What are the advantages of exhibiting arts and crafts at shows rather than flea market type events?

When discussing advantages of one form over the other, you have to know what your goals are. If your goal is to sell your items as fast as possible, with the least amount of hassle, the flea market type would be best. However, the your selling price will be at rock bottom, since these are mostly for bargain hunters. When you exhibit at shows, you don't expect to sell the item directly off the exhibit rack, so to speak. Instead, you will probably get commissions from people who want an item made by you that meets their specific needs. Your art will be viewed by more people who appreciate it, and will probably sell for a much higher price than the other. An in between event would be the Arts and Crafts Fairs, where each participant has his own booth, and can sell items directly to the public. This is better than the flea market, because the visitors are looking for a higher quality item, and are willing to pay more. However, it is also time consuming for little profit, because the majority of visitors are browsers, and not buyers. My favorite kind of fair is the charity fair, where you donate items to be auctioned off to raise funds for the charity. I make the most money at this type of fair, and I donate all my proceeds to the charity, keeping only expenses. I prefer art shows, where the work is exhibited by the show organizer, and often judged for prizes. I have gotten many prizes, and commissions from these shows.