"Connie,
Thank you for the good info. I appreciate it. St. James sounds like a very interesting show considering all the help from neighbors, etc. that I hear about. I'm looking forward to it. I don't think I'll be in…"
Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals
-
Don Mabry
- Roanoke, TX
- United States
- Wood
- Blog Posts (18)
- Discussions (44)
- Events
- Groups (1)
- Photos (14)
- Photo Albums
Don Mabry's Discussions
Show Rankings
Started this discussion. Last reply by Don Mabry May 14. 19 Replies 0 Likes
I have a question regarding the validity of show rankings and their value to an artist. Art FairSourcebook and Sunshine Artist are probably the two largest and well-known of the organizations who…Continue
EZ Up vs. ????????
Started this discussion. Last reply by Karole Bowlds May 15. 15 Replies 0 Likes
I'm trying to find a vinyl top and sidewalls for my EZ Up but am having no luck. I've found a couple of companies that were supposed to make them but they are both out of business. I've about had…Continue
Looking for Nice, Used Trailer
Started this discussion. Last reply by Connie Mettler Apr 28, 2011. 2 Replies 0 Likes
I am probably in the wrong section for this sort of entry but I'm traveling and, in the present circumstances, didn't have enough time to search for the correct one. I am looking for a nice, used…Continue
Two Shows in Missouri and Oklahoma
Started Mar 9, 2011 0 Replies 0 Likes
Would like to hear from anyone who has experience with/knowledge of either of the following two shows:First is Art and Air in Webster Groves, MO in June. The other (mostly for the crafters) is An…Continue
Gifts Received (2)
Don Mabry's Page
Latest Activity
Connie Mettler commented on Don Mabry's blog post St. James Set-Up
"I've never been in the Belgravia section of this show, Don, but we did this show for 25 years so have visited it many, many times. Come early, take your time, plan early for your parking place, bring a dolly, lots of shims. Be prepared for some…"
S. Travis Lindenbaum commented on Don Mabry's blog post St. James Set-Up
"Melanie is correct: this is a very artist-friendly event.
You may set-up all day on Thursday, so plan to arrive early and take your time. We always stay over Sunday night, which makes for an stress-free closing. One cannot drive to…"
Melanie Moore commented on Don Mabry's blog post St. James Set-Up
"We exhibited at Belgravia for a couple of years and it is a very relaxed easy set up; however, be prepared to shim. Some very, very nice people in the neighborhood loaned us bricks to even out our display cases. The…"
Don Mabry posted a blog post
St. James Set-Up
Can anyone offer some tips/info on set-up at St. James Court, especially the Belgravia section? Are there any significant factors that make one section particularily better or worse than another in terms of sales, ease of set-up/take-down, etc. Since applicants apply to the different sections individually, I'm assuming there must be some reason(s) why one would prefer one section over another. Also, any info related to campgrounds in the area would be helpful Any comments relating to any of…See More
Karole Bowlds replied to Don Mabry's discussion EZ Up vs. ????????
"Don,
I purchased my EZ-UP Encore II from hutshop.com- all 4 sidewalls, 500 denier canopy, awning , roller bag from hutshop.com for less than 300.00 and shipping was free. It is the steel model, it is now 3 years old. I have no issues, other than…"
Don Mabry commented on Lou Works's group Woodworkers Wall
"I had decided to cut back on my arts and crafts shows for this year and, by the time I changed my mind, I was too late to apply to many of the events in which I would have liked to paticipate. So, now I'm beginning to look at 2013 because…"
Don Mabry replied to Don Mabry's discussion Show Rankings
"Nels,
It is very helpful and I appreciate your input. However, just about the time I think I'm getting my arms arounds some of this, you throw in a whole new set of parameters that I have to learn! It's like beef-jerky - the…"
Rich Terry replied to Don Mabry's discussion EZ Up vs. ????????
"I guess just do not see the reasoning for lightening the frame with aluminum when you are still going to add/carry extra weight with you to weight it down. I have seen the aluminum frames and there is no difference in ease of set up.
I like…"
Don Mabry replied to Don Mabry's discussion EZ Up vs. ????????
"Rich,
Great info and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for taking the time to share this with me.
I've been looking at the Elitedeals Website and have talked with them on the phone once. I can get the Classic from them for…"
Rich Terry replied to Don Mabry's discussion EZ Up vs. ????????
"My canopy is the Caravan Classic and I purchased mine straight from Caravan. I do all shows by myself and it goes up very easy (although I am 6'3 @ 230ilbs) but I know several exhibitors who have purchased a canopy like mine who also do shows…"
Nels Johnson replied to Don Mabry's discussion Show Rankings
"I will try to throw my two cents in.
In regards to show rankings, they have to be looked at with a very close microscope.
Here is an example. The St. James Court Art Fairs in Louisville have lately come up consistently as one of the top…"
Don Mabry replied to Don Mabry's discussion EZ Up vs. ????????
"Rich, I'd like to ask a couple of question about the Caraman ir you would be so kind. I'm looking at one to replace my old, inespensive EZ Up and I'm thinking the Caravan looks like the best deal for the money. …"
Janet Miller replied to Don Mabry's discussion Show Rankings
"Don- Definitely work on overcoming that "hang-up"! One of the best things about doing shows (besides $$) is getting to know your fellow artists. As long as you are not taking them away from patrons, they are a very "chatty"…"
Don Mabry replied to Don Mabry's discussion Show Rankings
"David,
It's a good point you make about the applicasnt-to-spaces ratio. I hadn't thought a lot about it but it makes good sense Thanks for the tip."
Don Mabry replied to Don Mabry's discussion Show Rankings
"Larry,
Excerllent summary. Thanks for giving a little of the history behind all this. It seems that, in the end, everyone comes down to the same recommendation which is talk with other artists, visit, share experiences, compare…"
Profile Information
- Your Medium
- Wood
- Years in the Art Fair Business
- 7
- First show ever
- Oktoberfest
Southlake, Texas
- What is your website?
- http://www.theshakerstyle.com
- What are the best things about art fairs
- 1. Learning that someone will pay their hard-earned money for something I've made.
2. Letting other people see my work.
3. Break the routine of the shop environment.
4. Meeting new people - artists and customers alike.
- Best show ever and why
- War Eagle Fair
Hindsville, AR
Huge crowd. Just before the Christmas holidays. The economy had not yet taken it's downturn. People willing to spend money without worrying about the economy. Beautiful weather in a lovely location.
- Worst show ever and why
- Texas Arts & Crafts Festival
Kerrville, Texas
A storm came through the second night and wiped me out. Tore up my tents, threw my merchandise all over the grounds. Packed up and came home.
- Who referred you to ArtFairInsiders.com? Please be specific.
- Just happened to stumble onto it while searching the web.
Don Mabry's Photos
Don Mabry's Blog
St. James Set-Up
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 10:41am 4 Comments 0 Likes
Can anyone offer some tips/info on set-up at St. James Court, especially the Belgravia section? Are there any significant factors that make one section particularily better or worse than another in terms of sales, ease of set-up/take-down, etc. Since applicants apply to the different sections individually, I'm assuming there must be some reason(s) why one would prefer one section over another. Also, any info related to campgrounds in the area would be helpful Any comments relating to any…
ContinueIndependence, MO in August
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:49am 5 Comments 0 Likes
I'd like to hear from anyone who has done the Santa-Cal-Agon Festival in Independence in August. I haven't been able to find out a whole lot about it except for the fact that it seems to have huge crowds, long hours and they allow buy/sell. I'd especially like to know if there is any indication of fine crafts being sold there or is it more of a "canine sunglasses" sort of festival. I have read that they have watermelon-seed spitting contests and root beer chugging and that sounds sort of…
ContinueBooth Images
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 9:24am 11 Comments 0 Likes
In submitting photos along with a show application, would it be considered a "no-no" to submit a photo that has two different pieces in the same photo? I have a photo that illustrates two different types of wooden carrier. They are very much alike except one has a swinging-handle and a lid while the other has a fixed-handle with no lid and the interier is divided into sections. In essence, they are two different versions of the same piece. Since a juror only has a few seconds to look at…
ContinueTwo Missouri Shows
Posted on January 31, 2012 at 3:36pm 6 Comments 0 Likes
Would like to hear from people who have participated in the Brookside show in Kansas City and the Laumeyer Park show in St. Louis. With The Plaza show and the St. Louis Art Fair, one would hope some of their success would rub off on the earlier two shows. They run on adjoining weekends and it might make sense to do both of them back-to-back. And, since Bellville is the weenend after Laumeyer it has possibilities for a nice three-some - if one were lucky enough to get into all three. Any…
ContinueComment Wall (8 comments)
- At 12:46am on September 28, 2011,
Loretta Pressley said… - Hi,We've only done about 6 shows and am not sure how long we will continue but it it's easier to set up the likelyhood of doing it longer is a greater possibility. I guess we're a little crazy to take on this type of thing at this stage of our life but guess it will help to keep us young and moving. My husband had a major heart attack in Aug and I want to keep him occupied and busy. I keep changing what I create almost every time we do a show so not sure to tell you the amount of items. Probably 25 items and they can range from driftwood crosses to 12 X 12" planter boxes to vintage bottles. We also do wind chimes but I'm pretty set there as I have a rack to hang them on, so that's no problem. It's just at our age we need to keep in simple, lightweight and still try and look professional. Always open for a better way to set up our booth. Thanks for replying. If I remember correctly, you are from Texas. We worked that state, south part for many years.Loretta
- At 10:50pm on September 26, 2011, Loretta Pressley said…
- Did you ever come up with a idea for your booth that is light weight. I am looking for some idea that looks professional and isn't heavy as we are in our 70's and husband has a bad back.
- At 10:54am on October 06, 2010, Connie Mettler gave Don Mabry a gift…
Happy birthday, Don! I hope this is a great one for you with lots of fun and friends. Welcome back to our little gang here - I hope this means great art fairs are in your future.
- At 11:35am on June 03, 2010, Connie Mettler gave Don Mabry a gift…
- At 4:05pm on March 24, 2010,
Cindy Norris said… - Please, Don, don't think I was criticizing crafts. It is just, not knowing what you do, I was unsure to which type of show to direct you. Enjoy Main Street - it is a blast!
- At 9:35am on March 24, 2010, Cindy Norris said…
- You should go to Main Street. It is great fun. My hubby and I went last year even though I was not showing. We bought a beautiful small bronze sculpture. As for other shows, what kind of work do you do? Some shows are more art and others are more craft. Also, I submitted for nine shows this Spring and got into three. So don't let the rejections throw you too much.
- At 9:02am on March 24, 2010, Cindy Norris said…
- Hi Don -
Yes, Main Street usually opens up on Zapplications in mid-July. It is a wonderful show. I have only been in it once - three years ago - but hope to some day pass the jury again. This year there were something like 1700 applications for a little over 200 spots. It is one of the biggest shows in the country and I sold more there than at any other show. There are many good ones in this area, though. Check Zapp early on to get your info into the system. Most of the best ones have a deadline months ahead of the show. Blessings to you!
Cindy
- At 9:50am on March 16, 2010, Connie Mettler said…
- Welcome to ArtFairInsiders.com, Don. I'm pleased to see you here and look forward to getting to know you.
When you have a chance, please stop by the Discussions area to introduce yourself. We all look forward to your participation here. Also visit the "member map" and add your location. We have a lot to offer one another, experienced and newbie alike. Let's make this a dynamic site!
Best wishes,
Connie Mettler
p.s. The best way to make this system easy to use is to click on the "Follow-Email me" link at the bottom of each Forum discussion that interests you. That way the system will email you automatically whenever anyone responds. It's a great time-saver.
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