Well, this was my first "up north" show for the summer. Wasn't as good as other years, but I made enough to raise up the revenues in my anemic show bank account and pay bills.
Yeah, I sold a biggie for $375 instead of the normal $450. Will talk about it later.
On to the show report.
This is a long-running show, I have done it about eight times,with 200-plus exhibitors, mostly low-to middle range sales. They favor the tried and true, whimsy and of course "art on the stick."
New layout this year because of construction. Same crappy buy-sell show going on across the street from it. Lots of young people and young families, after all it is a college town--think Michigan State. Anything with a Spartan logo on it has a chance for a sale.
It is a Sat.-Sun. show, normal hours, done by 6pm, set up on Friday, easy to do.
A very well run show with good volunteer committee. They supply the sitters, water, an artist meal on Sat. nite. They respond to artist requests quite promptly. Can't say enough about them.
I have had a sudden health issue hit me out of the blue (will discuss in another blog, cause I need a helper to setup for Columbus). I called Wednsday, and they arranged a capable helper to set me up on Friday and tear down on Sunday. Thank you Cameron. Thank you Michelle, she runs the show.
Saturday seemed to be the best day for sales, the crowds came out early and bought. Not like in past years. But I saw many more packages going down the aisle than I have seen at most recent Florida shows. Temps hit mid-eighties with the heat pulsating off the concrete. People bought early. I set a modest goal for the show, about half of what I normally would do, and hit it on Sat. at 5pm. Good thing because Sunday saw temps go up to 90 degrees and it killed sales for most of us. I had a $185 Sunday.
About the "bug sale." This is a hoot. On one of my large framed pieces a fricking grey moth had wiggled down under the glass and wedged himself against the mat. He was dead. I figured fat chance of selling that piece until I got the bug out and cleaned/replaced the mat.
So the piece hung with my biz card strategically placed over the bug. It is a dazzling tropical image of the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke, BVI with beautiful blue waters and a guy laying in a hammock with a rum drink in hand.
So a guy walks into my booth around 4:30 and goes right to the piece. Doesn't want any other one, just that one. So the moment of truth arrives. I remove the biz card and show him the bug. I explain that I really am not set up to remove it and clean it at the show. I was asking $450. So I say," I WILL GIVE YOU THE "BUG DISCOUNT". He says,"How much?" I said, "I will give you $50 off." He says, " I was thinking more like paying $325." Hmmm. must be an expensive bug. I countered with $375 and he took it away, bug and all. Made my day.
At artist supper that night, the consensus was that if you did $1200-$1600 that day, you did good. Right where I was.
It was mostly small prints and packages and low end sculptural metal objects going by that day. There was buying energy.
Sunday was beastly hot and sales sucked for most of us.
This is a fine little mid-range show to do. Don't be traveling from far away to do it. Friendly town, lots of good eating options. I just would not want to do shows like this all the time.
Two weeks from now is Columbus. Long hours, three days plus setup--God knows what we will get for weather. It is usually a money-maker for me, so it will be a real "tell" as how the summer is going to fare in the midwest.
I got a serious health issue, came on me out of the blue. Severe shortage of breath. Gonna need help in setting up and tearing down for Columbus. I will address it in another blog--along with contact info. Take care out there. Aloha, Nels.
Comments
Nels, Michigan can be very hard on people with any type of breathing problem. Down near Branch County (bottom of the state) where we live is supposed to be the worse area in the country for allergies and asthma. I hope that that is what is bothering you and you will be fine out of our state. Get well.
Thanks for the review Nels - sorry to hear about your health problems and I'm glad you were able to get some help with set up for this show.
Thanks for the great review. Hope u feel better!!!
Hi Nels, I'm sorry to hear about your health issues. I was at ELAF and for me, coming from only smaller shows it was great. I wrote a review about it as well. I think the reasons for my good sales may be what you touched on; young families and mid-price ranged work. I didn't see much high end work selling around me, but still saw lots of sales. Also, uniqueness. Not too pricey, and unique.
Hi, you are right about everything you said about this show, It would have been a good show for me if I was coming from next door, but hiking from Delaware created expenses that made it just ok. Saturday was the better day and I tapped out on Sunday with a mere $295 total sales. Didnt sell any large framed piece. Only here did I see buyers take up my art, look at it twice or sometimes three times, put it to the side, sort through some more, come back to the selected piece, pick it up, (at this point I am reaching for my nurit) carefully put it back in the bin and thank me with " your work is lovely" and walk away. I did make expenses but having been spoilt with jazzfest and silver spring I guess I was just expecting more. If you live close by this is a good show to consider but for the far travellers I would be hesitant.
Harrison. Oh...I did meet Connie and it was a pleasant chat span.