This is not a “break the bank” type of show and I only do it for two reasons: 1. To support my church which produces it, 2. Get myself out into the local community which my other art shows do not do. I don’t go into this with high financial expectations; however sales of $700 and $500 the first two years were nice. The art show is held indoors and outdoors at UCC Parker Hilltop Church and at the historic Hilltop School across the road. A tractor and hay wagon provides a commute between the two. The school houses an exhibit of art by students from surrounding schools. It is a one-day show on Saturday in late April or early May. This was the third year after a hiatus of several years. Each year the quality of exhibited work and attendance has improved. Performances by student choirs, dance ensembles, and adults bring out the attendance. I especially enjoyed a teenage boy who looked more like he should be showing a 4-H steer playing the cello.
Set up was easy Friday evening even thought it had to be set back several hours because of a memorial service. Take down Saturday was equally easy. Jean and I were eager to set up our new elevated tables with the new grey skirts that were created for my “museum booth” photo shoot last fall (there is another blog about that). Sales were nothing to write home about because I have pretty much saturated the church congregation with belts, suspenders, gun leathers and personal leather goods at prior shows and throughout the years. I sold two belts and bartered for 5 yoga lessons so our gross was $150 with $90 net. Oh well, its beer and wine money LOL. On the upside, I talked with six locals about holsters, two about custom belts for heirloom buckle sets, and I met a Facebook horsewoman friend. About half of these contacts will pan out in the next year. I don’t think anyone broke the bank on sales but everyone seemed to have had some sales and were happy. I know Jean was spending money LOL. This included wearable art, country crafts, quilter, glass, metal, photography, 2D and jewelry. It was neat to see some little girls selling their art with their moms – the next generation.
The other interesting note is a conversation Jean and I had on the ten-minute drive to the show. We were participating in a very old, medieval tradition of an art fair at a “cathedral”. In some of my readings, the leather people were glovers, saddlers, harness makers and cordwainers.
Comments
Thanks, Richard...lovely photo of your work and although you didn't "break the bank", it sounds like you had a pleasant time and an enjoyable day with your neighbors and friends. It also would seem that you made some good new contacts and possible business in the future...I call that great networking, if nothing else, hope it all plays out.