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Need advice about Deland, Florida show, please-and note new e-mail

Posted by Susan Parry on November 5, 2014 at 4:49pm

Hi Everyone,

I just realized that I had not updated my e-mail and as a result, a post I sent a few days ago didn't go out--plus I realized I wasn't getting any blogs--and a day without AFI blogs is truly a day with out sunshine of the enlightenment kind. With changes under my belt, here goes a request:

I'm going to do a show in Deland, Florida this month for the very first time. Has anyone ever done this and if so, what advice can you offer? Art Fair Source book says the set up is tight and easy. I'm not so sure about the easy part since there's no prior day set up and that we will have to set up at 6 a.m. with only 4 hours till show time. My husband is concerned that we won't have room for a work station or chairs. We use a podium type work station that my hubby built (it holds my computer, cash drawer, scanner etc. in an orderly manner) and it's painted to match the frames I use for display. I use a computer and scanner because I use software that allows me to inventory everything I take to the show floor, create my own bar codes--I program it with the tax rate--it breaks things down for method of payment, tells me how much change to give--and so much more.

My hubby's concerned we may have to revert to belly bags and calculators (ugh) if space is really that tight. I hope, hope, hope, that won't be the case.

So, if you've ever done this show, please give me your advice.

Many thanks, Susan

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Comments

  • Wayne Hayden November 8, 2014 at 8:30am
    Good luck down there. I'm passing on going down this fall. Actually last fall wasn't a total disaster. We took a week going down and stopped in Charleston, Savannah, and Jacksonville to be tourist and visit with a friend. So we had a little vacation time in the warmer states in November.
    I am a woodworker and make bowls, jewelry boxes, and natural edges furniture. (tables and benches)
  • Susan Parry November 7, 2014 at 9:42pm

    Hi Wayne, At least the food sounds good. The main reason I thought I'd try this show is because I'll also be doing Space Coast, which has been a good show for me. It's the same time as St. Augustine's (the weekend after Thanksgiving) and I will probably never do St. Augustine again. It was so poorly attended. Many artists left it early because of dismal sales (including an award winner) which I thought was tacky. When I give my word, I keep it. I sign up for a show and whether good or bad, stick it out till the end. You might try Space Coast sometime. This year, they're having it at the port instead of the regular site because of construction, so I hope that doesn't affect sales. Wish me luck. I got ribbons the last two times, but no prize money. I'm hoping the 3rd time here will really be the charm.

    By the way, what's your media?

    Thank you again for answering me. I wish you the best!!!!

  • Wayne Hayden November 7, 2014 at 5:06pm
    Good luck, perhaps a year will make a difference. We had a discussion on here about the show afterwards last year and most of the people that do Florida shows regularly said to basically avoid the middle of the state and stick to the coasts. (Apparently the west coast is the better of the two.)
    If this year is like last year, you will see every possible way for people to carry small dogs. We say backpack, belly packs, strollers, carry cases, and more. Seemed that everybody down there has a very small dog and they carry with them everywhere.
    Another plus is that the staff will feed you, last year we even had a turkey day meal with all the trimmings.
  • Susan Parry November 7, 2014 at 2:26pm

    Wayne, Thank you for your reply. The set up sounds better than I hoped and the sales prospects sound grim. I'll hope for the best and do a review, if anyone wants me to do one.

  • Wayne Hayden November 7, 2014 at 10:08am
    I did this show last year and yes the booth spacing is tight, but not wall to wall type of tight. Also, last year the booths were set up on either side of the center line in the street, which gives you the parking lane and the curb/sidewalk to set up your chairs and/or sales podium. Most people are going to walk in the parking lane and the sidewalks in a lot of places are wide enough that your chairs, etc. won't be a problem.
    Now, that being said, be prepared to be treated royally by the staff and volunteers, but also be prepared to not sell much. Last year the artist that took best in show had zero sales as of 2:00 PM on sunday. The painter on one side of me sold a few things to previous customers that came looking for her and the sculptor on the other side sold nothing as did I. Of all the folks the three of us talked to during the show, no one had a good show.
    On the plus side, like I said the folks running the show are great and it is some very interesting people watching. Also, they were very good about organizing the load out so that everyone was able to get to their booth and load up.
  • Susan Parry November 6, 2014 at 12:22am

    Thanks for letting me know. Are you going to do it this year? The description says we get a 12 x 12 space. I wonder if that's accurate. Did you use a workstation or other way to records sales? Thanks again.

  • Douglas Sigwarth November 5, 2014 at 9:42pm
    No extra space. I've done the show. Booths are back to back and booths on either side.
  • Larry Berman November 5, 2014 at 5:19pm

    No advice on the show, but you need to have a display that is confined to a 10x10 space because not every show allows you to expand out the back or on one or both sides. And you should never plan to expand out the front because it redirects traffic around your neighbor's booths.

    Larry Berman
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100

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