art - Blog - Art Fair Insiders

Let People Know Your Work is Made in the USA

Posted by Michelle Sholund on May 20, 2009 at 9:17pm

Let people know your work is made in the USA!Do you get people asking if you are a local artist or if your work is Made in the USA? If you are a local artist and the materials you use are from the good 'ol US of A, you need to let people know it.In today's market there is a HUGE demand for locally made products - honey, produce, gifts with local flair such as souvenirs, recycled nostalgic crafts, culture influenced art and crafts.... The tourism industry - which is profitable in any market - is one many artist/crafts people are targeting and getting their name out there regarding their homegrown work. Pottery made locally with hometown names on them, Christmas ornaments, rag rugs, purses, recycled jewelry (like earrings made from local sea glass) - they are all in high demand. Why? Because consumers are more likely now than before to want to support people who do create items Made in the USA. With many toys made in China being recalled, USA jobs going over seas, are all pushes to drive more Americans to buy local in order to support the American economy. Inform anyone willing to listen that you are a local artist and supporting local artists (with items made in the USA) also helps build and is an investment in local economies.How can you show that your work is made locally or made in the USA? The easiest thing to do is have an 8x11 sign (bigger might be better) in your booth stating "My art is PROUDLY made in the USA" or "Locally Made Products Sold Here". Sometimes the sign alone will draw people in to see get a better look at what you make. Another idea is to make (or use) labels and use them as apart of your pricing stickers/hang tags. Try displaying a few small American flags with a tag stating Made in the USA. Put Made in the USA on all your promo material - websites (every page), business cards (on the back if you don't have room on the front), and on brochures or fliers that you give out to people for your up and coming shows.Of course this can help with Memorial Day events and the weekend shows leading up to Independance Day, this is something that should be done year around to remind the public that it is important to buy items made in the USA.Michelle Sholundwww.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.comCome visit my website, www.bythebaybotanicals.com

My New Blog

Posted by Maureen A. Girard on July 1, 2009 at 10:30am

Please visit my new blog. WWW.maureenagirard.blogspot.com.

Riverside Arts Market - Jacksonville, FL

Posted by Adrian Pickett Jr on April 19, 2009 at 9:19pm

Over 30,000 people were present on the Inauguration Day of The Riverside Arts Market in Jacksonville on April 4th.. 30,000+ Art Lovers in Jacksonville. Who would have thought? I definitely missed the boat with that one being that I am an "emerging artist", and I was not present on inauguration day. It was not a good feeling to think that I had missed out on a great opportunity, but the possibility was inspiring.It took just about two weeks to get a booth and with much anticipation I was able to display this past Saturday..and all I want to know is what happened ?The minimized crowd was very welcoming, and thank you Jacksonville for all the love.. . but there weren't nearly as many buyers as there were spectators. Had a gotten 10% of my spectators to buy something I may have profited monetarily from this early rise work day. With items priced as low as $5.oo..Come on Jacksonville!!..Appreciate your local artists by showing support to your local artists by investing in the arts. Enjoy the opportunity that The Riverside Arts Market is sharing with our community and while remember the purpose, invest in your local artists. You never know how great of a return you may get.www.adrianpickett.com

Kutztown 2009 - First Hand Account

Posted by Michelle Sholund on June 30, 2009 at 8:49pm

I was at the Kutztown Festival yesterday (June 29) and as always, had a great time. The 9 day festival held in Kutztown Festival is like a Renaissance Festival, but cut out the minstrels and 'ol English dialogue and insert PA Dutch heritage, history, and traditional folk art. I have gone to the festival for about 5 years now and primarily go as a shopper with Christmas list with many names usually checked off by the end of the day once I am done there. I haven't been able to do the event since it takes place over a 9 day period.The event has taken place since the 70's and every year gets better with age. The jury does an amazing job with a large variety of folk art and traditional art forms galore. There is about 350 artists who make up the event, plus demonstrations from artists and others such as barn raising. I have several friends who do the event each year and find it to be THE event to do (and look forward to) each year as many make at least $5,000 over that period of time with many more making about $20,000 or so - all depending on what is being sold and contacts after the event. The event also offers information about hotel and even housing options including housing options at the local college and campground info as well as opportunities in staying on site.One artist, Lin who works with recycled glass cups and creates stained glass and butterfly feeders. New to the show, Lin stated how she was just happy to be accepted into the event. After the first two days of the event being open she quickly learned it can be a very profitable event making several good sales. Monday proved to be good, despite less foot traffic. In my experience, walking the event on both weekdays and weekends, some weekdays can be incredibly busy especially if the weather cooperates. The event ends around the 4th of July with a great fireworks display. Another artist, a jewelry maker who works with leather, attended the show for the first time last year, had such a successful time found it was necessary to buy two booth spaces. So far the weeks start has showed it was the best move to ever make.Don't take my word for it, go to their website - www.kutztownfestival.com (I think that is the site address) and see for yourself. Information on how to apply and more is found there. I am seriously thinking about signing up for 2010 - maybe I will see you there! - Michelle Sholund, By the Bay Botanicals

Tips On How To Draw Customers Into Your Booth

Posted by Michelle Sholund on August 1, 2009 at 1:28pm

The start of a sale at any art fair begins with getting customers to notice your booth. What is the best way to attract customers to your booth? Here's just 6 tips that could work for you.1. Flowers. Nice landscaping can go a long way to sell a house. Flowers on a tables in restaurants put people at ease. So why not use flowers to your advantage. Last year I have used 2-4 planters with real planted flowers as anchors for my canopy. The idea came to me as I couldn't stand looking at cinder blocks or milk jugs while I sold at fairs. When I started using the planters - the first thing customers saw "Oh, what beautiful flowers" and came closer to take a look. Guess what happens next - they look in the booth and and enter it. So, perhaps planters aren't for you, what about a simple bud vase with your state flower, rose, wildflowers placed in areas you want to draw people's attention or fake flower garlands draped around an easel of your best 2-D art work?2. Large format photography. Ever find yourself driving and NOT take a second to see what a billboard advertisement was all about? The same idea can be extended to those who walk up and down aisles at fairs. Anything big draws the eye and for artists, this works like a charm especially for those who sell jewelry or anything small in size. For about $20, take a good photo of your best selling piece to a Ritz Camera (or other photo developer) and or get it framed or made into a banner and you are set.3. Good lighting. Remember the saying, "like moths to a flame"? Well good lighting in any show booth will draw customers in like moths to a flame. Darkness, shadows, and dim spaces is a natural deterrent - gets customers thinking about dark alleyways where danger could be around the corner. If people can't SEE what you make and sell, then isn't it only natural to pass one booth up for one that is well lit? Desk lamps, strings of Christmas lights, clip-on display lights, good display lamps, etc. all can work and some work better than others all depending on what you sell. Although some fear the money to fork over for electric, hauling lights and so on is too costly, I can tell you it will at least increase your sales 25-30% if not more - I am one of those who can vouch for this tip .4. Color. Commercial products in today's market place have great bright color branding - Yankee Candle, Victoria's Secret, Coca-cola, etc. I often see "cookie cutter" booths at every show - white canopy, white backdrops, white table coverings... While we can't help that fairs require white canopies and they are so easy to find, something as simple as colored table coverings, flower garlands hiding the legs to a booth, colored curtains/backdrops, simple colored scarves accenting jeweled toned necklaces, painted wooden shelving, and so on all are simple, inexpensive ways to add color to a booth. A splash of color in a sea of white (or black) will surely catch customers eyes as long as it is soft and not too bold.5. Banner. Banners do not have to be big, full of color, or expensive. Office supply stores who have a copy/print area or places online like Vistaprint can help help you make up any kind of banner you want all in the name of getting noticed. Two lines of writing such as your business name and website or tagline can truly make a booth stand out. It has a billboard effect, but also tells customers in a matter of 3 seconds I SELL POTTERY (photography, oil paintings, candles, jewelry...). This will help weed out lookie loos and drive serious shoppers into your booth.6. Demonstrate. Every show I have attended where someone demonstrates how their work is made - it draws a crowd. This idea appeals to the "mob" mentality where if one person stops to watch, others follow suit because they see one or more doing it too that it must be something interesting. Demonstrating is also a simple way to start selling without customers catching on. To show and tell a show patron how pottery is shaped and molded, watching a painter make a blank canvas flow with color, or how the sound of a hammer striking metal to form iron work is something people just don't see every day. Doing so also authenticates your work - they will never question "do you make this or is it handmade"? Can't demonstrate at a show - see point #2 - a large format photograph of you in action working away in your workshop also works just as well.I wanted to add this tip as I have had people asking me this question and recently posted it on my blog. I thought others here may benefit from the knowledge. If you like this post all I ask is to leave a comment on my blog - www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com . I want to encourage everyone though to share their tips. Have you tried any of these tips and they did or didn't work - I (as well as others I am sure) want to hear it. Thanks so much for reading!- Michelle, By the Bay Botanicals, www.bythebaybotanicals.com

Wells Street Art Festival - A Review

Posted by Jim Parker on June 16, 2009 at 5:05pm

I did the Wells Street show in Chicago last weekend (June 13-14). I did very well there -- it was about time, as shows in Michigan so far this year have been lackluster. Briefly, the load-in is brutal, and was compounded by rain until about 1PM. After that, it gradually cleared throughout the afternoon, and people were out in droves enjoying the art, the music and buying. I saw a lot of prints going by, some larger pieces, and it kept up until Sunday night.For more in-depth coverage and a couple of pictures, read my full blog post, here:http://www.parkerparker.info/studio/blog/?p=649

2009 ARTS ON THE AVENUE REPORT – Cedarburg WI

Posted by Linda Anderson on June 29, 2009 at 4:00pm

Held June 27th &28th, the annual “Arts on the Avenue” is a part of Cedarburg’s popular Strawberry Festival activities.This has everything most artists would stay away from. Food (it is about the strawberries), crafters (though - high end and juried in), and various “festival” activities (pancake breakfast, 5k run, contests, several music stages and commercial vendors – bike – car – windows etc.) However, with the location and its 100,000 attendances, it has always been a top selling weekend for me. More framed pieces sell at this show than at any others I do (16 this year). I sold a large amount of matted only but I had lowered my prices by $5 or $10.Cedarburg is an upscale artisan community – smack dab in the center of one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S. Not the quasi-wealthy – the real thing where the wealthiest wear t-shirts & cutoffs to avoid standing out in a crowd. I’ve always connected with wonderful commissioned work from them here – their own little decorator they call me.Arts on the Avenue is organized by a combination of (3) separate art groups - the Cedarburg Cultural Center’s Fine Art Fair, Cedar Creek Settlement’s Arts Fair and the Ozaukee Art Center’s Fine Art Fair. Applications are sent to one of the three and each has their own jury and acceptance process. No buy/sell allowed – and if discovered they are removed immediately. An arts highlight is the Annual Plein Air Painting Competition, featuring Adult & Youth Divisions, at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. On Saturday morning, registered artists can participate in a two hour Quick Paint Competition in the Historic District. Cedarburg’s entire nine block Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places with many unique restaurants and charming shops that are a signature of Cedarburg’s tourism appeal. It is juried (with no awards) and very difficult to get into. This is my 5th year participating (10 minutes from home).This year I’ve noticed more high end crafters than typical and I counted only 3 other photographers. Jewelry, as always, was abundant as was pottery, fantastic wood creations and metal sculpture. Saturday tends to be the “out of towners” looking for an alternative to Milwaukee’s huge Summerfest activities. Sunday was mostly the Ozaukee County locals – looking for their favorite artists and ready to spend. I would estimate 90% of the crowd attends annually.Set up goes well and begins at 7am Saturday morning. It is drive up except for those inside the Cultural Center and adjacent lawn. A few of the booths in the main street area have to tear down Saturday night (beginning at 6pm) and set up again Sunday morning (no earlier than 7 am). I always have that area and really don’t mind as the location is prime and I have nice shade most of the day. Parking is wherever you can find it – but once you’ve attended, you know the hidden areas that are very close. The art area opens at 10 am but my sales start at 9. The street is elbow to elbow by 9:30 and remains so for most of the two days. There are typically more people walking the sidewalks behind the tents, getting out of the middle crowd, than at several art shows I’ve done this year. There is a food court area, but also a few food booths (ice cream, strawberries, and drinks) located among the art booths. Cedarburg has terrific wine makers and a local brewer, so those booths are also located among the art booths. They do keep the kettle corn guy and any smoky food booths well away from the art.As I mentioned – most artists would avoid this type of event and had I not been part of this area for many years, I too would stay away from any food festival events. However, I’ve been extremely successful here each year and it is a prime example to artists needing to look outside of the box – beyond their typical annually attended top tier show schedule - to carry them through this tough economic year. Plus....they are fun to do once in awhile. I sometimes get tired of seeing only high end pieces. My booth was busy continually both days and I talked so much this weekend that I lost my voice today - making hubby quite happy. But, I'm a "local" artist and these folks are always good to me. I should also mention that every year I have sold to those from England, France, Italy, Austraila and Sweden who fly in every year for this event. My Monday is consumed with international shipping.My three videos show the smallest crowds of the show. Only the last half hour of each day had less. You can check them out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuGuyfxUA0s&feature=channel listed as Cedarburg 001, 002, 003Have a great summer everyone!Linda AndersonAnderson Photo Works Great Lakes Nautical & Nature Photographyhttp://www.andersonphotoworks.com

Exude Success

Posted by Michelle Sholund on May 16, 2009 at 3:12pm

Exude Success After putting some finishing touches on a art/craft business presentation I realized an overall theme occurring - exude success. Since the economic down turn (and even before that) I have seen countless craft artists get caught up in lively discussions in aisles at shows about the economy and how shows aren't what they used to be. I have noticed more and more craft artists are neglecting how important it is to obtain a "professional" appearance of their booth to attract customers - from new people just getting their feet wet to the seasoned vet who does the same display year after year selling the same thing year after year to boot. Tell me, have you seen those who just look like they threw in the towel before the doors open to the event? Maybe these people fall into a habit of doing Sudoku puzzles, or better yet ready to pounce on the next unsuspecting customer praying this is the person who will buy something expensive. I don't want to burst anyones bubble, but we are in control of our own success when it comes to our own art/craft business. If people are experiencing lulls in sales - of course it could be the economy and many other reasons, however if you are not putting your best foot forward then you are not exuding success. Why Exude Success? When it comes down to it people will buy from those who are successful or appear to be successful. It is almost like a popularity contest without the drama. When you see people in ones booth it is usually because there is something going on there that no one else is offering. Next time you go to a show observe the dynamics of what is going on in each and every booth around you. Notice who has something unique, what makes some displays attract a lot of people while others don't, and what are each booth owners attitude like. It shouldn't take long before you see it - the dividing line - booths with energy and booths without energy. Creating a happy vibe will in fact attract people who then pick up on that positivity which builds and builds where before long one person starts to buy something and the more follow. So, in a sense, if each craft artist would take the time to exude success using their time wisely at shows they too will find sales and others wondering what does he/she have that I don't. How to exude success: 1. Be positive. If your day starts off bad, let it go, take a deep breath, move on. You don't need to be super perky as if you had 5 cups of coffee, but doing something like smiling, WELCOMING people into your booth, offering suggestions or help, all goes a long way in winning a customers confidence and trust. 2. Dress for success. First impressions means the world of difference when it comes to customer shopping. The way you dress directly affects the way people perceive your work. The little things like trimming beards or shave, putting on a bit of make-up can go a long way especially with a great shade of lipstick, and of course dress casually and for comfort all goes a long way. It scares me when I have see some sweaty men putting up a booth and then start selling with major b.o. and sweat stains. I have observed women with the most messiest of hair dos and no make-up complaining about how their sales are so poor OR question "why are so many people trying to barter with me?". 3. Make your booth pop! Are you selling at an art fair or at a flea market? Think of all the things that makes one show more elite than the other and you'll see it is all about the way the art work and craft is displayed and merchandised. Find a happy medium where you don't get people commenting more on how beautiful your booth is than your work. And on the other side of the spectrum that if the booth is too plain where items are just sitting on one table with no style or class you also will loose customers attention. Just think - your booth is much like a mini boutique and when people shop at boutiques and nice retail shops - they want that experience. When store names like a Godiva Chocolates, Crate and Barrel, or The Gap you automatically think about what they sell and how it is presented - the same should go for your work/business. Using good lighting, a styled theme, organized merchandising where your products are on different eye levels and more should be everyone's goal. The one thing that can make or break ones booth is to have it look like all the rest at the show - think about ways to make it memorable and you will surely find buyers verses passersby. 4. Use positive language. I usually get customers and other craft artists, when I do shows, ask, so how are sales today? I usually say "its too early to tell" or "I have made some sales, but I won't know until the end of the day". Whenever someone asks a question they are testing you to see if you are more successful than the others they have encountered that day. If the weather is at least nice (and sales aren't) mention how you can't remember such a good day as today and to thank customers for coming out in such nice or bad weather too - changing a situation to a positive one. If someone shrieks about something they think is over priced, calm the situation and explain what makes the piece unique and why people buy it, never giving into their opinions. Just as there are many situations that could result in negative responses, figure out ways to make a negative situation good. 5. Have realistic expectations. I am referring to setting the the bar too high regarding expectations that could result in loosing focus on the prize. Set simple and realistic goals when doing shows or in handling business decisions. The more you are able to complete simple goals the better you will feel when it comes to your overall businesses success. You can't expect every customer who enters your booth to buy, every show can't be successful (even if past shows were always good), and every show can't always be just right for your product. The sooner people realize nothing in life is guaranteed and each person holds the key to their own success, the more likely you are achieve any goal you have your mind set on. I am a big advocate of good customer service because you want people to have a good time, have a memorable experience to want to come back, don't you? There are so many times I see a snowball effect when one upset customer or artist rants to another thus creating and uninviting aura, an almost a dead zone where no customer would venture into. The sad thing is many don't even notice it happening and blame it on other factors when the most obvious answer is right in front of them - how their inability to exude success hinders their own success. As we move forward in our art/craft show seasons, don't let the economy or other factors greatly affect how your shows will go as you can exude a positive successful business in times of uncertainty. Please think about some of these ideas and try to apply just one to your own craft business. You may be surprised to see that if you do exude success you will find success. Check out more topics like this on my own blog - www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com ! Thanks - Michelle

What is Your Favorite One Day Art Fair?

Posted by Connie Mettler on May 26, 2009 at 10:00am

I always loved doing one day art fairs - you get there, you set up, the people come, they buy and then you are on the way home! No dithering or waiting for people to make decisions. They know you won't be there long. The art fair is their destination for the day and they have made plans to buy. What's not to like? Here are my two favorites: 1. 'Round the Fountain Art Fair, Lafayette, IN-- always held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. This is undoubtedly the best quality art fair in Indiana. Lafayette is a university town, home of Purdue University. The event is held around its beautifully restored courthouse. In fact it was started to raise funds for the restoration of the courthouse some time ago! Small, 80 artists, with an audience who is loyal and who buy every year. It has the advantage of a well-loved tradition in a more or less rural area that is full of people who love it. Here is a good story, including video, from the local television station: Sunny skies make a perfect day. Here is another story from the Lafayette paper: Art patrons score at fountain art fair. Wood artist LeRoy Bayerl of Marshfield, Wis., won best of show. My old friend jeweler Jack Forney earned second place honors and Randall Harden of Noblesville came in third.

2. Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair, Charlevoix, MI -- always on the second Saturday of August I loved this one because it was a chance to get "up north" on a beautiful summer day, eat fresh whitefish, see the playground of the well-to-do, hang out a little on Lake Michigan, and do some very decent sales. In fact, we had our best one day sales ever at this event. The fair is set up on the waterfront of a beautiful harbor. There are some fabulous boats docked there. The owners would host parties on their boats and then come into the park to shop and take their goods back to the boat. The art fair weekend is the biggest one all summer in Charlevoix. The committee is all volunteer and terrific. In the morning expect homemade muffins, coffee and http://www.charlevoixwaterfrontartfair.org/seeing your friends, gathered here for the festivities. Plus, if the committee likes your work there is a good chance you will be reinvited for years to come. The weather is invariably fabulous and was a reminder of why we live in Michigan. Do you have any favorite one day art fairs? Tell us about them.

Call for Entries: Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 13, 2009 at 12:30am

July 30 - August 2 Nappanee, IN 350 exhibitors Deadline: April 1 The 47th annual Amish Acres Festival is seeking talented artists and craftsmen to exhibit and sell their wares around the pond at Amish Acres. Amish Acres is an 80 acre farmstead, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in the heart of Indiana's Amish country, Nappanee, IN. It is an historic attraction demonstrating three generations of the legacy of the family who lived here and a destination for travelers interested in learning about the Amish a way of life, a life nearly forgotten in today's fast paced world. Helpful information: * This event pulls from a wide region and includes an effective advertising and marketing plan that encircles Nappanee from Chicago to Detroit to Toledo and Indianapolis - expect visitors from a large geographic area who call this their favorite show * The readers of Sunshine Artist have selected Amish Acres as one of the 200 Best for the 10th year running, further ranking it the 7th Best Classic & Contemporary Craft Show in the Country * The American Bus Association chose Amish Acres Festival as one of its Top 100 Events in North America in 2008 for an unprecedented third time (2005, 2006 & 2008) * New this year: a partnership with a national pharmacy chain in our and surrounding 5 state region for Art Festival promotion

Note from Jenni Wysong, organizer of the event: I have proactively created an Exhibitor Stimulus Package with 10% reduced fees and increased artist benefits to effect each exhibitor right in their pocketbook. I want to show them we are supporting them for our shared future health. See page 4 of the application for the details. Expect authentic Hoosier hospitality that includes: * free accessible parking * electricity * no jury fee * exhibitor discounts on hotels, theatre tickets, food and drink * $10,000 in cash awards * 60,000+ is the expected attendance based on previous years A casual family oriented atmosphere abounds as Amish Acres remains a family run business. The Festival was started in l961 and is still owned by the same family, on to its second generation of management now. There are many activities on this historic farm but the Art and Crafts Festival is a singular event and eagerly awaited by past exhibitors and patrons. Visit the website to learn more about Amish Acres and to download an application: www.amishacres.com

call for artist

Posted by david therriault on December 18, 2008 at 12:30pm

I am hoping to start a art fair, show and sale at my retail gardenshop in maryland. we have been in business 20 years at this location and i was hopeing to gather artist that would attract more attention to this countryside location. I am a stone sculpture and would like more exposure for my work .Any suggestions on how to begin this process would be helpfull. how do i find artist to attend and how do i promote it?

Summer Fair in Cincinnati

Posted by jerry berta on March 22, 2009 at 10:33pm

I am thinking about doing Summer Fair in Cincinnati. Any information about the show would be appreciated.Jerry

Who Was That Artist Featured in the Wall Street Journal?

Posted by Connie Mettler on November 19, 2008 at 7:00pm

What a thrill, local girl makes good! Chris Roberts-Antieau of Manchester, MI, was recently profiled in the Wall Street Journal under this headline: A True Rags-to-Riches Story, Chris Roberts-Antieau Is One of the Foremost Self-Taught Artists in America Today The lengthy article describes the self-taught fiber artist's rise from obscurity to fame, in conjunction with the publication of her book, Sew Far, "a sumptuous and colorful first monograph on Chris Roberts-Antieau's striking hand-stitched appliques. " The book is a limited edition boxed set including an original fiber "painting" in each box, and retailing for $550! Chris grew up at art fairs around the Midwest. I remember being her neighbor in Birmingham, MI, Ann Arbor and other places. And I even own a stuffed figure from her "early days." A few years ago she was the poster artist for the Ann Arbor Street Fair. "Chris Roberts-Antieau is as prolific as she is busy; this fall begins with the debut of Sew Far, as well as two museum exhibitions, three international shows, the launch of Chris's new online gallery store, and the trailer premier of her feature-length documentary: A Love Letter to Tom Waits. Adding to excitement, Chris has been nominated by Governor Jennifer Granholm for the Lifetime Achievement Award in Chris's home state of Michigan." Congratulations, Chris! Best of luck with all your projects. More: www.ChrisRoberts-Antieau

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Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.