Just returned from the Tulip Time Artisan Festival.  I promise that I will always review all shows equally, good and bad.  This time just happens to be a bad experience.

First, I am sure that the show was a tremendous success for the organizers.  The weather and the crowds were big and steady.

The event had an unusual load in time, 8:00 on Friday evening.  This was because there was a large Dutch Dancing show in Centennial Park until 7:30.  This made it difficult to get unloaded and set up before dark.  We didn't and had to return the next morning at 7:30 to finish up.

The crowd was more intent on the copious amount of food vendors than they were on buying art.  The caramel corn, chocolate dipped pretzels and blueberry doughnut vendors all did very well.  Saw very few people carrying art.  I spoke with one jewelry vendor, price point about $175 who had not sold anything.  One jewelry vendor seemed to be doing well but their jewelry was all imported findings.  Rings with stones glued into the center, believe it or not.  I'm not sure how that made it through judging.  I'm not sure there was any judging.  This was much more of a food and craft fair than it was an art fair.

My price point is $25-85 for completely hand made pendants, bracelets and earrings.  I made expenses just barely, but not worth the effort to attend again.  Hotels on the west coast of Michigan are very expensive.  

Holland, Michigan is a lovely town and the people are very nice.

One last thing, the blueberry doughnuts are to die for!

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  • I know I posted a review earlier but can't find it. Want to confirm what Jill has here. This was a craft show with very little art. And it was strictly cash and carry. If they could spend the $20 in their pocket, they might. But I took only two credit card sales over the weekend and only those was more than $50. People quibbled over a $20 bin print. Pros: The event was very well organized if you don't account for the Friday @ 8 p.m. set up time. (Which they apparently disregarded because when i got there at 8, several tents were already up. If I'd known I could have started earlier, it sure would have made the night less long.) The volunteer staff was ok - but I waited for over two hours for a promised booth sitter and it never arrived. Had to finally leave my booth unattended. Of the folks around me - another photog, a jeweler and crafter making dog tags and handkerchiefs - only the crafter said they would be back. I will not. Lots of foot traffic, but very, very few sells. And some of the crafts were 'questionable' even at that. I think they had some buy/sell or very close - which makes the entire jury process questionable. If you're a crafter or sell Kettle Korn, this is your show. If you're an artist, I wouldn't waste my time.

  • Thank you, Jill, for your fair and balanced review. It seems to me that with your price points this should have worked for you. How many “artists” do you think are in the show?

    • I think 125 true artists was generous. Depends on the definition, of course, but she's correct that the majority was craft ... and then food.

    • Out of 250 booths, there may have been 125.  I don't have problems with events like this, but when you call it a juried event, that is going a little overboard.

      • Yes, I agree. Artists have to be careful and "read between the lines" and search for reviews so you can avoid surprises. Sometimes they are unavoidable and worth the risk, one of the definite hazards of this business. 

        I attended this event about 5 years ago and it made me cringe to see it called a juried show.

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