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  • Connie Mettler April 2, 2011 at 10:13pm

    I found this link: http://oneofakindvancouver.com/artisans.php

    Look it over and see if you know anyone. I only knew one person and I have emailed him, but not sure if he is the kind of person who reads his email, if you know what I mean.

    • Steph Mader > Connie Mettler April 2, 2011 at 10:22pm
      The woman I talked to at Best of the NW last fall wasn't on the list, not sure why. I didn't know anyone else. I see there are a lot of Canadians, that makes sense. No painters, though? And little sculpture either. Somehow I expected that the type of art shown really would be one of a kind, but from the list it looks more like nice production work. Of course I have no idea what they brought to the show. Are the other one of a kind shows more upscale?
      • Connie Mettler > Steph Mader April 2, 2011 at 10:48pm

        The artist I know lives in London, Ontario, near Toronto...he does lots of US shows and has fine etchings. Yes, the OOAK shows are upscale. I get the impression that those who do "gifting" work do well, as well as the wearables (clothing and jewelry) really do well in Chicago, not cheap stuff either, nicely high end.

        I'd guess since you are just starting out that it would be best for you to visit the show this year and then make your plans to do it or not in 2012. Can you wait that long? ;)

        • Steph Mader > Connie Mettler April 3, 2011 at 2:48am
          Well, that is always the question, isn't it? I'm not good at delayed gratification, but somewhere in the middle of this year I know I'm going to curse myself for taking on so much. I imagine it is best to stifle, already. I'm on track to do twice as many shows as last year. I guess I want to see if I'm up to it. I assume that's a good question to answer, right? I'll plan to drive up and take a look at that show this year. Thanks, Connie!
  • Connie Mettler April 2, 2011 at 3:05pm
    Hi Steph, is this the same group who puts on the OOAK in Chicago, NYC and Toronto?
    • Steph Mader > Connie Mettler April 2, 2011 at 4:10pm

      Hi Connie,

      Yes, the same people. This will be just the fourth year for the Vancouver BC show. Financially it's a risk, the booth fee is $1560 for a 10x10.

      • Connie Mettler > Steph Mader April 2, 2011 at 4:28pm

        Do they have year's exhibitor list posted anywhere? If so, look it over and see if you know any of the people, and/or show me the link and I'll see if I know anyone and we can query them for details. How near do you live? Can you sleep at home? Have you added up the costs for a breakeven point from booth fee, electricity, drayage, food, parking, lodging? What kind of price points do you have, how much would you have to sell before you even have anything to put in the bank? Notice, we are not even talking about how much your time is worth.

        They do an excellent job with publicity in Chicago, and definitely are a pro organization.  Still, even though we only live 3 hours from Chicago, we never thought it was worth the minimal $2500 of expense to do the show, so never applied. To my mind, you'd have to expect to do at least $7-8000 of sales to justify that. Or...will the exposure be worth it down the road at other events near you? that is sort of worth money in the bank.

        • Steph Mader > Connie Mettler April 2, 2011 at 9:38pm
          All good advice. I don't think my sales are predictable enough yet to forecast what I might sell. Next year I'll have a better idea of what to expect. I saw a link on their site to the 2010 artists, but can't find it now. I think I'll at least see who was there last year.
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