Happy New Year to all! May 2011 bring us all record sales, vehicles tha never break down, plush hotels that are dirt-cheap, etc. etc.
Can anyone tell me anything about Crafts at Rhinebeck? I haven't seen a ranking on it anywhere and all I know is what I've read on-line. It sounds pretty nice but I'd like to know a little more than that before proceeding. Any and all information would be much appreciated.
In closing I'd like to throw in a word for a couple of people whose names we see regularilly. Obviously, Connie is the heart of all this and I think she does a great job. It seems like an awfully lot of work. And Larry Berman who has always been willing to share his knowledge and experience and he seems to have a pretty vast amount of both. Of course there are many others but these two stand out. People like these make things easier for everyone - especially those who are relatively new.
Comments
Well this is disappointing...and their website is presently down. I had also heard that in earlier years this was a good show.
Hi Don,
I already commented on this show , once again I will say the fairground is just beautiful easy set up,
thats where it ends, I am speaking of the fall show,as Ann mentioned there is some very high end work
by 2008 the buy/sell became a bit overwhelming for me, as the ecomomy dropped so did the more well to do customer, so instead of driving 5 hours to Rhinebeck I now drive 12 to exhibit in ST James Ct..I do hear that Armonk a week before Rhinebeck is still a good one...good luck
Lanni
Ann,
Thanks for your commenets. I'll have to say, you sort of threw cold water on Rhinebeck! But, it is what it is! Maybe we'll hear from some other people and learn what their observations were. Thanks again.
Don
Hi. Crafts at Rhineback sounds a lot better than it is. About 15 or 20 years ago, and maybe before that since it's been going for a long time, I think it was pretty good. Back then there was little competition in the NE from other shows which are now attracting the better artists. I did it five or six years ago and didn't listen to my promise never to do it again. I did it two years ago and did not sell one thing. Zero. That's never happened to me.
The people across from me were selling well, they were from West Va. (I think) and made country type furniture and accessories - very country and, I don't know how they could make a profit for the prices they charged. Chairs for $35 and chests for $75. Anything country, cutsie or inexpensive seemed to be where the people gathered. Even my "country furniture" neighbors said they've done better at other shows.
The better craft artists with higher end more sophisticated work (and I'll even take myself out of the equation) weren't selling. There were many who did original beautiful work and I couldn't imagine people not even looking at what they made. This group mainly socialized at the show because no one was looking at our work so it was easy to walk and talk. The show attracted a decent size but not large crowd.
I was bored and miserable. I emphasize: hardly anyone even looked and this was typical for -- I'd guess -- over half or more of the exhibitors there. There are shows in the Northeast such as Artrider, Paradise City Arts, and some smaller juried shows that seem to attract the buyers who collect and plan to spend money.
I make contemporary and ethnic gourd masks (www.annlight.com) haven't updated my site in a while - that's my New Years Resolution. My masks sell for $150 - $550 but I also make primitive figures (dolls which I call pod heads) which sell between $75 and $125 and even these didn't sell which is highly unusual for any type of show for me.
This was my experience - I'd be curious to hear what others say. Ann