I was just curious how everybody does their work schedules through the whole year long!
Do you exhibit in shows only in certain months & spend the other months building up inventory? Or do you make your artwork all year long & do shows all year long?
I was just trying to get an idea of what everyone that depends on their art as an income works out their schedules to be for the whole year!
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In answer to your question that depends on each of us individually. I know here in my little corner (MAINE), we have three seasons of shows.....Spring= March through June- mostly indoor shows due to weather conditions. These include Cabin Fever craft shows, Bridal shows, etc. Summer= June through Mid September (our tourist season)- outdoor shows, which include Art Shows, Celtic Fests,Town wide festivals, Music fests, we pretty much fest everything here- food & wine, beer, MOXIE, Whoopie Pies, Chocolate, Jazz, Lobster..ad infinitem...and Agricultural Fairs- usually weekend and week long events. Mid September- December begins the Fall/Winter season- Harvest festivals, OctoberFest, Pumpkin Fest, and the final few HUGE Ag Fairs, most outdoor...then in November the Holiday shows begin. These are all indoors, and range from Entire City/Town wide celebrations to the local school and church fundraisers. I do as many as is humanly possible. Potentially, I can be booked every weekend from mid March to mid December. HOWEVER...at almost 50 yrs old that is way to grueling a schedule. Not to mention I, as jeweler, also have my home studio open for business, and do three open houses- one each season. This year for instance I took the summer off. I needed it. I am currently booked every weekend from November 2 through til December 15. HOWEVER let me qualify I do many events that are NOT ART Shows. Mostly Fine Arts, and Art/Craft shows, a Bridal Show or two, with some AG Fairs and Festivals. I do what will keep me out there, earning money and making a name for my business. I tailor my inventory to the particular "feel" of each event. January through March, I design new pieces, create more inventory for the upcoming season, review the previous season, and decide what changes I will make to my schedule for the upcoming season. I research all year long....there are so MANY events that it will take me a lifetime to do each one at least once. And that's not even leaving my little state for any in neighboring States! So it all depends on the individual... how much travelling you want to do, what your Art is, how well it travels, what your budget is, etc. The area you live in and how available shows are, etcetera... there ar so many factors involved. It can be done however.
I work on my show schedule all year long. There are shows this time of year I wish I had applied to so I am sending emails requesting information about the 2014 application process. I have also started a month by month spreadsheet of the shows I want to exhibit at, when the deadlines are, prices etc.
My show schedule got to be predictable so I'm shaking it up a bit by trying new (not 1st year) shows. It's hard to shake up a comfortable show schedule - I've been exhibiting 23 years and have done some GREAT shows along with some shows that just weren't so great. Every show is different for each exhibitor. Face it, all we, as exhibitors need, are customers. Promoters, bring in the customers and we'll do our jobs.
Let's get the word out at the shows we exhibit at for more show reviews to be posted. Reviews are priceless to each other. Years ago Sunshine Artist would come around at the shows and give a review sheet to fill out. I haven't seen that for some time - Maybe we could print off a card reminding exhibitors how important reviews are - with the web address.
When I was doing my full 40 show schedule, I started in late January and went until the second weekend in December.
Sure I did the flower and garden shows in winter but I also grabbed every show I could find within a certain mile radius of home. Sometimes a small show would turn out pretty good. And during down time I might find a $100 show and maybe make $400 or $500 for the day. Even if I only made $100 over expenses that's $100 more than I would have made sitting on the couch. And that would cover the electric bill.
I was never too proud to do a show at the local VFW. I met some very good artists who would make something appropriate for that kind of show and price it accordingly. They knew a $100 piece wouldn't sell there so they made a number of under $20 pieces. The old "quick nickels are better than slow dimes" strategy.
Karole Bowlds > Chris HoytOctober 20, 2013 at 12:18pm
I think like you Chris... whatever gets the job done!!! I love my Ag Fairs!!! And a lot of times at the VFW I am the ONLY hand crafted Jeweler there. Works for me!!!
The number of shows that I do a year varies a little, but somewhere between 26 and 30 is typical, from labor day to mid-December it's every week-end. Spring is the season that varies the most for me. Sometimes I try to get into some of the larger Florida shows and sometimes I just do a few more local smaller ones. Wait, you asked how many I did to stay afloat. It's the old joke. You know how you make a small fortune blowing glass? You start with a large fortune!
I live in Georgia so it's hot as blazes down here most of June, July and August. I break my year into two halves. I make stuff middle of December to middle of February. I do shows middle of February to end of May. Make stuff June to labor day, then do shows until mid December. Of course I make stuff during the week between shows, but honestly without the concentrated periods i would never have sufficient things to make it work for me. I think it part it depends on what you do as your art and your price points. I've talked to people that approach this thing from so many different directions. I wondered about this too when I first started.
Mel Hamrick > Michael SkeenAugust 1, 2013 at 10:57pm
I make some simple ornaments that sell for about $5 give or take a little so they can be my bread & butter items of sorts (& also for people that like my artwork but just can't afford it)! My regular artwork runs from about $150 & up! I do take lots of custom orders also! I like how you are able to break things up into 2 seasons of selling, that would probably work out pretty good (if only it were much warmer up here). I design new things year round but actually making them....sometimes it's frustrating knowing something new you have come up with would sell pretty good but you can't get any made before the start of the show season! Having two show seasons could potentially solve that problem. About how many total shows do you do a yr to stay afloat? Thank you for your help also. Meli
I hibernate during the winter months. Planning for the following season and creating new pieces... Since I live in Michigan - I tend to stay close to home with my fairs and there is nothing until April-May...
Mel Hamrick > Scott PakulskiAugust 1, 2013 at 10:43pm
About how many shows a year do you participate to keep you afloat? Yeah the building up inventory from November-April has been how I'm doing things but I really need to try some winter & Xmas shows to at least see if they are profitable for me! Thank you for your help. Meli
My schedule does not follow the calendar year. It starts in May with shows at lower elevations in Colorado. In late June thru September, the shows are in the resort ( winter ski areas) areas in Colorado. I do 6-8 shows and try to space them out every two weeks so I have time to rebuild inventory, work on special orders, and work on longer term orders (new saddles and restoration work). September to year's end is time for studio work on saddles, custom orders that come in post-shows, and major inventory rebuilding. I start planning my summer shows in January and send out applications until spring. The first quarter and first half of the second quarter are the toughest time of the year for cash flow and I have to plan ahead with saddle and restoration payments. A lot of $ goes out for jury fees, booth fees, and deposits on condos. Nothing comes back in from this outflow until mid May and only then if it is a good show. During this time it seems like I use the credit reserve on my checking account and credit cards to bridge the gap until a payment comes in, then scurry to pay off the short term loan to avoid paying more interest on it. I'm usually flush at the end of summer but that is when I start hearing about all of the "honey do" work on the house that as been put off. Sometimes I thinking is best to just load up Jean and the dogs and head to the woods.
I really got whacked this year for $5K as my '88 Suburban need a new engine in June, not August as anticipated. Still working on that one.
Replies
Hmmmm...
In answer to your question that depends on each of us individually. I know here in my little corner (MAINE), we have three seasons of shows.....Spring= March through June- mostly indoor shows due to weather conditions. These include Cabin Fever craft shows, Bridal shows, etc. Summer= June through Mid September (our tourist season)- outdoor shows, which include Art Shows, Celtic Fests,Town wide festivals, Music fests, we pretty much fest everything here- food & wine, beer, MOXIE, Whoopie Pies, Chocolate, Jazz, Lobster..ad infinitem...and Agricultural Fairs- usually weekend and week long events. Mid September- December begins the Fall/Winter season- Harvest festivals, OctoberFest, Pumpkin Fest, and the final few HUGE Ag Fairs, most outdoor...then in November the Holiday shows begin. These are all indoors, and range from Entire City/Town wide celebrations to the local school and church fundraisers. I do as many as is humanly possible. Potentially, I can be booked every weekend from mid March to mid December. HOWEVER...at almost 50 yrs old that is way to grueling a schedule. Not to mention I, as jeweler, also have my home studio open for business, and do three open houses- one each season. This year for instance I took the summer off. I needed it. I am currently booked every weekend from November 2 through til December 15. HOWEVER let me qualify I do many events that are NOT ART Shows. Mostly Fine Arts, and Art/Craft shows, a Bridal Show or two, with some AG Fairs and Festivals. I do what will keep me out there, earning money and making a name for my business. I tailor my inventory to the particular "feel" of each event. January through March, I design new pieces, create more inventory for the upcoming season, review the previous season, and decide what changes I will make to my schedule for the upcoming season. I research all year long....there are so MANY events that it will take me a lifetime to do each one at least once. And that's not even leaving my little state for any in neighboring States! So it all depends on the individual... how much travelling you want to do, what your Art is, how well it travels, what your budget is, etc. The area you live in and how available shows are, etcetera... there ar so many factors involved. It can be done however.
I work on my show schedule all year long. There are shows this time of year I wish I had applied to so I am sending emails requesting information about the 2014 application process. I have also started a month by month spreadsheet of the shows I want to exhibit at, when the deadlines are, prices etc.
My show schedule got to be predictable so I'm shaking it up a bit by trying new (not 1st year) shows. It's hard to shake up a comfortable show schedule - I've been exhibiting 23 years and have done some GREAT shows along with some shows that just weren't so great. Every show is different for each exhibitor. Face it, all we, as exhibitors need, are customers. Promoters, bring in the customers and we'll do our jobs.
Let's get the word out at the shows we exhibit at for more show reviews to be posted. Reviews are priceless to each other. Years ago Sunshine Artist would come around at the shows and give a review sheet to fill out. I haven't seen that for some time - Maybe we could print off a card reminding exhibitors how important reviews are - with the web address.
At any rate, keep exhibiting & smiling !!!
When I was doing my full 40 show schedule, I started in late January and went until the second weekend in December.
Sure I did the flower and garden shows in winter but I also grabbed every show I could find within a certain mile radius of home. Sometimes a small show would turn out pretty good. And during down time I might find a $100 show and maybe make $400 or $500 for the day. Even if I only made $100 over expenses that's $100 more than I would have made sitting on the couch. And that would cover the electric bill.
I was never too proud to do a show at the local VFW. I met some very good artists who would make something appropriate for that kind of show and price it accordingly. They knew a $100 piece wouldn't sell there so they made a number of under $20 pieces. The old "quick nickels are better than slow dimes" strategy.
I think like you Chris... whatever gets the job done!!! I love my Ag Fairs!!! And a lot of times at the VFW I am the ONLY hand crafted Jeweler there. Works for me!!!
The number of shows that I do a year varies a little, but somewhere between 26 and 30 is typical, from labor day to mid-December it's every week-end. Spring is the season that varies the most for me. Sometimes I try to get into some of the larger Florida shows and sometimes I just do a few more local smaller ones. Wait, you asked how many I did to stay afloat. It's the old joke. You know how you make a small fortune blowing glass? You start with a large fortune!
I live in Georgia so it's hot as blazes down here most of June, July and August. I break my year into two halves. I make stuff middle of December to middle of February. I do shows middle of February to end of May. Make stuff June to labor day, then do shows until mid December. Of course I make stuff during the week between shows, but honestly without the concentrated periods i would never have sufficient things to make it work for me. I think it part it depends on what you do as your art and your price points. I've talked to people that approach this thing from so many different directions. I wondered about this too when I first started.
I hibernate during the winter months. Planning for the following season and creating new pieces... Since I live in Michigan - I tend to stay close to home with my fairs and there is nothing until April-May...
I really got whacked this year for $5K as my '88 Suburban need a new engine in June, not August as anticipated. Still working on that one.
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