Arts - Forum - Art Fair Insiders2024-03-29T09:04:31Zhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/feed/tag/ArtsCreative Arts Guild Festival in Dalton, GAhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/creative-arts-guild-festival-in-dalton-ga2021-07-01T19:34:26.000Z2021-07-01T19:34:26.000ZRebecca Hagensonhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/RebeccaHagenson<div><p>Has anyone done this show and could share their experience? I am a newbie to the Art Fair world and working out my schedule for the coming months. I am based in Atlanta, and am fortunate to have a good number of large events in the area, but thought it would be nice to have a few smaller market shows in the mix to avoid getting lost in the crowd. Of course, that would tack on additional travel expenses so I'm trying to choose wisely. Any insight would be much appreciated as I weigh pros and cons.</p>
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<p>Many thanks! </p>
<p>- Rebecca </p></div>Shadows on the Teche (Fall 2017)https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/shadows-on-the-teche-fall-20172017-10-09T15:10:09.000Z2017-10-09T15:10:09.000ZCindy Welchhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/CindyWelch<div><p>We went to New Iberia, LA, for an art and craft show that is all handmade. We have done it before and loved it. However it had been about a year since we did it because of the demise of our tent in early 2016.</p>
<p>New Iberia is a quaint little town in south Louisiana in the heart of Cajun country. It is within 30 minutes of all the action at Lafayette, LA where USL is located.</p>
<p>Shadows on the Teche is a historic home that is part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. I have not been in the home itself but attendees of the show are able to tour the home with docents. It is a public building, no longer a private residence.</p>
<p>The show is the smallest show we do, with about 100-120 booths. The local art guild participates by obtaining booths for (at least some) it's members. All the booths are on the grounds of the home. Booths are the standard 10x10 and are $60 each. Electricity is available for an extra fee, which I cannot remember off the top of my head.</p>
<p>Admission is $5 for those 12 and over and $3 for kids ages 3-11.</p>
<p>You'll find brick and gravel pathways that allow you to walk most of the property. A center sidewalk leads from the street to the front door.</p>
<p>The staff has always been very professional in communication, running the event, etc. They are willing to answer questions via email, etc.</p>
<p>Due to the nature of the property is not possible to drive up to your booth for unloading/loading. Everything must be hand-trucked or brought in by wagon, etc. At least part of the loading/unloading will be done over a gravel path. We parked across the street from the front of the house, the closest we could get. It was about a 100 yard trek according to John (dh).</p>
<p>I should mention here that the weather was very up in the air, no pun intended. We had our eyes on Nate in the gulf and New Iberia is about 1.5 hours from our home.</p>
<p>Set up is available on Friday afternoon or you can arrive early on Saturday morning. Set up was uneventful. We decided to set up our new tent, including sides, drapes for the inside, lighting, and shelves. We did not want to risk our product in the tent due to Nate.</p>
<p>We stayed at a local Ramada Inn. We, well I, had a mishap at the motel. I was trying to clean up via a shower before going to dinner. I felt like the tub was getting slippery and looked down to see water accumulating in the tub. Somehow I missed seeing the stopper in the down position. I called dh to help because I feared falling. He came running and was trying to get it unplugged ... and down I went. I am so thankful he was there because I know God used him to keep me from hitting my head on the faucet. The ONLY injury was that my middle finger hurt. It was not broken, due to my swift lay medical assessment. LOL We made it to dinner and I favored my right hand due to my small injury but was able get eat a good meal with John and Ashley (dd).</p>
<p>Apparently my hand hit the side of the tub while trying to break my fall and bruised that finger and caused a little swelling. I did report the incident to the desk clerk and told them it's not because I wanted something from them. I just wanted others to be safe.</p>
<p>Saturday we showed up early to finish our set up. In the course of setting up we got word that only about 1/2 the artists would be there. The others were dealing with preparing for Nate, some lived in New Orleans and were fearful of flooding, etc. We also got word that they totally understood if we felt the need to leave early. There would be no penalty for leaving early.</p>
<p>A few that had started set up on Friday, and some who arrived on Saturday, decided to opt out first thing. We decided to try it till about lunch time. It started at 9:00 AM and would give us about 3 hours.</p>
<p>Attendance of shoppers was very low, much lower than we had experienced in the past. Oh, the staff decided that since so many booths were vacant they would institute a one time policy ... shoppers were not charged a gate fee. If they wanted to make a donation on the way out, the staff would be there to assist. I do not know how many donated since I could not see the gate from our booth.</p>
<p>We started tearing down about 12:30 or 1:00 PM. As we were tearing down a few people trickled through. They were very understanding. I decided to make lemonade out of lemons. I told them they could shop what was still left out. If they were looking for something specific and it was packed, I'd unpack it. I also gave out plenty of cards so they could visit my online shop.</p>
<p>I remember before we started tearing down, a group of 4 ladies came by and one them, first thing, asked, "Do you have a store?" In the way she asked, I knew she liked the way my booth the way it was set up and could imagine a store front. Very pleasing to me. She and her friends all took cards when I said I had an online store. Most people understood what was happening.</p>
<p>Shadows is going to have a reschedule date. It will probably be the 2nd Saturday in December. Most of the vendors said they were took booked to return in November. Those who return will not be charged for a booth. They did not have to do this but I suppose they want to make the best of the situation.</p>
<p>Even if we cannot return for the reschedule date, we will go back in the spring. The spring date is the first Saturday of March.</p>
<p>If anyone here at AFI will be in the area and are looking for an all hand-crafted event that is on the smaller side, this would be a great show. I know sometimes y'all are looking for fillers. This would be a good filler for those passing through either direction in Louisiana. New Iberia is just a short distance from I-10 and Hwy 90, which is all 4-lane. Speed limit on Hwy 90 is between 65 and 70 depending on where you are on it.</p>
<p>There are several hotels to pick from as well as local and chain restaurants.</p>
<p>I guess that is it. If something does not make sense, just ask ... I got interrupted a time or two typing this up.</p></div>Columbus Arts Festival - best spot?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/columbus-arts-festival-best-spot2017-03-16T18:31:01.000Z2017-03-16T18:31:01.000ZLeslie Kaplanhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/LeslieKaplan<div><p>Ive never done the Columbus Arts Festival before, and wondered if anyone knows what the best areas are? Has anyone been on one of the bridges? </p></div>Vintage Market Dayshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/vintage-market-days-12016-12-11T19:20:00.000Z2016-12-11T19:20:00.000ZCindy Welchhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/CindyWelch<div><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I have applied to a couple of shows put on by the group <a href="https://www.vintagemarketdays.com" target="_blank">Vintage Market Days</a> . I found out a few weeks ago that I am waitlisted for the spring 2017 show in Amite, LA (3/10-3/12, 2017).</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">However I just got notification yesterday afternoon of acceptance at the one in Brandon, Miss., just outside Jackson. This is one is a couple of weeks after the one in Amite (3/31-4/2, 2017).</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I am wondering if any of have done any of their shows? What should I expect? Any advice?</span></p></div>Art's Alive Fine Art Fair in Ocean City, MD June 25-26 - Feedback from past vendorshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/art-s-alive-fine-art-fair-in-ocean-city-md-june-25-26-feedback2016-06-15T20:57:55.000Z2016-06-15T20:57:55.000ZJennifer Brewer Stonehttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/JenniferBrewerStone<div><p>Hi, I'll be doing my first outdoor art fair at Art's Alive, above, in just under two weeks. I'm working through my supplies list now. Any advice from people who have done this show? I've signed up for Art Fair Sourcebook, and I saw the two reviews on there, but I would love to have a little more feedback. </p>
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<p>There will be around 5,000 people. I have some water-based work which is why I chose this show. </p>
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<p>For reproductions, they limit it to 25% of your original work. Does it make sense to bring my cards (retail $5) or my posters (retail $20) for this show? I was already planning to bring the posters but I'm unsure about the cards.</p>
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<p>I'm also trying to judge how windy this show is/could be, and how much weight I will need. I am planning to build out some PVC piping with cement with my husband's help, and will have the corkscrew anchors that came with my Trimline tent. Also, does the ground tend to get very muddy at this site? </p>
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<p>I am considering buying the umbrella to go with the bamboo chair, but I am also conscious of cost and don't want to go too crazy. Is this something I really need, or could make do without this first show?</p>
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<p>Do I need to have a desk? I have a folding table which I hope I'll be able to set up behind the booth; once again trying to keep costs down, so I hope this will work. </p>
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<p>Thanks in advance! </p></div>Midwest Salute of the Artshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/midwest-salute-of-the-arts2016-05-15T18:47:29.000Z2016-05-15T18:47:29.000ZDerek T Collinshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/DerekTCollins<div><p>Have to choose between Midwest Salute for the Arts and My home town show where I have no expenses. Speed is sometimes good, (especially when you consider $700 less in expenses), but then sometimes it's not good. The ceiling isn't as High as some shows. I don't know anything about Midwest Salute. I have contemporary landscapes and my low end is $375.</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Derek</p></div>Utah Arts Festival in SLChttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/utah-arts-festival-in-slc2016-05-12T03:31:42.000Z2016-05-12T03:31:42.000ZRyan Moyerhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/RyanMoyer<div><p>I was accepted into the Utah Arts Festival in SLC next month. This will be my first art show. I am a landscape photographer.</p>
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<p>I really have no idea what kind of buyer to expect/target there. I've done farmer's markets before and the buyer's there are pretty much exclusively looking for cheap matted prints. I've never sold or seen a large expensive gallery print sold.</p>
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<p>What kind of buyers generally attend art shows, or even this one in particular? Since my large prints are typically on metal it is expensive to build up a big stock of them (I have no idea if I should bring extras either to replace sold items, if items will be selling off the walls and not just the bins). Are the buyers at these type of things likely to be some of the gallery crowd that is willing to spend $xxx or even $xxxx on a large gallery print or should I try to keep the stock small and affordable?</p></div>Mulvane Arts festival?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/mulvane-arts-festival2016-03-10T16:14:35.000Z2016-03-10T16:14:35.000ZKayln Cannonhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/KaylnCannon<div><p>Just got in, and wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts or experiences they want to share with me? (I make jewelry btw)</p></div>Midwest Success (warning - looong post)https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/midwest-success-warning-looong-post2015-06-24T12:34:48.000Z2015-06-24T12:34:48.000Zcarrie jacobsonhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/carriejacobson<div><p><span class="font-size-3">I've heard great things about shows in the Midwest, and after a three-show tour in June, I can say that at least some of those statements are true.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">I live on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, so the Midwest is a drive for me, but I thought that if I got into two or three good shows on consecutive weekends, I'd give it a try. </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">I got into Summerfair in Cincinnati, the Omaha Summer Arts Festival in Nebraska, and the Columbus Arts Festival in Ohio. So off I went. </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">I'm an oil painter, and I use a palette knife to make large, bright paintings with a heavy impasto. I have no prints. My prices range from $100 to $4000. </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Summerfair</strong> is held in an amusement park on an island in a river near Cincinnati. The rides were closed for the weekend. The park is lovely, with twisting paths and beautiful plantings. Some tents were set up on grass. I was in a paved courtyard near a building housing bathrooms, the artist refreshment area and a Saturday morning brunch event for supporters of the fair. </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">While finding my booth spot was difficult (the layout of the park is complicated; even with a map, I had trouble finding my way around), set-up was a breeze. I drove right up to my booth, and was able to leave my van there during set-up, as there were no tents across from me, and plenty of room for everyone. </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">There was no storage behind my tent, but I was able to leave my handcart with boxes and a couple extra paintings across from my tent. This was helpful. </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">Parking was close and plentiful, and I ended up dollying most of my stuff out to my van at the end. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">Rain, and the forecast of rain, kept people away, according to artists who have been at this show before. My sales were OK. Not great, but not terrible. My spot was right at the beginning of the show, which might have had an impact on sales. And in a trend I've seen all year, people were buying - but not buying 2-D wall art. A guy who had beautiful floor lamps, made of graceful turned wood, sold a whole bunch of them, ranging in price from $700 to $1200. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3"><strong>Omaha</strong> was a different story. The show is held on a single street near a small river downtown. Set-up was easy; I was able to park very close to my booth. There was ample room for storage behind the tent.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">Heavy thunderstorms had been predicted, but the forecast improved as the weekend wore on. A small bluster blew in during set-up, and I heard that someone's tent had collapsed, but once that was over, set-up was fine. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">Volunteers came around during set-up and on the first morning of the show, with 68-lb. tubes of sand. All you had to do was say that you could use some extra weight, and they'd give you as many as you wanted. An inspection group came by on Friday morning to make sure tents were weighted properly. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">Again, I was at the start of the show, and again, the forecast was for rain and thunderstorms. Saturday morning, it rained for hours, but people came out anyways, in droves! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">I had a fabulous show, one of my best ever. I sold eight or nine paintings, including several large, expensive ones. Cowscapes are part of my collection, and all of them sold, as did two cowboy paintings from a series I made last year. People had more western tastes than I'd expected. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">A side note - I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn for this show. It was far more expensive than my regular hotels, but it was two blocks from the show. I could and did dolly work back and forth. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3"><strong>Columbus</strong> was the most difficult of all the shows. The show is very large, running down streets on both sides of a river in downtown Columbus, and on two bridges crossing the river. I heard several artists complain about being stuck on dead-end dog legs. My booth space was on one of the bridges. Set-up was OK; my time slot was the latest in the day, so I could park and take my time. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">Columbus expects you to have 500 lbs of weight. That's a lot. I had all my regular weights - four hanging tubes of concrete, four EZ-Up sandbags, and my new weights, 180 lbs of Ingots from <a href="http://www.canopyweights.com" target="_blank">Canopyweights.com</a>. I also had four Home Depot buckets filled with bags of gravel, and two additional bags of gravel. And I was tied to the bridge railing. Honestly, all this weight made my tent look crappy, but in the end, I was very, very glad to have it. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">This show is long - 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., so lights are required. For me, this is ridiculously long. I do the shows alone, so 12-hour-shows are tough. Also, I don't believe that there are many people who buy large paintings at night. And finally, I tend to get up at 5 a.m. By 10:30 on a regular night, I'm asleep! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">Friday was hot and windy. Very windy. My paintings flapped and slapped against my mesh panels. My tent groaned and swayed in the wind. After a downpour in the afternoon, the wind slackened, but volunteers told us that one booth had lost its roof, and another had collapsed completely. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">Saturday was brutally hot, with thunderstorms predicted. It rained on and off all day. During one cloudburst, one neighbor got stuck in his tent with a fair-goer trying to convince him to be saved. I got stuck in my tent with only very nice people, thank heavens. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">The downpours grew stronger throughout the day. I had a large river in my booth, though I was near the apex of the bridge. I heard that people at the bottom of the bridge had giant pools of water in their tents. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">As night fell, thunderheads moved in, and it was clear that a big, big storm was coming. Around 8:30, five minutes before a huge storm hit, we on the bridge were told that the show was being called. It was too late to leave, so my neighbors and I unplugged, zipped up our tents, and sat inside while thunder and lightning crashed around us. I have a skylight in my Showoff tent, and I must say I regretted it during that storm. Each bolt of lightning was frighteningly visible through my skylight. But my tent held, high and dry! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">Saleswise, this show was going along at the same plodding pace as Summerfair, until Sunday, when a lovely woman bought my largest painting. So Columbus was scary, but successful for me. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">All three shows were brutally hot. Most of the days reached the 90-degree mark and stayed there. When I've done shows in the West, organizers have always come around with water for the artists. Omaha did this, though they had some problems with supply. There was water available in Columbus and Cincinnati, but you had to go and get it. Again, doing shows alone makes this difficult. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">Every show had artist refreshment areas. Cincinnati offered fruit, along with the regular stuff. You had to pay for it, but it was cheap. They weren't making money off of it. Breakfasts were offered everywhere; the awards breakfast in Omaha was worth getting up for. I can't eat gluten, though, so generally, the breakfasts were off-limits for me, and that's almost always the case. I wish organizers would get some gluten-free stuff! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px;" class="font-size-3">I also wish they would have recycle bins at the shows, and that they would leave the trash cans up until after the artists leave! Omaha included a trash bag in their packet, but that's the only show I've ever seen do that. </span></p></div>parker summerfest arts and crafts festivalhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/parker-summerfest-arts-and-crafts-festival2015-04-11T03:27:42.000Z2015-04-11T03:27:42.000ZCarol bryanhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/Carolbryan<div>Has anyone done the parker summerfest arts and crafts festival in Colorado? I got accepted but don't know if it's worth my while to drive from texas. I applied for pikes peek the next week but won't find out if I get in until the day after the booth fee is required for Parker.</div>Shadows on the Teche---Reviewhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/shadows-on-the-teche-review2014-10-07T01:57:30.000Z2014-10-07T01:57:30.000ZCindy Welchhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/CindyWelch<div><p>I had a booth at Shadows on the Teche's Arts and Crafts Show this past Saturday, October 4. (BTW, in the word Teche, the "ch" is pronounced "sh". Think ... John Tesh, broadcaster and musician.)</p>
<p>This was our first time at Shadows. It is a plantation home of days gone by. We have never even visited the home as an outing. The property is beautiful but, even on this trip, we did not get to take a tour. We were just too busy at our booth.</p>
<p>The show had about 100 booths. I may occasionally refer to the artists/crafters as vendors. This is not meant to be derogatory. It is what they are commonly referred to around here. The show does not allow buy/sell unless it has been altered.</p>
<p>On the property there are several nooks and crannies--gardens that are sectioned off. They were almost like outdoor rooms at least to me. We could not drive on to the grounds, it is an official historic district. Vendors had a couple areas in which to park and were directed where to park to be closest to their booth.</p>
<p>We have a heavy wagon we use load in/out. There are pathways in the gardens, some of brick and some of pea gravel. There was an area where we had to go down a couple steps (bricked area) but during load in and out the property managers or grounds keepers had set up a wooden ramp which helped greatly. The staff was very helpful in finding our booth.</p>
<p>The booths were marked off with stakes on the corners and orange tape. Numbered markers also helped us determine the correct booth. Set up took a little longer than usual because we could not pull up to the booth but it was not significantly longer.</p>
<p>We were in a beautiful area. There was a brick path in front of our booth and across from us was a grove of bamboo, providing a wind & sound break and some shade. The weather was gorgeous, in the mid 70's for the highs and a clear sky.</p>
<p>The Shadows charges an admission fee which helps elminate the lookie-loo's. Of course this does not guarantee eveyone will but, to us, it increases the odds.</p>
<p>We had brisk sales that day. There were people willing to spend money. The most common sale was a set of coasters and a coaster holder, running $30.00 total. Next was just sets of coasters, running $24.00 total. We were busy enough that I could not even think about leaving my booth except for a restroom break. Due to our busyness I never got to "shop" other booths. I did get to give a glance to those on the way to the restroom and that was it.</p>
<p>The one goofy thing was one of our neighbors. To my dh I referred to her as a "nut case". She did not get there till about the time the show was to start. Her tent and tool box were totally busted and/or broken before any set up. She was smelling of alcohol when she got there. We know this because she asked dh to help her get her tent erected. She was so thankful she asked to give him a hug. He was not thrilled but did allow it.</p>
<p>She made out door "wind chimes", the only way I can explain it. But they were small to big and and I mean big and made of reclaimed junk. It seems she could be creative in putting stuff together but .... she was really odd. When she was alone in her booth she kept talking in some sort of gibberish. There was one phrase or sentence, not sure which, that she repeated often. It reminds me of some commercial I have seen recently where the people are talkig in gibberish. It only seemed to happen when she was alone.</p>
<p>Anyway, we were very glad to have some visual division in the form of some sides on our booth. At least it sheilded her visiual junk and disorder.</p>
<p>For the quality of the show, teh booth fee was unbelievable to me, only $60.00, yes just $60.00. The food was better than most, though I did not have a chance to see if there was a healthy selection since I stayed so busy. Dh and dd did the hunting and gathering for lunch. The food prices were reasonable as well.</p>
<p>There will be another show in the spring. Would I do this show again? Yes, in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>So what else do you want to know?</p></div>Blair County Arts Festivalhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/blair-county-arts-festival-12014-01-24T23:09:09.000Z2014-01-24T23:09:09.000ZKaitlin Slatteryhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/KaitlinSlattery<div><p>Has anyone done this show? I can not find any reviews on here or anywhere on google! This is going to be about a 5 hour drive for me and I wanted an idea of what it is like before I apply! Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!</p></div>Woodlands Waterway Arts Festivalhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/woodlands-waterway-arts-festival2013-11-25T20:24:44.000Z2013-11-25T20:24:44.000ZKim Shirleyhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/KimShirley<div><p>Has anyone participated in past Woodlands Waterway Arts Festivals? If so, what were your thoughts?</p>
<p>I've been accepted and am super excited but since I'll be driving 30 hours to do the show. I'm breaking out of the area I usually show in and thought it'd be fun to do a Texas show. Just want to double/triple check to make sure I'm making a good decision!</p>
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<p>Thanks for all of your insight!</p>
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<p>Kim</p>
<p> </p></div>Feedback on Southwest Arts Festival?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/feedback-on-southwest-arts-festival2013-11-01T12:19:52.000Z2013-11-01T12:19:52.000Zcarrie jacobsonhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/carriejacobson<div><p>I have found one negative comment on the Southwest Arts Fest in Indio, Calif. I'd appreciate any insights, memories, comments, criticisms, etc., to help with a participation decision. Thanks in advance! </p></div>Craft Producers' Annual Southern Vermont Arts and Crafts Festivalhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/craft-producers-annual-southern-vermont-arts-and-crafts-festival2013-08-26T02:17:56.000Z2013-08-26T02:17:56.000ZJacki Bilsborrowhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/JackiBilsborrow<div><p>I am looking for some information on the Craft Producers' Annual Southern Vermont Arts and Crafts Festival. I keep the <a href="http://www.Artfaircalendar.com" target="_blank">www.ArtFairCalendar.com</a> updated for Connie. We had a show listed in our New England section that was supposed to be held August 4-6. You can see the show's information below:</p>
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<p>August 4-6<br/>Manchester, VT.<br/> 21st Annual Southern Vermont Arts and Crafts Festival<br/> The Field at Riley Rink at Hunter Park<br/> 410 Hunter Park Road<br/> 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.<br/> 175 exhibitors</p>
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<p>I work about 6 months out to make sure the calendar is up to date. Because I work so far out into the future I don't always find out about wrong dates/venues until an art patron attempts to attend the show and it is not there like our listing says. I received an email from someone that tried to attend the above show only to find there was nothing there when she arrived at the Riley Rink. </p>
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<p>Does anybody have any information about this show or the Craft Producers. When I open their websites I get a screen that says the site can't be opened. Although, they do have a Facebook page.</p>
<p>I need to be updated. Please help me out. Does anybody know anything?</p></div>Best booth locations Sheboygan WI, Midsummer Festival of the Arts?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/best-booth-locations-sheboygan-wi-midsummer-festival-of-the-arts2013-04-23T03:34:13.000Z2013-04-23T03:34:13.000ZLinnea Lahlumhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/LinneaLahlum<div><p>Mid July, John Michael Kohler Arts Center. It’s been a number of years since I did the show, so I don’t know what gets the best traffic. They said on their email that “booth locations have not changed since last year,” but that does not help me a lot since it’s been a while. But if anyone has been there in the last few years, and can provide input, that would be helpful. </p>
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<p>Thanks for your help!</p></div>A new crowdsourced funding resource: USA Projectshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/a-new-crowdsourced-funding-resource-usa-projects2012-11-16T14:17:29.000Z2012-11-16T14:17:29.000ZJim Parkerhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/JimParker<div><p>This came through my radar this morning in a ZAPP email, of all things. I did go to the website, and looked at it briefly. It appears to be an arts focused crowdsourcing resource for artists of all kinds: performing artists, visual artists and crafters, writers, architects...</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Fund your next art project with USA Projects</strong><br/>USA Projects is an online fundraising platform brought to you by United States Artists––a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Artists can use USA Projects to showcase their work, build their online presence, and raise funds for new artworks. The program helps artists fund projects by connecting users with an established community of art supporters. Every donation is tax deductible, and every project receives a minimum of 5% of their funding goal from USA Project match funds! Individuals can enroll as artists if they have received an award or honor; if they have a current practice as a professional artist; or if they are enrolled in an accredited art school. <a href="http://www.usaprojects.org" target="_blank">Start a project to enroll as an artist today!</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The enrollment process is lengthy, and requires that you either have won awards from one of many arts-related organizations (no art shows that I could see, but the list was buried in the application form), or have experience as a practicing artist. It requires you to list three references. They are not looking for amateurs, although there is a section for students and emerging artists.<br/>This site bears watching. There are a number of videos that need to be watched as part of the orientation process, and I bailed before doing that. I have a couple of projects in mind, but as with most grant-writing, they need to be fleshed out before rolling out to the world.<br/>Curious to see what others think of this idea. It is essentially Kickstarter, for artists. They claim a 75% funding rate compared to 45% for other sources.</p></div>Midwest Salute to the Arts?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/midwest-salute-to-the-arts-12012-07-12T13:45:54.000Z2012-07-12T13:45:54.000ZRobin Ragsdalehttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/RobinRagsdale<div><p>I'm doing the Midwest Salute to the Arts show for the 1st time this year. Somebody told me that they have the artists set up their tents inside a big long community tent. I've never done a show like that. Is this true? If so, do I still need my weights?</p>
<p>Robin</p></div>SUGARLOAF SPRING CHANTILLY 2012https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/sugarloaf-spring-chantilly-20122012-01-30T23:22:35.000Z2012-01-30T23:22:35.000ZMundy Hacketthttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/MundyHackett<div><p>Anyone else here do the Sugarloaf Spring Show in Chantilly, VA this past weekend? If you did, what was your experience? I ask because they just sent out the email with the sales numbers and the per booth by category numbers, and I call bullshit. They seem way way inflated based on what I saw in my category of photography. I hope others will chime in even if you only have experience with past shows.</p>
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<p>Thanks</p></div>Wind - can you ever be fully prepared?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/wind-can-you-ever-be-fully-prepared2012-01-31T18:39:02.000Z2012-01-31T18:39:02.000ZRuth Finkenbinerhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/RuthFinkenbiner<div><p>I saw this posted on another site, just another good reminder on why we need secure booths. However, I'm not sure we can ever be prepared for 90 mph winds.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt1NlZNxJCQ&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/...&feature=related</a> <br/><br/><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n6DD5CBQJs&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/...&feature=related</a> <br/><br/></p></div>EM Events Geneva, IL showhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/em-events-geneva-il-show2012-01-02T19:28:37.000Z2012-01-02T19:28:37.000ZChad jerzakhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/Chadjerzak<div><p>Wondering if anyone here has done this show in the past? If so, how was it for you and how was your experience with EM Events. Looking at doing the Geneva show in particular. Please share your experiences! </p>
<p>The show is set for July 28&29 2012.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p></div>Custer's Last Stand Street Fair, Evanston, ILhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/custers-last-stand-street-fair2011-06-21T13:47:20.000Z2011-06-21T13:47:20.000ZLynda Wallishttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/LyndaWallis<div><p>Great neighborhood festival, skip it as a fine art venue. Apparently, Custer St. Fair used to be known as a quality fine art venue, not any more. I was easily the highest quality fine artist in attendance. There were a number of very good photographers, one I know sold fairly well the others I think sold little or nothing at all. I sold a few smaller paintings. Jewelry did well, good potters would do well, there was no yard art…it might have done ok, many folks live in apartments, but there are magnificent vintage frame homes in the area as well.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Excellent all-around vibe, the weather was perfect. Load in and out was well managed. We were able to drive right to our booths to drop off and pick up. Booths were on pavement and so close together, you could barely fit a credit card between the frames. Excellent live music-one of the musicians was an old friend. Several summers ago, I spent the summer sailing out of Dempster St. beach. The most nail biting part of sailing that summer was finding legal parking for the day. The money I spent on secured parking was worth it. I was fortunate to stay with a friend who lived two blocks from the festival.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The well-heeled, friendly, relaxed crowd was constant and heavy. Beautiful families, beautiful people, beautiful dogs, the non-stop river of fair goes was entertaining. I spoke almost non-stop with interested and interesting people. I was amazed at how many people I knew-even though I was far from my own stomping grounds. I had packed enough food and water for the entire weekend; port-potties were unbelievably disgusting, no booth sitters, zero amenities for artists-or anyone in a booth.</p>
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<p>This is a neighborhood festival encompassing about six blocks. Fine craft did well. Go to enjoy the festival, not as someone selling fine art.</p></div>Howard Alan Boca fest or Beaux arts Miami?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/howard-alan-boca-fest-or-beaux2010-11-01T03:34:02.000Z2010-11-01T03:34:02.000ZScott Martinhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/ScottMartin<div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I am looking for a review or rather a suggestion on two florida shows. Beaux Arts Miami or Boca Fest Howard Allan? I am a functional potter with price ranges from 20-400 It will be my first show weekend for the new year and my soon to be wife could possibly do one of the shows as well. I need to know what the clientele prefers at each of the shows high end low end, large or small etc. Or for that matter is one show worth doing way more then the other? I have 7 Howard allan show including another In Boca 3 weeks later, do the shoppers overlap the two Boca shows? I am not really worried about set-up or take down or award money, just general success rates and sales.Thanks For any help on this!</span></p></div>Hello, trying this again.https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/hello-trying-this-again2010-01-23T05:27:23.000Z2010-01-23T05:27:23.000ZArt on the Lawn: Barbara Berneyhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/ArtontheLawnBarbaraBerney<div>I posted yesterday, but it was deleted, and for the life of me, I cannot remember what I actually said, other than I was informed that I'd posted something I shouldn't have. Should have read the rules first! Shame I me, I should have known better, as I operate a bulletin board myself through my non-profit!!! BAD. I do remember that I forgot to include my name.<br/><br/>OK, so let's try this again. I have a real name, Barbara Berney, and I'm an artist in digital collage and jewelry, in addition to a few other things. I'm also an art fair director of two regional shows in my city (really, it's just a very large very small town), Art on the Lawn and Rockford Artists Fair. I've directed AOTL since it's inception in 2000 and as VP of the Rockford Art Guild, just took over the RAF last summer. AOTL is always the second Sunday in June, RAF is the third weekend in September.<br/><br/>I'm an active advocate for the arts, involved up to my earballs with The Element Rockford, a group dedicated to transforming our seriously economically depressed city into an arts destination. I'm working on opening a non-degree granting, non-credit community school for the arts in the downtown area, hoping to expand that into a community arts center at some point in the future. In addition, I plan and coordinate arts events, including the Element's ArtScene in the spring and fall, during which we present performing arts as well as visual arts. <br/><br/>As of Wednesday, I'm a volunteer with Rockford Helps Haiti, a benefit concert planned for late in February, responsible for marketing (with a great committee of volunteers!). Doesn't leave much time to do my own art, but I do some, and am represented in five galleries in northern Illinois and Wisconsin. And today (yippee), I'm represented locally both with my jewelry and my digital art at Cholke DiCapri Photography and Fine Art Gallery. <br/><br/>Totally unrelated to any of the above, I run a non-profit organization for people who have had bad outcomes from LASIK and other refractive surgery. In July 2001, I got toasted and lost my clear vision—cannot drive at night, very poor qualtiy of vision in anything but bright sunlight, and only then with glasses. Glasses don't help the night vision disturbances at all. <br/><br/>A career graphic designer and media supervisor, I specialize in publications design, as well as writing, editing and illustration. I can't take a crisp, clear photo to save my life, but I teach workshops on how to take and optimize photos for entry into art shows. Addicted to beads, coffee and Thai green curry, I also work as a patient representative to the Food and Drug Administration on the ophthalmic devices panel, LASIK complications, and I'm going on Sunday to Washington, DC, for a Monday meeting. Love it when someone else pays for my travels!<br/><br/>I'm *retired.* :)<br/><p class="attachment"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8870867297?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">marilyn-6'.jpg</a></p><p class="attachment"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8870867092?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">circus.gif</a></p></div>Arts and Craft Fair Blueshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/arts-and-craft-fair-blues2009-10-18T23:44:44.000Z2009-10-18T23:44:44.000ZSharon " Sherry" Wilsonhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/SharonSherryWilson<div>I spent the past four weekends criscrossing Florida participating in two juried shows, checking out shows in the central part of the state, and looking at communities that will be having shows to which I might want to apply. I am wondering what happened to the arts and craft show? When I enter a show I sign a contract that states that the work displayed in my booth was made by my own two hands. In the shows recently I found mass produces salsa and spices, packaged dog biscuits (with a biscuit company logo on the bag), plants, soap (from companies I recognized), candles (I have seen on the internet), dips for chips, perfume, tee shirts (I have seen in catalogues), bracelets (that if turned over have the mauufacturers stamp on them) etc. (The bracelets I found in the show last weekend in Winter Park.) I did see some crafts but alot of what I saw was buy/sell that belongs in the flea market or plants and flowers and food that belong in the green market. I don't try to sell my goods where I do not belong. I doubt the green market promoter would allow it. Why do the arts and craft promoters allow these vendors to sell their goods where they don't belong? I guess it is to fill a booth and put money in their pockets. Maybe the green markets are doing so well they don't need to fill spaces. It is hard to compete in todays ecomomy with the person who is selling something to put on the table to feed the family, something to plant in the yard to enhance the beauty and value of your home and or something for the family pet. Where has the arts and crafts show gone? I am disappointed in what I am seeing and I hear the general public saying the same thing. They come to see and buy hand made items and are discouraged by what they see. I hear people saying they are not going to return to the show the next time because it is not what they expected it to be. The trend is down economicly for most shows. I'm sure the economy has a lot to do with that but I think also that the consumer is unhappy with the products provided. I would be unhappy too if I went to the green market and found only frozen food. The customer can not speak to the promoter to convey this message so instead they just aren't buying and aren't planning to return to the show. It used to be just buy/sell we were competing with. Now it seems to be the grocery store. How do you feel about this and can anyone offer solutions?</div>Deerfield, IL Festival of Fine Arts - May 30 - 31, 2009https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/deerfield-il-festival-of-fine2009-02-24T20:40:25.000Z2009-02-24T20:40:25.000ZPatty Tiryhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/PattyTiry<div>Hi, has anyone done this show before? If so, what is your opinion of the show?
I read a remark about the show that didn't have a positive opionion about it and wanted to confirm or deny the allocation. Claim 2008 has only about 2k in attendance from estimated 10k years past.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.</div>