Even when you are having a disappointing show, sales not quite up to expectations, the event can still garner you many rewards:
- new information that you can draw from to help you make better decisions next time
- a chance to visit another part of the country
- word-of-mouth help from fellow artists
- new friends, and best of all
- trading!
I have some amazing art, clothing, jewelry, sculpture, lamps, etc., that I will remember and cherish long after the proceeds of an event have long ago paid the gas bill, the insurance, new booth fees and more.
There is no reason to walk away from a "losing" event having gained nothing. Here's a good article from the Orlando Sentinel about artists trading at Mount Dora.
What was your favorite trade?
Comments
My whole house is decorated with the trades of 22 years! Pottery in particular, as I love it, but despite lessons I never mastered throwing; which has left me with permanent pot lust. Glass runs a close second. Again, lessons taught me enough about it to want it more.
Family members have always gotten art fair gifts. The kids took the décor of our house for granted, until they grew up and had apartments to decorate. Then they hit me up for some of my loot.
I’m usually alone and can’t get out of my booth, but many of my trades have kindly come to me.
I too have seen fewer artists asking to trade recently. I think we all want to bring home the bacon, first and foremost. If we are having a good day, or even a reasonable day, we are more inclined to trade. If we are bored and walking around a show with no customers, we may see things we’d like to trade for, but it might not come off. Many times in the last 2 years I’ve had other artists in my booth saying, “If I make something today, I’ll come back and see if you want to trade.”
My favorite in the last few years are pieces of Craftsman style pottery from a Illinois husband –wife team. If she gets tired of my jewelry, I’ll be sad. I think he’s already getting tired of my jewelry.
"Most shows if I didn't do a trade I'd try to buy something, especially if the show wasn't going very well to get the money flowing..."
That's why I always carry my purchases around with me so others see that people are buying. I'm trying for the 'herd mentality' in a positive way.
I've noticed in the last two years... as the economy has been challenging and shows are down... that fewer artists are asking to trade for my work. I'm not asking either much either, though I'm not sure why. Are we less enthusiastic about acquiring art because our sales are down? Do we not want to ask an artist we admire for a trade when we know she hasn't sold much? When I haven't sold much?
Anyone else experiencing a decline in trades? Or does no one want my work anymore???!!!