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Happy Holidays

I'm usually more efficient and post this earlier but I've been really busy.

Last year our puppies went skiing for the holidays and this year they went to the beach on vacation.

Happy holidays everyone.

Larry Berman
http;//bermanGraphics.com

Warm wishes for a glorious holiday to all my friends in art fair land. My hope for you in the new year is for you to live well, laugh often and love much. I hope Santa brought you everything you wanted.

My sincerest gratitude to all of you who have contributed to this website. Your helpful posts and encouragement to others is social networking at its best. With over 12,000 members, over 5000 discussions and somewhere around 15,000 blog posts the site continues to flourish. Thanks so much to everyone of you who contributes.

Happy holidays from all of us

• Connie Mettler, Publisher-ArtFairCalendar.com
• Jacki Bilsborrow, who keeps all the data straight at ArtFairCalendar.com
• Sabrina Augehenbaugh who puts together our email marketing
• Tina Towell, whose friendly presence here and help with advertiser outreach helps keep the bills paid

In case you haven't seen this, a real pleasure:

AFI's 4th Annual Secret Santa Gift Exchange is out in full force. Over 50 artists (and a few show directors also) are shopping and shipping handmade one of a kind goods across the nation.

This is a reminder to those of you who signed up that the shipping day deadline is Dec. 19 (but knowing how you like to wait until the last minute to get your applications in, am assuming you'll push that deadline. I'm off to the post office now with mine and hope you'll be posting photos at the link right here:

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/thank-you-to-my-favorite-secret-santa

Sorry, some of you wanted to join at the last minute and the names were already drawn. Hope you'll join us next year.

I realize that a lot of you are in the queue to receive the new Square EMV enabled reader. There are actually two options; 1) For $49 you get the EMV enabled contactless + chip reader version, can be used with ApplePay, 2) For $29 just the EMV chip card reader and swipy version. You must read all the way down on the Square site to see the less expensive version. But I digress...

The update, got my first $29 version used it extensively at Rio Grande, worked fine (as long as I remembered to charge it each day). Brought it to Tempe for the fall show and, for some stupid reason, during the show I squeezed it at one point and then found it wasn't working anymore, was that coincidental? By the way, the unit was taking a long time to charge, and not holding a charge for very long, prior to my squeezing incident so I suspect there was something going afoul with it anyway. My iPad informed me that the unit was defective. Hmmm,

Good news, when it doesn't work they send you immediately to the warranty/replacement link where you can have it replaced for free***Beware***you MUST send the old one back within 14 days of receiving the new one or you WILL BE CHARGED for the replacement, so don't dwaddle!

Got the new one today, plugged it in out of the package and it wasn't working...called Square support and the helpful lad on the other end of the phone informed me that indeed these new readers are quite sensitive and are made to break, can't remember his explanation but had to do with some agreement or other. He couldn't understand why it wasn't working just from shipment and handling as they are not THAT sensitive.

Moral of the story, when you get yours treat it kindly!

I keep hearing a lot of great things about this juried art festival.  But i live in Cleveland ohio, and this would be a sizable road trip.  I hear that it is always in the middle of July at one of the hottest times, and that the festival draws a good crowd.  My questions are these:

1. have you done this show?

2. if yes, what were the best things about the show?

3. if yes, what were the shortcomings?

4. Can you offer some recommendations about the event - location, etc?

Has anyone tried Avalara? It's a tax-automation site/service. 

The 21st Telfair Art Fair was Nov. 13-15th in Savannah, GA outside of the Telfair Museum.   I've done this show 5 years in a row now, and this was by far my best year.  This is an expensive show to do.  It usually costs me around $1,200 with gas, food, lodging, and booth fee.  I paid $600 for a corner booth.  I sold 16 paintings including 3 large ones, and the reason I do so well at this show is clear: I paint the local landscape!  As a realistic landscape painter, I've realized that I sell much better where I paint, so I only apply to shows where I actually go paint plein air.  I do larger paintings in the studio from my plein air paintings and photos.  My price range is $350 to $4,000.  I love this show and will continue to apply to it (on zapp).  Other artists who did really well this year included a glass blower and a craftsman who made bowl and vessel shaped sculptures out of burled wood.  I think the buyers have  a little more traditional taste at this show.  The judges, however, tend to come from other museums and usually reward either crafts or paintings that are unconventional.  The load in and out are a little challenging because you usually have to dolly in from a block away, but the staff treats the artists really well.  They give out food and drinks and the artists and patrons can use the bathrooms in the Jebson Museum, which is nice!  The arty party on Friday night is fun.  I don't usually sell much, but I did sell two small paintings this year.  This is the only fine art show in Savannah, as the others are craft oriented.

I know I know, I should have written it sooner but oh well. School can get in the way too as does life.

 Let me start out by saying that I teach Talented and Gifted Elem. and a few art classes too. My girlfriend who also accompanied me on this trip also teaches but up in St. Paul MN. After finding out that a booth space was won in the pledge drive raffle I was very excited. I called her and we both decided to take two personal days from school to therefore make a long weekend vacation out of this sale. We not only geocached along the way but had friends in TN so the drive was fine. Some info about the spaces: We decided to camp in the local camp ground of the state park instead of getting a hotel room in a town maybe fifteen minutes away. It was a little chilly but we like adventure so it worked out great. The ranger was nice when someone accidentally took over our spot from the first day. Although he camp sites are fairly expensive they do have lots of other "amenities" for campers AND we both agree those were some of the cleanest camp ground bathrooms ever which is a bonus.

Weather- First day was pretty much all rain. That plus the somewhat cooler temps did not help anybody. everyone had very very little sales that day. I think I sold one one dollar clay pig ( I sell ceramics mugs, bowls, cups, vases, and acrylic paintings). Second day weather was ok. a little drizzley but it held off and foot traffic did increase but not greatly.

Space- This camp ground was in the middle of a state park so the trees and back drop were beautiful. However the somewhat constricted roads then lead to longer set up times. We had decided to drive to Nashville on Friday night. Then leave Sat morn and cut our drive down a  bit. We arrived on time and in a perfect world would have been ready to go quickly. but rain, cars ahead of us etc... slowed us down. On their forms they stress that if you are not set up by a certain time then you won't be asked back. I don't think many people "made the dead line". Either way we unloaded and my girlfriend was nice enough to go park the car for me and take their provided hay ride type shuttle back. Totally understandable that you want artist cars out of the way for more attendees. there was a little bit of disorganization when we were in line in our car in the beginning. One lady told us to wait at a corner so she could get another guy who had been waiting to go through...she walks away...another volunteer organizer guy comes and tells us to move please...We explain what the first lady said...He still tells us to move...So we move...first lady then comes back after a few minutes with a somewhat funny look on her face. We told her we were just following directions and to go talk to that other guy. Neither was rude or angry but I felt a lot of stuff was tricky that day for them.

Sales- I once had done a small town art fair where  one lady cleaned house and everyone else sold nothing. She had no tent and totally set up form the back of her car last minute. Her stuff was also super less expensive than those around her. We all sold barely anything that day. I say this because this time a man selling crafty bird houses cleaned house. BUT his work was actually very nicely made and he sold at a fair price. It was clearly what people wanted. That's totally fine so I am not salty about this one. There were other sales too. I had a handmade furniture couple to my right and a wooden sign slogan lady to my left. Funny enough another tent was the wooden signs across the way. (They kind of battled each other. On Sunday one put out a 50% off sign and very soon the other one did too) Again with the weather sales were very small.To be honest I didn't make very much money at all. I kind of suspected this going in and therefore treated it as a mini vacation in the first place. Ps I also traded cars with a friend to use his suv to transport metal grid walls and such instead of renting a van. so really it only cost me travel expenses and food and such on our way.  Was it worth it? Probably not. But it was still a fun four day weekend adventure.

Philosophies- I have hinted at the disconnect between what makes a craft show a craft show and an art show art etc... I also understood that even though this had submitted images for entry it was still even titled a arts and craft show. I once did another craft show and quickly learned that my art does not fit there. Ok this time I had some smaller priced cups and things around 5, 10, 15, and mugs for 20 dollars. I figured that if someone wanted a 65 dollar painting they would get it. If not, I had small stuff  just in case.  I must say that the differing styles and craft were well represented. I know my post is probably negative sounding but they did do a good job of having different artists there. One lady took plastic grocery bags and turned them into jackets. Or painted cigar boxes talking about die-ing off species of bugs like bees and butterfly. That's cool. there was your typical wooden cutting boards, glass blown pieces, no buy and sell tents which was nice. all in all even though they were art and craft I still felt ok being there. However it was more of a crafty crowd I would say.

One final thing- We had heard from patrons that it had taken them at least forty minutes to be able to park. Then, they were finally able to get one of the shuttles into the sale area. A combination of weather and parking closed out this show for me. I am glad I had the experience and the four day vacation so to speak but I would not return.

We are disciplined time managers, planning production studio time carefully, and determining how much stock of our work to have on hand at any given time.  And we ramp up on stock starting in early fall, knowing the volume of business will spike near Christmas.  In spite of proactive planning i am sad to say the day before a show, or the week leading up to it we find ourselves sleep deprived, working day and night to just get ready, have enough on hand, and be able to well represent our work.  And there goes the balanced life.... simple things like the laundry or tidying the house are put on hold for the urgent.... And all the hard work to keep the stock of our work high pays off with brisk sales, increased demand from the galleries we are in, and overall favorable outcome.

But it feels like we are not working smarter, just harder.  I would value the thoughts of veteran artists on how you find balance on the your life, while maintaining a solid production schedule to fulfill demand.  I am growing concerned that the pace leading to Christmas is challenging, and the toll of sleep deprivation will come if i don't start getting some better sleep hours.

A couple of weeks ago I hosted a trunk sale in my home.  I had mentioned it here on AFI and Connie mentioned blogging about it so here I am.  Specifically Connie had suggested blogging trunk sale vs. a craft show.  This is my first blog here so try to be forgiving if I don't pull it off well. 

I have been doing my craft, making travertine tile coasters, trivets and plaques for 3 years this month.  I actually got into this coaster business somewhat accidentally.  I had taken a class to learn how to make coasters in December 2012 and ended up with 2 sets to give as gifts.  When delivering a set to my nail technician, one of her other clients asked whether I sell the coasters.  Up to that point, just a week or so after the class, it was nothing more than a new hobby and skill set.  But I said yes and the rest, they say, is history.  BTW are live in Houma, LA, about an hour out of New Orleans.

In the spring of 2013 I did some very small shows.  They were mostly local shows.  My first show was at a church.  It was a place to get my feet wet and test the waters.  I had NO idea what to expect.  Our tent was one we had already at our home.  We pieced together the rest of it---tables, table covers, backdrop, and so on---mostly using what we had already.  Surprisingly we enjoyed it and made a little money!  I say "we" because my husband and daughter make up my support team.

Dh works for food and the freedom to walk around and chat up the other artists and crafters once we are set up.  At least until time to tear down.  DD works is smart and works on commission.    They both help with set up and tear down.  I could not do shows without their help.  Daughter is actually pretty good at selling my work and even trying to upsell.

We have pretty much gotten a system down for setting up from a tarp covered by turf (outdoor shows) to the tent, pipe and drape system, table coverings, product placement in the booth, and so on.  We pretty much have our duties divided up on how many of us are needed for the particular task, the degree of difficulty, and how many of us are available for set up ... dh and me, or all three of us.

We have come a long way in better understanding what shows to pick for us and our products.  We have progressed to bigger shows in our area.  We are limited in how far we can travel due to owning a brick and mortar store in our town.  We have traveled up to about 2 hours one way for a show.  We have not done any of the nationally known shows that are presented and discussed here.  We have applied to a couple of more regionally or nationally known but have yet to make the first cut.

The things I have mentioned are to help anyone reading this to better understand where we started and where we are now.

The trunk show I did this year was actually my 2nd annual trunk show.  It is a one girl show, just me.  My trunk sales runs the Saturday of Black Friday weekend through the following Tuesday.  I set up in our home and it has run for a few hours each day.  Once it is set up it stays set up till it's over.  I have products in the living/dining room, den, and last year I had some set up in the enclosed patio.

I generally do not make up extra product for this event.  The only time I do is if some of my best sellers are sold out.  This event is meant to help move out product left over from the year.  I had one table with mark downs.  The rest was regular prices for craft shows.  Besides my travertine coasters, trivets, and plaques I had some home décor that I had painted.  This year was the first time I have offered the home décor.

I have our home decorated for Christmas.  This means that we get our tree on Thanksgiving day and get it and our home decorated by Friday evening.  I also have to get product set up as well.  It makes for a packed couple of days.  As far as time goes I am considering getting our tree on Wednesday if I continue to do this.  It will allow me a little breathing room as far as decorating.

Hours for the Trunk Sale

Saturday, 10:00-2:00

Sunday, 4:00-6:00

Monday & Tuesday, 5:00-8:00

On Sunday I work the hours around the New Orleans Saints because so many people watch the game.  This year they played at noon local time so that is why I set the hours later.  I had it in the evening on Monday and Tuesday to allow people to come by straight from work.

I usually serve light refreshments.  It is usually something that our family would eat in case it is not eaten up by the customers.   

Advertisement has usually been email and Facebook announcements, and word of mouth.  Since I am doing this in my home I am not to the point yet of just inviting total strangers.  Now if a friend I've invited brings a friend of hers that I don't know that is okay.

This year I added an incentive to my invitations.  I told invitees that if they brought a friend they would get a free gift valued at $5.00.  It cost me about $1.00-$1,50 in materials to make it.  It is junior legal pad that I cover with double sided heavy card stock that is printed on both sides.  I can get the junior legal pads in bundles and the same for the cardstock from the scrapbooking dept. at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.  If invitees RSVP for a certain day and attend on that day they were offered a 10% discount.

Though I did allow RSVP's that garnered a discount for the customers, it was really set up as a come and go thing.  No appointment or RSVP required.

I did a little better last year than this year as far a $$.  The economy is harder hit this year more than last.  I believe that had something to do with it.  I made as much last year as I do in some shows but did not have to pay a booth fee, hotel, or meals out!  This year was not as good but still made $$ so I was happy.

I find it easier to set up because I don't have to travel.  I also don't have to tear down while tired.  I can save tearing down till Wednesday morning.  Due to having a retail store that we cannot leave at this time of year, it gives me the opportunity to have something similar to a show without the travel by myself.

In all honesty the shopping was sporadic, a few here or there.  I am considering condensing it down to one day.  I am thinking about having it on Saturday only next year like from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM.  Possibly I might have it on Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM.  I am also thinking that next year I may have it the first weekend of December.  It would allow them to get paid on December 1st, and for payroll on Friday.  I am thinking that by condensing it down to one day that it gives the impression of scarcity ... that they don't have the option to shop another day.  I feel like I could help me concentrate better on a better experience.

A friend of mine is having one on December 19.  She is a canvas artist.  I am probably going to attend and try to support her.  I also want to see if I can learn anything for next year's trunk sale.

If any of this is not clear or you have questions about things I tried or did, please feel free to ask or make comments.

For a couple years, I finished at least one painting a day. So now, I have a fair number of used canvases. They are the regular variety, and I use gallery wraps exclusively now, and don't frame my paintings.

So, if anyone wants a box of canvases for the cost of the shipping, please drop me a note. Some of these canvases will have surfaces with somewhat of an impasto; some will have fairly smooth surfaces. 

I've already spent too much time fussing and worrying about these, and storing them, and now, I really don't want to mess around looking for various sizes, or filling orders for people. I want to box up the first 20 canvases and send them off, then box up the next 20 and send them off, etc. 

Please respond here on AFI, or use my outdoor email, carrieBjacobson@gmail.com. 

March 12 & 13
Leesburg, Florida
presented by the Leesburg Center for the Arts
120 Artists
Deadline: December 13

Application fee: $25; $150 Booth fee, $175 Corner Booth Fee

The 39th annual Leesburg Art Festival is a juried show on Main Street in historic downtown Leesburg. Leesburg is located in the heart of Central Florida, equal distance from each coast, just 16 miles from Mt. Dora and 10 miles from The Villages.

Artists enjoy friendly volunteers, block captains and booth sitters to answer your questions throughout the show, Saturday night Artist Awards dinner including free beer and wine, an expanded marketing campaign for 2016, 24 hour security, easy access drive-in loading and unloading, and over $5,000 in cash awards. 

Our patron program doubled in size last year and has given the artists over $75,000 in sales since the advanced sale of art vouchers to our members began.

New this year:
We have expanded our marketing plan to include a partnership with the Lake County Tourism and Economic Development Department to advertise in surrounding counties. The entrance to our downtown area received a 3.8 million dollar streetscape renovation this year for visitors entering from Interstate 75.

Apply & learn more: www.LeesburgArtFestival.com

Contact: Amy Painter, leesburgcenter4arts@earthlink.net

Does anyone have feedback, pro or con, on Howard Alan Shows? I'm trying to figure out what to expect and if I should look for alternatives. I create original copper overlay and etched art glass, and most of my work is in the $150 to $1000 range.

I'm looking to escape Michigan's winter for a month or so in Florida and have applied and been accepted into the 10th Annual Coconut Point (Bonita Springs) Feb 20,21; Stuart 26th Annual Downtown Festival of the Arts, Feb 27,28; and West Palm Beach 6th Annual CityPlace March 5,6. What are your thoughts on these or other Howard Alan shows? What FL shows do you recommend? Thanks!

March 12
Elkhart, Indiana
Northern Indiana Event Center/RV Hall of Fame
Presented by: KoZmo Events
10am-6pm
70+ Artists
Deadline:  Until full

One time Jury Fee: $20 
(Late fee of $25.00 will be applies to all applications after January 4)

Booth Fee: $135 (10x10); $250 (10x20)

KoZmo Events invites you to join Michiana's only premier indoor art fair, inside at the beautiful northern Indiana Event Center, a popular event destination visible and easily accessible from Indiana Toll Road.

 
Why should you participate?  For the Love of Art combines an exciting array of traditional and contemporary artists from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and showcases them at the only inside art fair in the region in a first class facility.

The 2016 show will feature over 70 artists with an array of different media from pottery, fine woodwork, handcrafted furniture, blown glass, fiber art, sculptures, paintings and many more original pieces of art.  We accept only a few artists per medium to ensure all artists will benefit financially.  We go above and beyond to accommodate each artist and promote their work.

• Marketing to art buyers 30+ years and older with disposable incomes and women who love appreciate beautiful things.
• Advertising area: South Bend, Kalamazoo, Fort Wayne, Elkhart, Fort Wayne, Chicago neighborhoods, and all of southwest Michigan.
• Media: Television, newspapers, internet, posters, and leaflets. 

Artists Amenities:

• Drive into the building to unload and load
• Reasonable booth fee
• Professional management
• Host families available for your overnight stay
• One-time-Life time jury fee (once accepted to KoZmo Events shows you will always be invited back)
• Best booth contest:  Credits to use for future show with KoZmo Events

Learn more & apply:  www.elkhartfortheloveofart.com

You all are invited to take part in our 4th Annual Secret Santa Gift Exchange. Members of the artist community sign up to exchange gifts. We do it anonymously (or not). All gifts should be handmade/from an art fair/etc. In the past it has been lots of fun to see what people send each other, from handmade potholders (honestly) to batiked pillows and original fused glass serving pieces. 

(Search "Secret Santa" on this site to see the cool stuff.)

Play with us?

It works like this:

1. you sign up here: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/naughty-or-nice-4th-annual-secret-santa-comes-to-afi, or email me "connie@artfaircalendar.com" that you want to participate
2. I send you the link to be part of our gift giving. You click on it!
3. You have until December 13 midnight to join at the site DrawNames.com
4. December 14 we use the DrawNames.com site to do an anonymous matching with someone else who has signed up
5. on December 19 all packages need to be in the mail
6. in the week of December 21 we show off our received gifts to each other
7. The person who got the coolest gift and tells us about it in the most creative way wins a prize.

Hope you'll join us.

May the gifting begin!

Would love to know why the people who run this site got ride of the groups.  When I go into afi the only group i get are directors and organizers.   I belonged to the southwest group and we had some great discussions we shared info.  NOW NOTHING!  Can not even find this group.  What is going on ?   Help