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  • My best "wingman" story is a little bit different. Years ago we were doing a show in Durango Co. It rained the whole weekend and was a dreadful show. By the second morning the park was a lake, and so our neighbor had to leave to purchase some additional tarps and such to protect his work. I had listened to his spiel 100 times the previous day so I offered to watch his booth while my husband "manned ours". I actually made a couple of sales for the neighbor while he was gone. When he came back I saw him standing outside the booth watching me and smiling. Once the customers had left he asked how I learned his spiel so well ;) which was actually pretty easy. We have seen each other several times since and always laugh about that show and our first meeting.

  • Heck yes I do. I am large scale 2-d. Often next to a jeweler. If they need a sitter better to take me than a booth sitter. Booth sitters will hand out cards and that is about it. just leave me your square and I will ring them up. I can leave my booth no problem, but a jeweler can't with out theft and I can sell the crap out of jewelry, I love it. Do it all the time. I also have to deliver most of my work. So if a client is looking for more than one piece and mentions another artist I have been known to deliver mine and theirs. Let's close those deals.
  • I often will send someone to another booth at a show.  I have 2 friends that do a lot of the same shows and we will even set up near each other.  One makes fabulous soaps and an insect repellent.  If she is next to me and someone says what smells good I give a glowing recommendation for her products.  She often wears my jewelry and has helped in my booth at shows she doesn't do.  My other friend makes chain maille and I have no problem sending people her way as well.  We call each other the booth babes and will help each other set up/watch/break down.  

    I also like to get to know my neighbors.  Sometimes we end up not chatting much but if you have a great attitude and are confident in what you create and sell it goes a long way.

  • Sure! It's a mutually beneficial way to help each other. I don't use any base metals in my designs, so my jewelry is reasonable, but not cheap. Sometimes it's just their budget ...as long as a customer doesn't have a metal allergy, I can send them over to other designers whose work may be more in their price range. They do the same for me.

    It also helps to assist other artists in setting up and breaking down...or inviting each other to come over for a look at your work. I offer to lend my folding step stool or hand cart when I see someone struggling....you'd be surprised how often someone stops by and says the artist I helped referred them over.

    • >>It also helps to assist other artists in setting up and breaking down...or inviting each other to come over for a look at your work. I offer to lend my folding step stool or hand cart when I see someone struggling....you'd be surprised how often someone stops by and says the artist I helped referred them over.<<

       

      Dh helps me set up but he also takes time to help neighbors who are ladies he sees struggling to set up a tent alone or with some sort of heavy diplay items, etc.  They are always thankful.  We have had offers of help ourselves though we had both of us there to set up/tear down.  Occassionally we take up the offers but prefer them to help someone more in need, such as a single lady or man struggling alone.

       

      We also refer people to friends we've made who have booths in the show.  One in particular makes dh's new favorite pickles.  We have gone so far as to offer this friend a place to stay when they need a weekend away.

  • Yup

    1. Did it at a show this weekend. I show photography; the gentleman in the booth next to me was showing framed watercolors. Beautiful work! We struck up a conversation and he was very friendly, and did I mention he was 87 years old—in his 51st year doing shows? A sharp vibrant personality. As the two day affair wore one, he had many "lookers" but absolutely no takers. I was having a very good day in my booth, and feeling very bad for him. I know I should just mind my own business, but I couldn't help try to play "wingman" a couple of times. Almost helped him sell two pieces (and he sincerely appreciated the help), but almost doesn't get it done. This is my second season selling at shows.  I'm learning that from show-to-show it's very difficult to predict sales and the public's buying preferences.
    • Thanks for sharing your story for two reasons. Kudos to you for helping another artist. Second, I've got a ways to go to catch up with this fellow, but he demonstrates there is hope for all us old coots LOL.

      • did my first show this weekend and it was slow as molasses. There was a seasoned veteran husband/wife team next to me and mid Saturday morning he observed that "these people are here because it's cheaper than going to the movies, don't be disappointed by what happens here this weekend"

        that was as helpful as a human being can be

        with my vast experience of having done one show I can say that artists are almost all really nice people and willing to lend a hand anytime it's possible.

        • >>"these people are here because it's cheaper than going to the movies, don't be disappointed by what happens here this weekend"<<

           

          Quite a take on it.  Though most art/craft shows with admission are way cheaper than movies these days we have found those charging admission are typically more profitable than the free events.  We believe the free events are "time killers' ... those who attend as "shoppers" in actuality have some "time to kill" and are not going to part with $$ on arts/crafts.  Sad to say but in the short time I've done shows (going on 2 years), this seems to be true in our area.

  • Yes, but not necessarily a sluggish event. If a jeweler is selling buckles, I tell them I have belts, and clients have brought in the jeweler's buckles for belts. If there is a bit & spur maker, I tell them I have spur straps. If clients are buying belts or spur straps I point out who is in the show selling spurs and buckles. 

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