why - Forum - Art Fair Insiders2024-03-29T01:00:56Zhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/feed/tag/whyFantasy Weekend Questionhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/fantasy-weekend-question2012-06-22T18:46:58.000Z2012-06-22T18:46:58.000ZLynda Wallishttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/LyndaWallis<div><p>Quick, don’t think to hard... What would you do with $500 or $600 in your pocket, a free weekend and the directive to spend every dime of it before sundown on Sunday night? How would you choose to spend your time? Where would you go? Who would you spend your time with. Don’t be practical, no answers of, ‘gotta make the next installment payment of the kids braces, or need the have the bathroom re-wired and install that fan.’</p>
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<p>It’s a game I’ve been playing with myself after the last few art shows.</p>
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<p>What the heck am I doin’ spending crazy time, energy and money on shows? I’ll be honest, MY paintings have not been selling this season. People love ‘em, the public really responds to my paintings, booth, my imagery, my colors, to me. But they don’t pull out their credit cards to take paintings home. I do love hanging out in my booth talking to the folks and getting to know all the artists around me---but that is SO not why I’m working like a mad dog to, well you all know. 2011 was my first year doing the shows, I sold dozens of paintings. I was thankful to break even, but I’m in the game to make $, this is not a hobby for me. I support my family, don’t have a partner to help kick in, it’s all up to me.</p>
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<p>From this springs my new favorite game. What would I do with $500 in my pocket and a directive to spend every penny of it within 48 hours? I run an incredibly frugal household, have been a single parent most of my life, so my answers border on giddiness.</p>
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<p>Thankfully, I only have a few more shows this season. Unless some miracle sales happen before the end of this season, I’ve made the decision to retire the painting gig for the next few summers. I’ll always paint. Planning to NOT apply to shows with my current series of paintings. Been fantasizing about a whole new direction, going to spend NEXT summer kicking back, visiting all of YOU at art shows, camping, painting, canoeing, gardening, taking weekend trips, spending time with family and friends but most of all NOT sitting at art shows NOT selling paintings.</p>
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<p>Don’t hold me to it 100%, the siren call to apply can be very loud at times. I did win a purchase award at East Lansing this year-thank you East Lansing! I was thrilled! So is the jury fee was waved for the next several years? Or are both waived,the jury AND booth fee? I may go to East Lansing...</p>
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<p>Fantasy weekend…my bags are packed. Anyone else in?</p></div>Why do you like doing art fairs over other opportunities?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/why-do-you-like-doing-art2009-08-25T23:54:32.000Z2009-08-25T23:54:32.000ZMichelle Sholundhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/MichelleSholund<div>What makes shows appealing to so many artists? Why choose doing fairs over say wholesale, or getting ones work in galleries or opening your own studio/shop (if you haven't already)? I am all about shows, however am not the type of person to put their eggs all in one basket. I do have a few of my items in stores, not a lot though. It works for me, however would like to know what others do when they don't have shows. Of course why do fairs over other options?
Michelle</div>Can o' worms topic - Pricing for booth spaces - fair or unfair considering the economy?https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/can-o-worms-topic-pricing-for2009-07-22T19:39:35.000Z2009-07-22T19:39:35.000ZMichelle Sholundhttps://www.artfairinsiders.com/members/MichelleSholund<div>I kinda feel I want to open the can of worms on this for the purpose of learning what others opinions are on the topic to move forward and implement solutions to the issue.
As booth fees are going up - and this could be for various reasons (higher advertising fees for example), do you find shows offering a better quality show or added value making the fees worth while? If not, what would you suggest to make higher booth fees easier to swallow?
Side note/food for thought: Promoters/show organizers can not guarantee anyone's success - it is up to each individual craft artist. - Michelle</div>