lakewood Lions Charity Renaissance Faire - Lakewood (Sep)
Mystic Realms Fantasy Faire - Berlin (May)
New Jersey Medieval and Fantasy Festival - Long Valley (Jun)
New Jersey Pirate Festival and Kingdom - Somerset (Jun)
That Medieval Thing (TMT) - Madison (Apr)
West Windsor Lions Renaissance Faire - West Windsor (May)

New Hampshire Faires & Festivals
New Hampshire Renaissance Faire and Samhain Celebration - Kingston (Oct)
Twelfth Night Renaissance Faire - Chocorua (Aug

New York Faires & Festivals
Bill Johnston Pirate Days - Alexandria Bay (Aug)
Catskill Mountains Renaissance Faire - Cairo (Aug)
Hawk Creek Wildlife and Renaissance Festival - East Aurora (Jul)
Hudson Valley Mayfaire - New Paltz (May)
Kingston Renaissance Faire - New Paltz (May)
Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park - New York (Oct)
New York Renaissance Faire - Tuxedo Park (Aug - Sep)
Sands Point Faire - Port Washington ()
Sterling Renaissance Festival - Sterling (Jul - Aug)

Pennsylvania Faires & Festivals
Fairie Festival at Spoutwood Farm - Glen Rock (May)
Kutztown Renaissance Faire - Kutztown (May)
Medieval Majesty's Renaissance Faire - Linden (Jun - Jul)
Midsummer Renaissance Faire - Lehighton (Jun)
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire - Manheim (Aug - Oct)
The Village Renaissance Faire - Wrightstown (Sep)
Western Pennsylvania Fairie Festival - Slippery Rock (Jun)
 
Toddy, I don't know who/where you buy your leather from but I know Rich gets a significant discount from his source because of his Tax ID. Might be another asset for you there too!

Robb, thanks for mentioning that May Day faire. I'll have to check it out. I'm not a big fan of the commercialization of the PA Ren Faire and good to know there are other options!
 
Gwendara said:
Toddy, I don't know who/where you buy your leather from but I know Rich gets a significant discount from his source because of his Tax ID. Might be another asset for you there too!

Robb, thanks for mentioning that May Day faire. I'll have to check it out. I'm not a big fan of the commercialization of the PA Ren Faire and good to know there are other options!
Click to expand...

A lot of places will give you "dealer's discounts" on materials or resale items, but only if you have a tax ID.

Now make me my $125,000 bracers so I can screw you out of your house!

Scott
 
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