If you could choose between Edina MN, Iowa City, or Kalamazoo for the first weekend in June, which would you choose?
The only one I’ve done is Kalamazoo, but not since 2011, when it went from a one day show to adding Friday evening. My sales have been lackluster there, except for the first year, when my being new seems to have created interest. I've done it perhaps 5 times.
I’m not sure I’ve stayed away long enough for the well to have refilled (if it is capable of refilling to the extent that makes it worth the effort). I found it very crowded but sales were all low end. The 5 hours of Friday yielded well below my minimum considering the effort it takes to set out and pack up jewelry.
Distance from home Edina: 8 hours, Iowa: 4 1/2 hours, KIA: 3 1/2 hours . Thanks for your input.
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I live in Minneapolis and have done the Edina show the last two years. It was fantastic. A bit of a tough set up but not terrible. France Ave is the place to be and most booths are there. Everyone around me had a great show. I sell wood wall hangings which range from $400 to $5000 and I sold several in the $1000+ range. Edina is upper income, stylish (I guess that's what I'd call them) and they seem to come ready to buy. I haven't done the other shows but I highly recommend Edina.
On another issue: I'm considering the Anacortes Art Fair on August 1. Does anyone know anything about it?
thanks for that info, Marc.
How about starting a separate discussion about Anacortes -- where it will get noticed, not buried in this one.
I have done Edina the last two years and it was my best show of the season. I live in Minneapolis and am a jeweler. I also did Iowa City last year(they were on different weekends last year) and it was okay, a middle of the road show for me, they have a friday night which was pointless, everyone was there for a concert and came back the next day anyway. But I would do it again if I didn't get into Edina.
I don't know anything about Edina or Iowa City (except what I've read here), but have participated in and attended Kalamazoo many times over the past 20 years. It is a nice show, worth the drive from Indy, Robert. I'll second Linnea's idea that being new won't hurt. There is a loyal clientele who look forward to the show. Too bad they had to add Friday, but not a terrible drive for you. Get there, set up leisurely on Friday and do the evening hours, and then Saturday. Reasonable fees. Nice town. Nice show.
This is worth a try.
I just received notice of acceptance to the KIA. Any idea how 2D work fares there? Edina is a 12 hour or more drive for me, so I thought about passing it over this year.
Umm, good question. I'm not 2D, and thus far have not had any near me.
If my experience is any judge, the first year people are excited to see anyone new. There was a big jump down afterward. Sales are still ok for a 1 day show, though it’s really a day and a half now. It’s an easy show to do, though. Sales might depend on your price points. I didn’t record specifics, but recall the average ticket as being lower than normal.