New kid on the block

Replies

Jeanne Steck August 15, 2011 at 6:18pm

Welcome! Good luck with your first show!

You'll get plenty of good information here.
Todd Derr August 8, 2011 at 9:00pm

Hi, Alexandra

I'm new here too and having my first festival experience this coming weekend. I wish I would have found this a little sooner.

All the best on your first one too.

Todd
- Alexandra Kube > Todd Derr August 11, 2011 at 11:11pm
  
  I'm glad to have found this community of helpful artists. I'd like to post something in my booth that shows I'm linked in here. I would love to meet any of you. My first festival will be Summerlin (Vegas) Sept 24 & 25. Anyone else doing this one?
  
  I'm in mad rush to get everything together... I hope I can pull it off in time. I am excited though.
  
  Alex
  
  PS: Let me know how it went Todd.
  - Todd Derr > Alexandra Kube August 15, 2011 at 1:33pm
    
    Hi, Alexandra
    
    Well, my first one is under my belt. I had a great time and look forward to more.
    
    This festival was probably smaller than most, there were 30 artist's/crafters, a nice stage with live music and dancing groups, and three local fine food restaurants set up in a big tent too.
    
    The most hectic part for me was getting set up in the morning..my setup is a little unorthodox (read homemade), but it all came together great and I was getting complements by passers by and other artists on my booth. Nice.
    
    As you've already been told, ask questions of the other artist's. Everyone I ran into was more than willing to dispense with their knowledge. Nothing better than being around people who have a mutual motivation to help others succeed.
    
    Here's a pic of my set up. I do watercolors.
    
    I hope you have a great first experience and many more after that. I think I'm hooked on this. It's a lot of extra work, but it sure seemed rewarding. The sales will come.
    - Alexandra Kube > Todd Derr August 15, 2011 at 3:35pm
      
      Very nice booth set up and from what I can see, nice watercolor paintings. Were you selling originals & prints? I understand it's prints that are selling more right now. I'm planning on bringing lots of prints to my shows. I'm ordering my flourish mesh panels today since I'll probably be setting up my booth by myself and need simple and light. Congrats on your first! You're inspiring me.
      
      Alex
      - Todd Derr > Alexandra Kube August 15, 2011 at 6:57pm
        
        Alex,
        
        I only had originals and sold two. Made enough to cover my jury fee and booth space plus a little extra for a nice dinner with my wife afterward. I could of had some prints but I haven't found a source locally to get them done. So, I wait on that. I tried prints ( Kinko variety) of some of my florals last year at the little farmer's market I sat up with and they didn't sell as well as I thought. Right now, I have all my work posted on Fine Art America and I carry a binder with a catalog of those works. If someone wants a print, then they can just get one through there and spare me the costs of a print inventory. I've sold a few that way so far and folks seem happy with it. Of course this doesn't allow me to sign and edition my prints...so I'm still figuring out how I feel about that. That's a whole other discussion. :)
        
        If I can help or inspire in any why, awesome. That's what we are all here for I believe. Sure does help my anxiety levels knowing there are so many having the same trials as me. I know some think now is the wrong time to strike out to try and become a full time artist, but I'm at the point in my life..if not now, when? Thankfully I have a lot of friends and family that support me. I sleep better at night knowing I'm doing what I love. I'm just gonna keep plugging away...baby steps.
        
        I enjoyed checking out your work you have posted here. Particularly Monte De Oro. Very nice piece.
        
        Best of luck to you,
        
        Todd
        
        Alexandra Kube > Todd Derr August 16, 2011 at 9:25pm
        
        Hi Todd,
        
        That sounds just like me... if not now, then when? I'm getting prints made up through Costco (actually great quality and a low price, came recommended). I'll have both with me and will see what sells. So glad to hear you sold a couple originals. That gives me hope. Where's your next show?
        
        Alex
  - Ruth Finkenbiner > Alexandra Kube August 11, 2011 at 11:30pm
    
    Welcome Alexandra. I would be interested to hear how your experience at Summerlin goes, it's one that is on our radar as a possibility for 2012. Haven't heard much about shows in NV other than Candy Dance in Genoa, heard good things about that one and heard it's worth driving from Seattle for that show.
    - Alexandra Kube > Ruth Finkenbiner August 11, 2011 at 11:47pm
      
      I will post as much as I can after the show. If I can be helpful, that would be good. It's my first so I won't have anything to compare it to.
      
      Alex
      - Ruth Finkenbiner > Alexandra Kube August 12, 2011 at 12:00am
        
        You can always report on what you hear from the experienced artists, sometimes that's the best indication of a show. BTW, ask lots of questions of your booth neighbors, most artists are willing to answer questions of the newbies, especially when it's your first show. Finding out about shows in your region from artists who are around you can lead to valuable info about shows to try and shows to avoid. Unfortunately this site has limited info on shows in the Western US.

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