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

Connie Mettler Female Michigan United States publisher of ArtFairCalendar.com… Online Now: Like

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Connie Mettler's Friends

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Connie Mettler's Groups

Midwest Art Fair Business

81 members
5 Comments 10 Likes
SW Artists

66 members
182 Comments 8 Likes

Show Organizers & Direct…

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Connie Mettler's Discussions

The Great Pledge Drive Prize Grab 2019

Started this discussion. Last reply by Connie Mettler Jun 7. 6 Replies 0 Likes

In Memoriam - Vic Barr

Started this discussion. Last reply by Greg Little May 2. 1 Reply 0 Likes

Any ideas on how to change demographics at the art fair?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Connie Mettler Jul 12. 34 Replies 2 Likes

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Art Fair Insider Blog

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Gifts Received (68)

Thank You Note From Cindy Welch Thank You Note From Sandy Walker Red Ribbon From Jacquelyn Zajac Red Ribbon From Kathy Reed

Connie Mettler's Page

Latest Activity

Connie Mettler commented on margaret luttrell's blog post "It's Getting Hot In Here"

"Mark and Sandy, great ideas! I didn't know that you were more susceptible to sun stroke if you'd had it before. We also always had an empty gallon milk jug that we filled with water at the show and added a bunch of tea bags and made…"

Friday

Connie Mettler commented on margaret luttrell's blog post "It's Getting Hot In Here"

"We installed a circular fan in the top of our booth to keep the air flowing. A few years ago when I was at Ann Arbor I got some great photos of "what to do" including this amazing idea of a double roof. And here's a video I made…"

Thursday

Connie Mettler replied to Matt Gwinn's discussion Signage Questions

"Yes, what Cindy said. No sign in the booth shot for juries, because the jurying is supposed to be anonymous. BUT I highly recommend having your name and your hometown on a sign that is in your booth. I attended a smaller event this past weekend and…"

Wednesday

Meg Mettler commented on Connie Mettler's blog post It happens to the best of shows ...

"I have heard from Karen Delhey at The Guild. They have filled this position. Fast work!"

Tuesday

Connie Mettler commented on Lois Songer's blog post New Director for the two Key West, FL shows in January & February!

"Welcome, Grace. We're excited to have you join. I'll miss you, Lois, and hope we can meet up again somewhere someday."

Monday

Gary Pearson left a comment for Connie Mettler

"Thanks Connie, your doing a great job."

Jul 14

Rufus Chalmers left a comment for Connie Mettler

"thanks Connie,Im sure Ill enjoy sharing my experiences on west coast shows"

Jul 14

Sue Kroll commented on Connie Mettler's blog post No La Quinta Arts Festival in 2020

"There were two articles on this....One was the cancellation of the show because they did not like the city's proposal (I didn't see what the dispute actually is over the city park), and another was them (artists, promotors, etc) having a…"

Jul 12

Profile Information

Your Medium: publisher of ArtFairCalendar.com & ArtFairInsiders.com; art fair organizer and consultant

Years in the Art Fair Business: 30

First show ever: Royal Oak, MI, and the following weekend the State Street Show in Ann Arbor. Baptism by fire!

What is your website?: http://artfaircalendar.com

What are the best things about art fairs: When you go home with fat pockets.

Best show ever and why: Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair 2001 - best sales ever at an art show, lots of money flowing in the streets of Ann Arbor. We went home and paid all our bills!

Worst show ever and why: As beginners, grasping at anything, got talked into an "art show" at Boysville, a fundraiser at a rural boy's reformatory. The first day we pocketed $5 in sales. Instead of spending the night we cancelled our hotel reservation and went home.

Who referred you to ArtFairInsiders.com? Please be specific.: I started ArtFairInsiders.com to build an online community around the nation's art fair business so artists and others could connect with one another for mutual support and fellowship.

Here is a recent interview "about me" http://boomerwizdom.com/2012/07/connie-mettler/

Another one on Barney Davey's Art Business Blog: Art Fair Insiders - Connie Mettler - the Real Deal: http://www.artprintissues.com/2012/08/art-fair-insiders-connie-mett...

Learn more "about us" at this link: http://www.blubrry.com/kjmastaw/745687/connie-mettler-art-fair-cale...

Here is my story in the ZAPP News, 8/1/13:
Industry Spotlight: Connie Mettler, Creator of ArtFairInsiders and ArtFairCalendar
https://www.zapplication.org/news_post.phtml?post_id=507

Interested in learning more "about us"? Click on the blue player below to listen to our live online broadcast about ArtFairCalendar.com and ArtFairInsiders.com.

Connie Mettler's Photos

Connie Mettler's Blog

It happens to the best of shows ...

Posted on July 10, 2019 at 5:58pm 5 Comments 1 Like

at the last minute a key staff member needs to leave

The Michigan Guild of Artists & Artisans is looking for a full time Operations Director for the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair for their organization right away. Is this the job for you?

The Guild of Artists & Artisans is hiring an experienced Art Fair Operations Director. This is a full time position that…

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That's All Folks! Thanks to all

Posted on June 25, 2019 at 3:00pm 2 Comments 0 Likes

Our 10th Pledge Drive was one of our best solid pledges and wonderful prizes for all of you who support our mission to enable artists to earn a living at the nation's art fairs.

Your pledge really makes a difference. Not only was the response great - the personal messages to me about how helpful our…

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No La Quinta Arts Festival in 2020

Posted on June 13, 2019 at 11:00pm 13 Comments 1 Like

In my mailbox today:

Important Statement Regarding La Quinta Arts Festival…

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Montauk and East Hampton Businesses Bemoan Street Fairs

Posted on June 7, 2019 at 11:05am 0 Comments 0 Likes

For years there has been a mostly silent struggle between local merchants and the art fairs that pop up in their midst periodically. But I know of some very unhappy merchants over the years in Ann Arbor and Scottsdale and other smaller towns.

In Montauk recently the merchants are speaking up about the events on the village green, their customers buy at the art fair and then don't have money to spend in the…

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Pledge Drive Winners - 2019

Posted on May 30, 2019 at 6:00pm 14 Comments 2 Likes

Many, many thanks for all the pledges. This was one of our most successful pledge drives so far. I appreciate your generosity, some of you for many, many

years. The art fair business thrives under its community umbrella. Sharing with one another enriches everyone.

Here are the names…

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Comment Wall (1,366 comments)

At 2:01am on June 17, 2008, Connie Mettler said…: Isn't this cool? Time for the art fair artists community to REALLY enter cyberspace. Social networks aren't just for those kids anymore!

At 7:53pm on September 24, 2008, C. L. Cunningham said…: Hi Connie -- It's the number one entry if you google my name (C. L. Cunningham) and links dirrectly to the website. No biggie, but please make sure it is available on this site and linked as you think best so it won't be confusing to others. Thanks and good luck with this exciting new venture!

At 8:14pm on October 2, 2008, carlye crisler said…: when things change significantly. But I miss the contact with other artists doing shows and this will be a good replacement for the short term.

At 12:11pm on October 31, 2008, Kayte Strong said…: Dear Connie
Yes, we are all aware of each other and most of us started during the 90's as I did. There's probably 30 of us still rotating through the circuit, reeling from the double whammy of a slow economy and music industry CD sale declines--however there are still some of us who just love doing what we do and are dedicated to toughing it out. The most well-known singers on this circuit include Pacific Coast's Jean Sidwell and Pat Surface--and I see both of them each winter in Florida. I personally sing and keyboards are my first instrument, but I also contribute guitar to my albums.

Thank you for respecting music as a part of the Art Show Community!! It is an honor to start this group and to gather information about the state of music retail at the shows--- we can help each other find and choose good venues, and how to support the artist community at large.

Thank you Connie!

I used to do 47 shows per year (no kidding) but I cut back this year and "only" am doing my best 30. I did Grand Haven/Muskegon/Orchard Lake as my Michigan tour and really enjoyed all of them. I have spent the extra time at home working for the mainstream Country Music Publishing industry here in Nashville and working on new music.

Things are looking better here in Tennessee as we have at least one city with gas prices at $1.95/gal!

At 5:47pm on October 31, 2008, Connie Mettler said…: I run Arts, Beats & Eats in Pontiac and Russell has been there just about every year. The Sidwell's were there for the first time this year and I didn't get a chance to visit, but stopped by their booth several times to listen. Very nice.

I believe the musicians add an ambiance to the festivals that is refreshing, sort of a like a medieval street fair, especially at evening events when the music swells up out of the night.

Any chance you have these other's email addresses? It would be great to add them to this community.

Since you live in Nashville, any chance you know my good friend, Jack Stoddart?

At 3:28am on November 1, 2008, Sherri Westfall said…: Thanks for the heads up on my video I was in youtube pulling videos a few nights ago.I may have accidently put that one private I'll try and fix it tomorrow. I'll let you know when I do.
You must be a night owl too:)
Looking foward to meeting everyone, and learning what I can about art fairs!

At 1:11pm on November 10, 2008, Christine Kloostra said…: Funny how quickly things get around... I had a handful of artists at the Washington Craft Show also mention it to me on Friday. For the most part, it seems to have been widely appreciated.

At 3:29pm on November 10, 2008, laurie m said…: Hi Connie--I am an EarthAngelsToys.com artist but of course have a lot of other friends in the folk art (or whatever you want to call it) world--and also a lot in the altered art world. I'll be sure to blog about this site and I'll bet we can get others interested... thanks!