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Well, I just got home from the Glenwood Arts Fest in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. This was my 9th year and I've been through torrential downpours, wind storms, chilly weather and blistering heat, yet it's always a great turnout. It was so hot this year, that I posted a Facebook...anyone that brings me a Gatorade gets a 10% discount on jewelry. I got 4 bottles and one free frozen bottle of water. It was fun to see that people did read the post.

Anyway, back to the review (I think this show should be listed in the review area, but it's not, so I am doing it here:)

This was the 14th annual Glenwood Arts Fest. I consider this my "home show" as I've been doing it for 9 years and I only live 5 miles away. It's always a good show for me, and from other artists I'm surrounded by, as well as my friends who exhibit, it's good for them, too.

The organizers are smart and flexible about yearly input from participants and they respond to our suggestions. The volunteers are helpful and come by often to booth sit if you need a break.

The load in is easy...drive up to your spot and voila! Being able to set up on Friday evening is a real bonus, too, especially in the city. Getting out is a little more challenging because after the fest ends, they don't let cars in until the streets are cleared of festie-goers. So, plan on getting completely out around 11 pm on Sunday.

This show is juried, and depending on the category (jewelry is a hard one to get into) the committee respects the diversity of the area, it's reflected in the variety and target market of the art, with overall high quality. There are residents on fixed incomes and wealthier visitors from surrounding areas as well, so whatever your price point, there's an audience for you. My average customer overall spends about $150, but at this show I make more sales on earrings and smaller items like bracelet sets with the higher priced sales sprinkled throughout the weekend. Hey, it all adds up to quite a profitable venture....and the booth fee is a very reasonable $100.  

There's great music and lots of food, including access to the restaurants along Morse Ave; something for everyone! And, it's downright fun. 

So, we had a little mischief on Saturday night. There was security, but some tents got raided; the worst was a hungry homeless person who squatted in a tent whose occupants left a cooler with food. It was eaten up....artists feeding the homeless? I always take my jewelry home at night, so my tent was untouched, but I had a couple of pieces stolen on Sunday late afternoon. I was very busy and couldn't have my eyes everywhere. It happens sometimes, but I prefer my customers have access to my work. It encourages folks to try things on and it's far more interactive than keeping everything behind a display case. Know what? Two of the small pendants that were taken had been on my display for a couple of seasons, so I was sick of looking at them anyway...laughs on you, thief! The other piece was a really beautiful amethyst/sterling necklace set. Thankfully, it wasn't the most expensive piece on my table. Nobody likes being ripped off, but I have to chalk it up to the cost of doing business.

So, I'm rested and taking the day off today in my air conditioned home. I can wait a day or two to unload my car. 

Thanks to all who supported the hot and sticky art world this weekend; without you guys, we'd just be lonely and wilted.