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Craft Show Advice for the First-Time Seller

Posted by Christopher Alexander on February 23, 2016 at 4:00pm

Craft Show Advice for the First-Time Seller
(sponsored post)

Author: Chris Alexander

Congratulations! You’re on your way to your very first craft show! Once there, you’ll be meeting people who will like and potentially help you endorse your products. However, you might be a little nervous about what to expect or what to bring with you. You should not worry too much because selling your crafts should be an easy and fun experience. Here are some tips to ensure that your first show is less about stress and more about success.

Check on the registration date for the show. See how far ahead you can register for a booth, as some shows are more popular than others and may fill up quickly. Contact the show producers to learn the details on when and how to register. Confirm if you need to provide proof of insurance to register. Also, keep copies of all registration paperwork and correspondence. When registering, provide photos of your crafts to show producers.

Ask about booth fees. Booth fees are usually based on show quality, so if you’re unsure about what the fee may be, look at the quality of the vendors who are attending the show. Also, how much it’s advertised and the anticipated attendance for the show. For a higher audience, such as 50,000 people, a booth fee of $1,000 would be appropriate. However, if the show only typically attracts 500 people, the booth fee should be fairly low.

Make a list of everything you need to bring with you. Supplies should include a booth itself (if one is not already provided for you), decorations, office supplies (pens, pencils, a stapler, business cards, tape, scissors, surge protector and extension cord), a tool box and your products. Making a list ahead of time will help to keep you organized and focused. Use the Lindbergh Craft Show Checklist to get you started. Lindbergh-Craft-Show-Checklist.pdf

Do a dry run. Set up your booth or at least a space the size of your booth before you go to the craft show to get an idea of how you want to display your crafts. Your preparedness will show when you present your booth and wares in an eye-catching and inviting manner.

Follow the rules. Be on time to set up your booth; do not set up too late or leave too early. Besides missing early or late sales, the show rules may require that you’re set up for a certain amount of time. Make sure your booth is set up properly and that you are dressed appropriately for the show. Take responsibility to review the craft show rules before you arrive and even bring a copy of the rules with you.

Engage with show attendees. When the show starts attendees start to mill about, smile to show that you are welcoming and willing to talk to them. Be friendly but not overbearing, and offer to provide customers with information on the products you’re selling. Also, just a simple acknowledgement, such as “good morning!” or “good afternoon!” will at the very least turn the head of passersby.

Reciprocate contact information. When someone asks for your contact information, ask if they’d be willing to share theirs as well, and add them to a mailing list where you can notify them of new products or future shows where you’ll be exhibiting. This will help build your clientele as well as increase the possibility that they may refer you to others that might be interested in your crafts.

Most importantly, show you love what you do. Showing your enthusiasm for displaying and selling your crafts should be apparent and natural. Introduce yourself to other sellers to network and exchange ideas – you may even make a friend or two!

Follow these tips and your first craft show experience is bound to be less nerve wracking and more fun-filled and exciting - and you’ll be that much more ready for the ones to come as well!

Learn more about why you may need a proof of insurance to sell your wares at a show.

Sources:

http://aeolidia.com/trade-show-tips/

http://www.craftsreport.com/beginning-business/236-doing-craft-shows-simple-tips-to-make-your-experience-successful.html

The Fall Craft Season Local Wrap-Up

Posted by Mark V. Turner on December 29, 2013 at 1:27pm

As some of you know, I have a fine art painting habit which takes me to up to 20 events per year. As we all know, art shows are rediculously expensive when you note the entry fees, entry preparation costs, travel expenses, booth fees, sales tax collection and income tax filing requirements.. Since I sell nothing but originals, getting to the point of my work being self supporting has not yet arrived despite my years of doing summ outdoor events..So when my nearly full-time part-time day job evaporated when it became inconvenient for my former employer to allow me to have the time to do summer art shows on the weekends, I had to come up with some sort of an income stream to replace the money I was making at Home Depot (they treat and pay their average employee like a roman galley slave and most of their products come from the people's republic...buy from the other guys)....So I started to make and sell scented soy jar candles. I make an all-soy candle with no dyes or other additives and I put it in a very plain package. They have been well-received. I do several events with the candles where my wife works the candle booth and I work the art booth. The promoters for these events are very accommodating and will often place us side by side. These events are usually in the early spring and early fall. Then I do a crazy 12-15 weekend season where my wife and I are doing 1-3 events per weekend. This runs until the 2nd or at best 3rd weekend in December. Then it's sleepy time/art show applications until spring.The fall craft show season is a whole bunch of one day events for the most part which have table fees of less than $100. Many are churches, synogogues, and high schools. Average attendance is under 5000 people But, I think I had a great fall season thanks to all my repeat customers, phone orders and wholesale orders...if any of you are out there reading this, Thank You! I am sure that I made more in 15 weekends than I did doing art shows all summer.. Especially if you look at net profits after expenses... No overnight travel, lower mileages, lower cost of goods....Along the way, I noted some things:1) the local craft show scene is awash in wearables. I see a some of the 'jewelers' that I see on the summer show circuit plus the next crop of summer show 'jewelers' at these events. I also see a lot of folks trying their hands at women's wearables. The jeweler all complain that there are too many jewelers at the events. I ask them, well, what are you going to make to sell which will get you out of the over-supplied category. They all expect the other folks to get out off the business for them so they will be one of the few survivors. Makes sense to me....2) Buy/sell is officially prohibited at most events, but the events are awash in it. I did an event in Delaware which has a lot of documentation requirements to participate, including submission of raw material receipts, workshop images, paperwork, restrictive contract..... So I get there and someone has bought a 10 space suite of booths and is vending a total obvious buy/sell paradise. Then I look around and see multiple 3-4 booth 'suites' which are more of the same...The promoter is surprised when I complain and later asks how to spot it..... It's a good event for me and it's her first year doing this event as chair, so we do a little touristing and chat. Hopefully, she brings the hammer with her next fall and does a 'Carrie Nation' on these folks before ejecting them. There was no stomach for it this year.3) times must be getting harder for the promoters. More and more of them are allowing 'consultants' and 'vendors' into their events to fill the available spots. There are no end of these folks...cosmetics, candles, jewelry, fashion, and food.... the number of franchisees and consultants is increasing...again, the focus is on the female customers who make up the bulk of the attendees who buy anything. One promoter simply announced that it was too hard/too much trouble to screen out buy/sell, so they were no longer trying..As long as I am making a profit, I will keep doing these events, but there will soon either be a reckoning in the wearables division, or one group will fade, with another eager group to take their place (more likely). The promoters would be hard pressed to fill their events with original craft if all the jewelers and wearables makers dropped out..

Call for Artists: Smoky Hill River Festival - June 10-12

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 30, 2011 at 3:30pm

                              Salina, Kansas

The #1 shows in Kansas celebrate 35 years in a well established tradition of excellence! Every year for the past thirty-five years, the dynamic cultural life of Salina has been celebrated at the Smoky Hill River Festival, an event that honors the river and echoes the arts ecology of our community. The Festival is the magnet that draws people together to commemorate this place - through art, artistry and artists - and through the joy of marking time with one another.

Salina is a "small city" with "big city" amenities...where recognition at national levels is a frequent occurrence within its remarkable array of cultural organizations and offerings ...where art and culture are a $23 million industry annually. The City of Salina is proud to have been awarded the 2009 Governor's Arts Award for Outstanding Arts Community!

We present two events seeking your application:
    •    June 10-12 - Four Rivers Craft Show
    •    June 11 & 12 - Fine Art Show

Sponsored by the Salina Arts & Humanities, the shows are highly acclaimed by artists for its incredible organization, quality of exhibition, artist hospitality, promotion, and community support. They are recognized by many publications including ArtFair SourceBook, The Crafts Report and Sunshine Artist with extensive marketing statewide and beyond.

The laid-back, carefree spirit of early summer mixed with a river of art and creativity makes the Smoky Hill River Festival one of region's most prized events. A thriving Art Patron Program contributes over $120,000 in sales to artists coupled with extensive marketing statewide and beyond. Over 70,000 attendees enjoy the artistic excellence and outstanding hospitality which define the Smoky Hill River Festival...one of the top festivals in the Central United States and Kansas' finest!

Call for Artists: Four Rivers Craft Show

June 10-12
Salina, Kansas
50 exhibitors
Deadline: February 28

We welcome your application to the 35th Four Rivers Craft Show and your participation in a most incredible celebration in a very uncommon place!

This three day event features innovative and original handmade works in a distinctive combination of folk art, traditional, and contemporary craft.

All work must be of original design executed by the accepted craftpersons. Only craftpersons displaying their own work may participate. Work created in production studios is not eligible. Each craftperson is encouraged to display work reflecting a range of price points. All selected exhibitors will show in a mixed-media craft venue.

More info: www.riverfestival.com             Apply today: www.zapplication.org

                                    ****************************************

Call for Artists: Fine Art Show

June 11 & 12
Salina, Kansas
90 artists
Deadline: February 28

Categories accepted: Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Leather, 2-D Mixed Media, 3-D Mixed Media, Painting, Paper, Photography, Sculpture, Wood, Graphics/Printmaking, Digital, or Drawing/Pastels.

Artists may apply to the Fine Art Show in one of two ways:

    •    submitting through the Zapplication system,
          www.zapplication.org
    •    submitting digital jpg images directly to our
          office on disc with application form,
www.riverfestival.com

Questions? Karla Prickett: karla.prickett@salina.org

The Smoky Hill River Festival is that rare event that has grown its 35-year reputation as a phenomenal arts presentation while maintaining a "personal touch" and the most hospitable and enjoyable atmosphere imaginable!   It truly is an extraordinary arts "experience" that brings artists and patrons back again and again!

Venice Nokomis Rotary A&C Show: Jan. 15-16, 2011

Posted by Geoff Coe on January 17, 2011 at 1:00pm

The smiling, well-dressed lady in the bright blue bib strode into my booth, extended her hand, and said: "Hi, I'm Sharon. I'm a Rotarian. How can I serve you today?"

A Dr. Seuss couplet begins to spring to mind, but never mind that: Let's talk about this long-running show, held at the Venice Municipal Airport about 2 hours north of the Bonita Springs show.

This local event with the hometown-y feel has been running for years, and deserves to. Venice is a long-established town along Florida's Gulf coast, about a half-hour south of Sarasota. It's well known for its casual charm, beautiful beach, relaxed atmosphere, and an established working art community. The Rotarians take over the outskirts of this active airport, just off the easternmost runway, and bring in artists, crafters, a rock band or two, an antique car show, and a smattering of food vendors to make a nice weekend for the show's dedicated followers. Sharon the Rotarian was just one of the group's members who devote months and months of planning, and they do a fine job.

Logistics are a snap: You can check in on Friday, park right behind your booth location, and set up from there...a no-dolly weekend, nice!

And yet, there are challenges. The crowd is unfailingly friendly, but it is an older one, much like the Rotarian membership itself, and not buying as much art as it did in the past. I overheard the show director commenting that although the show is juried, nearly everyone who applied got in because the number of applications has been declining. Accordingly, there was lots of low-end craft, bead-kit jewelry and other buy-sell, and "art on a stick".

Although quality, sales and crowd size aren't by any stretch in a league with Barry Witt's Bonita behemoth, you can have a decent weekend here at minimal cost: Booth fee is about $235, and if you have a camper or RV you can stay overnight right behind your booth (though I commuted from my home in S. Fort Myers). There's a decent artist dinner on Saturday night with free beer and wine, breakfast both mornings, booth sitting by the likes of Sharon the Rotarian on request, and a crowd that enjoys and buys. The Rotarians even grant awards in multiple categories (first place is $250), plus a best in show ($500).

I made about 5x my booth fee plus the blue ribbon for photography, against expenses that were otherwise limited to a tankful of gas and a couple of bucks for the coffee vendor. Not a bad way to spend a weekend if you weren't in Bonita.

This would be an EXCELLENT show for a less-experienced artist/crafter to "get their feet wet," with lots of experienced veterans around to learn from.

And if you're one of the artists who complain that there's a dearth of community-run shows that love what they're doing and care about the artists, put this one on your list for 2012. The Rotarians work hard to serve up a slice of the "good old days," and they deserve our support.

Call for Artists: Holiday Arts & Crafts Ensemble

Posted by Connie Mettler on August 29, 2010 at 7:29pm

Saturday
November 20
Canton, Michigan
Plymouth High School
8400 Beck Rd.
9 am to 4 pm
Deadline: when full

Sponsored by the Plymouth-Canton Music Boosters,
a 501c3 organization
125 exhibitors

Canton is in the metro Detroit area, right here.

Several years ago, with funds from the school district drying up that supported a nationally recognized band program, the parents rallied and started fund raising so their children could continue to be enriched by participation in the music program. Their drive to provide an excellent music program for their children is illustrated in their similar efforts to provide a quality craft show.

The juried arts and crafts event is held annually to support the music/band programs at the Plymouth Canton Educational Park. A bake sale, raffle, concessions, and entertainment will also be available. All funds raised go to the band programs at all three Plymouth-Canton High Schools, including the nationally-acclaimed Plymouth-Canton Marching Band that ranked 7th in the Nation in 2007.

What does this mean for you?

a small quality event
low booth fees
easy in and out in one day
solid support by the community
resulting in a day well spent by you

Does this sound like what you are looking for? Visit their website:

http://www.pcmb.net/artcraft/

Call for Artists: Key West Craft Show

Posted by Connie Mettler on August 7, 2010 at 1:00pm

January 29-30, 2011
Historic Old Town -
Key West, Florida
Application Deadline - September 1, 2010
100 artist booths

The Key West Art Center, a non-profit community art center, sponsors the show that highlights 100 artist exhibitors. Locals and tourists alike flock to the Old Towne to see what's new each year and to see old favorites.

Cruise boats dock just blocks from the show and passengers are dropped onto the street a block from where the canopies line the beautiful tree lined streets. Running parallel one block from famous Duval Street and its famous bars and restaurants, is an added bonus.

In its 26th year now the show has grown and changed from the local funky street bazaar to a wonderfully eclectic mix of skilled and fine craft. Like Key West itself, this show has a wonderful mix of styles and traditions and the locals and tourists alike find their favorites. January's warm tropical breezes bring tourists of all kinds to our tiny island city and many of them plan their trip around the Key West Craft Show.

The 100 juried artists set up on Whitehead and Caroline Art Fair Calendar.com

Streets in the historic district and through the famous Presidential Gates into the private residential community known as Truman Annex. This compact arrangement makes it easy for visitors to walk the entire show.

This show is run by artists for artists, and strives to bring all the right things together for everyone to have a great show. Advertising is done throughout the Keys and South Florida with support from the Florida Keys Tourist Development Grant and the Key West Art Center.

Applications available at Key West Art Center

Please feel free to call for more information. We are Key West...... we are happy to answer all your questions and hope you come visit!

Lois Songer - Director
KWArtCtr@earthlink.net
305-294-1243

Call for Artists: NUMA Arts & Culture Event

Posted by Connie Mettler on May 31, 2010 at 11:00am

Saturday
September 18
Westfield, Indiana
Deadline: July 30

You are invited to apply to be one of 35 juried artists at the third annual NUMA Arts & Cultural Event in downtown Westfield, IN.

Why take a chance on an upstart art & cultural event? For indy art's sake!

Westfield has an independent streak-independent art, that is. Our showcase of independent artists began three years ago as a volunteer-driven, juried arts event. NUMA is now one of Westfield's most widely anticipated Saturday's of the year.
Art Fair Calendar.com

Located at North Union and Penn Streets, near Westfield City Hall, some 35 juried artists will participate this year, alongside eclectic musical guests, performance artists, children's activities and upscale food and beverage vendors.

Our aim is to differentiate ourselves as we grow from Indiana's newest city into a community of culturally aware patrons of the arts-indy art. We want indy artists like you to feel at home in Westfield and find the consumer support you need to keep producing spectacular work for years to come! And it all starts with NUMA.

Art Fair Calendar.com

What do you say?
Take a chance on us and be a part of expanding independent art's customer base in northern Hamilton County. Located 15 miles north of Indianapolis in one of the nation's fastest growing counties, Westfield is Indiana's newest city.

Juried artists:

UMA exhibit space is economically priced from $100 for a 10 'x 10' to group/gallery 10' x 20' spaces for $175. Jury fees are $25 per artist. Reserve a Plein Aire/demo only space for $25.

Learn more and download the application: www.dwna.org/events
or email: numaartists@gmail.com

Call for Entries: 2 Shows - Westfield Armory, Westfield, NJ

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 4, 2009 at 11:53am

Top Ten Reasons to Apply to Rose Squared Productions, Inc.'s, Fine Art and Crafts at the Westfield Armory in Westfield, New Jersey · Twenty-eight years of experience promoting Fine Art and Craft shows in New Jersey · A first class mailing list of 30,000+ past patrons · A sterling reputation among exhibitors for being an "exhibitor's promoter" · Reasonable booth fees · A strong advertising campaign including direct mailing, cable television, newspapers and billboards · Unlimited publicity postcards and complimentary passes for your customers · Affluent demographics: median household income of $120,000 · A firm commitment to quality crafts rejecting imports, manufactured work and representatives · Carpeted aisles and a fully draped facility with an all day set-up Friday and early Saturday morning · A reputation with the public for presenting quality fine art and craft shows About this new event: The Westfield Armory is in an affluent area very near New York City. In prior years it hosted a well-attended contemporary craft show. Beginning this Spring Rose Squared Productions will be presenting a new event in this well-frequented venue. This is worth investigating!

Visit www.rosesquared.com to learn more about Rose Squared Productions, Inc., and download the applications for the Armory shows in April and November and their other four shows in Montclair and Verona, NJ. ***************************************** Looking for more art fairs for your 2010 season? Visit www.ArtFairCalendar.com/callforentries

Call for Entries: St. Nick's Warehouse

Posted by Connie Mettler on August 26, 2009 at 10:07pm

November 28 & 29 Sterling Heights, MI 30th Annual St. Nick's Warehouse Arts & Crafts Show Henry Ford II High School 250 Exhibitors New Deadline: September 1 Where is Sterling Heights, MI, and Henry Ford II High School? You just know it has to be the Detroit area which abounds with buildings named for one Ford or another, right? Click here. During the holidays there is a plethora of arts and crafts shows which pop up around the country in the local schools. In Michigan they have reached a zenith and are eagerly awaited by the shoppers. St. Nick's Warehouse is presented by the Boosters Club and aggressively promoted and smoothly run by them. They know how to run an event and they know how to bring in shoppers. My background is fine art fairs, but in recent years I have attended a few of these holiday markets. Here is what I found: --dedicated buyers waiting at the doors with lists in hand --craftspeople with unique, one-of-a-kind goods --Police directing traffic!! because of the crowd --shuttle buses running from nearby parking lots bringing shoppers --well-run events --affordable booth fees The Henry Ford II Boosters Club take great pride in their school and are well known for this event. Visit their website for more details, contact info and to download an application.

Call for Entries: 45th Annual Kenosha Art Fair

Posted by Connie Mettler on May 23, 2009 at 10:56pm

Sunday July 19th Kenosha, Wisconsin Kenosha Friends of the Public Museums Art Fair 10 AM - 5 PM 200 Exhibitors Late Deadline: June 10 (late fee $25) Does the city of Kenosha, WI, have a place in your art fair future? Located between Chicago and Milwaukee on Lake Michigan, Kenosha lures city people to this verdant community on this summer weekend. One day art fairs are great. Visitors await them all year and know that the buying is "now or never." Art fairs associated with a cultural institution bring the audience you are looking for. This is a beautiful park setting with up to 10,000 people in attendance. It is one of the most popular art fairs in the area with cash prizes of $1250.00. The art fair is the Friends of the Kenosha Public Museums largest fundraiser of the year. Artists return year after year due to its popular appeal. What's not to like? * one day - you will be in and out * beautiful time of year for weather * spacious booth spaces: 10 x 16 * great booth fee: $100 There is also fun for the whole family with a children's activity area and great local food. For more information about the Public Museum and the art fair and to download an application visit: www.kenosha.org/museum

Why are Some Artists More Successful than Others?

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 27, 2009 at 8:00pm

Could it be because they have business/life partners who devote themselves to the success of the artist? Yes!! This month's issue of the Crafts Report explores the role of the "non-artist's" role in an artist's business life discussing this often unsung person's contributions to the business. As an artist's partner myself this is not an eye-opening expose, but it is great to receive some recognition. As art director of Arts, Beats & Eats we have a revolving award, The Golden Dolly, that is awarded each year (with an award check!) to the best artist's partner. The first recipient was Richard Nash, hauling the work of Jeanne Nash around the country. Year two it went to Michael Strailey (an Art Fair Insider) who is still setting up Nancy's booth innumerable times each season. Other awardees: Carole Weber (spouse of Michale Weber), Judy Lederer (spouse of Ron Lederer), Sam Kuznets (spouse of Svetlana), etc. Many thanks to these great people. Enjoy the article at this link: http://www.craftsreport-digital.com/craftsreport/200903/?pg=36 Read the article and then get back to this and let us hear what you think.

Emergency Funds Available for Artisans who suffered damage during the ice storm

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 10, 2009 at 7:07pm

Greetings from CERF. This message is going out to arts organizations and businesses in the regions of Arkansas and Kentucky affected by the recent ice storm. We hope you and your loved ones have been able to avoid loss from the storm and we wish those who have suffered loss a quick recovery. CERF would like to make sure that any professional craft artist who may have been seriously affected by the storm is aware of the disaster relief assistance available from CERF. If you know of craft artists in the areas hardest hit by the storm, or plan to correspond with your artist constituents in the near future, please pass this information on. If there are organizations that directly work with artists in your community that you think we should know about, please send us their contact information. CERF's programs include: Grants up to $1,500; Loans up to $8,000; Booth fee waivers at craft shows;Discounts on materials and equipment from suppliers and manufacturers; Assistance with business development through referrals to consultants and other low or no-cost resources; Disaster forums to facilitate craft community disaster preparedness and recovery. For eligibility requirements and more detailed information, please click here or contact us at: Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) PO Box 838 Montpelier, VT 05601 ph: (802) 229-2306 fx: (802) 223-6484 les@craftemergency.org www.craftemergency.org Thank you for helping spread the word about CERF. Please contact me if you have questions. Best wishes, Les Les Snow Operations and Financial Services Manager Craft Emergency Relief Fund Thank you Don Crozier of StrandedGlass.com for this info.

Show of the Month: Philadelphia Craft Show

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 13, 2008 at 5:02pm

32nd Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Pennsylvania Convention Center Preview Party, November 12th November 13th through 16th This premier show and sale of contemporary craft, includes 195 of the finest and most dynamic craft artists in the United States, selected from 1,402 applicants. Artists from Israel will be featured. All work is for sale. furniture by Steven Uren The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show was founded in 1977, and was the first retail craft show established and organized by a volunteer committee for the benefit of a non-profit institution. This trailblazing Show has served as a prototype for later successful shows in cities such as Washington, DC, and Evanston, IL among others. Expect symposia, on-site artist demonstrations, collection and studio tours, room settings of craft furniture and accessories, and student exhibitions.

This is a beauty of a show. You will be inspired and in awe at the creativity exhibited. We are so fortunate to live in a country where this imaginative work is encouraged and rewarded. Some of ArtFairCalendar.com's favorite artists will be exhibiting, including furniture maker Steven Uren, woodworker Ray Jones, this month's featured artist Pamela Hill and recent MacArthur Grant winner basketmaker Mary Jackson. Today I had an email from the PR representative, Susan Shain, that reported, "The show opened to the public this morning and we were thrilled to see that the line to get in was one of the longest ever!" Learn more: pmacraftshow.com

Call for Entries: 47th Annual Art in the Park in Boulder, Nevada

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 24, 2009 at 7:28pm

October 3 & 4 405 Artists Deadline: April 15 Art in the Park is one of the largest outdoor juried art festivals in the Southwest and is the largest fundraiser for the Boulder City Hospital Foundation. The event is held over two days in beautiful Boulder City, Nevada, not far from Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the bright lights of Las Vegas. It is free to the public, and although Boulder City's population is just over 16,800, the event draws over 100,000 visitors. Under the new direction of Wendy Kyser, 2008 was the revamp revival year for the show, and the artists were thrilled! With new radio, television, newspaper and magazine partners, they were able to showcase the show in a BIG way! Artists now say that the show is the most organized show they participate in. They love how the show provides them with regular communication and listens to their ideas and concerns. Artist amenities include: ~4 beautiful grassy parks

~Extra-roomy booths, 10x15 or 10x30 ~Many corner spots available ~Curbside loading and unloading ~On-site "helpers" for unloading and loading ~Roving booth sitters and volunteers ~24 hour security ~Substantial marketing and media coverage ~Estimated 100,000-120,000 attendance ~Parking nearby and overnight parking allowed ~Best in Show and 1st - 3rd awards in three categories ~Friday night ArtEve VIP Preview Party ~Over 25 food, beverage and adult beverage choices ~Caring staff and volunteers What the artists say: "I can't speak for everyone, but I had an AWESOME show. First in a long time. Thanks so much for all your hard work. See ya next year." -- Stacey Morris "Thank you so much to you and your team in providing us with a super organized venue this year. It was great and our sales reflected it...thank you, thank you, thank you. The whole show was wonderful. -- Larry and Mary Kay Birum For more information visit www.artinthepark.org or contact Wendy Kyser at 702-293-0214 or wkyser@bouldercityhospital.org.

Call for Entries: Ohio Mart, Akron, OH

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 7, 2009 at 4:00pm

October 1-4 Akron, OH 120 Exhibitors Presented by the Hywet Hall & Gardens, a Historic House Museum and Country Estate An outdoor event held under large tents Deadline: March 10 Searching for a new venue that is accessible to a great number of shoppers hungry for creative, one of a kind, hand crafted items? Read below for a possible solution. Ohio Mart is held on the grounds of the country estate of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, OH, and is in its 43rd year of being the premier Arts and Crafts festival in the state of Ohio. The Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens location is in the heart of over 15,000 shoppers that come from Cleveland, Columbus and Pittsburgh. This is a destination event. Patrons come to find wonderful art work and spend the day on the lovely grounds--a perfect setting for bringing you the patrons who appreciate fine goods. This is a juried event, accepting only handmade original art and held on a date when there are few other venues available.

Benefits include: *Assistance the day of set-up and the evening of take-down *Booth sitters for breaks, morning coffee *Free accessible parking for vehicle *Booth space tented Where is the Stan Hywet Hall? Visit this link. For more information and to download an application visit: www.stanhywethallandgardens.org

Great Lakes Art Fair, April 17-19 - Part II

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 9, 2009 at 4:00pm

As you may have read in Part I of this series I have signed on as a consultant for this new (revamped) event to be held in Novi, MI, April 17-19. The goal: to bring some fun and excitement to an area of the country that has been depressed for some time. The idea is that many people still have good jobs and all of us need something exciting to look forward to. Michiganders have always loved art fairs, having cut their teeth attending the Ann Arbor fairs and the others in lovely settings around all the lake shores and in small towns. Many fine artists have set up their businesses nearby and continue to thrive even in a challenging atmosphere. So here's the latest news: The application is posted on zapplication.org, but inadvertently the Zapplication folks left the event off their newsletters and we really wanted to reach their audience. So the original deadline has been changed from January 26 to February 2. We are definitely jurying on February 6 and here is our jury panel:

Bonnie Blandford - Michigan jeweler, www.bblandford.com, specializing in mixed metals, veteran art fair juror who volunteers many hours in artist organizations, Michigan Guild and NAIA Tom Hale - Michigan painter, www.TomHaleGallery.com, whose automotive paintings are widely collected, Gold Medal of Honor award winner from the A.W.S. and organizer of automotive art events around the country

Chris Roberts-Antieau - Michigan fiber artist, www.chrisrobertsantieau.com, specializes in textile applique, poster artist Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, new book "Sew Far" featured in O, the Oprah magazine Lisa Konikow, former owner of Birmingham's Xochipilli Gallery and art director of Pontiac's Arts Beats & Eats Here's the rest of the news: *WDET the local public televison station and the NPR affilliate has signed on as a partner *talks going on with BMW as the luxury auto sponsor *a landscaper is almost signed to design the entry way to the event *a call for entries is going out for a small student art area to encourage emerging artists from the nearby colleges and universities *partnerships are in the works with the Detroit Institute of Arts, Cranbrook and others *the Friday night charity opening party is moving along, with talks going on with several organizations Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Stay tuned for more details... and in the meantime, apply to be part of this cool event: www.zapplication.org, and more find info at: www.greatlakesartfair.com

Call for Entries: Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 5, 2009 at 6:31pm

August 15 & 16 Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania 35th Annual Outdoor Art Show Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Chautauqua Under the oaks of old Chautauqua 285 artists Deadline: April 1 In mid-August as many as 18,000 festival-goers will plan on enjoying a weekend of art, crafts, entertainment and gourmet food. Where is Mt. Gretna, PA? Visit this link. Every year, during the third weekend of August, this community of some 700 homes and cottages suddenly springs to life, welcoming 285 artists chosen through juried competition and 20,000 visitors who-by their presence acknowledge the role that art plays in their homes, hearts, and lives.

And every year, as thousands of art show patrons return, many others discover Mount Gretna for the first time. For everyone who comes, it is a return to an earlier era: to a time when neighbors greeted neighbors from their front porches, when going for ice cream meant going for a stroll rather than getting into an automobile, and when life itself pulsed at a rocking chair pace. Learn more about the event at: www.mtgretnaarts.com Contact them at: mtgretnaart@comcast.net or 717-964-3270 Apply online at Zapplication.org

They Came, They Saw, They Shopped, They Bought!

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 2, 2009 at 3:37pm

Don't be sounding the death knell for art fairs in Michigan just yet.

Saturday morning I arrived at the Kalamazoo Country Fairgrounds for the Garage Sale Art Fair and to my amazement the parking lot was packed! I had to park in the last row. People were standing in line to enter and others were heading out of the building with armloads of packages. Money exchanged hands.

Inside it was a melee of people jostling others in the aisles and standing in line to buy pottery, photography, glass, paintings, etc, from one hundred + artists. What a happy sight.

My art fair shopping companion, Barb Burkhardt, and I came home with work from jeweler B.J. Jordan, pottery from Michael Kifer and Mike Taylor, a scarf from Dinah Morrison, fabulous glass from Earl James and there were two objects I wanted that others bought before I got back to buy them.

Yes, it is true, there are people in this region who do have jobs and will spend their money on art. Click your heels together and believe that! Turn off the news now and then and think good thoughts and meet me at the next art fair!

Congratulations to artists Bonnie Blandford and Michael Kifer who are responsible for putting the event together. Thanks, Bonnie! Put this art fair on your calendar for next year.

Call for Entries: Brookdale Park Spring Fine Arts & Craft Show

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 27, 2009 at 1:57pm

June 20 & 21 Montclair, New Jersey presented by Rose Squared Productions, Inc. 180 Exhibitors Deadline: as categories fill up In its 21st year, the Spring Fine Art & Crafts at Brookdale Park, will feature approximately 180 professional artists, photographers and crafts people displaying and selling their American-made, hand-crafted work. This longstanding show attracts a savvy audience with its furniture, jewelry, glass, fiber, pottery, oils, watercolors, serigraphs, photography, leather, sculpture, wood and more. Spring Fine Art and Crafts at Brookdale Park is located on Watchung, Bellevue and Grove Avenues in Bloomfield/Montclair. This is an affluent neighborhood only twelve miles away from New York City.

Rose Squared Productions, Inc., has built a reputation for turning beautiful New Jersey parks into exquisite art and craft boutiques for the weekend. Over the past 28 years, Rose Squared has amassed a public mailing list of more than 30,000 attendees and uses county property to place billboards advertising the show to bring in an admiring crowd. Each park is a lovely setting for the free two day event with a Friday as well as Saturday morning set up. One of five park shows, Spring Fine Art and Crafts Show at Brookdale Park, a high quality, juried fine art and craft show. pottery by Andrew Wender Rose Squared Productions, Inc., shows are known for their exhibitor friendly atmosphere with an extremely easy set up and breakdown. The other shows are listed on the web site: www.rosesquared.com For additional information please contact Rose Squared Productions, Inc. at info@rosesquared.com or call 1-908-874-5247 Applications available at www.rosesquared.com

Call for Entries: Great Lakes Art Fair in April

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 2, 2009 at 9:18am

Does Michigan need a new art fair? I can see the disbelief registering on your face right now. But you know, life goes on, people need entertainment and a break from the gloom. What are you doing in April? Look at this:

April 17-19 Novi, MI Rock Financial Showplace 200 artists Deadline: January 26 Full disclosure: I am consulting with the owners of this really nice exhibition building to help them create a classy event that will bring patrons in. If you know me you know I've been involved in the art fair business for over 25 years, wearing many hats: artist partner, show director, art fair organizer and have participated in over 400 art fairs. Why you should be interested: 1. Great date 2. Organizers who know the Detroit marketplace and have the energy and financial resources to create buzz over the event 3. A strong marketing team who market various kinds of events at this venue all year long 4. A quality exhibition space in a very upscale suburb of Oakland County, frequented by thousands just about every weekend 5. They are seeking to partner with arts organizations and charities to present an art fair that is connected to the local community 6. Fair booth fees There will be a spring and fall art fair. These dates were recently vacated by Sugarloaf who has decided not to come to Michigan again. The Sugarloaf event had many loyal customers who will be very pleased to see this new incarnation of the event. In addition to that the Rock Financial Showplace managers are planning a more upscale event to fit the local clientele.

Expect charity tie-ins, a show designer to make the venue attractive and low key entertainment to keep the patrons in the building and lots more. Visit: GreatLakesArtFair.com for more information--the site is not quite beautiful yet...but will soon reflect the quality we anticipate. Apply at: www.zapplication.org P. S. Early applicants receive free electricity and a chance to be have their images used in publicity. The question remains: will people come and buy art? A friend told me this morning when we were talking about whether or not this was a good move that during the Depression all kinds of entertainment sprang up (movies had their heyday) to entertain people. They needed relief. Do you know anyone who shops for fun? I'll bet you do. I'll bet you've met one or two of them in this profession. Am I suggesting people drive in from far away, or fly? Not necessarily. But there are a lot of artists within a near drive for this event, for whom the expenses won't be too bad. What happened to Sugarloaf? To the best of my knowledge they had a loyal cadre of exhibitors who traveled to their fairs who no longer wanted to come here, too expensive, so they pulled out. Their particular type of event had not really caught on with the Midwest exhibitors, so although there are a fair number of them eager to participate this April, it was no longer a sustainable economic venture for them (Sugarloaf). If I have this wrong please let me know.

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Note: this page contains paid content.