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  Crystal Johnson-Overhuel September 1, 2011 at 2:27pm

  Michael,

  GREAT idea! Kids love the extra attention to... especially from an ARTIST!

  Thank you!
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  Michael Reimer September 1, 2011 at 1:35pm

  I have 3 different images on my business cards.  When kids come in the booth, if the parent(s) seem interested, I'll ask the kid if they want to pick the card they like best and they can have it.  Makes the kid happy, makes the parents happy, gives the parents time to look around, keeps little hands occupied and sometimes I think it has resulted in a sale that wouldn't have happened otherwise. 
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  Crystal Johnson-Overhuel August 31, 2011 at 9:01pm

  Hello Alison & Howdy John!

  Alison, you are so right on! Super good advice on complimenting...! Thank you for your input. I am learning...and it feels super! I love when kids look at my work...I think because it is colorful and not the norm! I have seen some artists freak the heck out when children are in tow... THAT is a HUGE turnoff to the potential customer. Thank you again, and with all this advice, I am going to put it to use!

  JOHN: Quite a few artists have mentioned Bruce Baker...not just to my questions, but others that I have read. I am going to give him a try, and like you said...pick the advice that will work for me! I appreciate your advice and hope our art paths cross again!

  ~Crystal
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  John Beasley August 31, 2011 at 6:32pm

  Hi Crystal, you've got a lot of good advice, I'm just chiming in to add a few cents worth. I agree with Jim about listening to Bruce Baker. I don't think he's "over the top" but you can't do every little thing he says either. I think he intends you to pick the advice that works for you and skip the rest, at least until you're ready for it.  I always greet everyone that comes into the booth, something grabbed their interest and a simple Hello let's them know I'm approachable for questions etc. I often get questions on how I make my art so that leads to further conversation. It won't take long, art show attendees like the interaction too or they wouldn't be there. All the best. . . .
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  Crystal Johnson-Overhuel August 31, 2011 at 1:45pm

  Michael!

  AMAZING WORK!!!! I had never seen that done!!

  ~Crystal
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  Crystal Johnson-Overhuel August 31, 2011 at 1:44pm

  Hi Rich,

  Very good advice! Hopefully I can muster up the "courage" to talk about my work... I am REALLY going to try this weekend...Not to sound like a whiner (which I am NOT!) but I have a neurological disorder and sometimes I have to stop and think of the correct word or get my train of thought back on track!

  Thank you for your words of advice!!

  ~Crystal
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  Alison Armstrong August 31, 2011 at 1:42pm

  I am a naturally shy person, so I've found some "tricks" that work well for me and help me to feel less awkward. I find that a great ice-breaker is to offer a sincere compliment to someone coming into a booth. This works especially well with women (since I am a woman; it's a little harder to do with a man). Just saying "I love your skirt, where did you get it?" takes the pressure off them -- it's just conversation, not a sales pitch, and they visibly relax.  Then when they are looking at the art, there is already a "relationship" established of sorts, and it then feels more natural to talk about the work. If they bring children into my booth, I love to talk directly to the children about the art.  "What is your favorite piece?  Why do you like it?" The parents appreciate the fact that I treat their children as human beings interested in art rather than a threatening mass of sharp elbows and sticky fingers. A magical thing happens when we focus on making someone else comfortable - we take the focus off our own discomfort and it becomes easier to engage.
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  Michael Reimer August 31, 2011 at 1:27pm

  <<MICHAEL: WHAT ARE FISH RUBBINGS?????>>

  Crystal - exactly my point!  about 1/2 the time, the response is 'What is a fish rubbing' and walk them thru my 'how to' board with 9 pictures of the process.  See www.michaelreimer.com if you want to know what a fish rubbing is!

   
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  Rich Terry August 31, 2011 at 12:10pm

  I really enjoy talking about my work and and what makes it really interesting is that there are not too many men out there making designing and making women's handbags. 9 time out of ten when a potential client is contemplating a bag they make the purchase when they discover that I design and make them myself and that I am not booth sitting for my wife! I also never sit in the back of the booth. I am always up front greeting and conversing.
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  Crystal Johnson-Overhuel August 31, 2011 at 12:09pm

  Rick, Thank you! I am doing a two day show this weekend... I am going to put all of the great stuff I have been getting from everyone to work!!!

  I plan on posting how it goes!!

  Thank you again!

  ~Crystal~