Me and many artists set up Friday at 5am so we could be open at 10am. Friday was optional to stay. I stayed. A storm came out of nowhere while setting up and another one at 1am on Saturday. I was monitoring the radar from my house and wanted to drive to the show at 2am to try to save my booth. I just went to sleep knowing my tent and my art were going to be destroyed because I had an EZ up and it stormed and rained for 8 hours in a row. Well, Saturday morning when I got to the mall at 8am, they were piling EZ ups that got destroyed by the storm. They said there were about 15 of them. I was feeling helpless because I have another show in two weeks and no money. Well, Thanks to the show I can now buy my new Trim line and try to be able to sleep a little better when it comes to storms.
It stormed Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, I was nervous about the show thinking that it was going to be a slow weekend because the weather. By 11am sun was shining every day like nothing happened. It ended up being a good show for me, but my expenses in Illinois shows are minimum because I am local. I got a great custom order from a client that saw me at the Arlington Heights show. I also sold my biggest piece to a couple that didn't go to look for art, they went to Bloomingdales to buy a suit for a wedding. I also sold several of my small original pieces that pay for my expenses and some times for my booth fee.
What I found different about a show that takes place in a mall is that there are too many distractions for the clients because the great stores, including that Apple one that has never heard the word "RECESSION". I was shocked of how many people bought computers, iPhones and IPads during the weekend, out of control, almost like a joke. Also there's a bunch of people that because they are not art shoppers but they are clothing or shoe shoppers they don't get art prices, "so much money" even a 40.00 dlls 6x6 painting seems like an abuse for them, but oh well, that comes with the package.
Lots of traffic but I didn't see the same interest in art like the shows that take place in parks or downtown area. But I can't complain because I made money, my art is safe, already repaired most of the ones that got damaged, Met a designer that I hope she calls me back when she decides what she wants.
Amdur productions staff were amazing helping people that lost their tents setting up again with new tents that they brought from Costco. I asked Amy Amdur for a covered area because I needed the money from a new Costco tent to be invested on a Trim line tent instead. She assigned me a great covered location and I set my pro panels without a problem. All her staff was amazing, especially her guys running all over the place that always have a smile, always ask if there is anything they can help you with and they get things done quick. They had 2 or 3 golf carts to help artists and they were on fire helping everybody. They all set me up again in seconds, helped me to dry my art, to move it, etc etcVery pleased with Amdur Productions and hope to get my new tent soon so I can be ready for my next show in 2 weeks :)
Comments
Carla, I'm glad the show worked out well for you. The weather was certainly a challenge. It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope we cross paths again.
Hey Carla,
So sorry to hear about your experience. Did you have any encaustics there?
See you guys there! If I have my same booth spot as the last 2 yrs I will be directly in front of the office (that is if they haven't moved the office - tee-hee!). I'm not on the main "road", I'm on the off-shoot. Last year they moved the music there which really helped generate energy and brought people down our way. Hope it is the same.
Hi Donna and Elizabeth, my next show is Art in the Glen, hope to see you there!