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Comments on the review section froze up so they will be continued here. The show dates were May 11, 12, and 13, 2012, and it is one of the earliest shows in Colorado. The weather was pleasant. My medium is leather ( equestrian, K-9,and personal leather goods ). This was the first time I did this show and sales were good considering that factor. My sales were in the $2-3K range. I didn't have as many sales as at other shows but the average sales were higher. Belts were the best seller as usual. I plan to apply to this show in 2013.
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Displaying Inventory

I've reached sort of a dilemma and would be interested in how others view this situation.  I have three large, back-to-back shows coming up and, therefore, have more inventory than I would usually have on hand.  I can't possibly display all of it at once and I'm trying to determine what I should hold back for show #2, etc.

I suppose there are two ways to look at it.  If it isn't out, it's not going to sell.  But, does anyone else agree that it's possible to overwhelm the patrons with inventory to the point of them refusing to even look because there is so much there?  I don't think I have any two items that are just exactly alike.  Therefore, I can't simply "bring another one out" when an item sells.  I can't decide whether to dazzle them with inventory or take a more consertive approach and be a little  more selective in what I put out.  And, I can't bear the thought of having something packed away somewhere when I just know it would sell to the next person who walks by.  And, if I'm going to be consertive, how do I choose.  Do I put out what I consider to be the "cream of the crop" and run the

risk of the better items being gone before I ever get to show #2 and #3 (I feel sure there will be one or two left)?  I realize that, in a way, this may sound like a ridiculous thing to be concerned about.  But, I don't believe I've ever had three shows in a row like this that offered as much potential.  Two of the shows I've done several times in the past and have always done well at both.  The third is St. James and, as you all know, it certainly has the potential.  I'd like to hear from anyone who can make any sense out of what I'm talking about and have possibly dealt with this question.  I guess the real simple version of the question is whether or not it's possible to put out way too much inventory regardless of what sort of quality it may be.  Sort of the law of diminishing returns.

 

 

 

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Recommendation for mats and plastic sleeves

I've been working with a company for mats that I think has been fantastic. They carry most of the same plastic sleeves that clearbags do but without the terrible shipping costs, their mat prices are great, and they are very responsive. They'll cut anything to order. If you have a mat supplier, please compare with these guys and let us
know if you're getting better pricing. I've been very happy.

www.ddbcutting.com
My contact: Robin Sagulla
Email: robin@ddbcutting.com
Cell: 847-641-1900
 

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What am I doing wrong????

I promote myself as a "salvage artist", I repurpose metal objects (junk) by welding them into benches, chairs, plant holders, garden sculptures, etc ( www.salvageartist.com ).  I have done fairly well selling my art locally over the past three years, so this year I decided to branch out into surrounding states.  I spent a lot of time researching shows that I thought would be a good fit for me, reading on-line about tips to doing art shows and attended many to do further research.  I applied for 8 juried shows and was accepted into 6, I thought that was pretty good.  I was just at my 4th show of the year - Arts in the Gardens in Canandaigua New York.  Beautiful weekend, wonderful show, people were spending money! I did less than $300, my worst show yet (which is not to say that my others were good, I haven't hit $1000 yet).  I put a lot of thought into how I layout my booth.  I have a nice sign with my artist statement and picture on it and I engage the people in conversation.  I get wonderful comments - "your work is amazing", "so different than anything I have seen before", "your art is what I will remember about this show", "Your art is priced so reasonably" but they are not buying it!  I love sharing what I do with people, but these are not art exhibits they are shows and everything is for sale.  My prices are reasonable because after my first two failed shows, I lowered my prices.  If people walked past my booth and didn't even look at my art I would think my stuff was crap and stop trying to sell it.  But they stop, they look, the love it.  They pump up my ego and then they trample on my heart as they leave.  I love doing the shows and meeting other artist who constantly inspire me with their creativity.  A more helpful group of people you will never find, giving me tips on shows to try, web sites that are helpful and any other info they think will help me.  But what I really love to do is create, which I can't afford to do if I can't sell what I have already made.  SOOOO - what am I doing wrong????

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Call for Artists: Lexington Art & Craft Show

St.Augustine
772.jpg?width=233November 17 & 18
Lexington, Kentucky
Heritage Hall at the Lexington Center
Presented by: Holiday Art Shows
10am-5pm
135 exhibitors
Deadline: Sept. 7

Please join us for the Lexington Art & Craft Show, the weekend before Thanksgiving.  This is a carefully juried, fine art and fine craft celebration of the arts.

135 talented artists and craftsmen in varying mediums such as 8869094256?profile=originalfiber arts, jewelry, glass, mixed media, painting, pottery, photography, sculpture, and wood will be invited to become exhibitors.  Please note that late applications will be accepted if category is not full.

We are excited to offer you this premier event which takes place in the heart of downtown Lexington during the festive holiday season.

Show Highlights:

  • Reasonable booth fees
  • Overnight security
  • Easy drive up load and unload
  • Free artist parking nearby
  • Extensive marketing campaign
  • Artist friendly, knowledgeable staff
  • Free postcards for your customers
  • Friday set-up
  • by artists for artists

Holiday Art Shows offers three options for submitting your application; please choose whichever is most convenient and comfortable for you:

  1. Holiday Art Shows Online Application:  www.holidayartshows.com/online-application.html 
  2. Zapplication.org: www.zapplication.org/index.php
  3. Print and mail application:  www.holidayartshows.com/support-files/application.pdf

st.Augustineartist730.jpg?width=160 734.jpg

Media campaign includes: television, cable, regional newspapers and specialty publications, billboards, NPR radio, posters, flyers, banners, postcards and social networking.

Sponsored by: WKYT-News First

We look forward to receiving your application!

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For more info: www.LexingtonArtShow.com

Lynn Wettach, Show Director: (904)794-0084

email: lynn@holidayartshows.com

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Piedmont Art Festival?

I was wondering how the Piedmont Art Festival went. Apparently some people confuse this with the Atlanta Art Festival that is in Piedmont Park - Different organizers. Living in Atlanta there is a well established show that weekend (last weekend) and I didn't see the usual smattering of real estate signs promoting the event.  I am particularly interested (and maybe some of you are) of sales trends. The show I did this weekend was down, Dogwood was down in the spring< any reports we can sink our teeth into?

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October 19-21 & 26-28Foxfirelogo
Nashville, Indiana
Fall Fine Arts Festival - a new event
Foxfire Park
9am-6pm
125 Exhibitors
Deadline: September 19

Artists mark your show calendars for the two busiest weekends of Nashville's year.  The Fall Fine Arts Festival is set to become one of your premier events of the year.

6a00e54fba8a73883301676485261d970b-pi?width=225Nashville, Indiana, is "The Art colony of the Midwest" and attracts millions of qualified buyers every year.  The fall season in Nashville is really something to behold.  The town is packed with visitors from all over the Midwest in search of the unique treasures they just have to have! 


The two weekends of the Fall Fine Arts Festival are the two busiest weekends of the entire year, and Nashville is bursting at the seams with thousands of visitors from all across and Midwest.

Foxfire Park will host over 100 exhibitors and will feature high-end, handmade art from local, regional, and national artists.  This is a Juried Event, and exhibits will include woodworking, sculpture, metal work, pottery, glass work, jewelry and more.

This is a can't miss event as it marks the height of Nashville's fall season.  So if your goal is to get your work in front of thousands of qualified buyers, the Fall Fine Arts Festival is a must.

Artists can choose to come both weekends or just one.  There is a discount if they select both weekends.

  • A 10x10 space for one weekend is $125.00 for both weekends it is $200.00
  • A 10x20 space is $175.00 for one weekend or $300.00 for both.


Foxfire Park

The property at Foxfire Park has been family owned since 1940 Foxfirebraceletand fittingly is the former home of one of the very first gift shops in Nashville.  Foxfire Park is in a premium location right downtown Nashville on the main thoroughfare and is the most visible location in town.  Visit our website for more information about Nashville and Foxfire Park.

We look forward to seeing you!

For more information on web based application, booth sizes and pricing:
www.FoxfireMarket.com/vendors.html

Let us know if there is anything we can help you with. Give us a call or send and email.  We would love to hear from you!

Info@foxfiremarket.com, Andrew Tilton-Director: (812)720-1141

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking for more art fairs to fill in your season?
Visit www.CallsforArtists.com
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Downtown Boulder Fall Fest Art Show

I've been accepted for the Downtown Boulder Fall Fest Art Show which is Sept 22 and 23rd.  I live in Minneapolis so it's a 1000 mile trip each way so it's got to be a  pretty good show for that effort. I can't find any reviews of the show. Does anyone know anything about it? The deadline for me accepting their invitation is Aug 27.

Thanks,

Marc L.

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Alabama Shows

Hi All,

We are looking for any info/experiences at the following 2 shows in Alabama. Orange Beach Festival of Art & 61st Annual Arts & Cratfs Festival in Fairhope. Both are March shows on back to back weekends. We are thinking of giving them a try. Anything you can share would be of help in our efforts to decide on them.

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I was called off the wait list for this show just this Monday and if I hadn't made other plans already for the weekend probably would have dropped everything and gone. Apparently I wasn't the only one called off the wait list as there were other spots that had to be filled. As it was I had finished my morning plans and decided to audit the show and see what all the bru-ha-ha was about. It has been generating some local buzz. The show is only about 25 miles from where I live and its doesn't take long to get there, besides the drive is pleasant if you take the back way. By the way Golden, CO is home to the original Coors Brewery, stop in for some free suds after a tour!

The last time I visited this show it was held outside of town on a hillside so steep that if you mistakenly let go of the baby stroller you'd be chasing it downhill a long way! Wind, yes, it was so windy on that hillside that the night before my visit half the booths were blown away! Crowds, I wouldn't use that word to describe what I saw that day, a few stragglers perhaps.

Fast forward twelve years, the show is now in its 22nd year and several years ago they moved it into, or at least closer to the historic downtown area of Golden. It is held adjacent to a small park along Clear Creek. As I drove into town I noticed one large banner alongside the road. Not particularly flashy but it was a start. I arrived around 1 pm and started looking for parking nearby. I saw no other indications that the show was happening except for some random people walking around (could they have been art show zombies?) so I stopped into the visitors bureau and asked where the show was. I was directed to cross the nearby bridge on the main street, hang a right and I would be there. There wasn't a lot of signage (except for the farmers market) and I was anticipating a catastrophe. Apparently I was the only one that was clueless as, much to my amazement, the place was teeming with people, so much so, it was hard to get to some of the booths.

First order of business was to check out the quality of goods. I made the rounds of the show, which is about 2-3 blocks long and was generally impressed by the quality represented. With perhaps only 2-3 exceptions I thought that this was a FINE art show. Some of the participants I recognized from last weekends show in Ridgway, some could have been at Cherry Creek (My mind forgets) and others I've rubbed elbows with in Santa Fe, Carefree, Omaha, Tempe, etc. I didn't bother the busy ones but waved as I strolled by if they noticed me. Linda Bachman was there, back up and running, and we visited a bit. They are living in a rental house while theirs is being restored after the fire. Rick was at rental home busily preparing inventory for Port Clinton. Most of their inventory and tools were destroyed by the fire, anything that was bubble wrapped became hermetically sealed as was anything in their trailer and bins from the heat. Anyway she was in good spirits and I really enjoyed seeing her. We compared notes and we'll be doing Castle Rock together the second weekend of Sept. I visited with some other buddies as they got free.

So, the energy of the crowd seemed way above the "Walking Dead" that I've seen at other shows lately but did that seem to translate into sales? Not-so-much, at least not while I was there. Artists were noticeably engaged with the crowd and most booths were full of visitors. Although I saw a large photograph walking out as I was walking in, there wasn't much else moving by unless it might have been jewelry which could secretly walk out in a handbag. I guess we'll have to wait and see if any "Insiders" report on this show.

There were the usual fair-food booths tucked into a side area in the middle of the show so vendors from either end didn't have far to go. What puzzled me was the "Artisans in the Park.  Visitors (had) the opportunity to observe demonstrations by blacksmiths, leather toolers, spinners, and fiber artists." Well these poor folks were behind the regular booths and the food booths so unless you went to look at the river or sit in the park they were so far away I felt bad for them as not so many people went out of their way to see the demonstrations and I'm sure they weren't feeling the love of the crowd that the other vendors felt given the lack of visibility.

Of note was the close in parking, if you were on the N side of 11th street there was parking right behind your booth for many of the vendors. If you were on the S side there was parking right on the side streets adjacent to the neighborhood the show was in. As I left the show I happened to see an artists hospitality suite in one of the store fronts but didn't sneak in to see what they were offering!

As I drove out of Golden I noticed that every block (on each side of the street) had a small stage setup and musicians were performing outside of the regular businesses. Was this a coincidence? Was this orchestrated to take place in conjunction with the Golden Arts Festival? I don't know but in any case I can tell you that the little town of Golden was filled with people. As for signage that I didn't see, on my way out of Golden there was a huge banner hanging on the town archway on the main street that has probably been there for weeks! I'd say it did its job!

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Looking for ultra thick fusible silver foil

Does anyone have any ultra thick fusible silver foil for sale? I used to buy it from Arrowsprings, but they said the manufacturer went out of business. It's .999 fine silver that's almost as thick as aluminum foil and  usually comes on a roll. I thought that maybe someone had some he/she never used and would like to sell it. Thanks!

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Call for Artists: Sugarloaf Craft Festivals

SUGARLOAF CRAFT FESTIVALS

When Deann Verdier, a working potter, wanted to sell her work in 1975 she found out there were very limited opportunities.  A few stores took crafts on consignment at very high percentage cost but art shows wouldn't talk to anyone doing crafts.  That's when she started the Sugarloaf Craft Festivals with one mission that continues today:

Deann
Provide fine artists and contemporary craftspeople with a low overhead market to display and sell their work to an appreciative audience.

Art fairs and craft shows were separate events then and there were few of them. She was the first promoter to combine fine art and craft into one large and very special juried event.  The audience loved it and the Sugarloaf Crafts Festivals were a hit from the start.

Since the first show in Gaithersburg, MD in 1976, Sugarloaf has produced over 350 events and provided thousands of artists and craftspeople with an opportunity to make a living doing what they love to do.  Today Sugarloaf produces 11 shows annually in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Five shows each spring season (Jan-Apr) and six shows each fall season (Oct-Dec).  Each show features hundreds of juried fine artists and contemporary craftspeople in a wide variety of media.

While Sugarloaf provides a caring artist community that is enjoyed by many, the main focus is on helping artists sell.  From turning out thousands of buyers with strong advertising and promotional campaigns to providing marketing materials that help individual artists easily reach out to their customers, Sugarloaf helps drive results for the artists at these shows.

Stahl - wood Livne - fiber Boyette - glass Severson-fine art
Wood by Thomas Stahl, Artwork by Smadar Livne, Glass by John Boyett, Fine Art by Sandra Severson

Sugarloaf focuses on the stars of the show when creating the buzz.  Our experienced public relations firm gets lots of media and web coverage by highlighting the unique lifestyle and work of individual participating artists.  With over 20,000 Facebook fans and over 40,000 past patrons receiving our weekly Sugarloaf Club email there are many opportunities to create spotlight features on hundreds of different exhibitors each year.  The patrons at these shows want to learn about the artists, not hear a bunch of hype.

Doing Sugarloaf shows is made easy for artists.  Indoor spaces make doing the show stress free compared to outdoor venues.  Setup is easy with drive-in available at most shows and indoor spaces available at all shows.  Artists have designated free parking areas adjacent to each show.  Discount hotel rates are arranged for artists at each site to save exhibitors time and money.  Marketing materials are furnished free by Sugarloaf that help experienced and new artists keep in contact with their collectors.  When you do a Sugarloaf show, you are getting a full service package, not just a space.

Sugarloaf Craft Festivals are all paid admission shows.  This is important because the 10,000 - 20,000 attendees at each show are there for one reason - to buy fine arts and crafts for their home, for gifts and for themselves.  Street fairs get lots of people on a lark.  The Sugarloaf shows get power buyers looking to enhance and define their lifestyle, buy stylish décor for their homes and to find unique gifts for the special people in their lives.  Both sales and attendance continue to grow at all of these popular spring shows.

The Sugarloaf Craft Festivals are all established events held in affluent markets that have millions of qualified buyers.  They are held at major show facilities located directly in the upscale suburbs of major cities like Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and central New Jersey.

If you are tired of working street fairs and want to come inside where you can set up your booth, forget about the weather and get down to working with real customers, consider coming to the Mid Atlantic area and trying Sugarloaf Craft Festivals.  Sugarloaf is seeking both experienced and emerging artists for the upcoming Spring 2013 season to present to their enthusiastic patrons.  Be a part of it!

Keenan glass Coss jewelry Allen pottery Lee mixed media

 Glass by Beth Keenan, Jewelry by Patricia & Debish Kristine Doss, Pottery by Larry Allen and Wood kaleidoscope by Ron Lee.

Jurying for the Spring 2013 season starts August 24, 2012.
 
For more information go to  www.SugarloafCrafts.com.

Applications are available online at www.Zapplication.org  (key word Sugarloaf) or can be downloaded from the Sugarloaf website.
 
Any questions can be answered by calling Sugarloaf at 800-210-9900.


SUGARLOAF SPRING 2013 SEASON
January 25, 26, 27
935.jpg
Pottery by Gail Markiewicz


Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Chantilly, VA - 15th year
Dulles Expo Center
N. Va. Suburb of Washington, DC

March 8, 9, 10
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Somerset, NJ - 20th year
Garden State Exhibit Center
Located 5 mi north of New Brunswick in North Central NJ

March 15, 16, 17
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Oaks, PA - 5th year
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
NW suburb of Philadelphia

April 12, 13, 14
Hemsi
Jewelry by Hemsi


Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Gaithersburg, MD - 38th year
Montgomery Co. Fairgrounds
Md. Suburb of Washington, DC
April 26, 27, 28
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Timonium, MD - 35th year
Maryland State Fairgrounds
N Suburb of Baltimore, MD

All shows are held for three days.  Hours Fri 10-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5.  Setup is always on the Thursday before the show.
Contact Sugarloaf Craft Festivals for an application to be mailed to you or go to
www.Zapplication.org for complete information and application.

Any questions can be quickly answered by calling Sugarloaf at 800-210-9900

Jurying for these spring 2013 shows begins August 24, 2012.
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Art Fairs

Hello fellow Artist, this is my first entry on Art Fair Insiders. I have enjoyed many of the Artist different blogs and found them to be quite helpful, i am an Artist as well and have so far been lucky enough to generate business strictly through word of mouth. I do all commissioned work, redesigning rooms for people and doing all the labor myself. The nice part is designing a room which incorporates one of my paintings or furniture designs, or if i am lucky both? Anyway, during my down time, or lack of work available at the time, i do what all of us do? Create Art!  I have decided to try and expand my art horizons into the fray of ArtFairs??? My first show is Labor Day Weekend at the Hamptons in NY. Needless to say i am nervous as hell? Entering into a world of the unknown can be quite intimidating to say the least! Thats why some of these blogs i have read have been very helpful, and some very scary! lol    ANY ADVISE both good and bad would be appreciated? Thank You good luck,and may your day have been a creative one.

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A question for Artists?

I am a new Arts Fair producer and am wanting to learn form those of you who go to art fairs for a living (we do the craziest things for the love of art, don't we?). I would love some insight as to what you think fair managers can or should do to make your fair experience better for the artist? Is it the perks you are offered?  The art that is juried in?  The kind of entertainment at the event?

Obviously there are some things out of our control, but give me your  description of a perfectly managed Fair experience... or one of two of your favorite or LEAST favorite things...

Happy art Fair-ing!

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Developing a budget for an event

I just started an not for profit organization promoting and sponsoring African fine art. I am preparing a budget for the year covering various art festivals can anyone assist me with a template go get some ideas of the costs involved?

Thanks in advance

Soraya

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Podcast: What Good is a Website for Artists?

Here is our latest podcast from August 14 where I spoke with author Scott Fox, my son, whose expertise is small business Internet marketing. Scott grew up in the art fair business, traveling to art fairs with us and knows a lot about artists and how they earn their living, so his information is very specific to our particular needs.

Listen to it here:

The show covers everything from choosing a domain name to capturing the sale online, including:

  • keywords and how to determine the best ones
  • choosing an url
  • how google searches for sites
  • why a free platform may not be the best choice for your site
  • how to expand your market beyond the people you meet at shows
  • what are the five things every artist's website should have
  • his idea for an "artist retirement plan"

You'll also learn about his own lifestyle business coaching forum whose focus is on helping individuals build their Internet businesses.

In addition this fall Scott we'll be doing another podcast where he will be taking live calls from you.

Are you interested in this?

Check out the rest of our podcasts by clicking on the "Radio" button on the toolbar at the top of this page,

or visiting the Art Fair Radio Show page here.

I'd love feedback in the comments below about this podcast.

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Recession Art

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I am working on some conceptual items. I have done a series of shopping bags that I have painted petroglyphs on. The works will be priced at $ 5.00 or so each.

The concept is that we buy replacement items all the time, as with phones and technology. The ones we have are perfectly good, but, we get new ones anyway. In places like Japan there is an industry to collect last year's microwave ovens, etc.

Peoples lives have also become transitory. Fewer people are buying houses. Renting and leasing cars, homes and other stuff is very in vogue.

So, maybe you don't want to purchase a piece for the rest of your life. Maybe you just want something for today and maybe tomorrow. Allow yourself mental flexibility.

The works are made from shopping bags so that it has a life beyond a piece of art. You can use it to tote something when you are ready to change your visual environment.

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Sales Reps

In regards to Sales Reps, yes that would be the Atlanta Gift Mart, but there are many others and if you google "permanent show rooms in gift marts" you will see them all over the country. You can probably call and order a catalog that lists showrooms along with what they rep.  This way you can approach a Rep/showroom that focuses on your type of artwork or where you mesh well with other lines.   

In regards to a different post, a sales rep does not go to art/craft festivals.  They go around to stores and sell your art for a percentage of 15-18%.  They usually have permant show rooms in gift marts where they dedicate a space to sample your art so that people can come view it at all times.  They may carry 25 or more artist/crafters.  You also supply them with a catalogue of some type, sort of like the one on my website.  That rep has what they call "subreps" that go around to the stores to present/sell your work.  The rep writes up an order and faxe it into you.  The store will either set up immediate payment upon shipping or net/30.

This is the first time I had a chance to view this site since my last post.  I have six kids and I really just don't have a lot of time, but I will start looking at it more to answer any questions or to help in any way.

 

 

 

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