Well guys, I might not be the right person to write this review because it was my first time at Broad Ripple, in fact my first time doing a big Mid West show, if you don't count Paducah, Kentucky a few years back, when I was just starting out. Set up was easy and the organizers from the art center were on hand to help direct you to your area ( Yea Kile), which was color coded. This was a massive show, spread out in all directions. I lucked up and could drive my car right in front of my booth, but many were among the trees and gardens and had to dolly in quite a ways. It was scorching hot on Friday for set up and although I got there early, and had some water, I was on the verge of heat stroke a few hours later and had to leave everything and get in my car for a Gatoraid run. It came on fast, headache, stomach-dizzy, word to the wise, always bring a cooler and if it doesn't look like rain in the forecast bring your EasyUp instead of your Crafthut! Dang Crafthut, a love /hate relationship at best, but it did help with the storm on Friday night (once I got the thing up- it was only my second time and I was by myself).
The doors opened on Saturday morning, the weather was cooperating and the crowds zoomed in, I think everyone thought it was going to rain later in the day and came early. Sales were good and I saw many people buying and packages going past. It wasn't as hot as the day before and it sprinkled a bit but the crowds kept coming. After three o'clock the crowds kind of died off but I heard it was a Pacer's game and well, that made sense, since they are in the playoffs. I had lots of small sales and a few medium priced work sold but nothing big on Saturday. People were great, interested and many cash sales-people came to buy.
Sunday was a beautiful day- a bit hot, not too much breeze but that didn't stop the crowds from coming. So many people said they would come back but I couldn't imagine that they could find me again, the show was so spread out and big, but they did and I had some really good big sales in the afternoon. It was busy all day. I never got to the other end of the show, to see the layout and artists, I would have liked to, but it was too busy to leave, I think most were in the same boat, nice problem to have.There were booth sitters galore but who wants to leave when people are buying. Load-out was easy, breakdown, and then a tag to get your car into the grounds to pick up. The tent going down was a lot easier that going up-why is that? All in all I was pleased with the professionalism of Broad Ripple, it was a first class show, smooth as silk, great crowds, great venue, lots of advertising and people came to buy. It was my first Mid West show but it certainly won't be my last....in two weeks Summerfair Cincinnati- Woo Hoo!
Comments
Sandy, Thank you so much for your kind words. I really was so touched.....you made my day wonderful...
Marge,
This year I came to the Broad Ripple Art Fair as a customer, not as a vendor. My sister and I decided to make it our yearly reunion, since we are from Indianapolis. I clearly remember coming in to your booth and enjoying your beautiful encaustic art pieces. You have a great booth that is inviting and interesting. What made an impression with me was how engaging you were with your customers. What you said about your art, the process, the materials, the inspiration, the intent, made it so interesting. I would have loved to purchase something from you! Yes the show is massive, and yes, we made it through the entire show. Yours was one of the ones I remembered, in fact, yours is one of the two cards I kept.
I know success has to do with location, weather, booth appearance, and a zillion other variables. And Lord knows when we have a not so great show we can blame the weather, the show promoter, the other artists, the admission fee, so on and so forth. I think you are successful largely because you are interested in your customers.
I have done my share of good and bad shows. After stressing for too long about sales, I have come to a conclusion. When a person steps into my booth I am going to impart something to them. Even if I can teach them one little thing about the effect of color or how the right piece of jewelry brings attention to their face. The last thing I think about is whether they are going to buy. And then they usually do.
I am glad you had a good show, and I hope to see you there again next year!
Thanks for the review Margaret and good to hear you had a great show. Sorry to hear that others didn't though.
I'll continue to apply for BRAF just because I'm stubborn, and what I have now isn't going to get me in. I have another body of work I'll throw at them next year that I know they haven't seen the style and technique. If you can't compete with the Grand Landscapes every one does, do something entirely different ;-)
Robert
The weather people have the only job that you can wrong and still have your job. What I had notice that they act in caution mode because if they tell us there no storm coming and we a F5 coming through you the rest of the story.
You what I wondering if they lower entrance if they add more artist or increase the booth.
Oscar, I wasn't at the show, I was on the wait list and didn't get a call. I did a little one day show on Sunday in Cincinnati. I'm local, so I was just commenting on the weatherman's general inaccuracy. I've not done BRAF for about 12 years, although I had done it for the first 12-13 years I did art shows.
Robert and Christine, if you notice I not complain about the show. It is what it is and nothing to do with any of us or the staff. Hey the show is done and over.
Margaret, 3000 is good for anyone. I glad that you did well. I just telling my experience and the people around. End of the day I very happy I was doing the show. I got see old friends and expend time with them.
My take if I got a chance to get in again next year I will do it. Margaret see it this way it was good show for you and not good for another. THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
I repeating this again what happen is nobody fault is part of doing art fairs.
Oscar, I think you may have missed my point. The crowd was down on Saturday compared to past years. There is no denying that. The reason was that the local weatherman predicted thunderstorms. Yes, it rained a little, and that didn't seem to bother anyone who was already there. But many, many people looked at the weather report and stayed away because of it. Few people want to venture out in a thunderstorm for enjoyment. It's a great show, and we just had some bad luck this year with a rather inept weather report.
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