market - Forum - Art Fair Insiders2024-03-28T16:25:04Zhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/feed/tag/marketFollow Up On My Witan French Market Experience - Gotta kick myself againhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/follow-up-on-my-witan-french-market-experience-gotta-kick-myself2020-03-05T13:05:49.000Z2020-03-05T13:05:49.000ZSonja Joneshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/SonjaJones<div><p>Back in September, I was looking for anyone with experience at the Witan French Market show in Akron, OH. A representative from the Witan charity organization (Woman In Touch With Akron's Needs) had contacted me through my Etsy shop and asked me if I'd like to apply. It was a small show held in a church hall - something I've learned to run away from! But I had heard it was well run, and I thought maybe this would be different.</p>
<p>At the time, I couldn't find much recent information on it, so I thought I'd post my experience here. First, let me say that Witan has been doing this show for over 40 years, and they are very well organized. The show is in a very large, well lit church hall, with high ceilings. The Witan ladies have the booth spaces laid out, and have pipe and drape already installed to separate each artist's or vendor's stall space. Set up was from 9 am to 3 pm on Thursday; the show ran Friday 10 am to 7 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 3 pm. Booth sitters were provided, and they even had a lady with a hospitality cart - pastries, coffee, water, and tea - come around a couple times each morning. The church ran there own food service for lunches, and vendors could submit a slip with payment and have their lunches delivered to their booths. Wifi was provided and was stable. Traffic was relatively steady throughout both days, and the organizers sent out information afterwards that there were about 5500 in attendance. They even offered vendors the opportunity to purchase their attendance list for marketing purposes. So all in all a very professional looking and artist friendly venue.</p>
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<p>I wanted so much to like this show because of all the above! But, alas, my sales were dismal. Booth fee was $ 250, and I didn't even make that. I had only three sales; two very small originals and one reproduction. I don't think prices were a factor, as I had a number of prints, reproductions, and small originals all priced under $ 40. I saw three other painters there, and in speaking with them, learned they had a very similar experience. There were also a couple of pottery artists, a few jewelry booths, a clothing and textile artist, and a lot of crafts and food vendors. My booth neighbors included a vendor who made Vera Bradley type handbags and clothes, and a very talented textile artist. Like me, both were doing this show for the first time, and both had miserable sales. The only booths I saw that were kicking it were a couple selling metal lawn art and a booth selling liquor flavored caramels. The caramel lady did real good - gave out free samples, and sold a ton! But I didn't see many in the crowd carrying bags of arts or crafts.</p>
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<p>So I left the show kicking myself for doing another church show, as I never do well at those things and had promised myself I wouldn't do another. Ok, Sonja, you're going to stick to that now!</p></div>Back Home from Mobile, ALhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/back-home-from-mobile-al2018-08-27T16:53:51.000Z2018-08-27T16:53:51.000ZCindy Welchhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/CindyWelch<div><p>Good morning everyone! I was gone this past weekend to Mobile, AL for a Vintage Market Days (VMD) show. We got back last night around 11:30. Got to bed about midnight. Though John went right to sleep, I did not finally fall asleep till about 2:00 AM. Ugh.</p>
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<p>This is the 2nd time we went to a VMD in Mobile. The first time was this past spring. It was kind of weird. It seemed like the foot traffic was better in the spring than for this "fall" show. I use quotes for fall because it is not very fall like at all here on the gulf coast. We tend not to get the great "feels good" weather of fall till late October. As far as weather it is summer-like. We did not have any weather to contend with as far as our drive over, setting up, the show or load and drive home.</p>
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<p>We arrived on Thursday about 11:30 and had time to get lunch at Chick-fil-a before heading to the venue. Our check in time at the venue was 1:00 PM. We got there a little early and was able to go ahead and set up.</p>
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<p>This event is held indoors. That really helps in dealing with hot weather or rain. I was in the annex, not the main room. We heard reports from fellow vendors and customers alike that the main room was hot/warm. Ours was generally cooler than the main room.</p>
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<p>I was in a booth that got visibility from 2 directions. We were about head on to one of the aisles. Those coming in from this direction could see in at least part of our booth when headed our way. Then, others saw us when approaching from the left front of our booth. This is the same booth we had before. The only change was that someone was on both sides. We were the end of the row in the previous show, on the side where people saw us straight ahead.</p>
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<p>The conversion of shopper so to buyers seemed lower than last time. If anyone bought it seemed either they bought smalls or very large, think furniture. It did not seem there was much in between. I know furniture sold because our restroom was next to the loading area.</p>
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<p>One bright note, I got to meet Kendra from this site, along with her mom. It was very nice to meet them both and make that connection in person.</p>
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<p>Our sales were fair. I had hoped for more but felt we met a little more than the minimum I'd expect. Others felt sales were down. Our neighbor that was next to us last time was trying to move a good bit because she is downsizing her business. Even a 25% off sale on Sunday did not make a big improvement. :(</p>
<p><br/>Last night, and still this morning, I am tired enough to say, "I am not doing any more shows after our current obligations!!!!" I know I'll feel better tomorrow and my outlook will be better.</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>Vintage Market Dayshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/vintage-market-days2016-08-06T23:25:21.000Z2016-08-06T23:25:21.000ZCindy Welchhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/CindyWelch<div><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I am wondering if anyone here has done this show in one of their many venues. I picked up a postcard at a resale/vintage store today with their website. They are doing one in Louisiana and it's 3 days. I am wondering if it's worth it, one to pass on, etc.</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><a href="https://www.vintagemarketdays.com" target="_blank">Click here for their website.</a></span></p></div>Market at the Mill, New Roads, LAhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/market-at-the-mill-new-roads-la2015-11-08T01:52:38.000Z2015-11-08T01:52:38.000ZCindy Welchhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/CindyWelch<div><p>I am wondering if any one here has done this show? I know there are, or were, some people here from Louisiana. I just found out about the one in a couple weeks but I can't be there. Just wondering if it's worth trying for the spring. Here is a link.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.marketatthemillnewroads.com/">http://www.marketatthemillnewroads.com/</a></p>
<p>I thought we had a section for craft shows but could not find it this evening. Sorry if this is in the wrong place.</p>
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<p>Cindy</p></div>Transitioning from craft shows/farmers markets to art showshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/transitioning-from-craft-shows-farmers-markets-to-art-shows2015-01-07T16:31:07.000Z2015-01-07T16:31:07.000ZSammi Dulayhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/SammiDulay<div><p>I'm looking for any input you all may have about how to make a transition from craft shows and farmers markets into art shows/fairs.</p>
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<p>A (shortened) bit of background..</p>
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<p>I make jewelry, and have done so since I was very little. I'm in my 5th year of business, and it has progressively gotten better and better over the years. I started out selling to co-workers, then online, and branched out to doing shows including many farmers markets. As the new year comes along, my aim is to keep my momentum going and venture into a new direction. My work is in a couple of galleries, and I have been featured at said galleries. Long story short, after speaking with a few artist friends, I would like to give some bigger art shows a shot. I've been browsing Zapplication, but am quite intimidated by the way they speak of booth set ups. Currently I use a 10x10 pop up, but have seen talk of artists using Craft Huts. Is is necessary to purchase one of these down the line? My artists resume also isn't that lengthy in regards to fine art shows I have done in the past - could this hurt my chances of being accepted?</p>
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<p>I know that many artists out there have been in my similar situation, so how did YOU make the transition from crafter to artist?</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>Alternative marketinghttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/alternative-marketing2012-07-27T02:54:02.000Z2012-07-27T02:54:02.000ZRobin Chardhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/RobinChard<div><p>I know some folks are doing well and god bless them. Frankly I'm tired of paying for so much up front only to have buy/sell next to me and having the organizers say,"well we won't have them back next year". Here's the news," I'm not coming back either." Not to mention the amount I'm putting out for jury fees. I'm considering alternative venues.</p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>My question to everyone is what was the best non-art show situation you have had?</strong></span></p>
<p>I will share that a few years ago I got a call from a woman who was selling booth space in a hotel/convention arena. She got my name off Etsy and said she was in charge of the booths for a Jr College Administrators conference. She had about 150 booths and had about 30 left and thought she would offer them at the last minute at a discount to local artists and would spice the show up with art. So far the booths were mostly books and learning programs. But she offered me a booth for the day and a half conference for either 30 or 60 bucks. About 12 other local artists came too. It was the closest I ever came to selling out of product. I ran out of bags and packing material. I had only been doing shows for a year and didn't have a great set up but you would think these ladies had never seen jewelry before.</p>
<p>Is anyone doing better at farmers markets? School gym shows? I'm willing to beat the bushes because I don't want to give up seling art.</p></div>How do you determine if a market has too many art shows?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/how-do-you-determine-if-a-market-has-too-many-art-shows2011-12-09T17:26:35.000Z2011-12-09T17:26:35.000ZRuth Finkenbinerhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/RuthFinkenbiner<div><p>It has been suggested that this be posted as a new thread. I asked the question in another Blog, Jim Parker gave a really good answer but I'm wondering if there's any other input on this topic.</p>
<p>As we start planning 2012 and will be trying some new markets, the sheer number of shows is overwhelming, many of them run by professional promoters which is also new for us, most of the shows up here are not run by professional promoters, many are run by art leagues, chamber of commerce, rotary clubs or other non-profit organizations.</p>
<p>As I've been researching shows, I've also been looking at the area's economics, median housing price, etc.</p>
<p>So, how do you know when an area has too many art shows? Is there a ratio you use on population in an area vs. number of shows or number shows times number of booths, etc.? </p>
<p>BTW, here's the blog post where we didn't quite stay on topic.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/but-of-course-we-just-don-t-have-enough-art-fairs">http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/but-of-course-we-just-don-t-have-enough-art-fairs</a></p></div>Cloud Productionshttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/cloud-productions2011-02-13T03:05:08.000Z2011-02-13T03:05:08.000ZPatricia DeMariahttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/PatriciaDeMaria<div>Does anyone have experience with Cloud Productions in Ohio? I am wondering if they are more "flea market" than "art show" and if I want to get involved!</div>