Posted by Steve Cebula on February 22, 2012 at 3:24pm
We were at the Downtown Sarasota Art Festival this past weekend. Crowds were out both days. For reasons we have yet to figure out, we had a much higher than normal number of sales that we simply could not close on. An example: Patron enters our booth, eyes one of our $39 candle swirls, picks it up and comments " I really love this piece, I'm going to catch up with my friend and we will come back to get it." 5 minutes later they stroll in and the friend gushes over it too. I had already spoken to the first one about materials, technique etc on the piece. They both look my way say thank you and leave without finishing the purchase. Similar scenes played out both days, no matter what approach we tried, it seemed patrons were just not willing to make that final step of payment, even several times after talking about payments methods accepted by us, best price etc, and yes we did have showers each day and were dressed well. All our other shows for Jan and Feb to date were "normal" with regards to some do some don't on the sales end. We kind of felt like we had stepped into another dimension at this one. We tried all our tried and true little tricks to see what worked, pretty much nothing really helped. My wife and I were shaking our heads by the end of the show. We did make some money, but it was our lowest total in 2012 for 7 shows.
Sounds good, usually a bunch of us go to Luna's Restaurant for diner on Sat nite. Kind of Italian sports bar theme. Great portion sizes you can get several meals out of one. Be advised they do not take any credit or debit cards there. You are welcome to join us if you like.
Thank you Rhonda for your encouragement. It is a hard life in so many ways, yet there are some wonderful rewards. Getting to see the country, making new crafter friends and returning customers is awesome.
we did 4 shows in fl. from the 20th of jan. to the 4/5 of Feb. Key west was our best show and that was after expenses. we do not do good in sarasota. we did the holmes beach show and it was ok. the weather was very cold. we even did not so good in warm 84 degree weather. so who knows!
I live in Sarasota and have (almost) given up entirely on doing a show here. I did the St. Armands show in November and January. The November show was a disaster. The January show was better, but not the blockbuster I'd been told about. Venice Rocks !! A bunch of retired people......some things just can't be explained.....
I had that same experience when I did the Boca Museum show a couple years ago just after the Bernie Maddoff thing. I got some absolutely fantastic comments and interest but very little money. Certain formerly well-off parts of Florida are still hit hard by the recession. My theory was that they had money for so long and now don't that they simply couldn't form the words "I can't afford it" and just left.
Same with us, Venice is usually pretty good. Downtown Sarasota we seem to need to catch one big sale or the overall total is not great. This time out we came up empty on that big sale, go figure. Up next Venice the first weekend in March.
I've never sold squatola in Sarasota. (Hey, that sounds like an interesting song title...). Can't figure that market out to save my life, but just wanted to note that I have had exactly the same experience as you. Fifteen miles south, in Venice, I kill 'em! Go figure. . .
Comments
Geoff,
Sounds good, usually a bunch of us go to Luna's Restaurant for diner on Sat nite. Kind of Italian sports bar theme. Great portion sizes you can get several meals out of one. Be advised they do not take any credit or debit cards there. You are welcome to join us if you like.
Hey, Steve, I'll see you in Venice! Come by and introduce yourself (and I'll do the same).
Thank you Rhonda for your encouragement. It is a hard life in so many ways, yet there are some wonderful rewards. Getting to see the country, making new crafter friends and returning customers is awesome.
we did 4 shows in fl. from the 20th of jan. to the 4/5 of Feb. Key west was our best show and that was after expenses. we do not do good in sarasota. we did the holmes beach show and it was ok. the weather was very cold. we even did not so good in warm 84 degree weather. so who knows!
I live in Sarasota and have (almost) given up entirely on doing a show here. I did the St. Armands show in November and January. The November show was a disaster. The January show was better, but not the blockbuster I'd been told about. Venice Rocks !! A bunch of retired people......some things just can't be explained.....
I had that same experience when I did the Boca Museum show a couple years ago just after the Bernie Maddoff thing. I got some absolutely fantastic comments and interest but very little money. Certain formerly well-off parts of Florida are still hit hard by the recession. My theory was that they had money for so long and now don't that they simply couldn't form the words "I can't afford it" and just left.
Geoff,
Same with us, Venice is usually pretty good. Downtown Sarasota we seem to need to catch one big sale or the overall total is not great. This time out we came up empty on that big sale, go figure. Up next Venice the first weekend in March.
I've never sold squatola in Sarasota. (Hey, that sounds like an interesting song title...). Can't figure that market out to save my life, but just wanted to note that I have had exactly the same experience as you. Fifteen miles south, in Venice, I kill 'em! Go figure. . .
I'm sorry to hear this Steve - a sign I guess that people whilst still appreciating art are often still hesitant to part with the $.