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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SW Artists

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Show Organizers & Direct…

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Connie Mettler's Discussions

Putting Santa to Bed - Holidays 2019

Started this discussion. Last reply by Debbie Stillman Feb 1. 1 Reply 0 Likes

GoFundMe - Painter Ron Roland

Started this discussion. Last reply by Connie Mettler Feb 5. 2 Replies 0 Likes

Secret Santa Part II - 2019

Started this discussion. Last reply by Kate McKeough Jan 13. 57 Replies 0 Likes

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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

larry smith commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Cancelled Fairs Not Returning Fees?

"Has anyone heard from Under the Oaks in Vero Beach. After one day, they cancelled the next two days because of a police "Shut her down" order."

11 hours ago

Connie Mettler replied to Barry Bernstein's discussion Art Fair Cancellations--Post Here.

"Crossing my fingers on this. Thanks for this update. So fair of them, not only in a business sense but more importantly in a humanitarian sense."

14 hours ago

Connie Mettler commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Cancelled Fairs Not Returning Fees?

"You’re not the first person Kathie who is ask that question. Who does now? A very dear artist friend of mine died in late October. I’m sure he had shows scheduled going forward."

yesterday

Cathy A Crain commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Cancelled Fairs Not Returning Fees?

"I had the choice of letting the show keep my money for a year, for the next show) or eating a $75 cancellation fee. I am 76 yrs. old, will be 77 first part of April...who knows what my situation will be like in a year! Show is the Dallas…"

yesterday

Raoul Duke commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Cancelled Fairs Not Returning Fees?

"I had one show call me to see if I was still attending when I said no, explained why they said that they would refund my money if there were a problem. But after reading the fine print on their application, it states that I would have to…"

yesterday

Vincent Mattina commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Cancelled Fairs Not Returning Fees?

"Thank you for your efforts Connie!!"

yesterday

Connie Mettler commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Cancelled Fairs Not Returning Fees?

"and Patrick and Vincent, we need to make that public. Taking action, sharing our best ideas and then making a plan for going forward is good for us (I'm talking about personal mental health here). Currently working with several…"

yesterday

Vincent Mattina commented on Connie Mettler's blog post Cancelled Fairs Not Returning Fees?

"Absolutely!"

yesterday

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

In it for the Long Run - True Stories from Hippie

Posted on March 26, 2020 at 8:22am 0 Comments 1 Like

LIVE PODCAST - MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1 PM ET

Of course being an artist isn't a job, nor a vocation, its in your bones and defines who you are. Luckily we live in a country where there is room to change and the legal means of doing so. Start out as an…

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Cancelled Fairs Not Returning Fees?

Posted on March 26, 2020 at 8:09am 10 Comments 7 Likes

There is help for that.

This message is from Carroll Swayze, a printmaker from Florida who has been involved with the NAIA, an artists support organization since its inception in…

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Another Locked-in Day? Unadulterated Plagiarism

Posted on March 23, 2020 at 6:30pm 7 Comments 0 Likes

In the interest of keeping our imaginations going in these dark and dreary times I'm copying an email I received because of the cool ideas therein ... seems we don't have to keep doing the same thing over and over again.

BERKELEY, CALIF.:…

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Next Podcast: Show Organizers & Coronavirus

Posted on March 20, 2020 at 6:53pm 21 Comments 0 Likes

MONDAY - MARCH 23 - 1 PM ET

How are you feeling? I am totally enervated and concerned about the future of art festivals, not only in the short term but in the long run. I'm hearing from artists and reading comments on …

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An offer from Flourish

Posted on March 19, 2020 at 4:00pm 3 Comments 1 Like

15% Off All Orders!

We are offering 15% off every order now through May 1st, with our best wishes for a swift economic recovery for all!…

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Comment Wall (1,389 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!