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  Roberta Starbird June 17, 2010 at 1:48pm

  Michelle, I didn't recognize you from your photo, but I just went to your webpage. We were in the same tent last year -- just one row over. Your jewelry was so gorgeous! And you gave me some good pointers. I hope you are doing well.
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  Roberta Starbird June 17, 2010 at 1:44pm

  I'd like to put in a good word for the Arts Festival Oklahoma (AFO) show, or at least a medium word. My daughter and I did this show for the last two years. 2008 was our first year of doing shows and this Oklahoma show was our 3rd show ever. In 2009, we did a total of 14 shows. Compared to the revenue from these 14 shows, we made slightly more than average at AFO. We made about 3X expenses. We sell jewelry that ranges from $30 for the very cheapest pair of earrings to $600 for an expensive necklace. We were definitely selling more items in the $50 to $100 range than more expensive items, but we did sell several pieces priced at more than $150. Since I'm from Texas, I found the temperatures (in the 80's in 2009) very bearable. It was humid, but with a fan it was fine for me. You guys from Colorado may feel differently! (I put on a sweater when it drops below 72.) The set up of the tents is different this year. If you go to the web page for the show, you can see maps of the tents and you can see that the rows against the tent walls do appear to have several feet of storage behind them.
  
  I've never been to the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts, but judging by how hard it is to get into, I sure it is a much better show. If you can get into that show, then the AFO show may not be a good enough show for you. So far, we haven't gotten into the really highly rated shows (like Dallas Cottonwood, Fort Worth Main Street, Houston Bayou City, and Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts.) But among the tier of shows below these, I'd say AFO is somewhat competitive -- not the best but certainly not the worst. Though there is music, the show is definitely about the art and the shopping. I personally did not see any buy/sell items, but I didn't make it to all the tents. I agree that there was mixed quality, but part of it was very good.
  
  I know I'm being too wordy! I guess in summary, if you can get into the really good shows, probably this show is not for you. Otherwise, at least for us, it's worth a 6 hour drive.
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  Jacqueline Webster June 16, 2010 at 11:44am

  Thanks! I just got my acceptance yesterday, too. Was wondering about being worth the drive from Colorado. I will definitely think about it. I noticed it had falling ratings in SA audit book.
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  Don Mabry June 16, 2010 at 11:41am

  Michelle,
  Very good info. Thank you. I appreciate your comments and you may have saved me from making a huge mistake.
  
  Don
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  S. Michelle Babcock June 16, 2010 at 11:17am

  I did that show last year. There was some buy/sell and very mixed in the quality of artist and craftsman. I talked to several artist there that will now only do the April show. The amenities were great, but I barely covered my expenses. The people were great that ran the show, but I'd have to say it was the wrong crowd for me. That being said, your boxes might do well. The tents are very hot, make sure to take a fan. The spaces are so tight together that you won't be able the store anything behind your space, because a booth is butted right up to yours. April is the show to do, it's also harder to get into.