Don't know about others but, St. James (Belgravia) was a huge disappointment for me in my first visit to Louisville.
According to others who had been there, the crowd was much smaller than usual and it reminded me of people viewing a museum exhibit rather than buying art. A couple of people referred to it as "The Belgravia Shuffle". Just plodding along eating popcorn. The cool weather may have had something to do with it.
I had been told the ground was not level but, I felt like a Mountain Goat. Seemed like about a two-foot drop from the back of the booth to the front.
In terms of sales, I had the 2nd worst show I've had in eight years. A couple of my neighbors were also complaining about sales.
I'm sure a lot of people had a great show and I'm glad you did. For me, I think I'll cross St. James off my list. Considering the expense, I would have been better off at the art fair at the local high-school. And, to ice the cake, I hurt my back loading out and have had to cancel The Bayou Festival this week. I had hopes of it being my salvation from Belgravia but, sometimes things just don't work out the way we'd like.
This is a hell of a way to make a living!! But, I'll be loading the trailer again in a couple of days.
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Thanks, John! Connie for Congress ... actually heading to a Party meeting this evening to wrangle control of the local party headquarters with my friends.
The show has gotten so large it's overwhelming for anyone who goes for the day. Almost all of my sales were from people who are real buyers and spend two or three days checking everything out and returning to purchase from the few who remained on their short list. Also although publicity says no dogs allowed it seems as though there were more dogs than children, many all dressed up in baby carriages.
In the booth next to me someone who was disabled had a service dog in the booth - which is fine except it seemed as if my area was crowded with people who were either having a lovefest or barkfest dog socializing.
and you got to see St. James! Surely one of the country's loveliest old urban neighborhoods. Hope your back and you are doing well.
Yea, Connie, I drove from Dallas. They're right. There's no fool like an old fool! I can't believe I passed on Cottonwood (same weekend as St. James) and have to miss the Bayou Fest all because of St. James. And, I've always done well at the two Texas shows. I'm sometimes amazed by my own stupidity! The load-in/out was from the alley which is about 12' wide with broken bricks for a surface. Plus, I had to park about 1/2 mile from the show which made it next to impossible to dolly anything to/from the car. Even if the distance had been a lot closer it would have been tough on the brick streets and broken sidewalks. The weather was in the 50's under cloudy skies for most of the show. In my particular area we had to brace our displays with 12" spikes in the ground just to keep them from sliding off the hill. Oh well, we live and learn. On the bright side, Belgravia is a lovely, old residential area but, for me, it was like booking first-class passage on the Titanic! The good news is, War Eagle can't possibly be worse.
Sorry you hurt your back and will miss Bayou. I don't know your medium but I gave up on St. James several years ago for 2-d fine art. I had a prime location, main show St. James Court on the outside in the center of the show. For several years it worked and I made money and covered expenses. Then it just got bigger and bigger and more shows and more craft level exhibitors and fine art sales started dying. When I would walk through Belgravia to visit friends I just shuddered at the idea of those spaces and the difficult set up and logistics.
This is a hell of a way to make a living, Don. Logistically Belgravia is one of the tough ones, not only the uneven ground, tree roots, etc., you also have to haul all of your equipment from the alley, right? No driving up to your booth for loading or unloading.
The weather can be all kinds. We did the show for over 20 years and it was usually lovely fall weather but carried a "barn heater" just in case, and did use it on several occasions.
So sorry to hear your sales weren't good. Don't you live in Texas? Did you drive to Louisville just for this show? It is really too bad that you had to cancel Bayou City. Hope you get over that disappointment soon and you and your back are ready for the next one.