I mean't to add this a long time ago. I've been so busy with other things that had to be done first. I thought some of you might be interested in this show. It is held every February in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is a one day show. February is a great time for something like this because people are tired of being stuck in the house and they are ready to do some shopping.
The place was packed.
The Garage Sale Art Fair is a place to sell off old stock, slightly damaged stock, or any artwork that you don't mind selling at a discount. I wanted to add it here so some of you could decide if this would be something you might be interested in for next year.
Connie knows everybody!
The place was packed with shoppers. I wanted to take some photos of the booths without people so you could see the set up but it was hard because there were lots of shoppers. And they were there to shop! When we arrived at about 10 am there was a line of people waiting to get in to the place.
Vinnie chatting with Connie.
The artists came from all over and they had nice things to sell. There was a good variety, too. The show didn't seem heavy in any one medium. As I walked around, I asked some of the artists (when I could get one not busy with a customer) how things were going. I got good responses.
They were buying, too
This is a show put on by Bonnie Blandford. She has lots of people there working to keep the show running smoothly. Those workers were visible, too. If you needed to talk to one because of a problem you could get to one within minutes. There are drawings for cash giveaways every hour. They also announce periodic mark downs or half hour specials. All of this extra excitement keeps the shoppers there and ready to buy.
We did see several AFI members taking advantage of the eager shoppers. To name a few, there was Vinnie Sutherland, Ginny Herzog, Beth Keenan, Steven Huyser-Honig, Stan Baker (who was making a killing again this year).Who do you think would have a phone like this?
I've added a few photos. Sorry about the poor quality. I used my cheap little Nikon because I didn't want to carry around the good camera that is heavier.
Comments
Great review Jacki - I wanted to be there even just as a looker to experience it :)
Good review, Jacki. It was lots of fun to attend and see all the old friends and members from this site. I have a video coming soon... like you, running way behind.
Good job, Bonnie & Michael. See you there next year.
Bonnie, sorry about leaving Michael's name off. I knew you put the show on and I did see his name on the website. I was just afraid if I included his name I might be giving someone half the credit that they maybe shouldn't be getting.
So, I stand corrected. Michael Kifer is also responsible for helping to produce the Garage Sale Art Fair.
Thanks so much for the great review of our show! I need to make sure that Michael Kifer gets credit too since he's my partner in the show and I don't want him grumpy about it...
As far as snowstorms, Michigan is known for them but the great news is that our best crowds come out on the worst days! Makes no sense but the weather hasn't affected the show other than making it tougher for some of our artists to get there.
The applications will be on ZAPP within the next month for the 2013 show (always the last Saturday in February) - blatant advertising plug but what do you expect when 2 artists put on a show!
Thanks Jacki!
Hi Jacki, Thanks for the review of this show. I wondered about doing it this year too. I was itching to get out and do art stuff that time myself. Seems like it would be a great way to break up the long, quiet winter. Next year!
Janet, we started out with a ton of snow on the ground. I was a little bit worried at first. By the time we got up toward Battle Creek things were good.
I am not an artist. I have worked for an artist for about 11 years and now I work for Connie. This year we went to shop and to post a review.
The snows can be bad in kalamazoo. They seem to get a lot of lake effect snow. If you had someone to stay with as a back up that might help. You could plan to get there a day early or stay an extra day afterwards if they got a storm. This year we pretty much had almost no snow until the Garage Sale!!
There were artists for quite a ways away. If you can swing it I think it is a good show.
Jacki,
Thanks for the information about this show. It's one I've been considering for a few years, but I didn't know if it was worth the drive, hotel, etc.
Was this your first year at the show, or have you done it in the past? I've always wondered about the effect the weather had on this show. Seems to me a good snowstorm could wreak havoc on attendance for artists and customers alike, and that side of the state can really get blasted at times.