I am curious as to how many of us do other types of events to sell our wares.  I have found the need to expand my horizons to things from charity events, motorcycle shows, renaissance fairs to conventions.  Some venues were totaly awesome and others turned out to be the same as art fairs.  Attendance and buyers varied with each new venue that I did, but it did result in getting requests to have my things at other shows. 

Right now I have an opportunity for people to expand and try something new as I am in charge of Artist Alley at a convention called Penquincon which will be at the Westin Hotel in Southfield Michigan May 2-4, 2014.  We are looking for all types of art media except weapons dealers. 

We have extended the deadline to apply, and under events is more info on this venue if you might be interested.  Feel free to contact me for more information.

When I sell at these other than art show events I have noticed a huge variety of types of people who attend them.  It has been a bumpy road the last few years which is why I started seeking other types of venues. The crowds were different than what I had normaly experienced and those who looked like they were just lookers came back and actually bought goods, unlike some of the art shows I did where you always hear....I'll be back.  I will still always prefer doing art shows but doing these new things fills in the gaps and made me smile again.

Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!

Join Art Fair Insiders

Comments

  • My first 'real' art show was at a science fiction convention in 1992. I won a prize!
    I've been doing them ever since. I make more money per attendee at the cons than anywhere else. On the other hand, when there are only 500 attendees...... So I do 4 or 5 cons a year and the rest of the time straight art shows. One nice feature of the cons is a print shop which takes only prints for a set price. ( Most of the art shows have some form of bid sheets, you set the minimum price. If your item has more than x number of bids, it goes to a live auction. This can get profitable. ) Cons also have dealers rooms which are run like an art show. You pay for a space and tend to your sales. You usually need to have something sf/f related to jury in.
    People have been trying to talk me into doing dog shows ( I do dogs as well as dragons.) I may give this a try, too.
  • There are "Home & Garden" shows in probably all states.  Minneapolis has one of the best. It is held in their Minneapolis Convention Center.  They DON'T have a room to put the Arts & Crafts ~they let you mix in with everything, & at this kind of show, that is important.  I do both jewelry & Stained glass, & of course the stained glass goes better at a home show.  I know people think that jewelry goes everywhere~NOT!!! These enviroments are where customers are focused on what to get or do for their home. I used to do them, & will in the future again when I have more glass to sell.All the ones I know are in Convention Centers.  As far as jewelry, the bridal shows & Beautician events work, so you need to research!I hope this helps you!

  • Annette, Thank you for these terrific ideas...we do have garden walks here and home tours as well that often feature art / craft venues concurrently.  It's definitely worth looking into...does anyone else out there do demostrations of their craft at galleries or shows?  How about speaking engagements?  Wonderful new ideas for the new year...thanks!

  • I don't know if you have open gardens in the US - where private gardens are open to the public for a weekend during spring and the entry fee is donated to a charity.  They usually have 4-6 gardens open in an area so that people can make a day or weekend of it.    As I'm in a predominately rural area, there are often gardens open somewhere in my area once a year.  At the owners discretion they may also include a couple of booths set up in a corner of the garden or under a verandah.     I find these are always worthwhile, weather permitting!   Predominately attended by women and in a lovely setting and relaxed atmosphere they will often browse and buy.  Certainly not a hectic selling environment, but women being women, they don't mind a spot of shopping!

    I also do my local agricultural shows - setting up my booth in the ladies pavillion along with the cooking, handicrafts, photography, art entries.     All the women filter through these pavillions during the day or two of the show and many will stop to look and occasionally buy.  Once again, no hectic selling, but a favourable environment and an alternative for the women to the livestock and machinery outside!

    I have spent this year doing many additional outdoor shows and have only found ONE that I will return to.   Whilst some had promise, their distance and the effort involved while they sort out these teething problems is just not worth it.   But it was a a worthwhile experience to try these and I did get one new, super venue from it.    

    For 2014 I am going to be more selective in outdoor events and seek out more indoor ones.   There is a sculpture festival about 100km away that I enquired about a few years ago but was told it was only for sculpture (I make jewellery) so I haven't pursued, but have found out that it does indeed have some booths now, so I will be trying to get into that next spring.

     I am also doing talks and demonstrations (with items for sale as well) at a newish art competition in March (I do this at a nearby venue that I sponsor)  They are providing free accommodation and also wanted to know if I required payment LOL.  Maybe I should have said yes - payment for a talk as an alternative income stream!?

    A cousin who is a doctor saw my jewellery for the first time this year and has told me I need to do some professional conferences... apparently there is always someone selling things to participants in lobbies etc.  I haven't actually seen this in Australia before, so I will have to investigate this as well!

  • I am interested in doing new age/ astrology/ alternative healing type shows. I have a particular direction my art is taking that does well in that venue. Does anyone know good fairs like this? I did the Light Expo in Berkely Springs this year and it went rather well.

  • Renaissance faires can be great for certain medias at certain faires.  Jewelry is the hardest catagory to get into.  I have been doing these faires across the country for 20+ years and lately making gas money to get home has been hard.

    These shows are rain or shine and weather can really take a toll on your body and most shows are more than one weekend running as long as 8 weekends which raises your cost to do the show as you have to pay for lodging or camping and food.

    Sales are good IF you have the right product at the right price and the right crowd to buy it.

  • Scott the table fee for the weekend is $80 and includes weekend pass  Fill out the application blank.

    http://2014.penguicon.org/penguicon-2014-artist-alley-application/ the dates are wrong but applications are extended to Feb 1st.

  • What is the fee for the Penquincon? I am in Ypsilanti and my art can be found here... http://fatcatimges.com

  • All great ideas, Kathleen...thanks. I guess it pays to diversify and think outside the box a little...we should all do that.

  • I have never done as you call it a "dirty show," however would certainly consider it!  When I have done downtown Chicago, Detroit, or other urban area Art Fairs, the She-Males would seem to be very drawn to some of my rings...they would even go home to get their dress, or whatever~LOL) so I could find & match the right gems, & make a ring as they watched to go with their sexy outfit for the evening!  They are SO much fun & appreciative of one-of-kind ART to wear! I got other ideas for jewelry from men but don't think I will go there on this site~LOL~!  Lets' just say I size to fit on HANDS, but thats' ALL...omg... I think I said enough~time for a black Russian~GOOD-NITE ALL!

     

    Oh, yes, I have also done Beautician Shows~I would recommend those to jewelers, clothing, leather purses, soap, & lotion, ect. crafters as well.  They can be VERY good shows, as women are buying items to "beautify" themselves any way they can! 

This reply was deleted.