This week I traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan for the Garage Sale Art Fair put on by Bonnie Blanford and Michael Kifer. I have attended this show several times in the past but this was the best one yet.
The place was packed. There were lots and lots of shoppers. There were 138 juried artists with amazing art work. Most of the artists had art work that they wanted to sell off before the spring shows start. They were cleaning out their inventory. However, the art all looked like it was in great condition. There were deals there to be had and the shoppers were in a buying frenzy.
I tried to talk with a few of the artists but they were kept pretty busy by shoppers. I don't recall any artist just sitting there without several shoppers in their booth. I even heard some shoppers talking about the fact that it was hard to just leisurely stroll into the booths because they were so full of shoppers. Many of the artists could barely bag up the sales fast enough to get to the next shopper. What a problem, eh?
We arrived early to the show. I think we got there about half an hour after the place opened. There were lines already to pay to get into the building. It cost $5 to get in and that didn't seem to bother anyone trying to get in to this show. This show has a great reputation in the Kalamazoo area for good deals and this show has a great following of loyal customers.
There are lots of people helping to make sure this show runs off well. There were workers helping in the coat check room, at the door when you arrive, in the lobby, and inside the show area selling bags to carry to shoppers to carry their purchases in. Event staff was everywhere.
People were allowed to check their purchases at the coat check room so that they didn't have to lug early purchases around with them all day.
Shoppers could also enter a raffle to win money to spend at the show. Every so often they drew someone's name and the prize was $19 because it was the 19th anniversary of this show. That is always a hit with the crowd.This show goes til 4 pm. I saw at least one artists had completely sold out by about 1:30 and he was packed up and gone. Yeah, it was the yard sculpture guy and everybody seemed to be walking around with a piece of his stuff.
But, by 2 pm you could really tell that the shopping frenzy was settling down. By 2 pm there were also some artists that were offering a little bit better deal to entice those final sales before it was time to pack up and leave.
There were some AFI artists there, too. Barry Bernstein was there but he was too busy to talk to. I saw Vinnie Sutherland walk by. Vinnie has been to this show before. Gayle Weiss finally got in this year after being wait listed. She had some gorgeous jewelry that she rarely marks down so shoppers were getting a deal.
Connie also found Steven Huyser-Honig at the show.
Sometimes I lost track of Connie because she
was always busy checking in with artists. She still managed to score some great deals as she made her way through the booths.
If you keep your eyes open you can find a few things you would never expect to see at an Art Fair. This year's crazy find was a microwave someone was trying to get rid of.
The best deal for me for the day was I finally got to meet Photographer Jim Parker. I have read his posts through the years and it was nice to meet him in person and his lovely wife. Jim gave Connie and I each a photo! Connie got a gallery wrap of Jim's famous "Dune Girl" and I got a framed "Dune Girl." Jim has great work and I enjoyed looking at his display as did many other customers who kept Jim busy all day.
This is a great show to clean out your old stock. The shoppers are hungry and they were making multiple purchases. This would be a great show to kick off the start of a new show season to make room for new stock. Bonnie Blanford and Michael Kifer did a great job with this event as they have also done in past years.
(Disclaimer) These photos seemed a lot sharper on my phone.
Comments
Yes, Jacki did a good job on this. I was surprised at the photos of me, but she is better with a camera than I am. Bonnie, Jacki B. has worked for Norm and I for nearly 20 years and now she is my great friend and admin on several of my websites. I'd be out of business without her AND she still loves to go to art fairs.
Your use of FB was genius in your promotion.
Wow - thanks so much Jacki Bilsborrow! What a great review and I really appreciate hearing someone else's take on the show. We did have record crowds this year which were I'm sure helped by the best winter weather we've ever had for the show and our killer use of Facebook. I dearly love this show, it's a true labor of love but the best part is when "my" artists make money and have some fun as well. February 27, 2016 is coming up quickly! Get it on your calendar!!! And I was blessed to come home with a James Parker myself which I LOVE!!!
Oh, too bad, Jacki...did everyone enjoy themselves though? Sometimes the crowds can be overwhelming. I'm thinking that Jim should call that photo "Lorna Dune", whadd'ya think?
Jim Parker's Dune Girl looks much more vibrant in person. The colors are very nice.
Yes, I heard they did. I missed the Monday afterwards so I missed the show and tell they had.
Great feedback everyone! Thanks for the blog, Jacki, sounds like you had a blast...wish I could have made the trip, maybe next year...did the Knitwits buy stuff?
I forgot to mention that my newest niece, Kim Ritsema Mettler, reported on FB that she had her best sales day ever at the Garage Sale Art Fair. Go, Kim!
It looks like Karyn from a distance!!
No, it isn't Karyn. It's some anonymous model at Great Sand Dunes. I piggybacked onto someone else's shoot with a very long lens.
Nice photo, Jim. Is that Karyn? It isn't like the model is naked.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next