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making money at art fairs (4)

PODCAST: Fewer Shows, More Money

Posted by Connie Mettler on May 27, 2015 at 9:07am

8869098685?profile=originalFriday, May 29, 11 am ET

  1. Our guest will be graphic artist Carroll Swayze. Carroll has a great story about how working smarter, not harder, has put more money in her pocket and enabled her to do more of the things she loves besides creating her work. A lifelong artist, after much trial and error she has found that balance we all crave. 

    You'll enjoy this podcast, Carroll is a great storyteller. Doubt that she has been able to do this? Take a look at her schedule, her passion for fishing and music is evident. http://www.carrollswayze.com/schedule.html

  2. 8869163277?profile=originalWe'll be drawing names for the first 10 winners in the Pledge Drive. Hope it will be you. Pledge now. Your odds of winning are mighty good.

    Click here to do it now: http://www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair/pledgedrive.html

Be listening on Friday ... 

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Report from an Embedded Reporter in Houston at Bayou City

Posted by Connie Mettler on March 31, 2009 at 10:00am
As Texas seems to becoming the Happy Hunting Grounds for artists fleeing the North and other distressed areas we will be hearing more and more reports on these events. Veteran artist Ginny Herzog decided to not exhibit in Florida this year but instead to focus on this area. Here is her report from Houston this weekend: I exhibited at HB this past wkend for the first time. I decided to forego the FL shows this season because of the bad economy there and, instead, do four TX shows in five weeks. I had heard good things about the Houston show and was looking forward to doing it. The show is held in Memorial Park and artists are set up in the roadway that circles in the park. Most booths are set up on the outer circumference but in some areas the roadway has wider areas for parking and artists are set up on both sides facing each other. There were nearly 300 exhibitors and about 100 were new this year. Set up times were Wednesday, Thursday and early Friday morning. In most areas there was ample room to pull your vehicle in across from your both for unloading and loading. We had a downpour late Thursday afternoon so I elected to leave my unstocked booth for a dinner break and returned later to stock it. Weather was very warm and humid on Friday and this Minnesotan is not used to dripping in March. The size of the crowd was okay the first day but it seemed that sales were slow for most...as if the buyers were merely scoping out the show. The temps plummeted on Wed. night and it was in the 40's when we opened our booths on Sat. We came dressed in layers and the sun warmed us up into the 60's in the afternoon. Big crowds attended both Sat. and Sunday in the perfect weather. The show was very well publicized and organized. I thought the quality was mixed but leaned toward quite good. The focus was on the art but they had good food booths and the entertainment was supportive of the art buying atmosphere...not too loud and very tasteful. The artist hospitality and volunteers were some of the best I've encountered and it was very much appreciated. There is very little parking available near Memorial Park so they shuttle the festival goers in large buses from shopping centers. There is a $10 gate fee which supports art in Houston. No dog allowed. This show is very well supported by the community. As far as sales go, it was mixed. I spoke to several artists. It seems that most of the 2D artists were selling prints or smaller works from their portfolio, although I did see occasional larger works go by. Some fine crafts did okay and others said sales were down for them. Many who had done FL, said although their sales were down, the show wasn't as bad as the FL shows. Personally, I sold only one of my smallest pieces so did not come near making expenses. However, I had excellent interest in my work and felt my lack of success was probably a combination of being new to the show and the economy. I am still considering trying the fall Bayou show in Oct. and maybe returning to the spring show to give it another chance. I thought load out went much better than expected and I even had a wonderful volunteer help me take down and load up. Thanks for all this info, Ginny. I know some more of you were there. Let's hear what you have to say. Other news out of Houston: photographer John Galbo rolled his truck and a crane had to be brought in to upright it. Neither John, his inventory nor truck received much damage. John drives a large box truck. I look forward to hearing from you, John, about this recent adventure. I am sitting here and thinking what a mess this had to be not only for John, but for artists nearby and the committee. There is a narrow road that encircles the park that artists use to access their spaces. A truck in the ditch would certainly impede any movement, add to that a crane! I know how crazy some people get during set up and tear down. Doesn't anyone have photos? Nels?
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Make More Money This Weekend?

Posted by Connie Mettler on October 29, 2008 at 4:30pm
Did you miss ArtFairCalendar.com’s second call-in teleseminar? This is your opportunity to own a transcript of the conversation, 29 pages on 20 topics submitted by artists. It is full of helpful insights to dilemmas faced by beginning art fair artists.

Recently we held our second teleseminar where I answered questions from my subscribers about art fairs. We recorded the session and it is now available as an e-book on the ArtFairCalendar.com web site for purchase – at a great introductory price. Click here right now to purchase the brand new e-book “Teleseminar II - Getting Into Art Fairs: 20 Questions Answered.” Look for the “Buy Now” button on the right sidebar. Some of the topics addressed: * what are some of the best items for art fairs? * what style of art is most in demand? * how do I raise money to get started? * what are the best sources for finding art fairs? * what sells and where? * how do you tell the difference between shows with buyers and shows with lookers? * what are art fairs looking for in the application? * why do I need a booth slide? what is a booth slide? * how do I arrange my booth? * how do I determine a price? Here is what some of the participants had to say: Hi Connie, I missed the first teleseminar, but listened to the second one that was yesterday. Thanks to your website I am very busy this summer beginning tomorrow (Warren Co. Festival of the Arts) till August 23rd (Mason Heritage Festival). I had some concerns about booth display and yesterday’s teleseminar gave me confidence. Thank you again and feel free to use my comments as a testimonial. Also, since English is the 5th language to me feel free to proofread before you use any of my emails :). Konul Zwolinski Connie, Wanted to thank you for providing me the opportunity to join the call. Great information, and you organized the presentation of the topics very well, each flowed into the other. Can’t wait for the next seminar. You mentioned the possibility of focused calls - booth design would be most helpful. Would save a lot of trial and error. Thank you, JR Lamartine Connie, I found your seminar helpful and informative. I look forward to future opportunities. i have just gotten started in this business, so I welcome all sources of experience and support. Please keep me on your e-mail list. I can anticipate using more of your services, in the future. Enlightened Images,LLC www.enlightenedimages.net Thank you Constance: I’m looking forward to reading what the two of you had to say. Even with a more than 30 year history of painting and 2 masters degrees in Painting I’m having no luck even being accepted to Festivals. Any tips that help will be greatly appreciated. Jim
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