I'm from Saugatuck, Michigan, the same town that the venerable Nels and the irrepressible Fulweiller come from. We're all down in Florida now trying to make a living. I scheduled five art fairs for my stay in Florida. Arti Gras, last week's show in Jupiter was a big success. But this week, the South Miami show was a big disappointment.
It is a small show with most booths set up back to back down the middle of 72nd Street. Booths are small... exactly 10 by 10 without any storage space to speak of. Setup is early Saturday morning, which I hate. It typically takes Marcia and I four to five hours to set up, and we used up every minute before opening at 10am. The Rotary Club runs it and they do a good job, but they just didn't bring out the buyers for this show. One of the big problems is scheduling. This show runs the weekend right after the big Coconut Grove show, in a close by neighborhood. Too many shows too close together.
I managed just around $750 in sales for Saturday and eeked out $850 on Sunday bringing my take to $1600... not enough to make it worthwhile. Hotels are expensive around Miami and the booth fee ain't cheap, so, we just about broke even when you factor in gasoline and meals.
I'm on the wait list for Gasparilla next weekend, but don't have much hope for getting called (although I've been pestering them). I do have Lake Wales as a backup, but, judging from my performance there last year, I'm not overly optimistic. I'm heading to Naples for a few days to spend some time with some friends, so, I'll save a little in hotel bills before taking off for Lake Wales.
Comments
I live 15 minutes from So. Miami, I don't go to this show. There is no energy after everyone has slogged through the Grove and St. Stephens.
The November show is better because there is a little more buying energy since there haven't been many shows on the calendar. The quality is a little sketchy but mid-range prices should be ok at that one.
Wish I was gonna be in Lake Wales since one of those judges awarded me BEST OF SHOW once. Maybe I'd be lucky again. I did Lake Wales several years ago and wish I hadn't since it was so hot it was awful, but it used to be held later in March. There are some good things about the show and it does have potential as a money maker. We were in a perfect booth spot in the total shade (lucky me), and we were able to park right by our booth, too. It just wasn't a good show for us that year. Good luck, y'all. We'll be in Florida late March. Our spring tour starts with Fairhope, AL, then we'll move on to Florida.
We talked about this show last weekend and it sounds like my description, from my experience years ago, was right on. Nothing's changed. Too bad.
I'm doing Lake Wales too.