It's only my second year. I am still trying to see which shows work well for me. Which markets value my creations. I am still learning. How to set up my booth. How to price my art. Learning that multiple price points work best.
I hope for profitable shows and I am expanding into other shows that are 300 miles away to test the waters. But I am still a newbie. And I have much to learn. But that is also exciting and and sometimes disappointing. But everything that I learn I hope to share with my fellow artists.
So, if you are a fellow newbie, let me know. We can share our joys or commiserate together! And a have a show coming up this weekend... Booth 41 at the Crosby Festival of Arts at the Toledo Botanical Gardens in Ohio. My first three day show. And I have a four day show later in the season (that's a first too)...
Oh, and I always take my ham radio along just in case of the weather. So if you see the artist with the ham radio, that's me... But I am also just a newbie too!
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I use Square also, and it's been very reliable so far. Definitely definitely accept credit cards if you possibly can. I don't take checks anymore after I received a bad one last year... However, that's one bad check in several years.
For sales I track the item number, date, price (with and without tax) and form of payment. I think some tax changes may be coming soon that require us to report CC sales separately from cash, but I haven't looked into it much yet. You might also want to record customer names and contact info for your mailing list.
Scott - I really like the lego people photos, they seem like they'd make a good gallery collection :)
Sandra, yes - paypal has a reader for the smartphone too. But I use square...
Is there a way to use paypal?
WWHHHHOOOOAAAAA that is seriously cool. I don't have a smartphone though.... but I am due for an upgrade..... hmmmmmm....
If you have a smart phone, Sandra, sign up for Square - www.SquareUp.com. And you can buy the dongle at Best Buy if you need one in a hurry. Most people will pay be credit card although I have recently gotten some big cash sales.
I just wrote a comment and it seemed to vanish, so I'm sorry if this posts twice.
GREAT idea about garden lattice!!
On another subject. How do you handle money at shows? Is it best to accept only checks? Cash? I'm not able to take credit cards now, but is that something I should look into? Also what is the best way to keep track of sales? What info will I need when reporting sales? Price is a given, but date? method of payment? other?
Thanks!!!!
Ahhhh! Garden lattice!!! Now that's an idea!
On another subject... How do you handle money? Do you only take checks??? Cash??? I'm not able to take credit cards (yet). Also, how do you need to keep track of sales? Is it simply a matter of keeping a ledger and writing prices sold for and dates?
Hello Meg - I am not in any galleries yet but I do have an online Etsy shop. My Etsy shop brings in the occasional sale but it's an online presence to help with the buyer who does not want to buy at the art fair itself (although no sales have come form that).
What I do shoot is cityscapes, macro flower pictures, landscapes and toy shots (Lego minifigures and old style Fisher Price Little People)
Hmm, I have no experience with 2D display, though I'm pretty sure that Propanels are commonly used and relatively flexible (for future changes)... I've also seen a gaggle of easels used before, and garden lattice/trellis... but now I'll be quiet and let the experts speak, ha...
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