Odd question, but something we have been pondering more and more recently.  Do you feel that shows that use services like zapplication offer a higher end experience, higher proportion of buyers, larger crowds?  We have done three shows that are zapplication, and initially i believed the statement that the show was higher end, brought large amounts of buyers, but the last one or two were not so much so. While they were lovely events, well organized, and drew nice crowds, the ratio of crowd to buyer was less than expected.  I would love to hear your feedback, and value any thoughts you have to offer.

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  • My only comment. JAS is insane with the application fees. Period.

  • Lots of great feedback.  Thank you all for taking your time to provide a great discussion.  Wow, i had no idea there was a big conversation in that simple question.  Its so wonderful to be a part of this community of artists.  Blessings to you.

  • Hi Eileen and Diane, We come to Florida twice a year and it's our main market. We do a few other shows in the southeast and sometimes central USA, but mostly Florida. We've never done a Howard Alan event. We don't travel south Florida, but stay in central, north, and panhandle communities. We like smaller shows, too and have done pretty good at plenty of them. Our work is certainly high end--higher than most. We are trying to come up with lesser expensive originals, but it's tough to compromise ideas. Our work normally starts at $1,250. We have had some for less than that, but all these items disappear quickly. Wish I had that problem with $2,200 and $3,200 stuff! WOOHOO!

  • I do Howard Alan shows in Pa and Ohio and they are my best shows. I have not done the Florida circuit but I would encourage you to walk his shows and see if they would be good for your work. You do need an upscale booth set up and only a limited number of prints but he does bring in the traffic needed for a good show.
  • Hi Barrie, I'm in S. FL. Howard Alan Events handles many of the high end shows such as Las Olas Art Fair, City Place in W. Palm and Boca Fest. Most of the original art is pricey. I've never tried to enter these. Entry fees start at $400. I sell originals from $25 to $500. I just started selling small prints and notecards this year. I do well at smaller shows. The problem is they don't get as much traffic. Our market is pretty saturated with shows and artists.

  • Thanks Diane.

  • Eileen, Zapp is only a service that collects the applications. Each show juries their own individual shows. Zapp does not jury the show.
  • Cynthia - yes, Gulf Shores Shrimp Fest - that's it!  Last year was my second year of doing any shows.  We got in and we were selling handcrafted earrings at $20 a pair and made $1,000 each day.  We are in again this year and have a booth right across from where we were last year.  Where our booth was last year they have moved the Beer Booth - woohoo! We love this show - though I did this while still teaching.  Took sick days Thursday and Friday - finished up Sunday evening and back to school Monday - I was pooped!  People are there to spend, spend, spend.  Also, Fairhope Arts & Crafts is a wonderful one.  I'm hoping to get in there also.  End of September they have a small one right up the road in Daphne, Alabama - Daphne Jubilee - and we normally average $800 - 900 a day there also.  People in Baldwin County, Alabama, - the Eastern Shore area - like to spend and appreciate good art & crafts.

  • Is this the Gulf Shores Shirmp Fest you've done? http://www.meyerre.com/shrimpfestival/  If not, can you send me a link?  Thanks!

  • Eileen L. Which shows are you referring to? I've discovered that even though the shows that ask for original art only all have lower end items and that the lower end items are what many make their money selling. It's why I only sometimes do the shows that won't allow me to bring repros. I don't have any inexpensive originals, in other words.

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