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I was an exhibitor in Reston Virginia Art festival last week end. My second year in the event. Nice town but How about the weather...

On friday 14 I have to attend the preview Party where I was selected to exhibit with another 19 Artist from the Festival. Late in the afternoon I finish to set up my tent and I went to hang some of my paintings in the Party space. After that I came back to the hotel to get ready for the party and little time later I was walking in the way to the party when with surprise I discover that my tent ws blow over after a short wind storm. The tent was totally destroyed but thanks God my paintings wasn't in there. I was in shock and the only thing I was thinking in that moment was to go home. After the party and more relaxed I decided to rent a new tent and try to be ready for the next day.

The saturday morning was a little windy, but the day turn worm and beatiful. The Place was crowed and the visitors very interested in the high quality works exhibited.

Sintesis; The week end could not be more wonderfull, and fortunatelly was a very good show for me and for my neightbors. I want to say thanks to all the voluntaries for their help and for the great organization. In my opinion Northem Virginia Art Festival is one of the Festival with best organization . Clean set up and break down, and this people care the artist comunity. Reston Virginia Art Festival is a place to have in mind for the next year, but take attention about the weather.

(May 14-16, 2010): We drove for 9+ hours to get to Belleville, IL, but we would probably be considered local as other artists drove for days from Washington, Oregon, Santa Fe, etc. I had breakfast with an artist who came to the show from Honolulu.

On the last hour of our drive we passed through sparsely populated farmland which took us to the City limits. I couldn't help but think, "could this show really be as good as is claimed... where are the people?" I make no bones about it... this show is a gem for any artist fortunate to get in.



Belleville is a small city of 43K and Art on the Square has become its main event...the pride of the city... a total community event. As you will learn, this goes beyond an art show. It is a community that is building itself around the arts, the show is the catalyst.

First about the art show

The Art Cash Program: Before the first artist crossed the city line, more than $87,000 in pre-purchased Art Cash had been sold. So when the show opened on Friday night, 87K had already been collected and reissued to patrons for the sole purpose of art purchases at the show (turns to confetti on Monday). I have attended many Friday pre-show openers with indifference, but not this time; it was the best Friday open that I had ever been a part of. In a few hours, I was already at my average take for a small weekend show. BTW, we set up in the rain but by 5PM when the show opened, the sky broke clear to a beautiful evening. Patrons of the pre-purchase program were treated to wine and beer which only added to the joy of buying art.



Saturday was not so good weather-wise. It poured most of the day, miserable and cold - by day's end, the chill ran deep. It was the type of day you just wrote off as an artist and hoped the next would be better. But... in Belleville folks came out in spite of the rain. Granted, I'm sure not near as many as would normally come, but a very decent showing and they bought art! By the end of the day, I had made good sales.... amazing considering how hard it rained at times during the day.

Sunday, the threat of rain hovered over us again but it held off till the show's end and most of the breakdown... a fantastic day for sales. I sold across all of my price points. There was a good mix to the crowd... all ages and hair colors. When the toll for all three days was made, hummmm doggie, this was by far my best show. Not everyone had a stellar show but I did not talk to one artist who didn't think they would return if given the chance.

I mentioned earlier that this is a community that is building itself around the arts and the show is serving as the catalyst. Here are a few examples:



1) Artist in Residence Program: Several of the selected artists were asked to come to Belleville early. They were sponsored by area businesses and paid a stipend to participate in an educational outreach program to support the arts within 12 of the area schools. A sponsor's sign was hung on the artist's booth during the show, indicating the artists who participated in the Artist in Residence program. A jeweler across from me participated in this program... his work was outstanding and I would have loved to have been a part of any workshop he would have done. What a great way to leverage the artist's talent coming to their city.

2) High School Art Show: Also built into this show was an art show for the local schools. On Saturday evening we were treated to our fill of shrimp and sandwiches and cheesecake and wine/beer, etc. We were also given a clipboard and asked to rank a best from the many pieces of high school art work that hung on the walls of a bank lobby where our reception was held. I now understand the pain that judges must go through in judging our work. A lot of this work was really outstanding. If they start doing art shows, watch out. BTW, I sold a few pieces of art to high school students who had displayed at the high school art show... an appreciation for art at a young age. 



3) Corporate Collections Program: Business Owners, Attorneys, Physicians, Executives, City Hall, etc, are encouraged to purchase art work to enhance the design of their office space. I was the beneficiary of one of those sales. 

Now a word about the army of volunteers that treated us like royalty. This entire show is organized by volunteers from the Director, Patty Gregory, on down. They baked cookies, made sandwiches, etc.. I lost count of the many treats that were brought to our tents throughout the weekend, almost hourly... even the rains didn't stop them. I'm certain that they have ruined the rest of this year's show season for me -- I have been spoiled.. 



There is more to say... I think you get the picture and I didn't even talk about the awards. I was surprised to read in another post on this forum how over-rated this show was. In my opinion, this show has the rating it deserves, a top show. Everyone from Patty on down should be proud. My thanks for a job superbly done.

Link: http://www.artonthesquare.com/index.htm

Comment: I don't know what this show could have done to make things better. How many shows have you participated in that pre-sells $87,000 in coupons that can only be used at the art show? Provides a free dinner with unlimited food and drinks? An outstanding Awards Breakfast with award money totalling around $25,000. Hospitality like no other show I've ever been at. I don't know what could have been improved, other than the economy and weather

40 Questions Blog Series – Question 19 What should I not leave homewithout before going to a show?

I am convinced I have the worst memory when it comes to packing the carthe day before a show. If it isn't a banner, for instance, it isgift/shopping bags and business cards. When I use a check sheet itreally helps. Here's my list of items that you should not leave homewithout before you head off the show.

Question 19 - What should I not leave home without?

1. Cashbox/money belt

2. Cash (go the night before to your bank and get your change then)

3. Credit card machine

4. Receipt book

5. Pens

6. Display furniture

7. Canopy

8. Table coverings

9. Tape

10. Scissors

11. Step ladder/handtruck

12. Extension cords

13. Lights

14. Sales tax certificate

15. Chair (some may not agree, but I have to sit to at least eat)

16. Fan (a must during summertime outdoor shows)

17. Lunch/snack

18. Purse/wallet

19. Your art or craft (double check to make sure all is packed)

20. Air Freshener (people like a place that smells clean and air freshenercan do that)

While this list of 20 may not be for everyone as some don't need a canopyfor an indoor show and some shows don't have electric. I find makingthis list in an spreadsheet and having two columns – one listingthe item and the other to check off it is packed works for me. Ifyou are like me, forgetful, this list will be a lifesaver.

The next post is all about the importance of nice gift bags for any typeof art/craft. Have a great show!

Michelle Sholund, www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com

This was my first year at this show. It is an art festival with music as a large component. Many people were there for the music as well as looking at the art.

The show runs from 10-7 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. Setup is on Saturday. If you had an even number booth you could set up starting at 6:30 am. Odds could set up after 8:15 am. More shade can be found around the square, but I was located the furthest from the square in full sun. They feed you breakfast and lunch if you got there before they ran out. They also had water and sodas. Good boothsitters. Run very well.

The artwork quality present was varied. Some non-white tents were present as well as some artwork hanging from the tents rather than from professional-looking displays. Many of the higher end artists did not have good sales, especially if they had no small stuff.

Saturday brought a record high of 95. People are were buying some the first hour or two, then things went dead for most of the rest of the day until it started cooling off again. Even the dogs were dropping. They did not want to leave the shade. The people were doing the heat shuffle with blank faces and empty hand except for beer or melting snow cones. With same day setup and heat, most artists were beat by the end of the day with no or little sales. I had just made booth at the end of the day. Most of the people were tire kicking on Saturday and melting in the heat.

Sunday brought somewhat cooler weather, especially when the clouds blocked the sun, and promise of rain at some point during the day. The crowds started off slow, but gained momentum. Bags started to be carried and several be bakes from the previous day actually came back and purchased from me. I was afraid to leave the booth and miss a sale. I finally reached the 2K mark. I guess I will have to raise the bar now. As as always, when I finally have a great show after having several poor shows, several things demand attention like much needed vehicle repairs. The rain held off until tear down, when the skies opened up with pouring rain and lightning for about 30 minutes or so.

Most did not have great sales and many had very poor sales. Knowing this I know that next year I may not repeat my same sales figures. I was lucky this year. The show is worth trying. It would be a better show if the artwork was juried better and/or had a lower booth fee. I would do it again.

In homage to the great Nels' Tequila Report, we will try to let the vodka drinkers out there know where to go to calm down and enjoy a drink after a long day of work! In Auburn Hills, Michigan...recommended by our customers from the show, LELLI's restaurant, know for the best Filet Mignon in this country(so they say which it was!)..Order the Anniversary special, a six course (ugh!!!) delight...appetizer plate(shrimp, peppers, olives etc.) soup, salad, entree, pasta and dessert! But add two Belevedere's chilled up with a float of Cointreau each...NOW we're talkin'!!!

Just returned from Birmingham Art Feastival. Have been doing the show for approximately 25 years. This was the best year we have had in all those years. Both days were great sales. Many of the artists I spoke with also had a great show. We had our best day ever at the show on Saturday and Sunday was also great. May have been due to the weather. Who knows. It's rare top get two good days of weather at that show. We did better on Saturday than we did at 11 of our shows last year and total sales were better than any of last years shows. Birmingham folks are well educated in the arts and are willing to spend money on good quality work. Hopefully this is an indication that things are on the rebound for 2010.

Ed Schmidt

Toys 'N' Stuff

July 10 & 11

Oceanside, California
33rd Annual
"Christmas in July"
Artisan Fair
Historic Mission San Luis Rey
150 exhibitors

Deadline: June 1

members, and those who love to craft.

• download an application at: www.bethesdarowarts.org/application
• or submit digitally at: bethesdarowarts.org/app
  

40 Questions Blog Series: Question #18 How Do You Deal with Negative Booth Neighbors and Negative Customers?

Those of you who don't know, I do actively sell at art fairs. I had my first show this year this past Mother's Day and have first hand experience with this topic. Despite high winds and some profits being made I was pretty annoyed by one negative craft neighbor. I will spare you all the details on the experience, however will not
skimp on the on the tips I want to share with you regarding how to deal with negativity in your booth – albeit from a customer or a neighboring craft artist.

Question #18 How do you deal with negative booth neighbors and negative customers?

People just have bad days – upset about paying to enter a show, parking was bad, slow sales, etc. While we are not therapists people do expect us to listen to their good and bad times, simply because you are at the right place at the right time. The acronym SAD – Smile, Acknowledge, and Distract helps when encountering unhappy people. A smile is the first thing people see when they see you – if you smile at them, they will smile back. Acknowledge that you understand or recognize their horrible experience was awful is all people want
in order to turn their mood around. Lastly, distracting a person from whatever it is that makes them unhappy will aid in putting themon the right track to forgetting what made them upset and make them look forward to something that will make them happy.

Don't let them get to you. The main objective to spew how upset a person is, is to let all those around know how miserable they are for sympathy. Misery loves company – and it is true! Yet, if you give into the anger, your whole mood changes and so does your booth. People don't realize they are doing this however it is like a
billboard sign telling all “keep away” if you take a step back from the situation. Nip it in the bud or else it will spread and kill the happy aura that should be in your booth. How do you deal with this? Make a conscience choice to not let it enter your booth or affect your mood. You might have to excuse people from your booth
or do your best to distract them with a different, happier topic. Try, “I am so sorry to hear you're having a bad day, but the good news is you are here now and that incident is in the past...” then pick out something in your booth that would instantly make them forget about their troubles. If it is a neighbor, you need to either
ignore them or be frank and state, “I am busy (with customers, setting up, organizing my booth, etc.) and I cannot help you, please leave so I can finish my work.”

Dealing with “shrieking customers”. Shriekers are those who shriek about the cost of something or argue with you in how something isn't handmade. When you have a shrieker try, “Yes, my hand knit scarves are $125, but what you might not know is they are made from wool from my own sheep on my farm in Kentucky. I personally sheer the sheep, spin and dye the wool, and make all the scarves you see here. Granted, they are NOT for everyone, but I wouldn't be here if people weren't coming back time and time again buying them because their
friends and family want one due to how warm they are and they go with anything!” The idea is to twist it around, showing them there are many reasons why people buy it despite the “sticker shock”.

While each situation is different, I have used these tips to help diffuse negative situations. Try it at your next show and report back how effective the advice is. Don't worry be happy, have a good week all!
- Michelle Sholund, www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com