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Hello to all

Posted by Bryan Ross on October 18, 2011 at 10:49pm in Welcome to Art Fair Insiders!

I have been finding the discussions very helpful as I stumble thru the art show circuit.  Every show has been a learning experience.  I am still trying to find my niche.  I will continue to follow the discussions, picking up on any helpful hints and knowledge you other artists put out there. Thanks

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  • Stephen Kostyshyn October 21, 2011 at 9:24am

    Hi Bryan,

    I don't think the south is any different than the north as far as people buying smaller pieces. This is a good lesson you have learned early on. I always bring 85% smaller items and 15% larger items. That is how it works. The larger more impressive items draw the customers into the booth. Now they are engaged. They see the price and gulp! Then notice your smaller more affordable items. Suddenly your low end seems much more reasonable and they feel more at ease and start thinking about buying one. This is when you can start a conversation. In this economy it is difficult to sell my higher end pieces but they still serve a purpose for my creative soul and to attract customers to my work.

     

    Keep going and remember the funnel cake guy spent 4 times for his booth than what you spent and he has to nickel and dime his way to the top.

    Steve

  • Jacki Bilsborrow October 20, 2011 at 11:15pm

    Hello Bryan and welcome to our group.  I am glad that you are getting a lot out of this site.  That is what we are all here for.  What type of art are you interested in?  Have you done any shows yet?

    Maybe one of these days you will be posting information that will be helping other newbies to progress as artists.

    Jacki B

    • Bryan Ross > Jacki Bilsborrow October 20, 2011 at 11:51pm
      Hello Jacki   glad to have found this site.  my art work is in the various forms of using stained glass and other pieces of glass to create panels.  I have done several shows in the south and have noticed that if I sold funnel cakes it would be easier but where is the fun in that.  the crowds down here seem to want the smaller panels at the shows and am able to sell the bigger panels later to clients who stopped by the booth at the shows.  working hard to line up more shows and enjoying working in the studio.
  • Stephen Kostyshyn October 20, 2011 at 4:29pm
    I think it is important to keep in mind it is also about life style. Not to diminish the profit aspect but speaking for myself and many of my long time friends in the business we got into it partly because of the life style it afforded us. Having said that with the disappearance of a strong middle class which many of us built our business's on the rules have all changed. Finding your niche is wise and continuity in your work is also important to focusing in on that niche. Oh yes........one more thing........kick butt images help!   Good luck, Steve
  • Connie Mettler October 20, 2011 at 3:51pm
    We're glad to have you here, Bryan. The members are a mix of total newbies (no shows at all so far) and veterans with a combined experience of probably 967,246 years in the business. I hope you enjoy the site, learn lots, make friends and contribute your experiences. Best wishes!
  • Dave Hinde October 19, 2011 at 4:58pm
    5 years of doing shows and I'm still trying to find my niche:-)  I started in 2006 with the intention of trying to figure out what sells the best.  I'm still trying to figure that out.  September I sold several 5 x 7 framed prints and several ceramic tiles with photos printed on them.  October I didn't sell any of these but sold matted and framed pictures.  Some shows I sell lots of note cards, other shows not a one.  If we could predict what sells, we'd all be rich by now!
  • Laura Darcy October 19, 2011 at 9:17am
    Me, too!  Have a whopping three shows under my belt.  I'm still learning so much and have discovered that each show changes my work.  I look forward to seeing your blog grow along with mine.  I've found the knowledge shared on this site to be one of the biggest boosts to my progress.
  • Annette Piper October 18, 2011 at 11:57pm
    Hi Bryan and welcome aboard :)   Finding your niche is one of the hardest things... but it will benefit you in the long run, so keep looking for it!    Heaps of fabulous information here - don't forget to use the search bar (top right of page and on the page for photos, blogs and forum.  If you can't find something, just ask!
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