Do you have a paid table partner? I'd like to know what your opinion is about a fair rate. I have agreed to pay $50 for the show, and will honor that, but now wonder if that is just too high?
My show was $100 to get into and I do hope to make more sales if I have help. I sell jewelry, so her presence will also help with security (though I've never had a problem yet). My show is an hour away and I'll do all my traveling and packing up that day - I have learned through trial an error how exhausted I can be after a day like this, especially if the weather is not kind. I think I will be glad to have her there, but wonder how you establish a fair fee for the day's work?
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Hi Donna,
Well, it appears you've had plenty of advice here and maybe, depending on how it goes this time, you could pay her a little more for the next show...you're right, she's a budding artist and a good one...thanks for sharing her drawing with us.
Karole, that's amazing. Frankly, I can't quite imagine not even attending my own shows - I really feel like I have to be the one to answer questions and represent my things - but that's a great perspective. Thanks, everyone for your ideas. The show I was asking about is long gone by now, and I was really happy to have her help and her ideas.
Oh I hear that...I have always been present at my shows. My daughter would tag along as helper if she thought I might need an extra set of hands, or a younger back!Having her help with the tent set-up was....interesting the first time!! She was generally a "helper" at my shows, was really on her own the one time for the back surgery and I was two booths away for that...an inside winter show...so in the line of sight. My friend had to go for emergency back surgery two days before the show, so was still in the hospital the day of the show. We did call the Show director, and got her approval of the "substitute" of my daughter so last minute. It was valuable experience for her, and she learned many good skills, and it helped her to understand why I can be so... ummmm.... ORGANIZED...when it comes to getting ready for a show!! Now at 23, she is almost, but not quite a splinter off the ol' block!! She works for Fedex- organizing the trucks loads and setting up the drivers on their routes, so an organizer!!
I am like you, I "need" to be there. And so many shows required the artist be in attendance so I am not sure how some get around it by sending a stand in. All it can take to figure it out is a few key question on the process of making whatever it is they are selling.
When my daughter lived at home (teenage years) she would attend the most troublesome shows for me ...multi-day, long hours, and at one, an emergency back surgery situation for a friend and fellow artisan....she setup & operated their booth the entire show, at the age of Sixteen, for a set fee, and 10% commission. She was generally paid a set fee with sales commission on top of that. It gave her valuable experience in dealing with people, selling, set-up, display, and in general...WORK. Before attending shows, she assumed I was having a blast all day going to these events....she found out, that from an insider's perspective, that it IS work, that depending on terrain, weather and many other variables it can be grueling, but it can also be a very satisfying choice. She started at fourteen and continued until 18, attending two to three shows a year. It's a GREAT experience for them, and something they can actually note on their resume, when they are ready to start a work search. Word of advise just treat her like a co-worker...not your baby girl! She WILL appreciate that!!
Donna,
My daughter helped me with 2 art shows when she was 13. I firmly believe in paying her well. She is giving up her weekend and helps from sun up to sun down. I give her %10 of sales. She is 16 now and begs me to do a show due to summer reading logs (IB studies) and our family travels, it is tuff to work a steady job for her own money.
I did an art show in Florida 2 years ago and gave her $350. Now that may sound like a lot to someone but understand she SAVED me money buy the time it took me to open in the mornings and get ready. If I had to run to the car quickly to get work or call nature she rang them up and I was fresher due to not being crazy tired. I am able to sell the work faster, ring them up quickly and move the next client in the booth to purchase. How many people have walked away waiting?
I pay dd a commission. That way if sales are down, so is her pay. If sales are up, she gets more. It is an encourgement to generate more sales. We offer coasters, trivets, plaques. I also have coaster holders that I buy but alter the color. We are working on more upselling to move more coaster holders. This increases her sales as well.
Now, dh? He only gets his meals paid! LOL
Thanks for all your replies. Here, I'll include a picture Rose drew last year:
To tell you the truth, she was an "artist" before I was. I think her talent is amazing. She loves math and science, but maintains a strong interest in art. By the way, this is a self portrait ;)
I think it’s great that your bringing your daughter.
When I was growing up I used to attend antique shows with my parents. As time went on I would bring my own items to sell and trade with – I learned a lot doing that. Maybe at future shows your daughter could bring two or three pieces that she created to sell?
I actually really like that idea. She is, in fact, a fabulous artist.
If she did sell some of her work, how would that go with sales tax - my sales tax ID covers my business, but how does this work with the sale of work from a family member. I've seen people do it, but not sure how they cover themselves legally.
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