This is my third year participating in this long running Florida art show but due to the layoffs at the Cape I was a bit concerned about sales this year. I need not have worried as this turned out to be my best sales year yet at this show. It was perfect weather for an art show, the crowds came out, and if you had the right price point they were buying. This show has fairly decent prize money so it attracts all the artists who depend on prize money for their earnings, but there are only so many awards. I spoke with several artists who zeroed out because they didn't win an award and had nothing on the lower price end for the people to buy. The crowd was VERY cautious about parting with even a small amount of money, all of my sales were under $100, fortunately I had a lot of them. Most of the people were on vacation so they were looking for smaller gift items and my jewelry fit the bill, but I had to work for every sale.
Logistically easy set up and breakdown, artist ammenities adequate, boothsitters available, the Cocoa Beach police very laidback about artist parking, and good overnight security.
I'm going to get on my soapbox for a moment but it's a positive rant. When most people come to an art show they want to meet the artist but they can't do that if you're not in you booth. My neighbor this weekend was a ceramic artist who didn't have a good day on Saturday so decided screw it and on Sunday spent the day socializing, shopping, anything but staying in his booth and trying to salvage the weekend. When he did have someone who wanted to buy something because he wasn't there they would come in to my booth to ask if I knew where he was. I didn't want him to loose any sales so I would track him down. As I work alone that left my booth full of jewelry unattended and my customers waiting on me. I know I could have said I didn't know where he was, but I will never dissapoint a customer when it's in my power to help out. A couple of the ladies ended up buying from me. Ok I'm stepped off my box now.
I wish you all happy holidays and a succesful new year.
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