I thought I had put together good images of my product and booth idea. I have been to numerous art fair/festivals over the years. I have checked out the ones that I have applied to, before applying, to gauge products, booth examples etc. I have been selling locally and online with limited success, I think in part due to market size (locally) and getting noticed (online). I'm hoping if I upload photos you all can provide some constructive feed back. I make hand painted fabric bags. In setting up my booth, I didn't want it to be so crowded with product and wanted items to be displayed artfully.
I was waitlisted for 1 show, and so far "not invited" to 2 others. I'm still waiting to hear about 2 other shows. I know competition is stiff. I received feedback from one show saying that they had almost 900 applications for 99 spots. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Replies
Elizabeth, That makes total sense, thank you for the feedback. I agree that there are certain festivals that are more casual, while others are more formal. Once it stops raining in Oregon (so like in 2 months) I'll have to get my booth re-set up and play around with the design, with everyones feedback in mind.
Tina my Etsy store is rachelannsdesigns.etsy.com
Hi there! As someone who has been an art fair person, branching into Etsy more recently - I like your photos of your work but they are very "Etsy" in style. For a jury, there's more strict parameters needed - hence the solid backgrounds etc. The booth feedback presented here I'd agree with - although I've seen wood used in similar ways at some of the shows I've exhibited, so you might be able to keep the hanging wood. Try a single color and smooth table covers, and maybe either no curtains, or fewer. I use some that are gauzy, and they fit well into my little car and don't need ironing, as they don't show a lot of wrinkles...
However your images, as well as your booth shot in its current form may be okay for certain shows - such as the Renegade shows or other more "DIY" type shows with a more "hipster" esque vibe (if that makes sense).
It's more work for me, but I am working on having two styles of photos - one style for these more edgy/urban shows and Etsy, and one for the fine art juries. I hope this helps!
As the others have offered the best advice on sprucing up your booth shot, maybe you can share your website so that I can check out more of those yummy bags!! Nice work!
If you decide to go with pro panels you will need more space. But the suggestions made by Tammie Everly will not take up any more room in your SUV than your current display.
I get that you are going for a 'rustic' vibe, but IMHO opinion there are a few things that you should neaten up.
The main thing I find distracting is the wonky table cloths. First, Raise your tables 5-7inches with bed riser feet to make them taller and the cloths need to be Simple, neat and ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND.
Try those stretchy, tight black table cloths and then maybe a runner on top in your burlap or fabric.
If you can, I might try 2 tables across the back with some big posters of your work hanging above [and for shows maybe a banner with your name/logo etc] and use the hanging bars, two on each side wall so it looks more balanced.
You need shelving or something like that to add height to your table displays, use 'levels'... shelves or stacked boxes covered with fabric, to display your bags on.
Lots of great ideas on pinterest for that.
Unfortunately the curtains are wrinkled and not all the same color, I would get rid of them.
Hope this helps. Best of luck :-)
Your individual art photos need to be shot on a neutral background taking up approximately 80% or so of the available image space. What you've done is create distracting images with things going on that detract from the jurors being able to evaluate your images in the short period of time they get.
Your booth picture may be fine for craft shows but falls short for fine art shows. Your curtains create a distracting backdrop and the tables with cloth table covers need to be upgraded. Though it seems like I'm always recommending it, I would look at either Pro Panels or Armstrong Display for solid walls with the possibility of using their shelving system and desks instead of tables. It will make your display look a lot more professional looking.
If you want to stay with your current display props, use something more structured and straight than the tree branches you are currently using. The one on the back wall that makes a dip in the center is distracting. Also the backdrop color needs to have more contrast so the bags pop against it. That's something that might be fixable in Photoshop by giving the darker bags more detail. But definitely change the tables to something else. Your bags are more sophisticated than your display.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Thank you for the great feedback, your site is also very helpful and informative.