Hi, I'm Steph Mader. I have been working in glass for twenty-something years. Last January I decided to take the art fair plunge & made a bunch of pieces, applied to whatever I could and did about six shows. I didn't know what to expect, really, but I was relieved to find that I really liked it, so I'm hoping to do a few more this year. I was really lucky to have some other glassy-friends who gave me advice about what shows in Washington State had been good for them. I threw together a booth and a glass line and just went for it. At my age, no sense in being timid!
I didn't make piles of money last season, but did okay and didn't lose money at any of them, anyway. I got into some good shows, I think. I was really lucky in my first year; I hope it wasn't beginner's luck. I'm not sure what to expect as far as sales in a "good" show vs. a "bad" show. I did about the same amount per day at every show, including Bellevue Festival of the Arts which is supposed to be an especially good show. I know some people are more relaxed about talking about numbers of sales than others. It's hard, though, to know if I'm on the right track sales-wise, without having anything to measure against.
So, there it is. I really am enjoying this site & I hope I'll get to meet some of you this year at the shows!
Replies
Hi Steph,
I'm new too -- fiber artist -- and have just did my first show in December. I've been told that to do 10 times the entry fee is a "good" show, and to do 20 times the entry fee is a "great" show (but I'm new, so it'll be interesting to see what other responses you get to this! Good luck!
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
Whew, wouldn't that be nice? I wonder if anyone is making that kind of percentage in this economy. I think a lot depends on your pricing, too, right? I know I need to have more higher-priced pieces to bump up my total a bit.
How ambitious are you going to be this season? It would be great to hear what your plans are.
I'd love to see your work. I wish there was an easier way to check out the work of members - maybe an automatic signature where you could add a link.
Hi Steph and welcome! It is easy to find the work of the members - just click on their photos and it will take you to their pages. Some have posted images of their work and for others it is just for the social experience of hanging out here and learning more about the business and helping each other.
You might join one of the groups for your media (listed at the bottom of the page) where you can get more specific info.
About the earnings...everyone's needs are different, everyone's overhead is different and you really can't go by what others are earning. This is a business, so the goal really should be to earn money while taking in all the overhead, including taxes, insurance, etc. But the best advice someone gave me was "to compare is to despair."
Hello Steph and welcome to our group. I think you will find everyone here friendly and helpful. Congrats on taking the plunge. I hope this year is better for you than the last one. It's a lot of work. Every year you will learn what you need to change and which shows are good for you. Have you started to put your 2011 show schedule together yet? I think it is always good when starting out to apply to some "safe" shows and some new ones. That way you know you will have some shows that you think you should get into. Check out the Call for Artists link on this site, too. You should find many that you would like to try to get into.
Good luck this coming year. I hope you have a good year.
Jacki B
Thanks Jackie,
I really appreciate the welcome; artists are just great people, that's all there is to it. I know I'm going to have lots of questions. Last year it was a scramble to get enough work done to do the shows, this year I need to seriously work on my booth setup.
I've got my show list planned out, and that is good advice to apply to some safe shows. There are some smaller shows that would be fun to try if I don't get into the bigger ones.
Well, I'm happy to be here, can't wait to get to know you all.
Steph
Hi and Welcome!
You probably won't get to meet me- strictly Maine and New Hampshire at this point, but I wanted to welcome you to the site! We have a helpful friendly group, so if you do have questions, just ask! I do beaded and wire work jewelry, and use artisan glass in work. For the most part, I consider any show that I make my expenses and a little more, to be worth it, as I too, am just establishing myself in the art fair world. It's been almost 3 years now. and I have built up to about 20-30 shows per year. Winter is the downtime here- all the snow makes getting around a bit tricky! Sounds like you had a good first year. Again Welcome and good Luck!
Hey Karole,
Thanks for the warm welcome. Whew, 20 shows... you are my heroine. I will try to do 12 this year and see how it goes. It will be great to hear how things go for you this year. I hope it's a good one for you!
Steph,
I do a lot of the smaller local shows during the Holiday season- I am generally booked every weekend October thru mid December. But then I have about two months with no shows- R & D time! my first show this year is Feb 12th! During the summer we have a ton of festivals, fairs, and I have one music fest that I do, and a Biker fest! I live in Southern Maine and travel the entire state- except the extreme northern part- what we call "the County" here! Feb - to May is a little slow show wise, but once the summer season kicks off- whew!! I could book something 4-5 days a week! If it was physically possible that is! Part of the downfall of living in a summer tourist area! Plus, this year I am taking my own vacation the end of June, first week of July, for a family gathering in Bar Harbor. I hope you have a good year for 2011, too! Please keep me updated, and if you have ANY questions, please ask!
Karole
Thanks Karole, so kind! I will definitely drive everybody crazy with questions. I was lucky to get into some good shows in my first year, and am trying to figure it all out. I can manage to do at least one show a month May-December, with two or three in June, July, August. I'd better start working out! I haven't figured out how to make more of the holiday season, but one step at a time, right? I'm going to try some more gardeny-themed shows this year, we have a few good ones in Washington.
Good luck, talk to you soon, I hope.
Steph