I, of course, have voiced my opinion. You can read about this and weigh in on it at:
http://www.freep.com/article/20100810/NEWS03/100810013/1322/Gun-advocates-take-aim-at-Arts-Beats-&-Eats
I urge you to take a stand.
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I, of course, have voiced my opinion. You can read about this and weigh in on it at:
http://www.freep.com/article/20100810/NEWS03/100810013/1322/Gun-advocates-take-aim-at-Arts-Beats-&-Eats
I urge you to take a stand.
The weather was a little bit of a problem on Sunday morning and the show had a slow start. But by noon, the sun was out, the buyers showed up and everything was good.
Question #29 Should I give away free samples and what are some samples I could give away?
First of all, I want to say this idea, of giving away free samples, will not work for everyone and every medium. There are craft artists who find it far more effective to capture names and email address for mailing newsletters and announcements. And I agree with this too. What I have learned though is people now are more conditioned to expect to get something for free, on sale, etc. when at a show and then shop. Some – not all – do remember the freebies people give away though...
Freebies can come in many forms. Here are a few suggestions:
1 Coupons – print out your own on either business card paper or note card paper mentioning that if the customers present this at a future show they will get XX% off their purchase at that show.
2 Magnets – check out online printing companies that offer magnet business cards and ask customers if they want a free magnet!
3 Pens – everyone can always use a pen, simply have your business name and website printed on them and you are set!
4 Trading cards – many photographers do this already, offering customers trading cards of simple or popular photographs unique to their own work with business information on it.
5 Candy/mints – People rarely refuse a free piece of candy – a tootise roll, a mint, nostalgic candy, etc. - and remember the gesture especially if you are the “lifesaver” who saved them from a coughing attack.
6 Recipes – If you sell dip containers or stoneware bakeware offer a free recipe with a photo of your work or of yourself making the pottery on the recipe card!
7 Stickers – I often see kids at shows, yet not enough stuff to entertain the kids. Make your own stickers – there are some VERY affordable sticker makers which you can create your own, marketing your work. Not only does it entertain kids, it gives parents time to shop.
8 Bookmarks – They are easy to make and can include anything from your logo, photographs of your work, and so on.
9 Make your own key chains – Use your scraps to make key chains – scrap pieces of leather, fabric, ribbon, cord with a bead or two, and have your name and website attached to it.
10. Jewelry cleaning kits. Those who make and sell jewelry can make up a simple jewelry cleaning kit and let buyers know they get one free with any purchase. Or offer a card stating “Free Lifetime Guarantee” and how to go about contacting you if a chain or clasp breaks and so on.
When I do shows I will either give away candy (especially around Halloween and Christmas) and other times coupons or a flower – if I have a lot in my garden. Everyone doesn't take the bait, but I often get repeat customers who do remember me, and while at that show recounts how nice I was to their friend and browse and shop. Sometimes their friend buys something! Needless to say $5.00 of mini candies or a couple of printed business cards with a coupon is very cheap and can be very effective when it comes to marketing – every little bit helps in getting the word out about your business.
If you are inspired to try giving away freebies, share your results here and comment away. Also, if you are strongly against this, feel free to share your opinions on that too and why you feel that way. All are welcome to comment and share your personal story about this post and past posts too. Have a great week – see you next time with more questions and answers to popular art fair issues. Michelle Sholund www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com.
It is always great when a news source delves into the topics, because likely as not they come away mighty impressed with the individuals creating the art. Not only do the news stories give some accurate background to the careers of artists, great to hear, but in the "comments" behind the stories you get a good look at what the general reader of the publication thinks about artists and art fairs.
Here's a thorough report from the Kimball Art Fair, taking place this weekend in Park City, Utah:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50070905-75/park-festival-arts-glass.html.csp?page=1
Historic Old Town -
Key West, Florida
Application Deadline - September 1, 2010
100 artist booths
The Key West Art Center, a non-profit community art center, sponsors the show that highlights 100 artist exhibitors. Locals and tourists alike flock to the Old Towne to see what's new each year and to see old favorites.
Cruise boats dock just blocks from the show and passengers are dropped onto the street a block from where the canopies line the beautiful tree lined streets. Running parallel one block from famous Duval Street and its famous bars and restaurants, is an added bonus.
In its 26th year now the show has grown and changed from the local funky street bazaar to a wonderfully eclectic mix of skilled and fine craft. Like Key West itself, this show has a wonderful mix of styles and traditions and the locals and tourists alike find their favorites. January's warm tropical breezes bring tourists of all kinds to our tiny island city and many of them plan their trip around the Key West Craft Show.
The 100 juried artists set up on Whitehead and Caroline
This show is run by artists for artists, and strives to bring all the right things together for everyone to have a great show. Advertising is done throughout the Keys and South Florida with support from the Florida Keys Tourist Development Grant and the Key West Art Center.
Please feel free to call for more information. We are Key West...... we are happy to answer all your questions and hope you come visit!
Lois Songer - Director
KWArtCtr@earthlink.net
305-294-1243
Am looking for any artist feedback on the mesa arizona show coming up this December. We got into Tempe and were looking to tie another show into it since our drive is 24 hrs. We have done Tucson in the past and are not doing it this year and then I saw this Mesa show on Zapp. D'line is next Friday, so any input by then would be greatly appreciated!
To my understanding, the show had been on the weekend after the 4th for a long time. Then the powers that be decided to have a festival "weekend", combining their music and art shows, in different parts of downtown. This required a change of date. They have changed the date several times since. The last time I did the show, 2 years ago, I took a picture of the sole customer on the street in the middle of a pretty Sunday afternoon. Disheartened, I put the show in the scrap column.
Then an artist friend convinced me to apply again and stay with them. It was the idea of a weekend with friends that convinced me and I'm glad it did. The show was much better than I expected. And we had a great time with our friends.
There is a good representation of 2D art, but the show leans heavily to fine craft. There is also a "renegade" show on a side street that has some good work along with B/S jewelry, tie dye and serapes. Oh, and dips.
The committee provides coffee and donuts on Friday and Saturday mornings (we're not sure why Sunday was dry) and a nice picnic on Friday night with grill type foods and salads, wine and beer. Live music. It's pleasant. No booth sitters or roving committee people checking up on things, but they were easy to find at the committee booth all weekend if you needed them.
My bottom line was affected a bit by my own faulty perception on what would sell. Almost all of my framed collage sold, my most expensive journals sold while the smaller ones languished. I expected the opposite.
They still share the weekend with a Jazz festival and some other events which I think is a mistake in a relatively small market. Why not spread things out for the folks?
It wasn't a blockbuster show for me, but I was encouraged enough to try again next year. My sales were not as great as that first year, but I was almost double what I did the last time I was there.
It's a Zapp show with a DL sometime in March.
I saw lots of people carrying bags with art in them. A good omen, eh?
Artful Vision's purchase with a purpose gallery is organized as a juried online art fair. It includes visual, decorative and functional art, as well as music and creative writing…but it’s so much more. It’s a unique way for artists to make a difference in communities across the U.S. by donating 20% of every sale to a community or national non-profit.
The people who support worthy causes, also buy gifts. Now when shoppers choose unique art and fine craft as gifts they also choose to support a participating non-profit. It’s a win-win for everyone, thanks to Maxine Gardner’s own “artful vision”.
Artful Vision - where art and community equal change for the greater good.
For more information visit: www.artfulvision.com
What if you knew you could make a difference just by changing WHERE you shopped? Artful Vision, organized as a juried online art fair, includes visual, decorative and functional art, as well as music and creative writing…but it’s much more than that. It’s a unique way to make a difference in communities across the U.S. because participating artists donate 20% of every sale to a community or national non-profit. 20% from every purchase by many individuals can be life changing!
Artists from the United States produce beautiful, useful items and help to fuel the financial needs of non-profits across the country. Shoppers can choose from practical and unique hand-wrought gifts and the non-profit group they wish to support. It’s a win-win for everyone, thanks to Maxine Gardner’s own artful vision.
“Artful Vision means purchasing with purpose,” said Maxine, modestly, “where art and community equal change for the greater good.”
For more information visit: www.artfulvision.com
Hi Connie
I came across your site accidentally, and found Sonny Dalton's name there.
We used to live in the DC area, and met Sonny at the Sugarloaf festival back in 2000. We found his work fascinating, and picked up a small locomotive (couldn't afford much at the time!) When we moved back to India a couple of years later, I called Sonny and ordered one of his pieces - the Harley Hog - because, as I told him, his work said "America" to me more than anything I wanted to take back with me. He mailed it to me without requiring or receiving an advance payment!
I was saddened to read on your site that he was hospitalized last year. (I'm almost afraid to ask... but could you let me know how he's doing? I'd just like to know. Both those pieces are on prominent display in my living room, and I'd just like to know...
Thanks
Suman Bolar
The FTB Blog
Today I received this further communication from her:
I am pleased and relieved to know that he is okay. Some people, they just make an impression that stays with you, even if they have only crossed paths with you briefly :)
I'd also like to share a little story of my own:
My dad was an automotive engineer, and our house was always full of metal bits and pieces that drove my mom crazy. He was very possessive of his big blue metal toolbox. It weighed (weighs) a ton! When he died five years ago (he was 64) my mom sold the house and moved to an apartment. The toolbox went underground. My 15 yr old found it recently while he was helping his grandmother with spring cleaning (yes, I know it's not spring, but this is India!). It was full of junk. Nothing of any use to 15 yr old. Spark plugs, auto parts, crank shafts, pistons, inlet valves, circular saw blades... you name it. My 11 year old asked if he could "mess around" with "grandpa's stuff", and I said, sure. A couple days later, he very shyly came and showed me a spaceship he had made, and said he was inspired by "the junk train" we own (Sonny's locomotive). He'd put together bits and pieces using soldering wire to hold them together. I intend to encourage him to pursue his interest for as long as he likes.
Like I said, some people make an impression...
We get many compliments for the two pieces we own, but to my mind, this is by far the nicest thing that has come of them - inspiring a kid to explore his own creativity.
and another one:
Subject: Sonny Dalton
"Thanks Connie-I tracked him down and actually spoke to him and Roxie both last nite, and then he called me today to tell me a joke. he is such a sweet heart. I was thrilled to hear he still has some of his musicians- i need to add a third to my collection- i need a key board player."
The show is well juried, well managed and I saw (for the first time this year) a good number of pieces walking down the street headed for a new home on the walls.The show has become a "destination" event where folks will plan their Summer trip to the mountains, and fill the streets both days.This is monsoon season in the hills, and you can plan to drop the sides more than a few times during the weekend. Saturday, the rain hit at three pm, this pretty much killed the day but they came back in droves on Sunday.
This year over 800 artists applied for about 185 spots, and there were no empty spaces.I can see this one becoming better and better over the next few years as the word gets out about the overall coolness of Crested Butte, the sales and quality of this well managed show.
Incidentals:
Now, we are there to sell, but it doesn't hurt to have a bit of fun.Took the camera down the street to the music corner.This chick rocked as good as she looked.The food court was all down home.Real bar b que smoke filled the air,local vendors peddeling fresh lamb and other goodies, there was plenty of veggie faire for the non carnivoires.There are no fast food places here, the support your local folks vibe permeates the entire weekend. We were set up with the local coffee house right behind (the entire weekend spent well caffeinated).There are dive bars,a real nice steakhouse, and all sorts of eclectic eateries and shops that give hope to the dream of the independent business person.Crested is pretty much off the grid, and the locals know how good they have it.Be ready to entertain some of the local characters, but aside from the Hells Angels passing thru on the Sturgis pilgrimige (50 was a distinct presence as well) it was a weekend you leave with a smile on your face, and a few bucks in your pocket.It's one I plan to keep on the schedule.
Brighton, Michigan
Downtown Brighton
presented by the Brighton Chamber of Commerce
125 exhibitors
Deadline: immediately!
Breaking news: Just last week our festival organization was informed by the City of Brighton that we have another block available to us to use for this year's festival (it was originally not available due to a large construction and building project). Therefore, we have space for over 20 fine artists and fine crafters.
The Brighton Fine Arts Festival is looking for fine arts and fine crafters to take advantage of this just-obtained additional event space, which takes place in the beautiful and unique downtown Brighton. The prestigious juried Brighton Fine Arts Festival has become a popular staple of downtown civic events and is still growing with new features.
NEW THIS YEAR -- PRIZE MONEY
People's Choice Awards
1st - $1,000
2nd - $500
3rd - $300
and
Artisan GUILD Award provides
Complimentary booth at next year's show!
People's Choice Awards
1st - $1,000
2nd - $500
3rd - $300
and
Artisan GUILD Award provides
Complimentary booth at next year's show!
Artist amenities include snacks, coffee, lemonade and water for artists, booth sitters, and complimentary vehicle parking with shuttle service, artist welcome bags and more.
All fine artists and fine crafters in all media and categories are welcome to apply. To ensure the quality of the show, all work must be designed and executed by the accepted fine artist or fine crafter. All work MUST be original - NO imports, kits, items made from kits or items using pre-manufactured components are allowed.
ONLY ORIGINAL ART WORK!
No buy/sell - this harms the quality of the show! Artwork must be in good taste and mindful of the show's intent and community's standards.
Brighton is an upscale community in Livingston County with easy access to Detroit, Ann Arbor and Lansing. It has a vibrant downtown with many specialty stores and is a desirable
Question?
Please contact Becca Boss
Please contact Becca Boss
via email: beccab@brightoncoc.org or 810-227-5086
**************
Looking for more art fairs for your 2010 season?
Well, the well has been capped for almost 3 weeks, and I made the very long trip to Bellevue, WA to do the BAM Artsfair with much trepidation.
In my case, the fear was for naught. First, about the show. It is held in a parking structure, with some more expensive booths outside on the street next to the mall. It is a little tight, with most of us having no storage behind the booth. The advantage to being in the parking garage (where I was) is that you don't have to worry about weather of any kind. After many windy shows this Spring, this was nice. You have to ask for a 8' space if you need it. I did, and I was between massive concrete joists, which knock the space down to 6' 8". For many artists, this was okay, but I have an 8' Finale from Light Dome, and this fit, sans canopy. Actually, I didn't even need the structure, 'cause we were totally protected. Just propanals and a cover for the front would have sufficed. If you are in the structure, this is good to know, for the following reason;
If you have a regular van, or a mini van, and you have a car top box, you will have to dolly in. I could have left mine at home, and pulled much closer to my space. A lot of the load in occurs from the rear of the show, and if you can fit under 6' 8" ceilings, your life will be easier. Dollying worked okay for me, load in and load out were fairly pain free.
It seemed that the street was busier than the booths in the garage, but that could have been the mall traffic, out on what I understood was one of the first great weather weekends of the Northwest. The serious buyers walked the whole show. There was a spurt of wealthy ladies on Friday morning, and they seemed to be making bee lines to their favorite returning artists. This was my first time there, and I had no repeat clients. Nevertheless, I equalled my best show ever (Fort Worth). Price sensitivity did not seem to factor for me. Now, I must say not everyone around me had a good show, but I talked to enough artists who told me the show was excellent for them as well. The Museum people were around all weekend, offering encouragement to the artists. There were tons of volunteers to booth sit through the entire show. They did not disappear at 3PM, like most shows. They are a great lot!
My one big beef was the artist parking. The lot was 2.5 miles away with a shuttle. I did not bother, with a priceline hotel less than a mile, I just walked. There were so many parking lots in Bellevue, many empty, and we had to park 40 blocks away? With no storage behind the booths, this is a problem.
I did hear that they had a lot of cancellations, and that they had to work their wait list, and I did see a couple empty spaces, but I, for one, am glad I made the trip.
I am glad that oil well is capped.
Question # 28 – Should I blog or do a podcast promoting my art business or my artwork?
The answer – yes, IF you have something to share with people that they haven't heard about before. The big question however is what should you blog about or do a podcast on? First look at what you are good at and focus your social media on that. Are you an accomplished artist in your field and want to share your expertise with the world (without divulging too many trade secrets)? Are you able to come up with comical remedies to crafting frustrations? How about offering ideas on how to display or use your work? Don't forget people like to learn new things – if you are a creative person not in just your field of expertise but able to tie other things to your work – this could benefit you too. I could see a person who loves to cook and knit, blog about colors in food and connect that with colored yarn in hopes to create a masterful recipe of knitting project ideas.
To promote your blog/podcast you need to come up with a good content, then find a decent website to post your blog. Wordpress and blogspot are two popular ones I know of ... Make sure the blog is neat and attractive – this goes for both podcasts and blogs as many who create their own podcasts use blog sites to post show notes and such to keep listeners up to date. Once this is accomplished, stick to a writing/recording schedule, consistently make it fun/entertaining/educational, as well as use some good photographs for visual aids. Sometimes reading can get boring – especially if posts can be long and in depth. Mixing it up with some visual aids really helps captures the readers attention. With my blog, I try to tie photos, but don't always have just the right ones for some topics. If that happens, don't worry about it – people will understand. You all do understand right??
Lastly, market your blog – this is what will help you sell your work or get your business recognized. Let your friends and family know about your blog. Tell your Facebook fans/friends know you have a blog and link new blog posts to your Facebook page when you write new posts. Include your blog site on your business cards or in salutations in emails. Also visit other blogs that are similar to what you blog about or where your target audience visits and write informative feedback content via their comment sections. Don't say, “Neat blog – visit me at www.myblogisbetterthanyourblog.dummyaddress.com “ as this is spam – people don't like spam. People do like additional information though and this could get people to want to learn more about you and what you have to say.
I really could go on and on about this topic, but to answer the question, yes blogging and creating your own podcasts can be very rewarding when it comes to promoting yourself and your work. If this sounds like something you want to learn more about many blog sites will walk you through the process and I am currently reading a neat book that covers this topic and more called The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin. I am not a promoter of it, just a reader and do recommend it as it is a pretty current, easy to read craft book guide on how to sell your art/craft. I invite all who do have a podcast or blog to use the comment button and do a brief synopsis of it! Until, the next blog post – I wish you the best and keep cool during the dog days of Summer. - Michelle Sholund, www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com.
Don't hate us because we were successful at this years Orchard Lake Art Show.At first I was scared about the location of the new venue and did not think ANYONE would find the show..it was very far off of Orchard Lake Road.Patty Narozny. of Hotworks did her job with tons of signage and television coverage - which brought the people out. The Friday night preview party was packed! Bob and I usually don't depend on these parties to determine the success of any art show...drinking and shmoozing is what the crowd usually wants to do.That night we sold a very expensive piece to a young couple from Royal Oak, and we had no stress from then on.That is not the case for most of the artists we talked to. A much larger show(240 artists) larger than the previous years- good for the customers, not always for the artists.Set up and take down was a breeze....
And come to the show they did! The quality of art was fabulous! Lots of great artists who also did Ann Arbor the previous weekend.We sold three large,two medium and two smaller pieces at the show which added up to the best show of our summer so far..we also delivered and hung three pieces which I think added to the sales we made- customer convenience is something every customer wants.There was alot of money walking around the show...don't know if they all spent it, bnut they were there!!!
I think the crowd did buy from some artists- there were mixed reviews from artists around us...same as always.
We will be back next year and hopefully sales will be even better!
And , Nels...we missed you- sorry you had such a great Ann Arbor show and could not join us for dinner Saturday night at Bravo- we enjoyed our martinis anyway!
Every show has its challenges and this weekends show was no exception. But there was something a little different ... a little "off", on this show. The paperwork asked for a 6:45 a.m. set up. Which on normal shows, would be fine. But this show did not open until 12-noon on Saturday. I thought it was strange that it has a late opening time. I send an email to the organizers to request a later set up time. They told me I could arrive at 7:30. But couldn't make it any later. It will only take us 2 hours to set up.
When we arrived, it was drizzling a little, but soon stopped. The street was a little tight for tents on either side and cars unloading down the middle. But you make the best of it. We unloaded, got set up. We were all set up and ready by 9:30. So now we sat there, no customers and chatted with other artists for over 2 hours. There seem to be no good reason for us to be there sooooo early. We had traveled 3 hours away. So we had gotten up at 3:00 a.m. to sit there. We could have "slept in" til 5:00. We asked artists if they had done the show before. I did not find one artists that had done the show last --- not a good sign.
The gates opened at 12-noon. But they charged $7 to get into the area. This admission charge also included music at one end of the festival. This has a major affect on the type of person attending the show. These were people that were willing to pay for the (rock) music, but not interested in buying art.
The "services" provided to artists were strange as well. When we checked in, there were no name tags. About 1:00 on Saturday afternoon, they walked around and handed everyone a name tag. The "artists lounge" was open from 2:00-5:00=which was the peek selling time.
The show was to run until 10 p.m. but the artists were able to close earlier, if they wanted to do so. We left on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. out of boredom. Some others did stay open later, but did not sell anything. Sunday night they closed the show a 9:00 p.m. (do you know how dark it is at 9:00 p.m.?) Then an other hour or so to pack up and get out. We left at 7:00.
Total sales were very poor. We covered our expenses, plus $100. Not even closed to what we expected.
This seems to be a music show that added art. They are not really interested in developing the art side of the festival OR don't know how to run an art show. Too bad. It could have been a good show. But we will not be returning next year. Most artists around us did little to no sales. One artist next to us did OK on Saturday, but nothing on Sunday, told us he would not be returning next year.
I've always thought that there are two types of people who do art shows, and probably many that fall in between. Most are those that are creative and can take advantage of the concept of art shows by using that creativity to earn a living and support a family. And there are people that cant deal with the real work world and don't get along well with others. Its relative easy to tell which type that is when you're set up next to someone you either get along or don't get along with.
I became interested in photography in the early 1970’s and found that I had an innate understanding and love of the medium. I carried a camera everywhere and took pictures every day. It became an obsession. I spent a few weeks one summer on Monhegan Island (Maine) and ran into a woman who was selling her etchings. She had them spread out on a bench in front of the restaurant where most of the people ate. Intrigued by the concept of selling artwork, the following summer I brought a few boxes of my own matted photographs and the sales paid for my summer vacation. That same woman told me about a few shows in New York City that she had been exhibiting at. I made some calls and got the applications and I once I did my first show I was hooked.
Back then everything was low tech. There were no professional looking displays, everything was hand made. My first display was built with 1x2’s and pegboard with clear plastic thrown over the top if it rained.
There were no uniform bodies of work and no jury slide photographers to photograph them. Those specialties didn't exist yet. And it was relatively easy to get accepted to almost every show you applied to. You learned about shows by word of mouth from other artists, and once I learned about Sunshine Artist Magazine, I would pour over it from cover to cover looking for shows to apply to. I moved from doing mall shows to outdoor shows where you could earn more money in two days outside than for a week in a mall where you spent most of your time reading books and eating.
Once I started doing art shows on a regular basis, I became part of a "family" of artists. Friendships developed and we looked forward to seeing the same people from show to show, maybe sharing breakfast or dinner with them and you watched each others family change and children grow up. Doing art shows was a fun way of earning a living.
Technology started to affect the art show business, as it did everything else in our world. Displays began to look more professional. Bodies of work became tighter. Shows started getting more competitive. Even vehicles became more suited for transporting art.
Things were good through the end of the 1990’s. Some artists consider 9/11/2001 as the date things began to slide downhill because people cut back on non essential spending. But if you think about it, change was inevitable. Art shows became more about the money than about the art. Baby boomers were starting to age, they were the artists and the buyers of the artwork. The Internet had a substantial affect as people began to make purchases on line. You could find all sizes of art at very low prices at the big box stores. Costs related to art shows began to rise as sales dropped and artists began to earn less money. Then the move to online applications happened and the number of people applying to shows increased making it more difficult to get into shows where they would earn less money.
For some, the move from 35mm jury slides to digital jury images and the online application system became the reason or blame for the downhill trend. Better quality images of your art were now within reach of everyone, not just those artists who had hired a professional jury slide photographer in the past. With higher quality images being prepared by more and more artists, it was inevitable that applications would become more competitive.
So where will it end? Shows are no longer fun to do and artists no longer are able to make the money they did in the past. And that's where I'm going to end this essay.
Larry Berman
Digital J u r y Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
