This was my 2nd year at Mayfaire. It is in Lakeland, Florida, around Lake Morton. It is a home show from me, within an hour’s drive. It is usually hot and a fair to good show for most.
Set up is grueling due to the heat, since check in is from 11-4. It would be better if they had latter check in, so that one does not have to set up in the midday heat of early summer. Summer comes early here. That being said, at least you can easily drive up to your booth, since they are on grass along the lake in a single line. When I arrived I discovered that my spot was on top of a man hole! Joy! When they came to deliver juice, water, and bagels in the morning, my husband asked if they had a rug that we could cover the man hole with to contain the sweet acrid smell and cover the holes in it. We did not want to have someone trip when they got a heel caught. Surprisingly, they brought a rug within an hour for us to use during the weekend. I guess if you never ask you never know if a solution can be found.
The weather was hot, but breezy, so it was not as unbearable as last year. Last year my knuclebuster literally melted with the heat and sun. It now is always covered when it is hot. Sunday was somewhat cooler after the front passed by overnight, which reduced the humidity.
My sales were of by half. I was really worried after Saturday's zero sales. People were looking and very interested, but did not buy from me. I was at the beginning of one end, so I frequently heard I just got here, I will stop back on my way to the car. In the heat, they probably forgot about us and left for some ac. On Sunday, people actually bought, but enough to make up for no sales on Saturday. The crowds seemed lighter that last year. I do know of several that had good sales, but most were off from previous years.
The judging seemed fair. He actually asked questions and looked at the work. I did not hear any negative comments about him just passing by and not at least looking. The main negative comments I heard were about the usual suspects receiving the top awards.
Other than the midday check in time, the only other main thing that needs addressing is the lack of boothsitters. They go out of their way in so many respects, bring water frequently, etc, but provide no booth sitters. The award winners had to wait a half hour after when the award ceremony was supposed to take place. They may have lost sales waiting for their checks. Luckily, my husband was there to man my booth, as most of sales for the day came right then.
I would do it again. You must be prepared for the heat. The crowd does buy.
Sorry no pics.
Just drove home from the Dallas "City Arts 2010" and should have left on opening day.As I hadn't done an indoor show in a few years I had called a couple of weeks in advance when they announced that the show will be held for the first time indoors in the Automotive building, if they would have anyone that rents pipe and drape, the answere I got was "what is pipe and drape?". After explaining what they were she said she would call me back.. After a couple of days I called back and was told of a rental company I could call and rent some for at $45 a day per 10 ft and $90 delivery ,but they were not apposed to us setting up our canopies . No big deal so I just brough my Lite Dome frame and some drapes.. Arrived on Thursday to chech in and set up at Fair park in Dallas. Checked in and asked for my packet, Why would you need a packet or an Artist tag.I was told..again no big deal, I go into the building find my corner and set up, the A/C was off, again no biggie, for sure it will be on for the show. Remember this is Texas in May.
The show starts at 6PM on Friday till 10 PM for VIP's. The crowd of VIP's was underwelming to say the least but I was one of the lucky ones and did $1200. Most that I talked to did zero. BTW the A/C still hadn't been turned on. On Saturday they claimed on their web site 12,000 people were in attendance "No way" maybe and that's a big maybe 2,500 and most of them just happen to drop in because they came .....now get this for the "Craft" show that was in another building which we were never told of and had sticker shock when seeing Art for Thousands of dollars when they came to buy and look at $10 whirlly birds. Again no A/C untll 5PM and by that time you couldn't have cooled the building down, most were going back outside to cool down. This show had some fantastic Art, a lot of very high end Art and most said they will never be back. Sunday (Mothers Day) was no better. I at least made expences but most didn't and I talked to at least 20 who did zero.
Why, with the resourses of Dallas cant they at least put on a show even 1/2 of Houston's" Bayou's", even" The Woodlands Waterways",, Ft. Worths "Main Street", Southlake, Austin etc.
It's been said this show is very good, with lots of people spending money. Was happy to be set up close to my sister, who has made great money there in years past. We were also blessed in the fact that there was no rain or thunderstorms like there were in PA (where I live). Show was from 10-4:30. By 1:00 the wind just started getting tricky, but where the heck where all the people who supposedly come to this show? Turns out the promoter did NO, absolutely NO advertising of any sort this year, not even a sign. Most of my customers said they had no idea there was a show. They were going somewhere else in town and happened to notice the tents and came on over. Sales were very low compared to what was expected.
By 2:00, the wind gusts left many artists/crafters with destroyed tents and damage to merchandise, so everyone packed up and left.
I have to make a comment about the shoppers though. As artists were scrambling to get their stuff packed and get out of dodge, people were actually asking WHY we were all packing up?? They were obnoxiously still trying to paw at your merchandise while you were frantically trying to put it away, AND asking questions about the product, oblivious to the mayhem going on around them. All vendors I talked to said the same thing. Where were these "interested" people when the weather was half decent in the morning??
Had one customer at the very end, that dug in my bin already being packed, who insisted she must have this item. Told her the price and she was trying to make me a deal. Told her NO deal and as a matter of fact there would be another 7% added for sales tax. She was upset but I told her she had 30 seconds to decide because I was leaving and officially closed for business.
Another problem at the show was NO FOOD OR DRINKS! Not one concession there to buy anything from. This should have been made clear on the application.
Had a higher dollar show booked for today, but opted not to even bother going due to the high winds.
40 Questions Blog Series: Question 17 – Should I Accept Credit Cardsand Who Should I Choose for a Credit Card Merchant?
Ok, I know I have not been diligent in pumping out more blogs for thisseries and to make up for it, I am doing a 2-fer for Question 17.In the business of getting my own work produced for up coming shows Ihave found a bit of time to read a few posts on forums regarding thehot topic of credit cards. I read at least 4-5 LONG posts with manyreaders weighing in their thoughts on the topic every year and a lotof the info is still the same. So, if this “quick” post isn'tenough info for you, please visit art fair/crafter sites (for example) such as this one -artfairinsiders.com - and craftlister.com with forums and messageboards for more opinions on the topic. Also be sure to look back onold topics – the info is VERY relevant still today!
Question 17 – Should I accept credit cards as a form of payment at shows andwho should I go with as a credit card merchant?
First, should I accept Credit cards? When it comes to serving customers –as we are still on the subject of customer service – customersexpect craft artists to have the same amenities that retail storeshave because art shows are essential retail shows. One of theseamenities is accepting credit cards. As a society, more and morepeople carry debit cards and credit cards and use them as regularforms of payment and rely less on cash or check. It is easier,faster, and tracking money couldn't be easier too. When we look atthis more in depth, think about customers at shows and what wouldthey most likely carry. For the most part, they tend to carry littlecash (unless they are budgeting their money) which tends to go forfood and maybe one or two small price items. The rest is paid forwith a card. Why? Well, people don't feel as comfortable todaycarrying -wads of money – when a simple card will suffice. Peopletend to buy more if you inform them you accept credit cards, “ohyou have a set of earrings with the pendant – I'll take it!”Another reason, show patrons are more likely to pay with a creditcard on items priced $20 or more – who has $1,200 in cash for alarge framed watercolor painting? The exception to this rule fallswith the “older” crowd because their mantra is spend what youhave, while younger generations are more apt to pay it off in time.For older folks it isn't unusual for them to pay in cash and have$300+ rolled up in their wallet/purse. This is why it is importantto accept credit cards, checks, and cash so no one is excluded.
Accepting credit cards IS NOT EXPENSIVE. Accepting credit cards opens thedoors for more cash flow and speaking from experience, it hasincreased my sales 30% or more. There have been shows where if Ididn't I wouldn't have made any money and a majority of what I makeand sell is under $20. You will need to determine, based on how manyshows you do a year, what type of machine to use – a knucklebuster, Nurit machine, cellphone with a credit card ap... Manycredit card processing companies, such as 1st NationalProcessing offers help in this area. In most cases the only fees youhave is the machine – depending on what you go with , the bank fees– usually 2-4% of each transaction, and a monthly fee. A monthlyfee can vary from company to company, but can run from $8-$35 amonth.
Now, onto the second part – who should I go with for my credit cardprocessing company. I cannot stress enough that you MUST do yourhomework on this. Many folks who know nothing about credit cardprocessing end up going with their bank and find out their fees areoutrageous and do not work with small business such as craft artists.Some banks might offer a good deal at first, but after awhile theycan change the rules – up the fees, customer service slacks, etc.The best place to look is at art and craft business magazines such asCraft Reports, Sunshine Artists and regional art show publications.The companies who advertise in the publications are FOR THE ARTIST,not big companies and have experience WORKING WITH the needs ofartists. Two of the biggest ones I know of is 1stNational Processing and Propay, but there are many others that offergreat perks. Deciding on which one to go with will fall on readingthe fine print, reading reviews about what others think about thecompanies you are interested in, and your budget.
I have been a customer of 1st National Processing for about 5years now and have nothing but praise for them. They are reputable,I talk to live people 24-7 when and if I have a question, offer alarge selection of credit card machines (with rent to own options),payment options, as well as info on choosing a credit card company.If you do go with them, let them know I sent you! They also have agreat referral program. However, I have heard a lot of praises fromPropay and others as well. It all depends on what your needs are.
Final thoughts. If you are new at selling at shows, don't rush out to geta credit card machine because you may find out doing shows isn't foryou. You may find dealing with the public or setting up and breakingdown may be too much, plus the costs of display furniture andmaterials and so on is what you should focus on and if you like doingshows, only then should you entertain taking the next step. Takereviews with a grain of salt. Some people have a bad experience witha credit card processing company because they never bothered readingthe fine print and learn the hard way of why their fees are so highand can't get out of their contract. In other words it isn't alwaysthe companies fault – there are two sides to each story. Openingthe door for accepting credit cards at shows opens the door foraccepting credit card orders year around – great for commissionwork, people who end up being collectors of your work and cannot getto your shows, and more.
I hope this topic has helped some of you whether you are thinking aboutaccepting credit cards for the first time or have been acceptingcredit cards, but think it is time to look for a new processingcompany. Again, if you need more info, the info is out there andmany of your peers are happy to offer their two cents. The next 40question blog post will deal with handling problem customers andneighboring artists. Have a good weekend and sell sell sell! -Michelle Sholund www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com
Weekend show is over - time to rise & shine and start all over again! Before preparing for the next weekend's show, a series of paperwork, processing and organization must be done. After special orders and paperwork is completed, it's time to do two actions. The first is write a show review blog for this group, then email the promoter a follow up note. Good or Not so Good - I feel it essential to communicate my experience to the promoter. If I have suggestions, I'll first mention the good stuff, then offer ideas for the following years event. By far the majority of my emails go out to successful promoters/organizers thanking them for their dedication. I love sending these and always include a link to my review blog on this site.
I completed my review yesterday on a small local artists fair I participated in over the weekend in Racine and followed it up with an email to the organizer. I want to share with you part of her reply so you too can see the value in a simple follow up.
"Thank you for the wonderful recap, and thank you for your follow-up email. Most of all, thank you for appreciating our efforts. We are thrilled to have you participate in our show. You won my heart last year when you lifted my spirits at the end of the day, after I had taken a verbal beating from a disgruntled artist. You gave me a hug and said some of the same things you just wrote in your blog. Honestly, if my day would have ended on the sour note of the other artist, that feeling would have stayed with me all year. But, thanks to your kind and supportive words, I was excited to dig in and do it all over again this spring!"
The same can be said about communicating to a promoter the upsetting experiences an artist had. Not with anger, but always followed by suggestions for improvement of the situation. In my opinion, any artist that attends any art event is contributing to the success or failure of that event. Communication is key to keeping the good shows growing and the not so good shows improving. Of all the after-show routines we all have, this five to ten minute block of time is most valuable in years down the road.
I am a Great Lakes Nautical & Nature Fine Art photographer that participates in fine art shows and events across the Great Lakes Region. The 29th Annual Lake Front Artist Fair was held on Saturday, May 1st 2010. Located at Festival Park, right on Lake Michigan, I have participated in this event for four years and I will continue to use this well organized art fair as my "first of the year" event. Having a one day show early in the spring allows me to get back into the show every weekend routine. I once again get familiar with my setup, make sure equipment is working and figure out "how the heck did I pack this trailer last year?" It typically takes 3 shows to get my body back in shape (poor old body) and this one day show allows me to complain about muscle aches on Sunday.
This show is a juried event that runs from 9am to 4pm. It includes fine artists and fine art crafters as well as a silent auction, basket auction, childrens area, plant & bake sale and one of the most fantastic all day pancake breakfasts I've ever seen. The line for the breakfast is a long one, extending outside Festival Hall most of the day. Clearly a draw for most. The weather in past years has proved to be quite challenging. Right on the shores it has always been very windy with biting winds. I was thrilled this year when I did not need my winter coat and fingerless gloves. The day was marvelous!
ORGANIZER
Sponsored by the Racine Montessori school and underwritten by S.C. Johnson & Son, the event administrator is Rita Lewis. Fantastic woman and great at organizing this event - just love Rita as do all her volunteers. All artists have a choice of unloading times (I always choose 6:30am) and drive up to the curb of the park's entrance to unload. Parents/students/friends of the school are waiting with dollys and wagons to help unpack your stuff and haul to your booth location. There were 6 just helping us - all I had to do was stand in my booth area and direct them as to where they should place the stuff. It's all done so efficiently there typically is not a backup waiting to find a spot along the curb. There is an artist assigned parking lot not too far away but there is also a parking ramp right across the street for $1.50 for the day. I cannot say enough about the volunteers either. Always friendly, always checking to see if you have any needs.
LAYOUT
Booth spaces measure 12' by 10'. Our space has 2' on the side and we are always open to the back to use that area. The layout is patron and artist friendly. Traffic flow meanders around the grounds, entering and exiting at the same spot. With about 135 artists, it's easy for the patron to pass by each & every booth. I've been happy to have the same booth location near the entrance and close to the breakfast exit each year. Mine is exposed to the elements, but many of the inner booths are located under a roofed shelter and some inside the huge festival tent (I've somewhat envied them in past years during inclement weather, but I'm more of a "roughing it" soul.
BOTTOM LINE
There is no jury fee for this show. You send the application via mail along with photos of your work and a check for $75.00. If you are accepted, you are notified and they cash the check. Many considerations needed to be looked at to determine if this is an event that appeals to you. I can only share my thoughts.
For the reasons shared above I will always do this show. The entry fee is exceptional and the location is only an hour for me so I have no real expenses. My price points range from $10 to $580 but since Racine has been one of the hardest hit cities in the midwest, I lower my prices quite a bit. This is not a high end art show but does have, for the most part, high quality artists and crafters. Woodworkers, yard art, Ecuador hand loomed clothing along with great photography, painters, jewelers and more are all there. There are a few resellers allowed, but only the ones with interesting high quality stuff. I have no problem with that venue for this show. This is one of only two that I take my fine art note cards and lower priced items to. I don't even pack up my higher end items for this show - but I tend to make around $1000 for the one day, easy paced event. Probably one of the reasons I support this one is the sheer enjoyment of the day. It's always fairly profitable, there are no egos or cranky artists, it supports a local successful school and the organizer and all volunteers are really there to make the day pleasant for all.
This show is an example of how to survive these difficult economic times. You don't always have to go for the "Ann Arbor" shows! You don't have to always be concerned about "Upper Tier Fine Artists" only or not mixing in with high quality Crafters! Know your niche and think outside that Artists "Box". Should be on the list for any first time artist - although it will spoil you :D
Link to My 2010 Lake Front Artist Fair YouTube Video
Linda Anderson
Anderson Photo Works
