Comment by Barbara Sucherman just now Delete Comment I am a jewelry artist and I just did Krasl Art on the Bluff and Ann Arbor's Summer Art Fair on State Steet with the Michigan Guild. Two Michigan shows, from one to the other.This is my second year at Krasl, my 30th in Ann Arbor!Krasl was delightful. The Show Director was wonderful. The setting is beautiful, overlooking Lake Michigan... artist amenities were many. There was a hospitality room at the Boulevard Hotel...accross from my booth, breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day and lovely, clean restrooms. I didn't make it to the Friday night dinner at the Art Center (set-up takes me forever sometimes) . Volunteers were plentiful, booth sitters and all. But sunset over the Lake was spectacular (I'm from Chicago, we get sunrise, but I seldom see that).I had a hole in the grass, in front of my booth which everyone stepped in and almost fell, myself included. I mention this to Sara Shambarger and within minutes 2 volunteers appeared with a shovel and bark mulch. They cut a rectangle in the grass, peeled back the sod, put in some mulch and stomped it back down. This was an amazing thing to see. Artists, remember this wherever you are ... a great tip for show staff.Anyway, customers came to this show and were interested, the "Be Backs" came back on Saturday. My sales were good on Saturday and if Sunday had been the same... I would have made a little money. Sunday's sales for me did not add up to a hill of beans. But I will try this show again...it has much promise!Ann Arbor, on the other hand... 30 years... has gone from my very best show ever for about 20 years... to about the same as I did at Krasl. It is 4 days, of grueling hours, 10 - 9 pm. And add on an hour at both ends to set up and pack up the jewelry... need I say more! And I have an assistant I pay for all of those hours... She made more than I did!I am not sure what I will do next year...maybe a new location? Maybe a Sabbatical.Barb Suchermanhttp://silverdesignjewelry.comhttp://bsucherman.blogspot.comhttp://BarbsSilverJewelry.etsy.com
I just came across your comments. I just got accepted at Krasl for this year (2010) and I wondered what I'm getting in to. Your comments are very encouraging and I really look forward to the show.
As for the Ann Arbor, as an Ann Arbor resident I finally decided to apply to some of the shows. No word yet, but your comments confirm the impression I've had from talking to artists over the last couple of years. It seems that sales have fallen drastically as the Michigan economy has gone down the toilet. Artists who, in the past, would make thousands of dollars at the show, are now worried about covering expenses. I also wonder if the size of the combined fairs has gotten too big. Even though the crowds are large, there are only so many customers to go around. If so, there's not much that we as artists can do about it. Truth be told, I only applied to AA because my wife really wants me to do it. We live in AA after all, so why wouldn't I do the fair?
BTW, your jewelry if fabulous. I love it. Good luck.
Comments
I just came across your comments. I just got accepted at Krasl for this year (2010) and I wondered what I'm getting in to. Your comments are very encouraging and I really look forward to the show.
As for the Ann Arbor, as an Ann Arbor resident I finally decided to apply to some of the shows. No word yet, but your comments confirm the impression I've had from talking to artists over the last couple of years. It seems that sales have fallen drastically as the Michigan economy has gone down the toilet. Artists who, in the past, would make thousands of dollars at the show, are now worried about covering expenses. I also wonder if the size of the combined fairs has gotten too big. Even though the crowds are large, there are only so many customers to go around. If so, there's not much that we as artists can do about it. Truth be told, I only applied to AA because my wife really wants me to do it. We live in AA after all, so why wouldn't I do the fair?
BTW, your jewelry if fabulous. I love it. Good luck.
Terry Melman