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  • Heike Strobel October 21, 2013 at 11:18am

    Hello,

    well I think it really depends on the farmer's market and the city.

    I am showing with the Santa Fe Farmer's Market since 10 years and this is a great show

    for me. On Sundays they have a focus on the artisans and that works great for us

    artists and crafters.

    Check it out on their web site: www.santafefarmersmarket.com

    and klick on the artisans link and you find a listing with images of many of us,

    so you get an idea how much the local farmers also care for the local artists.

    I have visited the farmers market in Salt Lake City too and it seems to work there too for both

    the farmers and the artists.

    • Valerie VanOrden > Heike Strobel October 21, 2013 at 3:03pm

      I viewed and it's a very nice advertisement.  Very specific.  

  • Don Saxon September 16, 2013 at 4:35pm

    Last year I did 4 art shows and set up at a local Farmer's Market two times.  The Farmer's Market gave me the best return for my money.  I do Photography.  This year I made a commitment to do the Farmer's Market every week.  I though this would in a sense be earning my spurs.  Learning what people were looking for and working out the logistics of having a booth every week.  I also believed that just having a consistent presents would have an effect.  I sell at a high price but run specials on a regular basis.  So far this has paid fairly well.  Not making a living but I have other income and this helps pay for my photography.  It also gets my name out there for private sessions.

    I am glad to see this thread as I believe it is a valid conversation to have.

    • Don Saxon > Don Saxon October 21, 2013 at 7:50am

      With only one weekend left in the Farmer's Market Season thought I would write an update.  The consistency has paid off very well.  The only times I was without any sales were weather related.  I still kept my presence but changed my setup so as to protect my work.  Not only has this created sales (best monthly about $550) but led to additional outside work.  Of course I had the opportunities offered to pay for booths at other shows and sell portraits for $5.00 each.  (I passed)  I am very happy with my results so far.  I will probably go back to one of the shows I did last year since it will not conflict with the Farmer's Market.  I also will look into other Farmer's Markets that are midweek.

    • Valerie VanOrden > Don Saxon September 17, 2013 at 7:19pm

      Thanks, Don.  I finally made a sale (again) today. Being consistent says a lot for you.  You just never know when you're going to network with a farmer or two in your life.  I enjoy our Farmer's Market well, and today we were all idle, and I left early, then my customer I had done a piece for called me. She is going to meet me at the flea market where I also have a booth Sat. afternoon after her work shift.  I wasn't totally consistent, but am making the sale.  I did do the work for her.  She is actually a mom who participated in USDA program of coupons, and I didn't think any of "those people" would want art, but y'know what?  They love their kids and I had names and meanings of names in calligraphy so she asked me to do 3 pieces for her.  sale. 

  • Chris Hoyt September 13, 2013 at 6:54am

    Sometimes the farmer's markets can be a nice filler when I don't have a show on a particular weekend. Here in Vermont the local market is full of artists and crafters. Do we make a lot of money? No, but the tourists want something "Vermonty" so the artists have VT scenes and the crafters have "Made in Vermont" on every piece.

    Sales? Maybe a couple hundred on a good day. But that's a couple hundred more than if I was sitting on the couch.

    I don't think it's necessary to put them on the Art Insiders schedule though. I believe each state has a listing of the markets.

    • Stephen White > Chris Hoyt September 16, 2013 at 1:25pm

      I see a couple hundred bucks a lot for farmers markets. In your experience is there a medium that can do better than this? Is the market you do in a major metro?

       

      you get to sit on the couch when you are not at a show?

      :-)

       

      • Chris Hoyt > Stephen White September 17, 2013 at 6:51am

        Sometimes you can make a few hundred, and other times you can make $50. It just all depends on the mood of the customers.

        I live in Vermont. There are no "major metro areas" here. The average Vermont town has maybe 1,500 people. My town has 850 people.

        And yeah, I sometimes do get to sit on the couch. Drives my sweet wife nuts. But I do get to relax. My last show for the year is the first weekend in December, and my first show of 2014 is President's Day Weekend. So I curl up in front of the woodstove when the snow flies. And this coming winter the almanacs are saying it will.

        • Karole Bowlds > Chris Hoyt October 20, 2013 at 9:53am

          I haven't done any Farmer's Markets here in Maine yet... but am seriously considering it. 

          One payment for the season, and a guaranteed show every week sounds enticing. For me the hold back is all my local shows are during the week....which is a bit tight with my normal day job. Weekends would be much better for it, but during the spring/summer, those would interfere with my other shows festivals and venues. Will have to see....

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