Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals

Carol Larsen Grand Ledge, MI United States Textiles: Like

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Midwest Art Fair Business

83 members
5 Comments 10 Likes

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Carol Larsen's Discussions

How can you plan with such a short time line

Started this discussion. Last reply by Franklin Piuck May 6. 13 Replies 0 Likes

Trying to redefine my medium...

Started this discussion. Last reply by Carol Larsen Feb 17, 2018. 3 Replies 0 Likes

I have been struggling in trying to redefine my medium. I am a textile designer, and as the business of what I have been creating is becoming over saturated (thanks to wholesale suppliers flooding…Continue

Tags: offerings, product, Changing

Would appreciate opinions about management software

Started this discussion. Last reply by Jennifer Brewer Stone Jun 10, 2016. 2 Replies 1 Like

Hi,So confused. Every time I do a search I come up with 2-3 suggestions for software for managing the art side of my business.I would really appreciate opinions about art specific management software…Continue

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Gifts Received (7)

Thumbs Up From Connie Mettler Thumbs Up From Connie Mettler 2016Supporter From Connie Mettler Red-Nosed Reindeer From Connie Mettler

Carol Larsen's Page

Latest Activity

Carol Larsen replied to Jim Dalton's discussion What's the worst question you have been asked at an art fair?

"14+ years and the question came Saturday from someone I have known for 10 years...from shows. Go figure. Here goes, “well this is what you do for your weekends...but what is your regular job? I replied, this is my regular job. “NO, I…"

May 27

Franklin Piuck replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"Carol It seems to me that the transition might be easier if you were less ambitious. I suggest you apply to a small number of shows that are spaced out in time, and that do not share dates with the shows that make you money. Make enough…"

May 6

Carol Larsen replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"Thank you Fletcher Dean... you hit the nail on the head. The two styles of shows have very different time lines. My current is a year out, so 6 mos before I am planning out seasonal colors to add. Art shows din’t have that luxury, so…"

May 4

Fletcher Dean replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

" I understand where you're coming from Carol. I'm a fine art photographer (with a separate fulltime job) who does about a dozen shows a year. It's all I can do in the summer to keep up. I try to pre-load popular prints and wall…"

May 4

Carol Larsen replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"Thank you, I appreciate everyone's input. I am struggling with time I believe more than anything and no one can give that to me. I currently supply high-end fiber and yarns I have total control over from the production to the hand dyeing and…"

Apr 25

Larry Maynard replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"Thanks Carol for the clarification. As far as inventory goes, I guess I am like a lot of the other artists that replied on here earlier. I am always working on several pieces at the same time to in order to maintain my inventory. Recently it seems…"

Apr 25

Larry Berman replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"I can only base my suggestions on how I ran my business. For about ten years I drove a box truck and did about forty shows a year. What I did was work to keep the truck full, not necessarily replace what I sold at one or two individual shows. That…"

Apr 25

Carol Larsen replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"Sorry for typos, new glasses sorely needed coming in next week."

Apr 25

Carol Larsen replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"I appreciate asking for clarification, i have been doing shows with my current lines for 14 years on the road, witha non-stop replenishment production. I am working on a massive overhaul (for me) and wish to go the route I explained originally. Part…"

Apr 25

Cindy Welch replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"I agree with having a rolling production ...several things in the pipeline many they may each be in various degrees of completion. i am cutting back on shows because I have a booth that is in a vintage/antique/repurposed mall. It is open…"

Apr 25

Deb Tewell replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"I also make fiber art wearable garments and agree with Linnea and Larry. I am working every single day. My last show of any given year is in December and my first is usually in May. I work like crazy January through April. I have so much inventory…"

Apr 25

Larry Maynard replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"Perhaps it is just me, but I am having a hard time understanding this question."

Apr 25

Larry Berman replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"The way I see it is that if you love what you're doing, you should be making art all the time, like having a full time job. Then you always have enough work for the shows you get into. If you're only creating work for the shows you get…"

Apr 25

Linnea Lahlum replied to Carol Larsen's discussion How can you plan with such a short time line

"Hi Carol: Not sure I understand your question(s). You are saying there is not enough time between acceptance to a show and having the work ready to sell? I think how most people handle this is to always have pieces in the pipeline. What is not…"

Apr 24

Carol Larsen posted a discussion

How can you plan with such a short time line

As I continue towards one of my goals of balancing my events of 1/2 my current events I do, I wish to include 1/2 shows of my finished Fiber Art Clothing and accessories. I have been hesitant, one reason is the timeline I see for shows I am interested in. How does one begin to plan inventory on a maybe up until shortly before the event happend? My work is not fast to create. I must be doing something wrong.

Apr 24

13 Comments 0 Likes

Carol Larsen replied to Matt Ganote's discussion Business Apps

"I use QB Entrepreneur for my main bookkeeping. I originally started with Xpensetracker and still use it during shows so I can easily look-up the contract details, track all the minutiae expenses easily lost or forgotten and a direct lookup to…"

Apr 11

Profile Information

Your Medium: Textiles

Years in the Art Fair Business: 10

What is your website?: http://www.riversedgefiberarts.com

What are the best things about art fairs: The attendees, other vendors, visiting other places.

Best show ever and why: I vend 20+ shows a year, and every single one is special in a certain way.

Who referred you to ArtFairInsiders.com? Please be specific.: I receive the Art Fair Calender I came across online, and this was referenced on that e-newsletter many times.

Carol Larsen's Photos

Carol Larsen's Blog

How I have grown my business over the last year...

Posted on June 6, 2014 at 10:25am 2 Comments 0 Likes

I joined this group many years ago to help me move from being a "dyer" which many refer to as "indy dyer" over to Surface Designer - which is actually what I have always done for over 55 years, mixed with garment design. I have been afraid for too long to move into the art world with my work and everyone here has helped me transition.

People's supportive commenting about art shows, etc in this group couldn't be more generous. I know sometimes mine have been blunt and to the point.…

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Safety on the Highway

Posted on April 11, 2014 at 9:50am 26 Comments 1 Like

I have decided to write about some safety trips, as I drive a 40' motorhome all over the eastern half of the US, and there have been some very eventful experiences over the years. When I speak to others about traveling safely, I am always shocked at the danger people put themselves into, without giving it a second thought, many times for the sake of vanity.

Here are some tips:

1.…

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Square V Paypal Swipe FYI

Posted on July 3, 2013 at 10:22am 16 Comments 0 Likes

Over the years I have always looked for upgrades, better service, better pricing, etc re: credit cards. AND no, this is not an advertisement for either, it's an FYI.

I was part of the test for Paypal's similar program to the Square before they introduced it to everyone. (yes I had the SAIL too...but that proved to be way too limiting and according to Verifone they did that on purpose to get you hooked so you would purchase into a larger program with them, per the phone conversation I…

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ADA Compliant and general "White Space"

Posted on April 24, 2013 at 10:26am 9 Comments 0 Likes

I just returned from one of my most favorite places on earth to exhibit. We had a fantastic turn-out, sales were up 50% over any of the previous years sales figures and the event appears to finally have found it's "place".

I was all excited on Thursday's set-up, finally a tiny room that could barely hold 9 exhibitors with spaces 6' deep by 13' finally laid-out to fall in the ADA complaint category, and I was thankful on many fronts.

The main being that I suffer from a type of…

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Comment Wall (9 comments)

At 8:53pm on February 23, 2011, Connie Mettler said…: Welcome to ArtFairInsiders.com, Carol. I'm pleased to see you here and look forward to having you as part of our community.

When you have a chance, please add a photo of yourself and stop by the "Discussions" area to introduce yourself to the rest of us. We all look forward to your participation here. Also visit the "member map" and add your location. We have a lot to offer one another, experienced and newbie alike. Let's make this a dynamic site!

Best wishes,
Connie Mettler

p.s. The best way to make this system easy to use is to click on the "Follow-Email me" link at the bottom of each Forum discussion that interests you. That way the system will email you automatically whenever anyone responds. It's a great time-saver.

At 2:00pm on April 29, 2013, Connie Mettler gave Carol Larsen a gift…: Post of the Week
Congrats on winning the Post of the Week Award - 4/29/2013.
From the Gift Store

At 9:15pm on June 11, 2014, Connie Mettler gave Carol Larsen a gift…: '14 PledgeDrive/Supporter
Thanks for your pledge, Carol. I appreciate your support for our websites that help us with our mission of helping artists earn a living in our crazy business.
From the Gift Store

At 4:23pm on June 29, 2015, Connie Mettler gave Carol Larsen a gift…: 2015 Supporter
Carol, thank you so much for supporting Art Fair Insiders during our 2015 Pledge Drive.
From the Gift Store

At 2:54pm on August 17, 2015, Bari Tarmon said…: HI Carol,

I sent you a reply to your e-mail from this morning, (August 17) regarding logo design but I got a "Mail Delivery System" message that it could not be delivered.

Could you please e-mail me again so I can re-send my reply,

Thanks,

Bari Tarmon

At 5:42pm on January 18, 2016, Connie Mettler gave Carol Larsen a gift…: Red-Nosed Reindeer
Happy new year, Carol. Thanks for playing Secret Santa!
From the Gift Store

At 11:49pm on June 21, 2016, Connie Mettler gave Carol Larsen a gift…: 2016Supporter
Carol, Thank you so much for supporting Art Fair Insiders during our 2016 Pledge Drive.
From the Gift Store

At 1:59pm on September 09, 2016, Connie Mettler gave Carol Larsen a gift…: Thumbs Up
Thank you, Carol, for referring Jan Quarles to Art Fair Insiders.
From the Gift Store

At 9:42pm on May 25, 2017, Connie Mettler gave Carol Larsen a gift…: Thumbs Up
Thank you, Carol, for referring Jennifer Falkowski to Art Fair Insiders.
From the Gift Store