first (5)

Okay. I did it. I've been in the biz forever. But this was my very first outdoor show with a tent and walls and all the concerns we all read and talk about on this amazing site. And although I had read and researched and practiced and planned, my insides sweated it out and I totally wanted to back out of the whole thing. By the time we arrived at our friend's beach house with a borrowed van the night before the show, I was already exhausted, and soooooo angry. At what? At whom? No one, really. I was just disappointed. I was disappointed that it wasn't more fun. I hated the packing and unpacking and spending way too much time preparing. I'd read all about grid walls on this site and decided to go with that. But they were so heavy and cumbersome. Why did I spend SO much money on all this? Why did I even think I'd want to do this at all? I'm too old for all this bother. What was I trying to prove?

And this was only Friday night and all that was going on was early set up the night before the actual festival.

My husband came with me to set up the tent and put everything in place. With a few festival neighbors to help, we got the tent up and were even offered four heavy-duty twisty dog ties for the tent legs which I hadn't known would be allowed. We'd put up the grid walls and placed the weights but we could NOT get the tent walls to meet, to close and it had taken so long - before I'd asked for help, that is - to get the tent itself to stand straight and sturdy, and then to get the weights and stakes in place that the sun had set and it seemed that all the tents were up, the artists were gone, but we were still there. I was living a nightmare and I felt incompetent and angry and embarrassed. It was now dark and the wind was howling and the walls were blowing everywhere. I wanted to take everything down, put it all back in the van and run away. I hated everything about the process. 

My husband, however, was amazingly patient. He was not about to let me quit. And then my inner artist warrior took over and I found myself making a decision. "Let's take down the sails and leave up the tent and grid walls. Batten down the hatches and let's get out of here!" 

I slept not a wink that night but literally watched the full moon turn orange as it made it's way across the window and out of my line of vision. Every gust of wind startled me while I tossed and turned. I wanted to get up and paint the scene it but everything was in the van. I thought "I should be working, painting, sculpting, not doing this crazy art show thing." I awoke angry and tired and hungry and didn't have time to eat breakfast or even shower. I wanted to run away and not set up at all. I figured we could run over there, take the tent down and leave. I'd send an email later. The artist warrior side of me prevailed again, though. As did my incredibly patient husband. (He had actually slept that night.)

That first morning, as we set up my paintings and my ceramic masks, I pretty much filled my mind with complaints. I had been amazed to see my tent and all the weights and display grids sitting upright and waiting for me. But I was still mad at myself. As I made my way through the bubble wrap, all my mind could focus on was how I hadn't bought shopping bags, I didn't get new business cards, I forgot to make price tags, I should have brought a cooler. I HATE THIS!

The weather was gorgeous and the crowds were quiet but pleasant. I didn't make a single sale and after this first 8 hour day of sitting in an uncomfortable chair, I felt justified in my disappointment. At the end of the day as I wrapped and packed all my artwork to drag back to the borrowed van - still couldn't get the walls to fit - I thought, why not just take everything down now and run away? I don't HAVE to come back tomorrow. I'm not in the Army, for heaven sake.

Oh, alright. It's only one more day. I'm fine. I'll come back.

My husband and friends went out to dinner after the show that night. I stayed in and went to bed. Confident that my tent and grid walls were securely in place and my artwork was bubble wrapped safe and sound in the van, I slept. Boy, did I sleep.

I awoke to the sunrise, had breakfast, took my shower and dressed like a proud and happy artist should. I even remembered earrings and mascara. I'd brought a better chair and went off to rule my day. I took my time, by myself, to set up my work on those walls and as the minutes went by people came in to watch, to talk, to admire, to compliment, to ask questions, and yes, to buy.

I made price tags out of my crazy out-of-date business cards and wrote my new info on the cards I gave out. I wrapped purchases in bubble wrap and twine. I had wonderful conversations with visitors as well as my fellow artist neighbors, enjoyed an ice cream cone from the local food truck and made new friends. And throughout the day, I sold stuff!

Before the first hour of the second day, I'd already made back my booth fee and had once again found my joy in talking with people about my work, selling with no apologies and proudly calling myself an artist in business again. "Oh, are YOU the artist?" "Yes," I beamed. "Yes, I am. This is my work." It had been so long since I'd been in the public eye and I loved hearing people tell me how "exciting and different" my work was. I even loved it when people said "Oh, these are kinda scary!" Thank you, I'd say with one raised eyebrow. Thank you very much. 

At five o'clock on that Sunday afternoon, four volunteers ran up to me and asked if they could help me with anything and I said "yes, thank you. I think I could use help with everything." They laughed and got to work. The volunteers had been there throughout both days to give us breaks and bring cold water or hot coffee. When my husband arrived with the van, everything was folded neatly on the grass and I found myself relaxed and smiling with an inner peace I hadn't felt in ages. It had truly been an amazing day, made even sweeter by the turmoil I'd put myself through leading up to that last moment of my first show.

What I want to say to you here is Thank You. Thank you for this forum. For tips you've all shared, and the booth photos for Newbies, and the experiences of all the different shows you've all lived through, both good and bad. Thank you for your input on walls and weights and tents and displays, even when you've answered the same question a million times before. And, oh my God, thank you for telling us about zip ties! But most importantly, thank you for making it alright to be scared sometimes. And for making it okay to admit that we've never actually done this before. 

Thank you for letting us understand that it's okay to ask for help of our fellow artists. And to accept that help graciously. And that the volunteers really DO want to be helpful. Thank you for giving me permission to say "Excuse me, but this is the first time I've used this tent. Could you help me?" 

How sad it would have been to have given up and never had this crazy experience. How helpful it was to come here to this forum every couple of nights for months with a question, or just an hour to read about things and then be able to actually use what I learned here. If I can pay it forward I would say this: Don't be afraid to feel your feelings but then get past the negative stuff and move on. Get a good night sleep, eat a good breakfast, don't forget your sunscreen. Drink lots of water and know where to go when that catches up to you - because it will. Ask for help when you need it, offer help where you see a need, be grateful and mindful of how lucky you are to live your life by your own standards, to spend your day in the shade of a tent surrounded by your own creativity and joy. Talk openly and happily with everyone you meet, be nice to people even if they say silly things and don't seem to "get" your work. And when things get crazy - which they will - stop for a moment, find your center, take a deep breath and just have a ball. The answers will come. Always remember that you are an artist and that's just an incredibly cool thing to be.

Thank you again.

Robin

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Leesburg Fine Art Festival. My Review.

This show was put on by Paragon art event, in the historic town of Leesburg VA. We were happy to have as perfect a weather as one can ask for on both days. 

Load In: Load in was very organised, for a moment i thought the show was being held in front of the white house, some numbers were called and we all line up behind Bill and was led to our booth spots almost like a funeral procession, we had 45 mins to unload and park our cars, the garage was a short drive from the show and it was free parking.

Load out: Was pretty much as easy as it can get, once broken down we are allowed to bring in our car and pull up beside our booth. I was out in 1hr.

Saturday: Started slow for me no sale up till 12pm and I started questioning my decision to give this first time show a try. And then the crowd really started to come in and sales gradually grew, for ones in the past couple of shows my nurit never went to sleep (its a credit card machine and some of us still have it) sales was steady all day and i did see a lot of bigger items pass by my booth. Most of the other artist I spoke with seem to be doing well and I for sure was very happy with my sales.

Sunday: Was not as strong as Saturday but I will take this Sunday over the past two show Saturdays past. Sales was not as strong but again my nurit was working all day, I sold mostly smaller priced items ($75) and about 4 bigger items, I also noticed items being carried out a suggestion that others are selling bigger items. I finished the day very happy and broke down with a huge smile on my face.

The crowd was very friendly and I actually enjoyed talking to most people knowing that at anytime you might actually be talking to someone that will buy your work and not a thank you and walk away.

I am very happy with this show and the way it was put together, The restuarant in front of me was surprised as to how many people showed up on Sunday as they were not used to seeing this much crowd in the area, I guess some serious ads were sent out. Will I do it again? CAPITAL YES, if accepted, I had used this as a filler show, next year it will be my number one choice. Hope others had similar experience for me it was a success. 

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My first show.....

I'd love some feedback from anyone, everyone!  My husband and I set up at the Sylvania, Ohio Chamber of Commerce's Art and Craft show on Sept 11th, 2011.  Our first show!! Obviously exciting for me and he was a great supporter / helper!

I selected this for my first show because it's small and would be a great learning adventure.  It was that and more.  I didn't know there were that many things to learn.....

 

One learning is that people want to see what you have to sell without having to work at it!  I need to revamp the displays to make sure I don't overwhelm people with too many items that don't stand out much when someone is waltzing past the booth.  Other learning is to have more focus.  I think I had too diverse of an offering.  

People didn't even browse the earrings, somehow those got lost in the shuffle.  Although they're not my main focus, I do make them to match the pendants!   I received plenty of comments about how clever, cute, unusual, blah,blah my items were but darned if we barely sold enough to cover the cost of the show!  Midway through the show we moved the smaller tables out further into the walkway so that people could look without entering the booth.  Also near the end of the show I lowered prices (even tho they're very reasonable already) just to see if that was a contributor to the low number of purchases... it didn't have an impact.

 

Ideas I've had since include featuring matching sets of pendants and earrings on a pedestal, listing the components used to construct the jewelry (as in Swarovski Crystal), and then offering the pendants separate from the chains so that people look at the item more closely and the clutter of the chains would be eliminated.

 

Would love your comments, thoughts, see attached pics!  Thanks!

 

 

 

 

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I was able to get into this local show on very late notice. This was the first year for the Windsor show and the committee that put the show together gets kudos from everyone I talked to about the smoothness of the operation, how they took care of everyone with multiple volunteers bringing water and snacks, a great reception on Saturday night and a solid organization.


















<1. Roy Schneider was absolutely correct in Jaws when he said 'You need a bigger boat'. Weights and a top line tent are critical.
<2. We were allowed to stake down in addition to weights. In fact we were encouraged by the organizers to do so. That's right! The locals know their weather and had clearly checked with the park on sprinkler line layouts. I did and so did my neighbors.
<3. It looks like there is safety in crowds. Only the one end tent appeared to be damaged in the main group. I was on an east end and we were really swaying for awhile. There was 30 ft gap to my east and then a jeweler with a Trimline that rode out the fury unscathed. (Note to self: Don't take a ridge line. She was located up there and asked to move on setup day). One of flimsiest, saddest looking, blue topped ez-up which should have blown away with a sneeze came through unscathed. It was in the pack and had what looked like 90 lb massive concrete blocks on each corner.
<4. If you have an iPhone, iPad, laptop or other device that you can look at weather maps learn how to use it and get to some of the excellent radar sites available. WeatherUnderground, Intellicast, NOAA, FAA weather. Can help give you an early warning.



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If I knew now what I knew then...

If I knew now what I knew then... Ever said this? Personally, I think I have said it too many times. Despite that, we all learn from our trials and tribulations as well as things you wouldn't change for the world when it comes to learning the ropes when it comes to selling at art and craft fairs.I have to say there is a pattern many fall into from their first year to their second and so on down the line. If you don't mind taking a stroll down memory lane with me, here's how I see "the pattern" and how some of it relates to my experience - can you relate?The first year. Have you ever met a craft person who isn't more motivated to want to start their own art/craft business than during your first year? "You" are gung-ho! Motivated! The more research you do the more you find yourself believing you are on the right track or finding the tools to be on the right track as things fall into place. Then you apply for your first show and get in! The first show is the most nerve racking experience you have ever been in your life thinking "will I make money, will people buy my stuff, and worrying if you are prepared enough". Then you get there, set up and it is one of the most eye opening experiences. First, you pinch yourself - you've made it selling at a show with other people who have "made it". The next thought? Wow, there are some other displays that are much better than mine and you start talking to neighbors who are more than kind enough to play mentor to you as you take mental pictures of displays and craft objects. Third, you make your first sale! While holding in the excitement, your first customer is proud to be your first customer too (as usually you have to let them know they are your first customer). You might make a few more sales, but end up with a whole lot of compliments - a real ego booster. Then at the end of the day you are tired yet pleasantly happy it is over ... and can't wait to do another show. As you get more shows under your belt you feel more at ease talking to show patrons, talking and getting tips from your craft show neighbors, your products are improving and incorporate those mental photographs of displays to your own display.The good and the bad of "year one". The biggest lesson is learning about how shows are run and that each one is different - different size booth spaces, the "ease" of loading and unloading is different, learning how to properly price your work, and the list goes on. Another lesson is finding out all this info is something you just can't learn in a book, but have to experience. Why, because each person and their art work is different with the results being as equally diverse - there is no cookie cutter, sure fire way to get rich quick. You find that when you thought shows would be easy, just isn't as easy as you first thought and underestimated the stresses that can occur (like making stock up until midnight the day before the event or the frustrations of packing a car last minute).After my first show, I was bit by art and craft show bug. At that show my husband helped me out - I was nervous. I ended up selling out of many things - I first started out selling my homemade jams, bread and butter pickles and pumpkin and apple butter (it was during Fall show season). I did two other shows that year - both street festivals. One was good with a nice visible space but the other was in a gutter like alley and no one was able to approach my table. It is embarrassing to look back on what I considered a "good booth". One of my early embarrassing photos of my display is the one featured with this blog post. But with getting bitten by the bug you then get a sense of over confidence - wanting to apply to A LOT of shows without taking the time to know what they are really about as well as adding to your expenses - wanting better displays and so on.The second year. Most exhibitors learn what a vendor show is compared to an art and craft show put on in a high school as well as art festivals and street fair craft shows, as they branch out to try and find more of a niche. Also you start seeing hearing about shows called "juried shows" and want to learn what they are all about, if you haven't already. What usually takes the cake though is deciding if branching out to do out door fairs is worth while and the old question - which canopy should I buy enters in. Another realization is networking at shows and on craft/art websites becomes a staple in your everyday life. Meeting new friends, reading reviews of shows, learning more about the medium you work in and finding new shows to apply to, and a chance to vent or share frustrations with "on-line co-workers" helps you feel connected and not alone in woes or joys.How does this experience par with your own? Similar? Maybe in some parts but not others? So, as I am in my 7th year of doing shows, if I were to do things differently, I would probably do a little more research into shows before signing up to them. Because of this I am a big advocate in telling people check shows out first. Go to them, read reviews, email/talk to past exhibitors about their experiences - not only can you save time (wasting a day at a lousy show), you can save money too (money that can go into buying more supplies or a different show). I wish I had better table coverings than cheap cloth from Jo Annes fabrics - bed linens, professional table covers, and other similar products work so much better. Anticipating my expenses more, would be another thing I would have paid more attention to because I fell into a category of - awesome I have money, now I MUST spend it. Aside from a few shows that were truly bad, I can't say I have any regrets. I love my life of being my own boss - yes the days are longer than first expected, but the work is fun and rewarding. I have met so many awesome friends and peers that have made some of the worst show dates delightful and we look out for each other too - suggesting shows and truly getting to know each other (even their families).I hope this stroll down memory lane is either educational or at the very least entertaining. I think we all have moments of - why did I do that and learned from those experiences. Please share any of your experiences here (or on my official blog - www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com). Have a great Labor Day weekend - don't work too hard! - Michelle

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