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  robert casarietti February 20, 2012 at 7:28am

  Hi jacki.  I'll let you know....we sent several pieces to China, last month and two larger pieces to Brazil.  Brazil is difficult, customs etc.  Check back with me in a month or so and i'll let you know my thoughts.....you need to find a rep and gallery in both places.  Goggle galleries in Brazil and China and hit them up.  Both places are a definate maybe???
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  Jacki Bilsborrow February 19, 2012 at 11:34pm

  Robert, I am interested in the oportunities in China and Brazil.  Can you explain?
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  Steve Cebula February 16, 2012 at 12:14pm

  My wife and I have been out there doing shows for 14 years and I would agree that the expenses have gone way up and sales are harder to come by. Most all the promoters, event directors and volunteers we deal with seem to be working very hard to advertise and create an environment to draw folks to the shows. Beyond that, the sales are in our hands as artists, the old days of sitting behind the booth waiting for it to happen are pretty much over. We artists need to be very pro active, greeting everyone in the booth, presenting a good appearance, engaging in conversation about our work etc. The social media are playing an increasing role in creating buzz about your work and I tend to believe that a website is a must even if you don't sell from it. Business cards done with a professional appearance are important as well, anything to keep your work in the patrons mind. We made at least half a dozen sales this year to folks who had our info from as long as 2 years prior and kept it around. I can't tell you many times I have heard comments from artists like I don't do business cards or have a website. The idea being buy it now or you will have to catch me at another show down the road. This seems to me to probably cost them after show sales etc. Anyway we lay no claim to knowing all the ins and outs, but do like to learn and change with times if that is what is needed. Happy trails and sales to all who work so hard at these events.
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  robert casarietti February 15, 2012 at 10:59am

  Hi All.  For your info, I'm not against art fairs, especially if you want to go on a working vacation, which we are considering in Florida....many advantages, especially tax wise.  We had several friends of ours asking us to share our little success last year doing three big shows, which really panned out for us.  I think any place one can offer their art to a potential buyer is good, however we prefer to focus our efforts on a much larger market that pays to get into the show and is there at each show  truly to view and or buy the art.  Not only did we sell more, we picked up two reps who each have sold over 4 very large pieces over a few months plus created more opportunites in China and Brazil.  My hat's off to all of the show artists and have certainly have a lot of respect for everyone that can earn a decent living during shows and selling art.   There are many ways to accomplish a decent annual living selling art, we just found another and wanted to share with everyone our discovery.  Happy Trails to all and good selling
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  Richard P Sullivan February 14, 2012 at 1:07pm

  Good for you Robert. I am also very happy for all the very successful artists who still participate in outdoor art festivals and still do very well. I guess there are always many cups of tea. 
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  Leslie Christopher Bookout February 14, 2012 at 12:29pm

  I hear ya. Last year was my first foray into the art fair circuit and I feel that I just got into the game several years too late. After doing 8 outdoor shows, the returns were dismal. The only money that I saw being spent was over-priced junk food, beer and cheap buy-sell crap. People just walking around and looking, not buying. Most of the time I felt like I was in a petting zoo. I made a few sales, but no where near enough to make the time and expense worth the investment. The shows are just way too expensive to get into. I can't afford to lose money just to provide a sideshow for tourists.
  This year, my wife and I are going to travel the country, staying in RV parks. I'll get more sales just setting up my MASH unit (Mobile Art Studio Habitat) and selling to occasional interested campers. At least the expense will be more affordable, the schedules more suitable to my convenience, and no jury fees on top of outrageous booth fees. The shows were fun and entertaining, but it just seems like they've turned into cash cows for the promoters. After such a bad sales year (not just me, but also everyone I met on the road), why are they raising fees this year? Most artisans I have spoken to, are taking a hiatus from this end of the business for a while. Maybe the promoters will get the idea that what they're selling just isn't that worth while.
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  geri a. wegner February 14, 2012 at 11:56am

  I'm a little confused.  Weren't you thinking about doing Florida shows, specifically Howard Alan?  What changed your mind?