Hello - Total newbie a little panicked about doing the Millennium Park show in 2 weeks! - Forum

Hi there. I joined the network some time ago but haven't had a chance to post anything, as I've been frantically trying to get ready for my first REALLY big show in 2 weeks - the Millennium Park Festival of Art in Chicago the first weekend of June. I'm a jewelry artist, and have done smaller shows, and one larger show (Custer Street in Evanston, last year - did horribly).

I'm wondering if anyone else out there will be at the Millennium show, and if anyone has done it before (last year?). I'm feeling quite nervous; the booth fee was large, I re-worked my booth (still in progress...), and am trying to make sure I have enough inventory without going into a full fledged panic attack! I have a fear of selling nothing at all - which has happened at much smaller shows...the booth fees for those were light, and the audience wasn't right for me (I was mostly surrounded by people making jewelry out of recycled tires and felt, for example - nothing against them, but as someone who makes things out of silver, gold, and semiprecious stones, it was jarring).

How can I relax? I know that some $ investment has to happen to get things rolling, but I'm just SO intimidated by the other artists, and the people, to be honest. ;-) I'm not especially shy (I'm also an actor), so this is a really strange case of "stagefright". Not to mention the expense already - don't know if I'm ever going to make expenses (I'm also doing the Amdur shows of North Shore Festival of Art and Highwood's "Last Call" art fair - and am on the wait list for Gold Coast). Any advice would be great!

Everything you are feeling is normal! Dont't let the other artists intimidate you! The one thing I have learned is this- Jewelry, especially, is a personal choice for the people purchasing. They are going to be more selective, because they will be wearing it. So it has to appeal to their personal style and personality. You will have buyers. Make note of what they are purchasing. You can even ask them what about the item appeals to them- if you find some items sell better than others, then carry more of those to the shows. I am also at the point where I have gotten a feel for some of my repeat shows, and only take what will appeal to that particular venue. My guitar pick earrings don't fit in at every venue! Experience is the biggest factor- I have found in the last two years, that there are shows that I will never do again, and shows that I will absolutely do. But even if the show wasn't very profitable money wise, you were there, people saw your work, took your card, and will now visit your website. I have gotten more Calls from promoters who picked up my card at a previous venue, and invited me to apply to their show. So a show isn't just about sales( though that is important), but it also about the contacts you make, your booth presence, and you!

Replies

Elizabeth Kline June 12, 2010 at 8:23pm

Thanks! I am relieved to have it over with, now I know what to expect a little better...I'd like to write a review of this show when I get a chance...did better than my worst fears, but did not hit my highest hopes (who would? ha)...BUT, sold enough certainly to cover expenses, most (3/4) of my business cards disappeared, and received many, many great comments and multiple visits. Not to mention some potential future contacts for custom work... Now to get ready for show #2, in late July - not as nervous now, thanks again!
Karole Bowlds June 11, 2010 at 6:24am

Everything you are feeling is normal! Dont't let the other artists intimidate you! The one thing I have learned is this- Jewelry, especially, is a personal choice for the people purchasing. They are going to be more selective, because they will be wearing it. So it has to appeal to their personal style and personality. You will have buyers. Make note of what they are purchasing. You can even ask them what about the item appeals to them- if you find some items sell better than others, then carry more of those to the shows. I am also at the point where I have gotten a feel for some of my repeat shows, and only take what will appeal to that particular venue. My guitar pick earrings don't fit in at every venue! Experience is the biggest factor- I have found in the last two years, that there are shows that I will never do again, and shows that I will absolutely do. But even if the show wasn't very profitable money wise, you were there, people saw your work, took your card, and will now visit your website. I have gotten more Calls from promoters who picked up my card at a previous venue, and invited me to apply to their show. So a show isn't just about sales( though that is important), but it also about the contacts you make, your booth presence, and you!
Elizabeth Kline May 25, 2010 at 12:02pm

Thanks Lee! I AM a little nervous about theft, but there will be 2 of us in the booth and i'm hoping we can keep all eyes on things. i don't have glass cases in my display, but will be tying most of my pieces down the best i can, so hopefully that will be a deterrent. And, at pack up, that's really good advice. I'm going to make my "helper" in the booth be a watchdog then. fingers crossed!

Lee Hill said:
It's understandable that you're nervous about a new show, but you will have plenty of sales, I'm sure. There's no real feedback on this location since this is the first year it moved from River North area to Grant Park (not really Millenium Park).

My one piece of advice about doing ANY city show as a jeweler is to be hyper aware of your own security. Jewelers are targeted by thieves in these city shows and you are particularly vulnerable at pack-up. My jeweler/neighbors at the Tribune show NEVER left their booth, but had stashed their packed cases under a covered table INSIDE their booth while they packed up incidentals. A thief lifted their tent side and slipped the jewelry out from under the table!! So be careful and be prosperous!!
Lee Hill May 25, 2010 at 9:58am

It's understandable that you're nervous about a new show, but you will have plenty of sales, I'm sure. There's no real feedback on this location since this is the first year it moved from River North area to Grant Park (not really Millenium Park).

My one piece of advice about doing ANY city show as a jeweler is to be hyper aware of your own security. Jewelers are targeted by thieves in these city shows and you are particularly vulnerable at pack-up. My jeweler/neighbors at the Tribune show NEVER left their booth, but had stashed their packed cases under a covered table INSIDE their booth while they packed up incidentals. A thief lifted their tent side and slipped the jewelry out from under the table!! So be careful and be prosperous!!

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