Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals
Hilton Head review
I dont make a habit of expressing my views unless I felt a injustice has been done to my fellow exhibitors by a producer or show staff.
This time at Hilton Head Honey Horn, I felt it was a small group of about thirty exhibitors whom call themselves professionals who bailed on the organizers.
Yes the weather on Sat. was less then perfect which did keep the large crowd away,and the forecast for Sunday was even worse.If you watched the TV.
Sunday morning we were greeted by wind and light rain at 8am.By 10am the fair weather exhibitors along with the cash award winners had vanished,leaving behind some rather large holes in the site plan ,which was laid out to perfection.30 or so out of 88,the slice of the pie just got larger.
Then around 11 the wind stopped as did the rain,and that big ol yellow thing set upon us,along with the usual crowd looking for that special thing they just had to have!
After my first sale of the AM,the customer asked me if I would take the donation at my booth ?Dumbfounded I asked what donation ,what for.I was told that when they parked thier car it was free ,not the $6 charge they normally have for parking,and were just asked to make a donation.Due to the fact the organizers didn't want to short change the patrons by not giving them a full menu.I directed them to the show desk.I did hear that a lot the rest of the day,even my last sale,and I was not the only one, which was at 6:30 in the evening(show was advertised as ending at 4PM)
Here is what I know,
Natalie and Robin ( the organizers) know what the are doing. They could not have made it any easier on exhibitors.From setup to tear-down.They also took a hit on the parking ,on the patrons behalf,so they would return next year and not feel cheated because the Adds said 88 exhibitors
Watch or listen to NOAH weather (not the TV)
If you feel that your work will be damaged by wind or rain,DONT put your most valuable possession's in a tent that WILL blow away or collapse or take out your neighbor.(poor planning on your part does not mean someone will,or should look after you)
Sunday at Hilton Head is always a Big ticket day.
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Comment by Willie McTell on April 28, 2010 at 7:27pm -
iknow you were annoyed by others bad behavior at the show. i would have been too. but please don't write your posts in such big bold type face. its very distracting.
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Comment by skip stang on April 28, 2010 at 8:25pm -
Compared to what ? Willie,my eye sight is not to good.
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Comment by Willie McTell on April 28, 2010 at 9:26pm
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compared to the way everybody else writes. youknow. like you responded to me just now.
maybe you accidentally enlarged the type size. ?
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Comment by Walt Bennett on April 29, 2010 at 6:04am -
We've bailed out early on a few shows, but only when we had reason to, not just because of 'iffy' weather. Early on was when we were using a pop-up style tent (can't remember the brand) with bad weather and our merchandise wasn't very water friendly. We've now got a Light Dome so that isn't a problem any more. Once was when we were located at the end of a dead end street and had almost zero traffic for two of three days. Usually we'll gut it out no matter what unless weather or traffic is so bad that everyone's leaving.
I'll second the part about "poor planning", although some beginners don't have the money to even get an EZ-Up or Caravan. They'll show up with a back yard shade tent with no sides and no weights and wonder why they get looks. Better they'd stick to indoor events until they get the $$ for something decent.
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Comment by skip stang on April 29, 2010 at 9:50am
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Walt,i too have beat feet when it was warranted,oh like a advertised fine art and craft show ,were I'm stuck between a Car dealer and the locale food-bank,with the ASPCA across from me.And YES I did get my money back,plus travel expenses( long ugly story but true).
The point I was trying to make was that when a organization does make it a pleasure to be there,and does really care about your success by putting on the BEST venue for us ,and feed us like rock stars and are just plain happy and proud to have you there,and charge 1/2 of what others whom could care less about you and just sell real estate and dont advertise,you dont leave.
I am glad they left ,just made the slice of the pie bigger for others,me.
Great example-Whalehead Club NC 2 years ago ankle deep rain on the last day ,lead to the organizers say "Well this stinks,If y'all dont have to leave ,weather says tommorow will be perfect so stay and we will do this tommorow.
When I find a promoter that does what they say there goin do ,do it ,I stick with them,and the ones that dont -"I will tell ya about them,we dont need them,they need us"
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Comment by phillip hall on April 30, 2010 at 8:31am -
small point. It's NOAA, not NOAH weather.
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Comment by Andie Freeman on May 1, 2010 at 9:34am -
So, Skip... overall did you like the show? Would you do it again? I am from HH and know Natalie and Robin both because I have a public art piece at Honey Horn. I was considering doing the show next year (if I can get it together) because it would be an easy place for me to show (my mom lives in HH Plantation, so I have a place to stay, eat and babysitting service !) plus, it's a built in vacation back home. Honey Horn in general has a reputation as a high quality location and I have seen the Concours d'Elegance there and it is a beautifully run show. Just curious.
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Comment by skip stang on May 1, 2010 at 11:53am
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Hell Yea,Those two KNOW what they are doing,customers are great the attitude is wonderful,and the quality of the work makes me feel good to be included in such fine company,sanes the 30 or so that felt they just had to go.That group most likely hates me for bringing forth thier shortcoming's,and that's OK,at lest they will not ask me to borrow the necessary equipment to waterproof,and tie down a lousy tent,or listen to them whine how they have to be back at work 8am Monday morning
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Comment by Andie Freeman on May 1, 2010 at 12:05pm
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Gotcha ; ) I totally understand.
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Comment by phillip hall on May 1, 2010 at 12:30pm
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If a large storm came through and flattened the show would you still feel you have the moral high ground? As long as the people who left did it early and didn't disrupt the show for those that stayed why should it matter to you. Sometimes in this business one has to make judgements about staying independent of other artists. I've been at more than a few shows where the ones who stayed payed dearly. And it's not just a question of booth type. Some shows remain open in spite of warnings of high winds,tornados and possible flooding which leaves the artist at the mercy of the elements ,some of which no booth can survive. About ten years ago in new smyrna beach a no name storme came through and blew almost every booth that was set up to pieces. It sounds like you just had less competition and hence more sales.
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