As a new participant, cannot seemto get a good handle on which shows to do. For me it is such a huge layout of money,so far in advance! I was hoping this was something I could do more, when I retire from being an RN, in a few years...but retirement keeps getting farther and farther off. With the economy as it is I may never get to that point1 Anybody got any suggestions? Thanks
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It seems in some ways that it is more expensive to do shows part-time than full time. What I mean is that you are paying for your credit card terminal, your insurance, and everything else and not bringing in as much money as those doing this full-time. With that in mind- starting out with one show a month can give you a real good idea if you can make enough money to live in your accustomed life style. You probably will not make as much as you would as an RN. It is good to have that income starting and your show schedule fairly established and a customer base before jumping in all the way (not having that RN paycheck).
What I mean by the show schedule is similar to what Dawn was saying. You are going to try out different types of venues before finding where you fit. You will keep the good ones and the next year or season try to fill the gaps with new ones. Keep those that are good and then try others, repeat, rinse, repeat. It takes a good couple of years to figure this out most of the time. And if you can make money in a down economy- just think of how much better it will be when everything is more normal.
I did not see any images of your jewelry other than the one you are wearing in your main pic. It appears that you have mid-range priced jewelry?? Not ultra expensive but certainly not plastic... ?? I would not recommend $60 necklaces at a low-end craft fair. I tried those at first with my engraved artwork and it was not the right place for me. Mid-range shows are a great place to start if you are not doing what is considered crafty stuff. This would be around $100-$250 per show in my area. I now do the $500 shows, but they are ones that I know work for me.
The other key is going to be how how you present yourself. Display is very key to how people will perceive your jewelry. I have seen people lay them flat on a table, cram them all together on a hook and other ways that speak that they are not proud of that piece of jewelry. One of the engraved artforms that I make is on gemstone pendant necklaces. I am quite proud of them and each and every one on display is on a bust. They should be the same color, though different sizes and styles work for different designs. I do not recommend fuzzy ones as they collect dirt. Of course I live in the desert and this is a big concern here. I get ones that I can wipe down, though. Also how you package your jewelry is important. A nice box does not cost much, but it protects the stones and shows that you care about their purchase. Also make sure that the table level or shelf level is up higher than normal so that they can see well and that you have multiple heights, not just a flat table. Use your space efficiently and beautifully.
It is hard to start off. There is so much to spend your money on. You might change directions after buying something, so bulk in the beginning may not work. If you are pretty certain- then order that way, though. Be careful about buying the inexpensive stuff that you will just have to replace in a year. But for risers, use cheap boxes or wood and then cover it with fabric. Use your money wisely. I know- easier said than done when you are not sure what you need! And - good luck!
I retired about a year ago and this is my retirement business. I have enjoyed myself so far but finding the right shows is the name of the game. So far I have found local shows that were not profitable. Lots of people but few sales. I sell handcrafted beaded jewelry with price points from $10 to $250. I would saw most of my necklaces are in the $50 to $100 range. Mostly what I have been selling is $10 and $20 items. The last show I did I didn't even make booth rent much less gasoline expenses for driving back and forth to the show - about 2 hrs each way. I hate to start making lots of inexpensive junk just to sell so I need to find better shows but not shows above the range of my work. I am happy to find this site which I hope will aid me in my quest. I live in western Pa and want to stay fairly close to home but any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks
I'm about in the same boat as you, in that I'm looking to do Art Shows as a retirement business - and it keeps getting further away. Last year I did 8 or 9 shows, but have cut back a little this year and will do 6 or 7. I have stayed busy this year visiting shows and have decided on a few more that I will pick up next year. I may even venture down to Florida for two shows, if I can find back to back weekends that fit my timetable (I like to photograph down there in the spring). One of the things I'm doing is getting a little better organized, so that my setup and tear down is quicker, and that I can do back to back shows without having to unpack and repack.
Back to my original thought, when you are not showing, try to get out to other shows, talk with the artists, watch the people and see what they are buying, talk to the organizers, and just observe in general.
This is a great forum for ideas, and I've picked up a few that I'll be using - like a ceiling tarp for the hot sunny shows!
Welcome Margo - Michelle's comments are right on and I can only add my experiences. I was an engineer for 30+ years but a serious photographer since childhood. Your plan to develop your direction towards art shows/exhibits prior to retirement is a good one. I left engineering 5+ years ago to pursue my art full time and have no regrets (other than the income change was shocking). My hubby retired in December so we now do shows nearly every weekend as well as have a website and local gallery access. Defining and finding your niche takes time - years probably. In the mean time it is trial by error. You are very correct in your assessement of the economy. I think every member to this forum has seen sales have for the most part been substantially lower this year. I personally have found that some of the smaller shows have benefitted me greater than the high fee upper tier shows this year. My suggestion to you would be to start with those to get your feet wet - but always go for the juried events. Pick local shows at first - keeping your expenses down for travel/lodging. We now do shows in WI, MI, IL & MN (living in WI). Since my hubby is now retired, we are planning to do some of the Florida shows this winter as we have a daughter living in Clearwater. To prepare for this new adventure, we spent many weeks last winter traveling to Florida just to check out the shows that would likely suit us with hopes that our research will pay off. It's all a gamble but if it's a somewhat educated gamble, it's all worth it. I must add that greater success comes from being tremendously flexible and open to new ideas and situations. Aside from show expenses - real costs include the investment in tents, equipment, supplies, trailer if needed etc. Not sure if you have those items yet, but I would suggest to get quality products from the start.
The view from the outside may appear romantic and easy - this gypsy kind of life. I will tell you it's work - physical and mental. But it's great! To be able to work at something you have a passion for is wonderful. To share that piece of you with others is exhilerating. After you make the first few steps, you will learn what shows/events work for you and be able to plan ahead so that huge outlay of entry fees due in Jan/Feb/March don't hurt so badly.
This is a wonderful forum for novice and vetran alike. You will find many here cheering you along and helping you find answers. Wishing you great success Margo
I saw that you do Jewelry and have some shows under your belt. That is good and I'm sure the more you do it the more you will find which ones really are your "best" shows. I know that's not super helpful as in i.e. "blah blah" show is the best but I find that when one of my painter friends has their best show at "blah blah" show then it ends out being a big bomb for me and vice versa.
You are right though that the booth fees are high! I try to do around 6-8 shows a year because of several reasons but mostly because of the cost to me and the time it takes for me to paint that much. I've always had the policy if I kept 5 shows that I'm familiar with then that gives me 2 new ones to try a year. I'm about to try a new one in October that has a lot of promise and looks really good but who knows? But because I've done 5 ones that I know were pretty good then if this one flops it's o.k.
Perhaps, if your like me, just sitting down and budgeting how much you can "handle" in a year for booth fees will let you know how many to try. My advice on trying is that if you don't see if you fit then you'll always wonder. I like to do shows that are nearby because I have a family and don't want the cost of hotels etc. But many of my friends find it really profitable to get away from their home town/state. I suppose being an RN you do have some "extra" time in the week to travel if you want to.
If you read the posts on the shows on this site you'll notice that even the most successful shows are having a hard time being "Out of Sight" right now. I just say that, not to be discouraging but to perhaps encourage you that those shows that didn't really pan out, may in fact, be good in a few years time. I tried one this year that really flopped but was told in a good economy they are really worth it.
I'm not a jeweler but one of my friends here in Dallas is and she doesn't do any shows where the majority of the work is jewelry. She says that most festivals put too much in right now and she has found the ones that give her the best bang for her buck are the ones that give a ratio or a number of how many each category will allow in. If they don't tell you then ask. It doesn't hurt to ask that. I was in one show where both my neighbors and the guy across from me were jewelers and they had a rotten show because it was wall to wall jewelry. I had a great show because they didn't get a lot of painters.
I guess a policy of mine is that I don't do anything I can't afford to lose. If you don't have the $300 or more to try with then wait. This may be the year to "make" more art anyway instead of try to sell it.
First of all welcome to the site. I know you will find some great info here, as long as you are willing to dive in and search for it, to help you on your journey of becoming a seasoned fair exhibitor.
I can easily acknowledge that it is never easy finding THE show that will bring you success. I have been selling at shows for 7 years now and each year gets better, but nothing is a sure thing as trends change, peoples needs change and between the economy (depending on how it hits various areas) as well as crummy weather - you may be hard pressed to find a steady show that will yield the results you desire every time. There are just so many factors and like other artists say, it is always a crap shoot.
But I don't want to end on a bad note, without some nugget of joy... The answer for you, and others, is knowing your work inside and out and even more so knowing who your target marketing audience is. Without a good product - something that is "in", fills a need, and is entirely different that what everyone else sells - you might be on a sinking ship before it even launches. When it comes to customers you need to think like your customers and if these people will be at the shows you attend - ask yourself questions. For example: 1. Would a young person buy this or a "baby boomer"?
2. Can a person who isn't "rich" afford it or would is your work more desirable for those with a disposable income?
3. Do these people have a higher education or a high school degree?
4. Where do these people live - in rural places? in the city? in a single family home? apartment?
5. What are their interests - something that was modeled off a "model/runway program" or something found in a magazine or big box store?
6. Are your potential customers impulse buyers or ones who really think or plan how they spend money?
You can learn this through watching people walk shows, interact with artists, or via blogs/retail store resources and marketing companies. Answers usually don't come immediately, but through a bit of trial and error they do appear. Personally, when I think I start to see a pattern I get thrown a curve ball and find something that hasn't sold for months is now hot - for no reason at all. The exception though could be the area where the show is - it just happens to be hot "there" or being at the right place at the right time. Who knows!? However the more you can answer such questions like learning your work is more for suburbanites with money - then shows that cater to that crowd is most likely the shows you should target. However if you offer something for "everyone" then it might not matter which shows you go to as long as there are big crowds in attendance.
I personally do all kinds of shows, from the juried to the foodie/wine festivals to even a church show. I have the best luck at juried events as more people are serious buyers there - they know there will be art or at least true handcrafted art and crafts and will hit the ATM before the show and spend their whole time there. Foodie Festivals - the distraction of course is the food, but food doesn't keep them, walking around and seeing what art/crafts are around ='s a great way to spend a nice summer/fall day outdoors. And of course the list goes on. My best tip is do your show research and go to as many as you can first before you apply - you may find they don't treat artists well, the layout is terrible, it isn't as well attended as they say it typically is, etc. This will save you a ton of money - and if you can't go learn who has attended it or will be attending it and ask them to give you feedback!
I hope this helps. If you want, feel free to check out my blog - I tend to blog about topics such as booth design, customers service tips, trends, etc. all regarding art and craft fairs - www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com - of course if you want.
Replies
What I mean by the show schedule is similar to what Dawn was saying. You are going to try out different types of venues before finding where you fit. You will keep the good ones and the next year or season try to fill the gaps with new ones. Keep those that are good and then try others, repeat, rinse, repeat. It takes a good couple of years to figure this out most of the time. And if you can make money in a down economy- just think of how much better it will be when everything is more normal.
I did not see any images of your jewelry other than the one you are wearing in your main pic. It appears that you have mid-range priced jewelry?? Not ultra expensive but certainly not plastic... ?? I would not recommend $60 necklaces at a low-end craft fair. I tried those at first with my engraved artwork and it was not the right place for me. Mid-range shows are a great place to start if you are not doing what is considered crafty stuff. This would be around $100-$250 per show in my area. I now do the $500 shows, but they are ones that I know work for me.
The other key is going to be how how you present yourself. Display is very key to how people will perceive your jewelry. I have seen people lay them flat on a table, cram them all together on a hook and other ways that speak that they are not proud of that piece of jewelry. One of the engraved artforms that I make is on gemstone pendant necklaces. I am quite proud of them and each and every one on display is on a bust. They should be the same color, though different sizes and styles work for different designs. I do not recommend fuzzy ones as they collect dirt. Of course I live in the desert and this is a big concern here. I get ones that I can wipe down, though. Also how you package your jewelry is important. A nice box does not cost much, but it protects the stones and shows that you care about their purchase. Also make sure that the table level or shelf level is up higher than normal so that they can see well and that you have multiple heights, not just a flat table. Use your space efficiently and beautifully.
It is hard to start off. There is so much to spend your money on. You might change directions after buying something, so bulk in the beginning may not work. If you are pretty certain- then order that way, though. Be careful about buying the inexpensive stuff that you will just have to replace in a year. But for risers, use cheap boxes or wood and then cover it with fabric. Use your money wisely. I know- easier said than done when you are not sure what you need! And - good luck!
I'm about in the same boat as you, in that I'm looking to do Art Shows as a retirement business - and it keeps getting further away. Last year I did 8 or 9 shows, but have cut back a little this year and will do 6 or 7. I have stayed busy this year visiting shows and have decided on a few more that I will pick up next year. I may even venture down to Florida for two shows, if I can find back to back weekends that fit my timetable (I like to photograph down there in the spring). One of the things I'm doing is getting a little better organized, so that my setup and tear down is quicker, and that I can do back to back shows without having to unpack and repack.
Back to my original thought, when you are not showing, try to get out to other shows, talk with the artists, watch the people and see what they are buying, talk to the organizers, and just observe in general.
This is a great forum for ideas, and I've picked up a few that I'll be using - like a ceiling tarp for the hot sunny shows!
The view from the outside may appear romantic and easy - this gypsy kind of life. I will tell you it's work - physical and mental. But it's great! To be able to work at something you have a passion for is wonderful. To share that piece of you with others is exhilerating. After you make the first few steps, you will learn what shows/events work for you and be able to plan ahead so that huge outlay of entry fees due in Jan/Feb/March don't hurt so badly.
This is a wonderful forum for novice and vetran alike. You will find many here cheering you along and helping you find answers. Wishing you great success Margo
I saw that you do Jewelry and have some shows under your belt. That is good and I'm sure the more you do it the more you will find which ones really are your "best" shows. I know that's not super helpful as in i.e. "blah blah" show is the best but I find that when one of my painter friends has their best show at "blah blah" show then it ends out being a big bomb for me and vice versa.
You are right though that the booth fees are high! I try to do around 6-8 shows a year because of several reasons but mostly because of the cost to me and the time it takes for me to paint that much. I've always had the policy if I kept 5 shows that I'm familiar with then that gives me 2 new ones to try a year. I'm about to try a new one in October that has a lot of promise and looks really good but who knows? But because I've done 5 ones that I know were pretty good then if this one flops it's o.k.
Perhaps, if your like me, just sitting down and budgeting how much you can "handle" in a year for booth fees will let you know how many to try. My advice on trying is that if you don't see if you fit then you'll always wonder. I like to do shows that are nearby because I have a family and don't want the cost of hotels etc. But many of my friends find it really profitable to get away from their home town/state. I suppose being an RN you do have some "extra" time in the week to travel if you want to.
If you read the posts on the shows on this site you'll notice that even the most successful shows are having a hard time being "Out of Sight" right now. I just say that, not to be discouraging but to perhaps encourage you that those shows that didn't really pan out, may in fact, be good in a few years time. I tried one this year that really flopped but was told in a good economy they are really worth it.
I'm not a jeweler but one of my friends here in Dallas is and she doesn't do any shows where the majority of the work is jewelry. She says that most festivals put too much in right now and she has found the ones that give her the best bang for her buck are the ones that give a ratio or a number of how many each category will allow in. If they don't tell you then ask. It doesn't hurt to ask that. I was in one show where both my neighbors and the guy across from me were jewelers and they had a rotten show because it was wall to wall jewelry. I had a great show because they didn't get a lot of painters.
I guess a policy of mine is that I don't do anything I can't afford to lose. If you don't have the $300 or more to try with then wait. This may be the year to "make" more art anyway instead of try to sell it.
I can easily acknowledge that it is never easy finding THE show that will bring you success. I have been selling at shows for 7 years now and each year gets better, but nothing is a sure thing as trends change, peoples needs change and between the economy (depending on how it hits various areas) as well as crummy weather - you may be hard pressed to find a steady show that will yield the results you desire every time. There are just so many factors and like other artists say, it is always a crap shoot.
But I don't want to end on a bad note, without some nugget of joy... The answer for you, and others, is knowing your work inside and out and even more so knowing who your target marketing audience is. Without a good product - something that is "in", fills a need, and is entirely different that what everyone else sells - you might be on a sinking ship before it even launches. When it comes to customers you need to think like your customers and if these people will be at the shows you attend - ask yourself questions. For example:
1. Would a young person buy this or a "baby boomer"?
2. Can a person who isn't "rich" afford it or would is your work more desirable for those with a disposable income?
3. Do these people have a higher education or a high school degree?
4. Where do these people live - in rural places? in the city? in a single family home? apartment?
5. What are their interests - something that was modeled off a "model/runway program" or something found in a magazine or big box store?
6. Are your potential customers impulse buyers or ones who really think or plan how they spend money?
You can learn this through watching people walk shows, interact with artists, or via blogs/retail store resources and marketing companies. Answers usually don't come immediately, but through a bit of trial and error they do appear. Personally, when I think I start to see a pattern I get thrown a curve ball and find something that hasn't sold for months is now hot - for no reason at all. The exception though could be the area where the show is - it just happens to be hot "there" or being at the right place at the right time. Who knows!? However the more you can answer such questions like learning your work is more for suburbanites with money - then shows that cater to that crowd is most likely the shows you should target. However if you offer something for "everyone" then it might not matter which shows you go to as long as there are big crowds in attendance.
I personally do all kinds of shows, from the juried to the foodie/wine festivals to even a church show. I have the best luck at juried events as more people are serious buyers there - they know there will be art or at least true handcrafted art and crafts and will hit the ATM before the show and spend their whole time there. Foodie Festivals - the distraction of course is the food, but food doesn't keep them, walking around and seeing what art/crafts are around ='s a great way to spend a nice summer/fall day outdoors. And of course the list goes on. My best tip is do your show research and go to as many as you can first before you apply - you may find they don't treat artists well, the layout is terrible, it isn't as well attended as they say it typically is, etc. This will save you a ton of money - and if you can't go learn who has attended it or will be attending it and ask them to give you feedback!
I hope this helps. If you want, feel free to check out my blog - I tend to blog about topics such as booth design, customers service tips, trends, etc. all regarding art and craft fairs - www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com - of course if you want.
Good luck,
Michelle
By the Bay Botanicals
www.bythebaybotanicals.com