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 Groups

Midwest Art Fair Business

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5 Comments 10 Likes
SW Artists

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Show Organizers & Direct…

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Connie Mettler's Discussions

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 Mark Cortright Apr 20. 30 Replies 2 Likes

The Grand Secret Santa 2019 Wrap-up

Started this discussion. Last reply by Cindy Welch Jan 25. 10 Replies 1 Like

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Art Fair Insider Blog

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

Layl McDill commented on Connie Mettler's blog post North America's top 500 retailers

"My theory on the future of retail is that as we all move to buying online and retail stores die out people will eventually crave shopping things in real life. That is where the art fair will come in to save the day! It doesn't make…"

20 hours ago

Tina Hospers commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Podcast: On the Road Again, Where do you Sleep?

"Hi Bill - we are also in Oregon and have just outgrown our 5 x 8 NEW trailer (less than a year old) and bought a new Transit 250 - so, if you're interested in our Interstate Trailer, please contact me directly. Haven't put it on the…"

21 hours ago

Connie Mettler commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Will you do me a favor today?

"Yes, it is, Dick. Extra points for you, I'm sure. See the pledge levels right here: https://www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair/pledgedrive.html"

Monday

Bill Posner commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Podcast: On the Road Again, Where do you Sleep?

"I recently started traveling outside of my home area. I have a 2015 Ford Escape, and the last show I went to in California (I live in Oregon) I loaded my booth supplies in and on top of the vehicle, leaving a small area in the back that I…"

Monday

Connie Mettler replied to Darlene L Sours's discussion New here and hoping to get enough information on set up to hit the Fall Art Fair circuit

"And here is a great discussion on exactly that topic, Darlene: Is Anyone Here Earning a Living? https://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/is-anyone-here-earning-a-living"

Monday

Richard L. Sherer commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Will you do me a favor today?

"Is this were we get extra shots at the prizes for writing reviews? What a plege levels this year?"

Monday

Connie Mettler posted blog posts

Monday

Connie Mettler replied to Darlene L Sours's discussion New here and hoping to get enough information on set up to hit the Fall Art Fair circuit

"Oh yes, Dennis! That is excellent advice. Darlene, even if you have to spend money to get there, visit as many art fairs as possible whenever you can. They will be invaluable for your finding your way. Get there early, see the setting up, see the…"

Monday

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

Will you do me a favor today?

Posted on May 20, 2019 at 11:57am 2 Comments 0 Likes

Our 10th Annual Birthday Pledge Drive to sustain our websites' mission of supporting artists and art fairs is started on Sunday, May 19 and will end on May 30. …

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Podcast: On the Road Again, Where do you Sleep?

Posted on May 20, 2019 at 11:30am 2 Comments 0 Likes

Wednesday, May 22, 5 pm ET

Participating in the nation's art fairs is not for the faint-heared or the penniless. So much overhead! We won't go into all of those costs, but a serious contender for the diversity of options and costs is lodging on the road.…

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Podcast Review: How I Built a Business from my Art Fair Career

Posted on May 17, 2019 at 11:00am 0 Comments 1 Like

Review of the podcast - speaking with entrepreneurs on how they support artists and develop products for artists for their careers.

Although this podcast was a little off the track of our usual nuts and bolts discussions on surviving/thriving in the business, I was curious about some of the businesses surrounding the festivals and…

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PODCAST: How I Built a New Business out of my Art Fair Career

Posted on May 13, 2019 at 3:30pm 1 Comment 3 Likes

THURSDAY - MAY 16, 6 PM ET

There are thousands of artists in the U.S. who participate in art fairs for years and years. There are many who drop out after a few years (it's a lot of work!). Then there are those who take their art fair experience…

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North America's top 500 retailers

Posted on May 13, 2019 at 1:57pm 1 Comment 1 Like

and what you can learn.

Retailing is what we are doing, right? You are creating and we're all involved in selling. This info recently came into my inbox and made me very curious. The most interesting part to me was the growth of sales on the Internet ... what do you think of this info:…

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Comment Wall (1,351 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!