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

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

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Connie Mettler's Discussions

2021 Show Cancellations & Postponements

Started this discussion. Last reply by Connie Mettler Apr 23. 20 Replies 0 Likes

Secret Santa, Part II - 2020

Started this discussion. Last reply by Connie Mettler Jan 6. 28 Replies 3 Likes

9th Secret Santa Party at ArtFairInsiders.com

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Sonja Jones commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Economic Impact of the Ann Arbor Art Fair - 2021

"I was a student there many a years ago, and worked as a waitresss at one of the bar/restaurants off of S. University (Good Time Charlie's). Just loved the tips during Art fair, although it sure was a hectic few days!"

yesterday

Connie Mettler commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Just Sayin', Does Ann Arbor Still Have it?

"This is so interesting. When we moved to Main Street I was not pleased because Norm had also been excepted into the original, in fact I was so concerned That we were going to such a bad place that I was throwing up the first morning. The choice for…"

Thursday

Barry Bernstein commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Just Sayin', Does Ann Arbor Still Have it?

"Connie, I forgot to mention that Jessica Stoddard Ladd was also on Main. She won best of show in painting and Kristen won in jewelry."

Thursday

Barry Bernstein commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Just Sayin', Does Ann Arbor Still Have it?

"I've seen Walt and Ruth at a show before. Only us codgers would remember them. Ann Arbor is the place where I see long time art fair artists. It was great seeing Jan aka Antlerroo, and Chris, and both you and Kozzo. And, last but not least…"

Thursday

Barry Bernstein commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Economic Impact of the Ann Arbor Art Fair - 2021

"After I got out of college I ran a shoe store on South University for a couple of years. We had 7 stores around the state and we would bring all the left over shoes for every store to sell during the art fair. The most dead money, and hardest thing…"

Wednesday

Connie Mettler posted a blog post

Economic Impact of the Ann Arbor Art Fair - 2021

As focused as we all are on our businesses, selling our art at the art fairs, the events are even more important to the small business owners where the events are held, the business districts and commercial areas. Most events have been started not primarily to focus art but to bring buyers into areas that are looking to increase commerce in other ways. Here is a report from the store owners in Ann Arbor last week (hint: they were happy):…See More

Wednesday

2 Comments 2 Likes

Connie Mettler replied to Ryan Rabbass's discussion Do I have to file taxes in California if I don't live there and only do shows there?

"Sorry, Ryan, you haven't had an answer sooner ... every state we have done art fairs in has required a state sales tax license. Some states you can file right after the event, others (like Illinois where we did numerous shows) we had a yearly…"

Wednesday

Connie Mettler commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Just Sayin', Does Ann Arbor Still Have it?

"Okay, now I have to attend next year, join the old timers walking the show ... Ruth, Walter, maybe Bonnie Blandford, Mary Strope ... who else? I concur on Marina Teraud's art (and she and her husband also). Always amazing, unique, beautiful,…"

Tuesday

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.

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Connie Mettler's Blog

Economic Impact of the Ann Arbor Art Fair - 2021

Posted on July 21, 2021 at 3:00pm 2 Comments 2 Likes

Here is a report from the store owners in Ann Arbor last week…

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Just Sayin', Does Ann Arbor Still Have it?

Posted on July 17, 2021 at 6:30pm 10 Comments 2 Likes

Anyone who follows this site knows we are fans of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and many, many of the members have "urban legend" stories to tell about their participation there. AND after the last 15 months the great news is that artists were on the streets of that city this week, July 15-17. Crossing our collective fingers for successful days for all involved.

We (AFI) hope that the changes made this…

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Art Fair Summer 2021 - Part III

Posted on May 28, 2021 at 4:30pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Well, in this year of surprises the OTHER shoe has dropped! There will be an Ann Arbor Art Fair this summer. Surprised? Well, so am I. It seems COVID is actually waning and we've learned that being outdoors is a safe place to be. Yesterday the directors of the the collective of three events that comprise the Ann Arbor Art Fair announced "welcome to Ann Arbor".…

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So How Did things go at Winter Park and Who Won the $$?

Posted on May 28, 2021 at 4:00pm 0 Comments 2 Likes

It was with great trepidation that the Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival, usually held in mid-March, delayed its event to hold it in mid May this year. May, all the snowbirds are gone and it is hot, hot, hot and may I say a little steamy also? Yuck! Who would come?

Drum roll please .... they came!! and they bought!!…

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The Summer of 2021 - Part II

Posted on May 13, 2021 at 12:11pm 2 Comments 2 Likes

Well, the shoe has finally dropped! It is with great sadness I'm reporting that the 2021 Ann Arbor Art Fair has been canceled. I live in the Midwest and have been involved in the art fair business since 1978, and have attended it every year since 1976.

If…

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At 9:22pm on July 17, 2021, Ron Rizzi said…: Connie,

Hello from Delray Beach, Florida.

Ron

At 7:35pm on July 17, 2021, Jim Dwyer said…: Hi Connie! I thought what you wrote was fascinating and, much more importantly, I hope it's accurate. You're certainly right about the price points between photographers and artists. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the bulk of what artists sold were giclées (copies) of their work, rather than original paintings. In any case, I'm eager to follow your suggestion and look up photographers at those art fairs. Many Thanks! Jim

At 10:54pm on July 16, 2021, Jim Dwyer said…: Hi Connie!

Many thanks for your note, welcoming me to Art Fair Insiders! I'm eager to follow your links.

Other than enjoying fairs as a visitor, and even that has been relatively recent, I've never been a vendor at a fair. As someone who loves to meet people, I think it would be a lot of fun to chat with fair visitors. On the other hand, I suspect that landscape photographers feel fortunate if they earn enough to not just pay for the expense of joining any particular fair -- but for paying off the substantial cost of the upfront, fixed costs of being a vendor e.g. tent, dividers to display work, lighting, printing one's photos to sell, the cost of transportation and maybe even labor to help in setting up and breaking down. And then there is the public's taste, and where the money is invested. Although I have no numbers to back me up, I strongly suspect that painters fare better financially than photographers. After all, I see plenty of art galleries -- but very, very few galleries that feature photography and, where they exist, I've never seen a photography gallery that featured multiple photographers. In short, it's always been my experience that one will occasionally see a single landscape photographer trying to sell his own work through a gallery he owns. That kind of ratio doesn't bode well for landscape photographers.

Again, Many Thanks!

Jim Dwyer

At 10:31am on July 8, 2021, Ken Dumdie said…: Hi Connie, I got sidetracked for awhile. I’m selling my indoor/outdoor display. Any tips you might have for that?

At 8:57am on July 8, 2021, Gretchen Boals said…: Thank you so much for the welcome and information! I'm excited to be here and to join the community. Have already enjoyed looking through the various threads. Thanks again!

G

At 12:01pm on June 1, 2021, Rebecca Hagenson said…: Thanks for the welcome and information! Happy to be a part of this community!

At 10:44pm on May 31, 2021, Terri Cheatham said…: Thank you so much for your gracious email, Connie! I look forward to being a part of the group!

Terri Cheatham

At 8:41am on May 31, 2021, Diane Green said…: Thank you! Looking forward to learning new options! ~dg

At 12:15am on April 23, 2021, Lorenzo Cassa said…: Thank you Connie.

At 10:45pm on April 22, 2021, Mac Elliott said…: Thanks for the warm welcome Connie! My experience here has been amazing already and I can't wait to be a part of this community!