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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Midwest Art Fair Business

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SW Artists

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Show Organizers & Direct…

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Connie Mettler's Discussions

The Grand Secret Santa 2019 Wrap-up

Started this discussion. Last reply by Cindy Welch on Friday. 5 Replies 1 Like

Here Comes Santa! Part II - 2018

Started this discussion. Last reply by Connie Mettler Jan 9. 98 Replies 0 Likes

7th Annual Naughty or Nice ...

Started this discussion. Last reply by CAROLYN COPPER Dec 4, 2018. 7 Replies 1 Like

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Art Fair Insider Blog

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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 replied to Steve Sawusch's discussion Scam Alert: Email regarding purchasing a list of attendees from a show

"My most recent is the one about the porn they've caught me watching on my laptop ... i placed a malware on the X vids (porno) web-site…"

3 hours ago

Connie Mettler replied to Steve Sawusch's discussion Scam Alert: Email regarding purchasing a list of attendees from a show

"In AFI's defense on security it does (finally) have https, PLUS, and this is more important all new members are vetted by Larry Berman AND unless you have logged in as me the email addresses are not visible. But then, if Equifax, etc., can get…"

3 hours ago

Connie Mettler replied to Ellen Cohen's discussion Tents/Tent Weights

"Can't resist adding what we used: Sand bags that are used in cinematography. We carried about a dozen of these. Each weighed 20 lbs. These are professional weights used to steady film equipment. What is good about them: Compact,…"

21 hours ago

Connie Mettler replied to Ellen Cohen's discussion Tents/Tent Weights

"Weights and holding down the booth is a perennial problem for artists doing outdoor art fairs. If you put "weights" in the search box up in the corner you'll find enough information to keep you reading all day long. Seriously. I did a…"

Monday

Connie Mettler commented on Meg Mettler's blog post Call for Artists: Sunset Hills Makers Market

"See that link up there? Learn more about us: sunset-hills.com/makersmarket -- click on that."

Friday

Cindy Welch replied to Connie Mettler's discussion The Grand Secret Santa 2019 Wrap-up

"Thank you Connie!"

Friday

Connie Mettler commented on Meg Mettler's blog post Call for Artists: Sunset Hills Makers Market

"HI Angela, sounds good. However, please contact the Sunset Hills event directly. I don't run this event."

Friday

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

Art in the Loop - 2 Days to Deadline

Posted on January 3, 2019 at 2:08am 0 Comments 0 Likes

April 5-7, 2019 - Memphis, Tennessee…

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A little Christmas Cheer for our Artist Friends

Posted on December 26, 2018 at 11:19am 4 Comments 1 Like

Happy holidays to all of you from the ArtFairCalendar.com team: Connie Mettler, Larry Berman, Jacki Bilsborrow, Tina Towell, John McKiernan and Meg Mettler

Call for Artists: Brookside Art Annual

Posted on December 26, 2018 at 11:09am 0 Comments 0 Likes

May 3 -5

Kansas City, Missouri

Presented By: Brookside…

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Call for Artists: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair - 60 years old!

Posted on December 19, 2018 at 5:00am 0 Comments 0 Likes

…

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New eBook: America's Best Art Fair Survey Report - 2018

Posted on December 13, 2018 at 11:40am 0 Comments 1 Like

Turning your art festival into a success is an expensive, time-consuming challenge. At ArtFairCalendar.com we are here to help. Help bring patrons to your show to buy art, help find sponsors, help share your concerns with artists, help build your event by showcasing its special nature.

Our…

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Comment Wall (1,338 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!