Blog

Just completed the two above shows the past two weekend. in Chicago Barrington was a new show this year. The city officials went all out to welcome the artists. Local businesses let artists use restrooms without question. Even though temperatures were in the 90's, the people come out and bought. It was good for a first year show and definitely worth considering again. Of course there were those who did well and a few that did not but overall an up and coming show.

Eastside Millenium is held downtown on the north edge of Millenium park just off Michigan Avenue and Randoff Street. Saturday weather was great. Show opened at noon and we had sales by 10:30 am. Large officies all around and workers really came out. Great sales on Friday. Saturday was almost a complete washout. Rain, heavy at times, nearly all day. Severe weather went south of the city so we did not experience the high winds. Sunday started out good but heavy rain about noon, then sunshine, heavy rain at 2:00 pm, then sunshine, and finally rain at 5:45 pm during teardown. Sales down from last year but only had one day total of good weather for a 2 1/2 day show. Definitely worth doing as the crowds really come out when the weather is good.

Ed Schmidt

Wooden Toys

I think I found most of the bugs on the website and have those fixed, a few still need ironing out. I have also started a blog which will show things in progress, such as fiber art, photographs, what I'm up to, where I'll be, studio updates, etc. That leaves the website for doing business and special event items.

I'd appreciate a little input/thoughts on what you wonderful people think and any suggestions. Please keep in mind that I have not put anything in for purchase as yet as I'm still working out pricing and how to do Pay Pal, for example. My website is: www.drakesneststudios.com and the blog is www.drakesneststudios.wordpress.com. Let me know if you have any problems accessing either site so that I can get those bugs worked out as well.

Thanks a million ladies and gentlemen, your comments, suggestions and encouragement are appreciated more than you know.

Terri at the Drake's Nest where rain is raising my pond level and lowering my driveway level!

40 Questions Blog Series – Question 22 What should I name mycraft/art business?

Loosing yourself in creating amazing works of art is easy, but finding theperfect name for your business... not as easy. The perfect namemight come to you quickly yet others will find it could take weeks toa month. It is possible that while you are happy with your currentbusiness name now, you might find that as your work evolves yourbusiness name needs to change. Instead of listing all the thingsyou need to keep in mind when choosing a business name, here's somebad examples (made up names of course) of business names with help tofind the best name for your business.

Question 22 – What should I name my craft/art business?

Bad Example #1 Kathy's Kountry Kandles Whenever you find misspelledwords in a title or business name, do you think how cute or can'tthey spell country correctly? When I see something misspelled likeKountry or Fone (for phone) it sends a message the company probablycuts corners or is fake as in imitation Krab meat vs. true Crab meat.Now before people start sending me hate mail, I do get it that it iscommon with primitive type art/crafts. Do realize if you do go inthis direction, you might find naming your business in this mattercan be a turn off.

Bad Example #2 John Wise Art Studio. Incorporating your own name intoyour business name is a good thing, however ask yourself will yourcustomers understand what your medium is based on the name “JohnWise Art Studio”? Some might find the name to reflect an actualstudio that people can take art classes in or that you sell artsupplies. To fix this dilemma, include your medium in the name forexample “John Wise Glass Studio” or “John Wise Photography”.

Bad Example #3 Dress Barn. For some reason I am having a hard timethinking of an example of this, but realized when I saw “DressBarn” I thought – how awful that name is. It makes me think of“fashion” for farmers (sorry farmers) or dresses for overweightwomen. What I am trying to say use a name that shouldn't have anegative connotation as well as something you want to stand by, notbe embarrassed. by.

Bad Example #4 Jive Jewels. While back in the 1970's this might becool, but will anyone today get what “Jive Jewels” is all about?Make sure whatever you name your business it is something that willstand the tests of time and people of any generation will get it.

While there are other examples I could give the one that I think trumpsthem all is this. Make your name your own, unique, and easy toremember.

I took a risk changing my business name from Grammy's Country Collectiblesto By the Bay Botanicals over one year ago. At the time the old nameworked, my products were inspired by my great grandma and thecollectibles was something that I thought would work as my linesexpanded. What I didn't realize is that it made by business seem oldfashioned and never told folks what it is I sold. When the name Bythe Bay Botanicals was born, I wanted it to signify something aboutwhere I work/live – the Chesapeake Bay, sound relaxing, as well astell customers the business has something botanicals or flowers too.

Are you having trouble naming your business? Thought about changing yourbusiness name or have changed your business name? Share your storyand add your two cents on this subject. Thanks for reading!Michelle Sholund – www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com

This is a one-day show sponsored by the Kalamazoo Art Center. It is held in and around Bronson Park and artists with booth locations on the interior can drive in on the sidewalks for set-up. This was my 5th. year in a row doing the show and it has become a real gem and a pleasure to do since they offered the Friday set-up.

This was the second time they suggested we be open on Friday evening. Last year we arrived in the late afternoon and were busy setting up while patrons were milling around the show. We didn't sell anything that evening, but had a very good Saturday. This year we came early and were ready for the 5 to 8 PM opening. We sold nearly $400 and didn't close-up until 8:30 PM.

Saturday morning the show picked up right where it left off. Many of the same patrons from the night before came by and made their final purchases. There is a parade that goes by the park and provides a distraction for an hour or so and the library had a book sale that is well attended. This year the Art Center had a "Garage Sale" in their galleries and that was fun too. There is also "craft" show set up a half-block away to take advantage of the large crowd.

The day became more and more overcast and rain was predicted for 7 PM. The show closed at 5 PM and within a half-hour the rain began as a drizzle. We all packed out wet but most of us were really pleased with our sales. Any one-day show that can deliver a $2000 + paycheck is a winner for me these days.

Having bailed out at the last minute on 3 shows this year (booth fees and all), it was time to see how things were going. The Denver show has the advantage of being organized by Jim DeLutes, a road show veteran. Jim is (almost) obcessed with making this an event of note and I trust the guy to actually do what he says, and he said he promoted the bejesus out of it. He was right.

The crowds were there, (most with hands in pockets), but we were blessed with 4 days of the best weather Colorado could offer. That, my friends, was a minor miracle.This one may have cost Jim his soul. Sales for us passed my goal of 5K, but what was unusual was what was purchased. I rarely sell a big framed piece, sold one. I usually sell a dozen or so canvas wraps, sold three. The matted prints flew out the tent, and most were purchased in groups of three or four. Very cool, since this product has the highest profit margain. A few commissions (we will see) a wedding (been a while for that). The neighbors (the dancing dachshunds,a jeweler, a sculpter and Heather the clothing lady all had varying degrees of success (and for two of them, this was the last show,both going on to bigger and better things).My good friend Jeff (analog BW) had a decent show as well. No one complained about anything but sales (well, Jeff dislikes the preponderance of what he refers to as "landscape porn" the overly saturated nature work in the 10X20 booths). Some observations from the show:
1) I am convinced that tent poles have a secret life. Despite careful packing, pre assembly and organization, once exposed thery are never where they were left.I can see the damn things snickering and laughing, jumping from bag to bag just to confuse the hell out of me during set up. I plan to install a nanny cam in the bags to prove my theory.
2) One of the most under rated benefits is people watching. I have my favorites, the hippie in the flesh colored body suit leading his llama thru a show in Nederland, my biker buds and goth people that readily identify with my work (damn, that's some sick s**t dude!), and my all time favorite, the white guy in shorts with black knee socks with the flip up sun glasses. This show had the March of the Cougars. It began quietly, a trickle of little black dresses, high heels and feather boas that turned into one of the oddest parades of prefumed and overly made up women I had ever wittnessed.Side by each, no male escorts in sight, I thought "this is one hell of a girls night out". Turned out to be the premier of Sex in the City. Quite a sight, and more than one husband got the shot to the ribs by the girlfriend/wife as his head swiveled to admire the scene.
3) Despite years of shows, I can still screw myself.Had a bike couple (pedal bikes) stop and exhibit some good interest in the work. We talked for 20 minutes or so, and they asked if it was OK to take a few pics of the booth for reference to take back to the hotel. I never allow this, but they were soooo nice. I said OK. It started with a few general pics, then she began to frame the images, he would hold them up for her.By the time I realized I had been set up, they had a half dozen shots.Very uncomfortable confrontation followed, I stopped short of asking them to delete the images (I really had no proof of their intentions). Never again.
4) As the show ended, had a guy (blue blazer/yellow pants) walking with his wife stop for a second.He raised his hands in disgust, and said loud enough to hurt the feelings of anyone within earshot" Why can't these people do something different, it's the same old crap at every show". Wow. That one really hit below the belt.Hard enough these days, and to have one a**hole summarily dismiss the creative efforts of all the hardworking people kinda got to me. Then I thought, this guy is probably the only male to see Sex in the City with his wife.Good enough for me.

A Post script: I received a call from the people I let shoot photos. They placed an order for 6 canvas pieces. Happy for that, of course. You just never know.

I did both weekends of the show and the best thing about it was the people. Great support, lots of nice people who brought water and snacksaround every hour or so, lots of booth sitters and a great brunch on SundayMorning. Move-in Move-out was rough as you must have dolly and go up and down aramp to enter the show area. There was a wide variety of art on display and anice price point range, the layout was much better than the Spoleto Fine ArtShow that went on across the street. The heat and humidity was unbearable andmost likely what kept the buyers away. This was my first time at the show and in talking to my neighbors they all reported slower than usual sales. the worst part of the show was the black babypowder like dust that covered everything pressure washing the panels and tenton top of a bad sales weekend makes this show more work than it was worth. Allof the art like wise had to be cleaned hours and hours of additional work.

I am a mixed media 2-d and 3-d artist who mainly paints animals and uses bright happy colors and live only 4 hours from the show.

Almost 200 Artist enjoyed this beautiful Square in the heart of Philadelphia. Always one of the more high level group of artist in the area, Fine Art exclusively, not craft and Photography. Many new faces. Unfortunately the weather was impossible. The hit and the humidity did the time for artist very hard. The set up on thursday always is very convenient and easy. Friday, first festival day, normally is quiet, the public, mostly people are working in the area. Saturday, the best day. The 18 th st. was closed to the vehicular traffic to permit restaurants put tables in the street. High public traffic all day long. Particulary my best day of the week end to make business. Sunday, was a short day, very windy and the organizers

let free decision to artist leave the festival before 5PM, after the news about the possible tornado in the area.
Synthesis, good show, easy to do, good educated attenders, they know what they are looking for. I had notices from other Artist about big sales ( included me). But I know very hard time for other artists. One of my favorites Art Shows

The DeForest Dragon Art Show was on June 5, 2010. It is fund raiser for art scholarships. The show is in its 7th year and has developed a nice following. It is a smaller show with about 75 artists. There were plenty of "tire-kickers". Which is fine, as our art is not an impulse item. They need to walk around and think about it for a little while.

Then about 2:00, a man was sitting on the ledge just behind our booth. He was having a heart-attack. The paramedics were called. The next thing I know there are 15-20 people swarming around this guy.

While they are working on him, the tornado sirens go off. The skies had been "threatening" all day. But now we were going to pay for it. They came through and told us to pack up, then told us to get into the library for shelter, as there was funnel cloud in the area. Then it starts to pour rain. We were packing in the rain. (Never an enjoyable event). I tried to adjust the wall of the tent to keep the rain out, only to get dumped with a gallon of rain water off the top the tent, right on my head. I was soaked. (Better me, then our art).

We got the art loaded in the car. Since we were only about a half hour from home, we took the art home first and returned to put the tent and other wet items into the vehicle separately.

We ended up having 5 pieces of art that were damaged by the rain. All have been repaired and are ready for next weekend.

It was very disappointing. But the show had good potential. I think we would have a decent show, if it had not been for the rain. The lesson learned: Always be prepared for the unexpected. Gee, sounds like I am a boy scout. lol