Declining a Fair

Comment by geri a. wegner on April 25, 2011 at 8:14pm

Does it have to be Chicago or can it be in the surrounding suburbs? There are lots of shows including about 11 more run by amy amdur.

Comment by Sara Youngman on April 25, 2011 at 8:36pm

Chicago area was what I was shooting for.  Next year, as I've missed deadlines, I'll go for a couple outside of Chicago.  I'm waitlisted for Port Clinton, but that and Gold Coast were the only ones I applied to.  Part was finding ones which fit around the dates of other fairs in MI I really wanted to do, can't remember what the other part was - closest to MI?  I'm exhausted and I've only had one fair so far - and it was indoors so I haven't even had to set the tent up yet.

Comment by Jane Forkukm on April 27, 2011 at 8:30am

Regarding declining Chicago-area fairs, I would comment that its important to make sure the show you choose is appropriate for your art.  We are from the South (middle Tennessee), so a trip to Chicago is quite a big deal for us.  Last year we went to the Custer Fair in Evanston.  BAD DECISION.  We have a higher end jewelry line.  Although the crowds were good, they were not our market.  Younger families with children, what I would describe as "hippie/intellectual".  We were beside a booth with some sort of pop guns, very loud, and after several hours annoying.  This crowd wasn't buying guns either.  At the end of the first day, we were told that our electrical system (boat battery with converter) was not allowed and we'd have to purchase their electricity for $100.  We packed up and left.  All that said, we made expenses, but what we got was a paid vacation.  And guess what, they made a personal phone call this year to invite us back!  Needless to say, we said no thanks.

Comment by Sara Youngman on April 27, 2011 at 6:39pm

Chicago is only 2+ hours away, but I hadn't considered the prices of hotels, added fees for parking at hotel and at fair, not being able to drive up to spot and unload car/pack up.  It all just became too much for me to see doing alone.  As I'm only in my 2nd year and still don't know who my perfect audience is, I ultimately decided I just couldn't afford to do a Chicago show.  Now the suburbs/surrounding area is another story...

Comment by Sara Youngman on April 27, 2011 at 6:40pm

Geri - I posted elsewhere asking about Arlington Heights and Lincolnshire Amdur shows.  Any comments?

Comment by Connie Mettler on April 27, 2011 at 8:15pm

This had to be a hard decision, Sara. But Gold Coast is an expensive show to do at least until you know you have "goods" that bring steady sales. I believe it will be good, but definitely requires participants who are ready for all the logistics and have a good idea of how to cover their expenses.

Not sure about anything else for 2011, but Erin Melloy runs a whole string of events for various locations in the Chicago area. They are usually cities or shopping districts and she works for them to run their events. They are not as expensive as the Amdur shows and in many excellent locations. Check out her website: www.EMEvents.com. She knows her stuff and has been around a long time. The shows don't have her name on them, so usually her name is not as recognizable as Amy's. Debbie Netter also has some shows in this area. Her website: www.dwevents.com.

Comment by Donna Sauers on April 27, 2011 at 8:25pm

Geri, I live in the Chicago area and do many shows in the suburbs.  There are a lot to choose from based on your target customer, budget, etc.  Feel free to contact me if I can help!  I did Gold Coast last year and it's not that bad to do yourself, but it does get expensive with travel, parking, and hotels.  Luckily I am local and can commute.  I was expecting the worst with set up/tear down  last year, but it went pretty smoothly considering how many artists are trying to get in and out.  It's one that you have to have patience with load out (I think I was one of the last ones out!... but I also was taking my time since I knew it was going to be rough to find a parking place and waited until it cleared out).  I'm not doing it this year since it falls on the same day of another show (which is 10 mins from my house and free parking!)

 

Comment by Sara Youngman on April 27, 2011 at 8:36pm

How about the Amdur Lincolnshire show?

 

Comment by Sara Youngman on April 27, 2011 at 8:39pm

Re: Gold Coast - all I could think about load out was that the fair ended at 7pm, it takes me an hour to tear down, go get car, 3 loads to cart to car, 2+ hour drive home and to work the next day at 7:30 am.  I knew it would be too much.  Year 1 I learned so many things about doing fairs, didn't realize I still had so much more to learn!  Maybe in another couple of years I'll have this down so that I only get into shows that suit my art and my age.

Comment by Sara Youngman on April 27, 2011 at 8:46pm

Thanks Connie.  I've missed all the deadlines for this year but will certainly look into these shows for next year.

 

Comment

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page