This isn't a long rant....just upset at very rude public who have NO idea what it takes to be an exhibitor. I am disgusted by the people who stand and examine a piece to death then talk about how THEY can make it!! At least walk away from in front of me and talk amongst yourselves!!
I lost my temper and said " I CAN HEAR YOU!! You do that and let me know how it goes!" I apologized to the others folks...which had them ALL agreeing with us (my daughter was included in this) and bought like crazy.
Sometimes...you just have to say whats on your mind!
Now back to your regularly scheduled program...
Comments
It would be nice if the show included a blurb at the door regarding the taking of photos. That way it would be a general rule and not make individual artists seem crabby. I was talking with a fellow crafter this weekend and he said last weekend he was at a rather large show. A woman came up and started taking photos. He asked her why she was taking them and she innocently replied: "Oh, I have friends in China who ask if I can send them photos." He explained there were not photos (He also has a sign up) and stayed with her while she erased them all.
Lynn you said "Never underestimate the power of a pissed off Irish redhead" But don't underestimate how loving, sweet, caring, intelligent and so much more they can be too, I've been dating one for six months.
Never underestimate the power of a pissed off Irish redhead!!! :-)
True, but you have to find them first in order to send them the cease and desist!
Wow!! We have problems also, Roxanne...we have a copyright on a design and won't hesitate to set the lawyers on them with a cease and desist!!!
I got an anonymous comment on my web site the other day like "You must be nuts to charge $45 for such simple to do earrings". That tells me that was not a customer, but a person who makes jewelry that is trolling for designs. I quit doing craft shows when I went to one where no one carried any packages, but they were going around to all the booths asking how to make stuff. I suspect my "simple to do" earrings are going to start showing up on someone elses Etsy or Artfire store soon.
We have all been through what your going through, the want a bes, the jealous ones. You have to let them know that the more educated money people are the ones who appreciate this art and buy it, and if your five year old sister could do this, she would be here making the big bucks. I like the ones who say about a family member, that their art is in a museum or high end gallery selling in the thousands. I ask do they ever sell any pieces, their reply, oh yes. So I just say, that's wonderful, you must be very proud, maybe she or he could give you lessons. Did they ever give you a piece of their work?
I totally understand where you are coming from and have had to learn to get a thick skin over this past summer which has been my first year doing shows. I have had everything all of you are saying, and MORE. I do abstract large scale oil paintings with texture created with a palette knife and have had people come into my booth, while I'm standing right there and say "it's just spray paint and stickers, I don't get why it's so expensive, my 5 year old sister can do this"... You have no idea how much I wanted to shake that person and be like... CAN YOU READ?! I have also had someone come into my booth, ridicule me for about 15 minutes then say "have you ever sold anything before?" and when I answered yes, they returned with "That's surprising..."
Sometimes you just have to realize that some people are just dumb and flat out Buttheads who have no concept of the time, effort, money, and passion that goes into every piece of art. It is actually sickening to have to sit through shows where I don't sell anything and hear some of the ridiculous things that come out of people's mouths. I have just decided I have to not care, ignore, smile and move on.
I have a friend who says her web site is W W W I'm Here Right Now dot com!
Yesterday I exhibited at Medina Affair on the Square, Medina Ohio - a nice one day show. I learned a lot from my exhibiting neighbor. His copper work (fountains, yard art etc) was fantastic. Whenever someone asked him for a card his response was "I'm happy to share my information with any purchase, I do not hand out cards, ship or sell my product on the internet. If you like a piece I'm happy to sell it to you. The only way to get a piece of my art is to see me in person". He wasn't rude and that answer seemed to be accepted. I've never heard of no business cards but he's right. If you want my art, here it is, you can buy it or come to another show where I'm exhibiting and we can do business.
Needless to say, he had a good show - but he should have, he had a great product at a good price.
It's nice to learn something new on the show scene....keep your ears open, you just never know what you'll learn at the next show !
and, as always, keep smiling
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