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 " Florida Senate Bill 1246, introduced in February, would make it a first-degree felony to take a picture of any farmland, even from the side of the road, without written permission of the land's owner."

        This is the same penalty as if you shot someone with a gun ::   I am so proud of my state and it's wise decisions; including the elimination of sports, art,& music in our school system.

         If I was a photographer I wouldn't care about a can of worms-- I would be way more concerned about what is in my portfolio;; and then One's constitutional rights /  is the beach next??  is your state next???

         Just to give you all something to really chew on--- bad nuts---

I watched Art Fair Insiders from afar for months.....Why?

It was just too confusing for me to throw my attention into the process.

And that continues to this date.  LOL

I see Larry Berman telling people their blogs belong under business. How do you do that?

I just saw a post about "Leaderboards." ( I was gratified to see my name there!)

I just keep feeling that we could tempt those 229 more people to join very easily if there were a FAQs or HELP section.

Now, the prolific AFIers can write me and tell me what I missed or am missing.

And, Connie, this is no criticism of this wonderful site you have built.....if anything, I care enough to want to help.

But I would like to hear from newbies.....are you confused?

How can AFI help everybody?

Thoughts, please?

Please take a few moments and view some of my work, I would welcome comments, good and not so good lol.

Thank you,

Dale Augustson

Location:         

• New location between the Van Aken Shopping Center and Shaker Heights Country Club, just one mile from Hathaway Brown School
• High-visibility  paved surface in a busy shopping, dining and residential area with  ample, free parking, ATMs, restaurants and a gourmet grocery.

• Free Admission
• Live music by area bands 
• A variety of food and drink vendors
• Children's activities and entertainment
• Artist demonstrations

• Reduced rates at nearby hotel
• Sunday Breakfast Party
• Complimentary beverage
• Proximity to shops, restaurants, hotels and services
• Booth sitters
• Courteous, professional staff
• Show  limited to 150 artists, selling to an elite clientele, including the  loyal Hathaway Brown audience, the Shaker Arts Council's music festival  audience, and hundreds of area shoppers

Anyone have any info on this show?

I usually run the other direction from shows that take applications up until the actual show.

My schedule is really sparce this April & I wouldn't mind picking up a show.

Any comments?

This is my first time doing this show in downtown Austin. The show takes place along the main street, Ceasar Chavez Blvd, that runs along the Colorado River. The river separates the downtown area to the north, and south Austin, which has been evolving into a funky, artsy area. I have been told south Austin wasn't that desirable years ago.

When I told my art festival friends I was doing Austin, I was getting lots of concerned looks. I got a lot of "good luck"s and even one "I feel sorry for you". This show has a reputation for a hellish load in and the stories I have heard were scary. One artist told  me he sat on the bridge in his van for 6 hours! Needless to say, I was concerned, but was interested in a new venue with a younger clientele, and Austin has a well deserved reputation for being a youthful city. The University attracts lots of students that wind up staying in Austin, and the high tech industry is one employer. When I went for a walk along the pathways and parks along the river, it seemed the entire city was out for a run. Man, did I feel out of shape!

Last year the show directors made changes to the load in process, and friends reported progress. One problem is that the city of Austin has strict fire lane rules, and a 15 foot lane must remain open. This is the first time I have witnessed 2 rows of booths being set up with that much space remaining clear. The way they do this is to line the artists on the 1rst street bridge, and let the first row in to unload, with in a 45 minute time frame. You then park in the free garage (all weekend free artist parking), which is 2 blocks away. Nice and close in my book. They then let the next row in. The smoothness of this process depends on the first group actually following this model, and not making the second group late. There are lots of volunteers to gently move this along, and in my area, across from City Hall, it went smoothly. I opted to not unload my art, leaving that to the next morning, and I was done at 11:30 PM. It seems to me that the horror stories I heard have become history. The next morning at 7:00 I was able to pull up to my booth and unload the art. The garage was less than a 10 minute walk.

Attendance was about what I expected, I think around 20,000. The crowd was mixed, with more 20 and 30 somethings than I have seen at other shows. The director had gotten complaints about the show being too spread out, so the new layout is much tighter. I heard only good things about the new layout.

Sales met my hopes for a show this size. I reached the # my accountant has deemed the level where it is worth it to be on the road doing this gig (in my case 5K, anything less is pushing boulders up hills). There were a lot of younger buyers, but as you would imagine they were price sensitive. I wound up selling a lot of repros, but there were enough more established folk to make a couple large purchases. This was good cause Bayou City was down for me. 

Load out was typical; break everything down then bring in the vans. In my area it went smoothly and we were done in 2.5 hours, enough time to get to Threadgills for some home cookin'.

By the way, I was near the sound stage, and true to Austin's reputation as a music city, the music here was quite good.

Have you seen the "leaderboards" on this site? Look at the "Member" tab at the top of this site, pull down the menu there and select "Leaderboards". This is a new feature of this network to highlight

• the most active members
• the top content
• the top photos
• top blog posts
• top discussions

Visiting these leaderboards you can see what is happening on our network.

I cannot manipulate the leaderboard's choices, rather the system I used to build this network chooses it. To calculate the Top Members, the system looks at a combination of quantity and quality. Basically, the algorithm boils down to asking, "How much is this member contributing, and how valuable are her contributions?"

You'll also notice that the Top Content Leaderboard takes in items across multiple features — photos, videos, blog posts, and events. What is cool about this is that you can find the most interesting stuff quickly. The Boards can tell you what is hot right now.

Presently I have the boards set so that they show what is hot "this week". It can also be reset for "this day" or "this month".

What do you think? Should I reset this so you can see longer range results, or shorter range results?

If you look on the left hand side of the site under "Photos" we are featuring the Top Members for the week. I pride myself on being the #1 member here, but have had a heck of a time lately staying ahead of Linda Shields, Lynda Wallis and Michelle Wermuth. In fact, I'd love to see myself chased off it altogether with new names and faces there every day. Can you do it?

P.S. All members who names show up on the leaderboards email me and I'll send you our new insignia, the Red Dot.

How's this for a great lead? Yesterday I received a call from the Art History Channel. They are looking for 21st Century artists to feature on their new channel (launched in 2010) on Direct TV, TimeWarner and Comcast.

Artists Wanted For 21st Century Artists New TV National Cable Show.
http://www.arthistorychannel.com/21stcenturyartistscall.html

The producers plan for this show is to feature the living artists in our society, their art and their lifestyles. They'll be making studio visits and talking directly with the artists selected. The initial season of the show is being presented in May, they are looking for people for the fall lineup.

Sounds like some great publicity to me. What do you think?

July 29 & 30

Chelsea, Michigan

Deadline: April 16

The 35th Annual Sounds & Sights Festival in historic and culturally savvy Chelsea, Michigan, is seeking artists and fine craftsmen and women for its new juried Art Market.  This three-day festival,  which attracts over 10,000 guests to downtown Chelsea, runs July 28th - 30th.  The Festival Art Market committee is looking for a unique  combination of artists to display and sell their work, as well as  artists that wish to demonstrate their art or craft to festival guests  during the weekend.  The Art Market will be open Friday and Saturday, July 29th and 30th, from 10am - 6pm.  Additional highlights of the festival include live music across  several stages, a food court, a KidZone, a classic car show, a juried Sculpture Walk, in-store events at downtown retail locations and more. 

Chelsea is an upscale community east of Ann Arbor. I think you'll like the audience you find here.

For an online application or more information, visit www.chelseafestivals.com

or email artmarket@chelseafestivals.com

You may also contact the Chelsea Center for the Arts at 734.433.2787.

The Board of Directors wishes to announce the hiring of Mary Strope as the organization’s new Executive Administrator. Mary brings a tremendous amount of experience to NAIA  as past Vice President and Marketing Consultant of Wholesalecrafts.com, Executive Director of Belleville National Strawberry Festival, Manager of Craft Marketing for George Little Management.

hanging out with Mary Strope at the Ann Arbor Art Fairs

Any Michigan artist who has been at this business awhile first met Mary when she ran the Michigan Guild (as it was then called) and was its Executive Director. She left Michigan to work for George Little and then moved on to WholesaleCrafts.com. Mary knows just about every angle of this business and is a sterling person to take over this job. Welcome Mary! We are so pleased to welcome you back into the retail side of the art fair business.

Connie, I just noticed we are only a mere 182 (when I first posted this blog we were about 297 shy of the mark) members shy of 5000.  I would say that is a significant milestone when reached.

So what are we going to do for celebration?  Anybody got any great ideas?

Virtual champagne toasts don't get it.

Maybe me and Webbie will suprise you and Norm up in cozy Coldwater with some fresh tequila shots.

I am thinking Geri could bring a truckload of fresh sushi--lots of hamachi, Geri.

Munks could show up be-kilted with a few pipes, maybe bring along Mrs. Munks too.

Oh, and where the heck is that girl on her flying broom been lately?  Anybody seen her.

Maybe, just maybe, we could lure William out of his Kansas City storm cellar.

I am going to go out on a limb, I think we will reach number 5000 around May 15.

We could start a lottery on guessing the right date for numero 5000.

Oh well back to cutting a jillion mats for Ft.  Worth, but this was a great diversion.

Let's hear from the rest of you.  We don't turn 5000 every day!  Nels.

I am tunderstruck!

I went off the Wait List and was invited to participate in the Promenade of Arts in Arlington Heights, IL.

I feel like it's my first catwalk, first holy communion, first date, firsy baby and first wedding all rolled into one event! I mean.....

What to wear.....

Must I redo the booth....an oriental rug(wait I already have one!)

New signs....

More inventory.....

Wait. What I really want to know is what is the secret code. You know........that code of conduct that no one tells you  about until you pull a gaff? Come on all you INSIDERS......besides comon sense, civilty and ethics, what is expected at big shows to be considered  PERFECT!

A 

Would appreciate any info anyone might have on the above show in Richmond, VA in early December.  I understand there is some buy/sell  but have heard comments to the effect it doesn't seem to be a problem for other artists who exhibit there. 

I'm also interested in the Huffman Production shows in Villa Park, IL and Shakopee, MN in November.  Has the weather already become a big factor in the Minneapolis area in early November?

Any comments, opinions, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

Help!

I was going to set up my booth today to reshoot my booth photo.  I got the EZ Up set up but before I could stake it down, a wind gust caught it and blew it over.  One of the legs sort of bent over and I now see the frame is warped.  I'm not sure what to do.  Since the frame is aluminum, should I try to push it (or hammer it) back into place or should I see if it will close as is?  Now I'm worried about strength as I try to use it for this art fair season too.

Any advice anyone?

What: Rust Belt Market, exhibition space

15,000 sq. ft to utilize, an expanded rentable space size from 5X7 to 6X8 while also including more spaces available for rent.  These changes will come at no extra charge for anyone selling at the market.  The fitting rooms combined with the bathrooms and storage areas comprise about 2,000sq ft—making the footprint of the main market area about 13,000 sq ft.  We have big plans for the fitting room section, but because we are not working with an unlimited start-up budget, much of those changes will have to take place throughout the course of the year.  We will be reinvesting heavily into the market and stand on the belief that doing so will directly benefit everyone involved.  Many of you received an update email a while back with a small section outlining our plans for buildout.  While we are still trying to stick with the broad theme of “rebirth from decay,” our over-the top original plans have had to change simply due to the fact that we have tripled the amount of space we are working with.  Now we are wrapping our minds around making an entire Old Navy Outlet to not look so Old-Navy-ish.  We’re getting creative and hope to impress; however, much of the feel and aesthetics will truly come together when each shopkeeper sets up his/her/their section of the market.  I’m sure those who’ve submitted an application have been dreaming up amazing displays and I want to encourage everyone to kick the box of conventional thinking to the curb.

Who: Tiffany & Chris Best, entrepreneurial organizers looking to take advantage of an excellent, unused, retail location at the intersection of 9 Mile and Woodward in Ferndale

When:  TUESDAY, APRIL 5th

MEET -N- GREET.  Show up whenever you can between the hours of 9am and 5pm.  Either Chris and I or both of us will be there to say hello and share our vision with you.  My daughter will also be there playing (it will be her first time in the space) and she will be a market regular. ;)  At some pt during the day, Chris will have to leave so we can pick up our promo packs from VGKids to hand out at The Rust Belt to Artist Belt Conference.  Hot off the press!  ..But I will be on location at 9/Woodward.

It will be very nice to put some faces to names/businesses.  Please keep in mind that today (technically, Monday) was our first day of interior altercations because we have been so focused on the sign for the marquee, scheduling and many, many other details.  Therefore, do not expect anything major, but we do have a space mocked up for example and will have pictures of ideas for the general atmosphere.  I hope and think it will inspire and excite everyone!
 
Also, If you have not submitted any photo files of your work, plz do so!  If you have submitted a link to any website, there is no need to send any files.

Lastly, if you are an artist, designer, vintage collector or foodie FROM FERNDALE and have signed up to sell at The Rust Belt, please send me a SHORT email with your name, business name, and contact info.  A Ferndale publication would like to feature some local artists who will be selling at the market.  I do not have the time to sort through who is from Ferndale and who is not.  Also, I do not want to be perceived as "playing favorites."  This way, I will know who is interested and pass along the info.  I will post an announcement of facebook sometime tomorrow.  Deadline to submit info:  Thursday, April 7th.
--
Tiffany Best
www.rustbeltmarket.com
www.facebook.com/therustbeltmarket
@rustbeltmarket

Welcome to our newest advertiser, ACT, the Artists Crafters & Tradesman insurance program. Perennially recurring questions about insurance are found often on this site. You might find this information helpful:

    
     Almost seventy percent of artists and crafters strongly believe  in  a longstanding myth.   As uncomfortable as the conversation is, and no matter how distasteful it may be, homeowner’s insurance is greatly misunderstood when it applies to artists and crafters.

     Let’s attempt to simplify the discussion.  In standard homeowner’s policies “Business Pursuits” are specifically EXCLUDED.  Courts around the country generally define business pursuits as “continual activities carried out for financial gain.”  In some states this can include almost any activity resulting in some form of revenue or exchange of money, even if the money comes from a tip jar.  The pursuits don’t need to be full-time or even your primary source of income, either.  “Business Pursuits” can simply be your hobby where you occasionally sell a product for money or trade.

     Many artists and crafters also believe that the material goods used in their businesses are covered under their homeowner’s policy, too.  Unfortunately, the same exclusions apply.  A potter’s wheel or woodworker’s lathe could be excluded if they were damaged in a home fire or stolen if these items were ever used during a “business pursuit,” even if they are permanently located in your home’s shop or garage.  This exclusion can also extend to inventory, shelving, containers, or even the bubble wrap used in your “business pursuit.”  If you have visitors to your home to conduct business or sell your wares, and someone slips and falls on your premises, the possibility of your homeowner’s coverage excluding the incident is very high.

     The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), vigorously advises that artists and crafters purchase insurance for their various activities.   Too many artist and crafters discover the absence of proper protection at the worst time – after the disaster.  Some insurance companies recognize the need to extend coverage to their clients who have small home-based businesses.  This coverage can extend to liability or property, usually with costs that range anywhere from $250 to $1,500 depending on your activities and location.  If you take your business away from the premises, additional extensions and premiums may apply. 

     Even with the additional premiums, the most widely used endorsement for business pursuits still has limitations.  The business must be owned by the named insured on the homeowner’s policy, and resident family members, and must not exceed certain revenue benchmarks.  Additionally, this extension will not cover anyone engaged in manufacturing, selling, or distribution of food or personal care products.  Basically, the homeowner’s policy is written for homeowners, not necessarily small businesses.

     Business Owner’s Policies (BOP’s) provide fantastic coverage, but cost, at a minimum of $500 per year, often exceeding $1,000 due to the broad coverages automatically included.  However, they do not necessarily include “Products Liability,” for artists or crafters engaged in manufacturing.  There are a handful of specialized products geared towards the artist and crafter that are both affordable and offer the basic coverages needed.  For those who manufacture a product, they can extend protection benefits to this exposure as well.  One or two specialized programs even offer their coverages for shorter periods of time if you are only doing a single show, or perhaps a summer season, saving you even more of your hard-earned dollars.

     In summary, there is no reason to rely on your homeowner’s policy when it probably doesn’t provide the coverage you need when other programs are available at similar, or less expensive premiums.  Do a little homework and cover your assets properly.

Article by Daryl Stafford