Now I am currently on vacation, in the Mid West - in Minnesota, and had the pleasure to finally meet Connie while traveling here. Now I have met fellow crafts people at shows and become friends with them over the years via other craft/artist websites, but I can't say I have with anyone here from artfairinsiders. I think this is mostly due to being from Maryland and most here are from places, well other than Maryland.
So, my review... Well, she is very much like her profile photo and does have a gracious and energetic personality that is much like her comments on this site. I got to see some of the artwork her and her husband made pre promoter years, and where it all happens - her office where she keeps Artfairinsiders going. Funny enough, it is much like my computer desk - busy, but I think she as less papers on it than I. :-) We didn't have much time to visit, but did get to grab a bite to eat at a local bar and grill in town that was on the river... This leads me to the "Tequila Report" of the visit.
Nels, if you are reading this two things - I didn't get to have Tequila - sorry. And #2 Connie has the photo of my visit with her. Connie if you are reading this, could you upload your photo of the visit???
The dinner report and dirt. I have to say dinner was really good - the best gourmet chicken fingers and BBQ sauce. My husband and an amazing buffalo burger and Connie - what appeared to be delicious country style fried chicken. The dirt was all about the website, talking about art fairs, sharing our stories of how we get into the business, and what our plans are in the future. I loved talking about our connections over promoting fairs, how they are different and ways we can embrace new ways to promote events to get more customers - mostly what works, plus the issue of people who refuse to have a website as well as their angst against about promoting their own work (possibly just not knowing how to do so). If anyone could take anything away from this is the creation of this website - artfairinsiders.com . What I learned is Connie never really wanted to do anything like this networking site - the fear of managing let alone how to do it was the biggest obstacle. But her son, Scott Fox, dragged her kicking and screaming. This is hard to imagine now that I have met Connie. :-) His books, advice and everything else allowed her to do everything necessary to get this site up and running with more than 3000 craft artists and others in the business. Can you imagine your life not having the knowledge you gained through this site? How different would your life be now if you haven't connected with friends and colleagues through this site? What Connie has accomplished - with this site alone - really deserves a round of applause. I hope you all get a chance to meet Connie, listen to what she has to say, and let her know from time to time how this site has enriched your life (art or not) and feel free to let her know what you think of the site including things you would like to see if you don't see it now.
Connie's site has given me an outlet to connect with so many awesome people, give us a place to b.s. (not buy/sell) and through her kindness allowed me to post the 40 Question Craft Artist blog series. Something I haven't been able to do with any other website or through meeting people in person when doing shows. For this, I just had to, in person, thank her for doing what she has done, and am so happy I did. She is even better to chat with in person!
Connie - do you have anything to add??? Has anyone else met Connie - and want to do a "Connie Report" I want to hear it!
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Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100