Connie, Thanks for the post of the week award, that was very kind of you.
I am thankful that my Kevlar undies and Nomex outer garments held up during the responses to the original posting. I knew that I was stepping on the wearable producer toes when I wrote this and I certainly wasn't deluding myself. But I wanted to wait for a bit before posting on it again and let those offended take their opportunities to express themselves.......
Thankfully, my placement of my laurels in strategic spots has prevented chafing, and my color choices tended towards blue since I have a good selection of that color. I am not resting on them because the pins and hooks could be, frankly, a bit uncomfortable. And only a certain number of our world could possibly appreciate the finer 'points' of that raiment...However, the ruffles of the medallions, frankly, provided that extra bit of padding which prevented bruising of my poor little ego....just gotta watch those rivets...
I certainly wasn't surprised by the responses after the posting. The arguments presented have done little to change my opinions - especially when some of the most vociferous were voiced by the audience targeted by the posting. No surprises there.
My point remains: When wearables make up 40% (more or less) of any given 'arts and crafts' or 'fine art' show, the event is now a fashion event with a craft or art component.
I understand that my creative passion is a business in the end analysis... Duh. I did retail sales for 20 years before getting a masters degree, a professional license, stamp and seal.... And plenty of my co-conspirators have suggested that I raise my prices. And maybe in the right show or circumstances I might. But my line of $40.00 - Now $50.00 originals has served me well over the past 5 hard years of economic turmoil.
2008 was previously my best year for original painting sales. Then it got tough...which is where my 'value-priced originals' saved my sales from plunging into the abyss. Only in 2013 do I see a pick-up in sales which resembles 2008... But I was competing directly and primarily with the wearable vendors - not the other painters
Fact has always been that if the audience connects with your work; the price is reasonable; and they still have some money in their pockets after purchasing their wearables, they might buy your work... But my point continues to be, that because of the demographics of those attending these events and who are making the buying decisions, the weighting of the wearable category against the other traditional arts and artisanal disciplines is hurting the latter and benefitting the former....
Here's an interesting question: Could some of the older members of the audience comment on what the breakdowns by category of the average arts and crafts show and fine art show were back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was still working a corporate day job (1980's and 1990's)?
I think that the mix has shifted over time to be heavy on wearables. The slide has been gradual, but has fundamentally changed the conceptual make-up of both types of events... Probably good for the promoter, but bad for traditional artists and artisans overall. My PhD wife agrees with me that show mixes by discipline at both 'fine art' and 'arts and crafts' events have moved more towards the wearables end of things even in the 10 years I have been exhibiting...
And, how come the majority of jewelers in the arts and crafts/fine art world are women - when, in the brick and mortar stores of jewelry the majority of the jewelers are men... did ya ever wonder about that? My experience in the custom and wholesale jewelry world was working in a shop consisting of six men, three-to four dogs at any given time and one female bookkeeper... The majority of our custom, wholesale and retail clients were male and about 30% of the work was men's jewelry... Those demographics are not in evidence in the fine art or arts and crafts show worlds....weird....
Please resume the flamefest unabated... My energy bill will be less this year if I can capture more of the heat this thread has produced.. Re-girding my loins, hams, butt and shoulders..... and starting to do 'the turtle'...
Comments
I have heard these rants many times. I make glass beads and turn them into jewelry. I'm NOT making piles of money. I don't really have a problem with other jewelry artists if they make it themselves. WOMEN like jewelry. And many who buy jewelry would not be buying paintings even if there were no jewelry at a show. Price point has a lot to do with it these days. I call them the $50 and under shows. And most earrings fall into that category. If you are a creative person, stop whining and think outside the box. Get creative and come up with items that you can sell at a competitive price. I truly am sick of the rants. I work hard and don't complain about other people's work unless it's buy/sell.
When one is not selling, perhaps they need to search themselves to discover the problem. That's what I do.
Yes, the percentages have changed. When I first started going to shows as a buyer, pottery ruled. There were at least as many potters at any show as all the other media combined. The second biggest group was wood, then painters, then way down the list came jewelry. Folks didn't seem to be interested in buying jewelry at outdoor arts and crafts shows. Times changed, the buyers changed, or at least what they are looking for. Yes, it hurts everyone if a show has too many artists competing in the same category, but ten years from now it may be jewelers complaining about too many painters.
As I see it, shows are going to let in whomever they want, using whatever criteria they want. Thus, you have 2 choices:
1. Start your own show.
2. Find a different venue in which to show your work.
Yes, women are the source of all your problems.