This is what I hear from passing customers at almost every show I do. Perhaps I'm ultra sensitive to it, as I am one of those many jewelers. It gets frustrating to hear. I'm wondering if show organizers need to fill spaces, so they go ahead and accept more than they should? The other side of the coin is...is it really "too many"? For example, I often sell more than my neighbors in other mediums, which might indicate that people love to see and admire lots of different art forms, but ultimately end up buying jewelry anyway. Okay-I'll admit that this is a touchy subject for me...just wondering if anyone has any thoughts.

You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!

Join Art Fair Insiders

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • I have won awards over the last few years, but the system is really not very fair and probably was never meant to be. Let's face it, life is not fair as well. But, after watching some really jaw-dropping behavior by "judges" last spring, I decided they were no longer worth the time and attention. Aside from just being tired of kowtowing to some "expert" with a clipboard, I've also become fed up with watching people worship the judges as they come down the aisle.

    Most of them are probably ok, but too many are truly incompetent. I've seen judges "judge" shows in the DARK, i.e. after sunset -or as they literally sprint past the booths with their little minion show volunteers struggling to keep up with them. I've also tolerated judges admonishing me for not having my little sign up for them to put their little stickers on to prove they judged the show - usually while I am setting up the booth at 8 or 9am on a Saturday morning. (HOW much did I PAY for my booth again Mr. Art Judge and why are YOU standing in it harassing ME?) I've seen judges receive free artwork from award winners and I've witnessed judges scratching each others backs by awarding each other awards in consecutive shows (Yep, no one else does those two shows in a row.). One person who claims he is an artist and who is well-known for bribing judges was actually sitting with the show's judging committee (one of them was a family member) during the breakfast awards ceremony a couple of years ago and I never saw him look so surprised in his life when his name was read as Best of Show! I almost threw up my Starbucks and and scrambled eggs and if I could re-live it, I would have done so all over his check. If you haven't seen this crap, then watch at the shows this spring. They really don't try to hide it all that much.

    "But Munks, how does one rise above this garbage?"

    I'm glad you asked.

    Here's what I do: I just smile and very politely inform the judges that do stop at my booth that I do not participate in the "awards process". I only wish I started doing this sooner - the looks on their little judge-y faces is absolutely priceless! One moron couldn't understand what to do, so he stuck his little sticker right on one of my paintings! Another one stuck hers right on my artist statement. Usually they just walk away, sometimes they want to debate - but I just let them know I'm not there to debate, I'm there to sell, ("My award consists of sales and happy, PAYING customers - not some loser with a funny hat and a clipboard. Which painting are you interested in purchasing today?").

    The stress level of the show drops precipitously when you don't give these people what they do not deserve. Let the morons judge each other. It makes selling easier and you eliminate that "booth set-up for judges" vs. "booth set-up for customers" nonsense as well.

    So, to you "judges" out there and the vendors that worship them (and the shows that look the other way) - please know that artists are fantastic observers.

    Yep, takes all kinds.


    Karin Neuvirth said:
    When I used to sell jewelry, I noticed also that judges many times didn't actually come into my booth. Some shows give the judges stickers to put on each booth, and I have actually had judges walk up, stick the sticker to the outside of the booth, and not even step inside.

    Lydia Morrison said:
    I am a jeweler, and I also constantly hear customers complain about shows having too much jewelery, but I've also heard customers say that's the booths they are drawn to. I like to see a mix among the jewelry artists at shows. Even though I make jewelry, I do buy other artist's pieces, especially if it's an medium I don't make. What really upsets me at art shows are the artists who sell imported pieces at a juried show. The second thing that upsets me is that many judges do not consider jewelry as an art and if awards are being offered at a show, I have had many judges never step inside my booth to look at my miniature enamel paintings. Once I grabbed one and invited her back in my booth since my booth had a couple of customers in it when she walked by. She declined to come back in with the comment she already saw my booth.
  • That's where larger than life size photographs hanging hanging in the booth can help show the on site jurors what you do.
    I did a set of 30 inch wide photographs for a local jeweler:

    500-76317b.jpg


    Larry Berman
    Digital Jury Services
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100
  • When I used to sell jewelry, I noticed also that judges many times didn't actually come into my booth. Some shows give the judges stickers to put on each booth, and I have actually had judges walk up, stick the sticker to the outside of the booth, and not even step inside.

    Lydia Morrison said:
    I am a jeweler, and I also constantly hear customers complain about shows having too much jewelery, but I've also heard customers say that's the booths they are drawn to. I like to see a mix among the jewelry artists at shows. Even though I make jewelry, I do buy other artist's pieces, especially if it's an medium I don't make. What really upsets me at art shows are the artists who sell imported pieces at a juried show. The second thing that upsets me is that many judges do not consider jewelry as an art and if awards are being offered at a show, I have had many judges never step inside my booth to look at my miniature enamel paintings. Once I grabbed one and invited her back in my booth since my booth had a couple of customers in it when she walked by. She declined to come back in with the comment she already saw my booth.
  • I am a jeweler, and I also constantly hear customers complain about shows having too much jewelery, but I've also heard customers say that's the booths they are drawn to. I like to see a mix among the jewelry artists at shows. Even though I make jewelry, I do buy other artist's pieces, especially if it's an medium I don't make. What really upsets me at art shows are the artists who sell imported pieces at a juried show. The second thing that upsets me is that many judges do not consider jewelry as an art and if awards are being offered at a show, I have had many judges never step inside my booth to look at my miniature enamel paintings. Once I grabbed one and invited her back in my booth since my booth had a couple of customers in it when she walked by. She declined to come back in with the comment she already saw my booth.
  • I just attended Artigras in Jupiter, Fl and there was a good bbalence in all mediums. This is a fine quality show and very well run. I had the opportunity to attend the open jury for this show where 159 artists were attempting to enter the show with only about 30 spots available.. The quality of the work was outstanding. All one of a kind. Mostly gold and silversmith work set with beautiful stones. I only saw one beader but her necklaces were lovely. There were not too many, it was balenced and just right. A show that is purely art with no buy/sell seems to me to offer something for everyone. A variety of jewelers offer different price points and styles. But I do feel that when 1/4 of the show is jewelry and not all original that the show is unbalenced and the organizers need to revisit their jury process. PS I applied to Artigras and was not invited. I understood why and agreed with the judges as I sat in the open jury. I hope more shows go to an open jury process because it is an eye opening experience.
  • Thanks Chris......it's not getting me down and I'm not taking it personally......I'm just amazed at the attitudes.

    Although I'm not a f/t art show person, I do well in the shows that I do participate in. I also have a loyal following of customers and do a lot of custom work. My pieces are different from other jewelry folks I see at shows and my pricing remains reasonable.

    I just try to keep an open mind about other's artwork except, of course, when it comes to the mass manufacture of "made in China" granny crafts........those do drive me batty........lol.
  • It just makes me sad that some people look down at others' artwork. Sorry I had to go here, but I've just read too many discussions here and in the jeweler's section about 'us stringers'.

    Don't let it get you down. Most non jewelwers (including me) don't know that much about the differences in jewelry exhibitors. Most of us just see beads on a string. Sorry about that. So don't take it personally, ok?

    I do a show every year with a jeweler who works with stones. Pretty, bright, stones. He has a small tumbler in his booth every time. Now for all I know he has nothing but old marbles in that tumbler. Because he never opens it. But he gives the appearance of being a higher end exhibitor. Not "just" another jeweler.

    Just find a way to be a different jewelry exhibitor and you'll shut down the comments.
  • Wow is all I can say. There are those of us who 'string' but we do it with fine beads purchased from well known bead artists who sell their beads for those of us who are jewelry makers to be used in our creations. I take great pride in my 'strung' jewelry. I buy from all over the world and incorporate various types of beads into many of my pieces and I only use sterling silver components. Every design I come up with is mine........it's not taken from a magazine, or another jewelry artist.....it's something I created myself and it's always one of a kind.

    I, too, wish organizers of shows would limit the amount of jewelry artists but mainly because I see so many selling the same beaded item in every size there is, in every color you can imagine and sell these things for $5 and $10 all day. This is NOT art.

    My main point is there are stringers who go to a craft shop, buy a strand of beads and then go home and just restring them with a crimp and a clasp..........then there are those of us who create as stated above.

    Just because we don't make elaborate pieces, or do chain maille or linking or soldering, doesn't mean we aren't also artists.

    It just makes me sad that some people look down at others' artwork. Sorry I had to go here, but I've just read too many discussions here and in the jeweler's section about 'us stringers'.
  • HI Claudia,
    Yes it is very true, many shows end up with more jewellery booths than any other product, be it an art show, folk festival, even boutiques and galleries. Being a jewellery artist myself (8th generation the family and been in business since 1992), I can certainly relate and sympathize with your position!

    After speaking with many colleagues and show staff about this issue, I found out a few "reasons" for this. One is that the majority of craft artists coming up are making jewellery - it's small, easily transportable, and many of us can make pieces on location. Another reason is that jewellery is very versatile and can work with a wide range of themes and venues. Many shows are swamped with applications for jewellery, so if they need to "fill up" at short notice, they will turn to those applications to do so. Soem shows do not even have a limit to he amount of jewellery they will allow, so they accept anyone and everyone, regardless of medium. Last folk arts festival I did had 70% of their vendors selling jewellery, and many of them were selling imported gemstone pieces from overseas (Poland, India) at less that what the local artists were selling theirs for! Needless to say, no one made money, and the show management lost several returning artists.

    Yes, it IS a touchy subject for those of us who make jewellery, and it can be downright discouraging when trying to find venues that a) will be lucrative, and b) allow our products to stand out.

    The best advice I can offer is when looking at shows, never be afraid to speak to someone in charge of booths and ask questions. "How many booths do you already have selling jewellery?" "What is the type of jewellery being sold?" (gold and silver, clay, fused glass, vintage, etc) A well-organized show will know these things and should be willing to answer your questions.

    Best of luck out there!
    Cheers,
    Jeanie
  • Yes, there is, William. I live within an hour or two of Ann Arbor, so the show has a mystique in my little town and all the sophisticated people consider it de riguer for attendance. One summer I started asking people if they were attending, and most importantly, asking what they were going to BUY. The answer: eight out of eight replied "jewelry".
This reply was deleted.