Forum

I have been doing art shows for seven years in the southwest Florida area.  I am a metalsmith and I  make jewelry (what a mistake that was!)  Until last last year, I have primarily been doing small shows in the Naples area.  I belong to three local groups that put on seasonal monthly shows.  They are inexpensive shows.  Two of them have been pretty good.  The third is the most expensive and least profitable, so I do it only if I am not in a larger show. I generally have one two-day show each month.  During 2013, I started applying for larger shows and have been expanding my area.  I have been accepted in about half of the shows I have applied for, been waitlisted for most of the rest and rejected by only two of them.  

This is my worst year since I started.  I have the best work I have ever done.  People walk into the booth. Admire the work. Try it on.  When they ask the price, they literally drop it.  My work is not outrageously expensive.  I work in primarily in sterling silver.  I accent some pieces with 14K or 18K gold.  I use semi-precious stones.  The better pieces are priced $200 to $450.  I also have lower priced items so I can sell to a broader audience.  

Attendance at all my shows is poor this year.  People come through as if they are window shopping a a mall.  Is this happening in other parts of the country.  I know that we are over-saturated with art shows in southwest Florida.  Here in Naples, you can find an art show--or two or three--within a 30-mile radius every weekend from January thru March.  Every organization thinks it is a get way to raise money.  Every show promoter thinks we are a goldmine (and the artists are for them).

My question is, am I the only one having a lousy year????