This may sound like a stupid question but, would some of you please give me your interpretation of exactly what a contemporary craft is? I understand the word 'contemporary' but I'm not quite sure what falls under this category when looking at art fairs. I make Shaker boxes which have been around for 250 years. However, rather than doing the traditional box, most of my work includes tops made of exotic/contrasting woods to give the piece a more modern look. I've also added a few pieces of my own design that follow the Shaker style but were never made by the Shakers. The pieces are decorative as well as functional. I'm just wondering if I should take heart when I read that contemporary crafts sold well at a show or should I be placing myself in the flea-market group.
The price range of my work is between around $40. up to $200. and, considering the time and effort I spend on them, I would hate to think I'm in the flea-market category. I've done well at places like the Bayou Festival in Houston, Ann Arbor and a few others. And, I'm bombed at a few like Central PA. So, I'm just trying to get a better handle on where I should be concentrating my efforts. I much prefer the fine arts events for several reasons and I know a couple of people who do what I do and they seem to do very well at these events.
In putting together a schedule for 2013, I could use some suggestions on some shows that you folks might recommend for what I'm doing. I never expect my work to be the best-selling item in a show but, if I can make expenses and put a little in the bank, I'll be happy. And, I don't mind traveling longer distances for a show that has a decent chance of being profitable. I'm wondering if the area of the country has much to do with it. So far I've concentrated my efforts on the Midwest and the South.
I hope all this makes some sense and I look forward to hearing from some of your on the subject. They say that talking to other artists is one of the best ways to seek guidance on shows and this is one way I thought I would try.
Thanks for any, and all, input.
Comments
Jacki,
I did o.k. but it was a one-day show and there wasn't a great number of people. I will say, it was the best single day I had in 7 days of shows.
Don, I would think your Shaker Boxes would have done well in Williamsburg. I am surprised you didn't do well there. It seems like Shaker Boxes are one item that they sell well there.
Jim, thanks for your input. I did a Sugarloaf show in Chantilly, VA and a Craftsman's Classic show in Greensboro last December and didn't do very well at either of them. They both had large crowds and seemed to be well-run shows but people seemed to be buying the lower-end items. I barely covered expenses but I came from Texas so, expenses were pretty significant. I did a little show in Williamsburg at the same time and the three together barely covered my cost. But, you never know. As a sculptor/carver, you might do a good deal better at both of the shows. Even more so, if you don't live a significant distance away. As far as craft events are concerned, the best shows I ever have at at War Eagle, Arkansas in October. Depending on where you live, you might do real well there. Thanks again for the input and, good luck to you.
Don, I've had the same question about my work as I'm a wood sculptor/carver. Most of my work is figurative and highly detailed. I do OK in some of the fine art shows but not as well as the painters or photographers. I've talked to a number of artists who do what they call "High end craft shows". They have suggested subscribing to Sunshine Artists as they rank craft shows from high end to low end. The high end shows also have some fine art at them, but the wood warkers are furniture makers along with makers of dulcimers or guitars. The people coming to these shows realize these high end "crafts" are not cheap and they're willing to spend the money. Some of the items from these craftsmen/artists start at over $1k. It's been suggested that I look at shows similar to Sugarloaf which appear to be mainly in the Northeast. As I continue researching I'll share what I find along with my experience as I'm planning on trying some of these in 2013.
Hey MIchelle, I guess that's Craftsmen's Classics but by Gilmore Enterprises, and they are only in the Southeast. I know people who do the Gatlinburg show but they are not the same.
Rich..Did you do the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Classic? I did it in July. Will be doing the 19 day show in October. I hear the October one is very good. I do like the promoters attention to detail and they definitely do a LOT of advertising. Banners, Billboards, on the back of every bus, newspapers etc. I was also impressed with their volunteers. Thats why Im doing the october show. The July show was not the best sales but there were very few people there too.
I do 3 Craftsman's Classics in the spring and 3 in the fall. They have a very good mix of mediums and they are all top quality. They spare no expense on media coverage and it shows by the attendance. My worst show with them was this last Spring in Greensboro, NC and I still did $3,500. Attendance was down at this show but it was 78 degrees out in the middle of March.
Let me clarify that, I know that no one can tell me which shows would be good and which would be bad. There are just too many variables that come into play. I'm just trying to get a better feel as to whether or not I fall in the Cherry Creek/St. Louis category or the Sugarloaf/Craftsman's Classic group. And, those are just random examples. I'm thinking of trying some shows in Florida this Spring and haven't been to Florida. I'm looking at Gasparilla, Under the Oaks, Naples National, Winter Park and a couple more. I've read the AF Sourcebook reviews but, again, I'm simply trying to pick up whatever little tidbits that may be offered. And, I appreciate each and every one. But, I know that, unfortunately, no one can tell me which ones will be good for me and which one's won't. That individual would be a multi-millionaire!
Hey Don,
Contemporary craft vs. craft vs. art vs. fine art is is the eyes of the promoter. No one one can say you will or will not do well at a particular show. The biggest issue is whether or not the promoter brings people in the door! I do about a dozen off of the S/A top 200 shows and tend to do very well at each one. I am from the Chicago area but 90% of my shows are in the East and Southeast.
Don, I'd say what you are doing is exactly Contemporary Craft. And "Contemporary Craft" is a big tent! I design and create beaded jewelry and accessories using a variety of techniques, usually in seed beads. I consider what I do as Contemporary Craft too. Re: What shows to go into, that is a real toughie and hit-or-miss. Best of luck.