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This week I traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan for the Garage Sale Art Fair put on by Bonnie Blanford and Michael Kifer.  I have attended this show several times in the past but this was the best one yet. 

The place was packed.  There were lots and lots of shoppers.  There were 138 juried artists with amazing art work.  Most of the artists had art work that they wanted to sell off before the spring shows start.  They were cleaning out their inventory.  However, the art all looked like it was in great condition.  There were deals there to be had and the shoppers were in a buying frenzy.

I tried to talk with a few of the artists but they were kept pretty busy by shoppers.  I don't recall any artist just sitting there without several shoppers in their booth.  I even heard some shoppers talking about the fact that it was hard to just leisurely stroll into the booths because they were so full of shoppers.  Many of the artists could barely bag up the sales fast enough to get to the next shopper.  What a problem, eh?

We arrived early to the show.  I think we got there about half an hour after the place opened.  There were lines already to pay to get into the building.  It cost $5 to get in and that didn't seem to bother anyone trying to get in to this show.  This show has a great reputation in the Kalamazoo area for good deals and this show has a great following of loyal customers.  

There are lots of people helping to make sure this show runs off well.  There were workers helping in the coat check room, at the door when you arrive, in the lobby, and inside the show area selling bags to carry to shoppers to carry their purchases in. Event staff was everywhere. 

People were allowed to check their purchases at the coat check room so that they didn't have to lug early purchases around with them all day.

Shoppers could also enter a raffle to win money to spend at the show.  Every so often they drew someone's name and the prize was $19 because it was the 19th anniversary of this show.  That is always a hit with the crowd.
This show goes til 4 pm.  I saw at least one artists had completely sold out by about 1:30 and he was packed up and gone.  Yeah, it was the yard sculpture guy and everybody seemed to be walking around with a piece of his stuff. 

But, by 2 pm you could really tell that the shopping frenzy was settling down.  By 2 pm there were also some artists that were offering a little bit better deal to entice those final sales before it was time to pack up and leave. 

There were some AFI artists there, too.  Barry Bernstein was there but he was too busy to talk to.  I saw Vinnie Sutherland walk by.  Vinnie has been to this show before.  Gayle Weiss finally got in this year after being wait listed.  She had some gorgeous jewelry that she rarely marks down so shoppers were getting a deal.

Connie also found Steven Huyser-Honig at the show. 
Sometimes I lost track of Connie because she
was always busy checking in with artists. She still managed to score some great deals as she made her way through the booths.

If you keep your eyes open you can find a few things you would never expect to see at an Art Fair.  This year's crazy find was a microwave someone was trying to get rid of.

The best deal for me for the day was I finally got to meet Photographer Jim Parker.  I have read his posts through the years and it was nice to meet him in person and his lovely wife.  Jim gave Connie and I each a photo!  Connie got a gallery wrap of Jim's famous "Dune Girl" and I got a framed "Dune Girl."  Jim has great work and I enjoyed looking at his display as did many other customers who kept Jim busy all day. 

This is a great show to clean out your old stock.  The shoppers are hungry and they were making multiple purchases.  This would be a great show to kick off the start of a new show season to make room for new stock.   Bonnie Blanford and Michael Kifer did a great job with this event as they have also done in past years. 

(Disclaimer) These photos seemed a lot sharper on my phone.

May 2 & 3       

The show winds around the pond and runs adjacent to the log cabin.  Artists are encouraged to get out of the tent and create installations that enhance their work and interact with the natural beauty of the park.
 

Mark Loeb, Integrity Shows
info@integrityshows.com 

(313)486-2666

P.O.Box 21667

Detroit, MI 48221

Mark Loeb, Integrity Shows President, has been producing and consulting with events since 1982.  Integrity Shows offers artist friendly policies such as a three year acceptance system, helping to create a less stressful experience and allowing artists to plan their show schedule.  Among the shows produced by Integrity Shows is Royal Oak Clay, Glass & Metal Show, Funky Ferndale Art Fair, Jazzin on Jefferson, Chelsea Invitational Craft Fair and several Christmas shows. 

Interested in the exact statistics from one of the highest rated art fairs in the country? Then you'll enjoy this detailed report from the Saint Louis Art Fair:

2014 Saint Louis Art Fair Rundown

(For me) -- Tequila and Ice Fishing in Minnesota, Read on ...

Since it is really cold (and did I hear, 11 inches of snow in Alabama today???), here is something to warm you up. I'm recycling one of Nels Johnson's early posts:

Well, here's a first.  I am doing the "Tequila Report" before I do the blog of the show.  What the heck!.

So, Ellen and I are in New Smyrna doing Images.  Lucky for me, I have a two-year-old barter tab with Clancy's Cantina which I have not had a chance to use yet--$350.00 worth.  That is a lot of shots and margaritas.

So, Saturday we invited noted Minesota glassblower, Doug Becker, to join us on a little Mexican extravaganza eating, drinking exposition.  You gotta understand when you invite Dougie along that's like inviting a whole Minnesota brewery along for a tasting.  He and his brother Joe could wipe out all the Wisconsin breweries in one nite's tasting.  But, brave souls that we are, and we love him, we included him.

Clancey's has been in New Smyrna since the days I lived there back in the early eighties.  They have moved twice, each time enlarging, into finally the old grocery store on the beach ...

The rest of the goodies here:

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/first-tequila-report-of-the

Krasl results came today.... and while I was ridiculously hopeful about being selected (and after seeing the others in my category  - 3d mixed media) I received the ominous. REJECT email. I asked for my jury results - anticipating middle of the road results  - and received 3 1's, 1 2, and a 6. I was devastated. 

How do you recover from this? It's devastating and crushing. it make you question.. why......

"Hello RC FULWILER,

Your entry 1912.157431 ...was not juried into Art on the Square 2015.  Your interest in the show is appreciated and we wish you much success with your work."

I had no idea what show this was from.  Art on the Square is a common name in this business.  It took quite a while to figure out it was Belville, IL.  Gee thanks!  I guess that's all $40 will get you these days.

It started off cool last weekend in Key West.  The locals were not happy--it was a high of fricking 52 degrees on Friday.  Fisherman were bundled up like Eskimos.

The rest of us loved it.

We were in the warmest place in the whole USA and we had a city crammed full of tourists looking for adventures in dining and art.

I took off from freezing Ybor City early Friday morn around 5 AM.  We had the plants covered, and I was covered too--still had bare knees, no long pants on me, I don't own any.

It is usually a nine hour journey to the bottom of the Keys.  This time I knew it would be longer.  Everybody who could afford it got out of the frigid north and headed to the Florida Keys.  The roads were packed.

Ironically, I thought gas would be way higher down there than Tampa.  When I left, it was $2.19 per gallon.  Guess what?  I got to Key Largo and it was still the same price.  Now down in Key West it got up to $2.58.  Still pretty cheap.

I have done this show, off and on, since the early nineties.

I have never had huge, bang-up shows there, but i always make a paycheck.  Plus, I get new work.

I had missed the last three years due to illness to Ellen, and me.  So I was excited.

I was going to be sharing a room with my old glass art bud, Jim Wilbat.  He is a Chicago boy, but he easily translates into the tropical style of the Keys.

He was coming off a great Coconut Grove and I was coming off a great Artigras.

We snagged a bedroom via AirBNB.  Our first time using this site.  It went well.

We ended up in a place about 17 miles north, Sugarloaf Key.  About a 30 minute ride into KW.

It cost us about $150 a nite for the two of us.  We shared a bedroom, separate beds, of course--otherwise both Kara and Ellen would be pissed.  We got use of the whole house located on a canal near the Atlantic.  Drank lots of good wine and a few tastes of Vodka.

So here is the thing about this show.

It aint cheap staying down there.  It is high season and you will pay top dollar.

In the old days I could bring my trailer down and stay at Jabours Campground for $40 per nite right downtown.  Jabours is long gone now.  There are no campground rentals in KW.  Nearest place is north at Stock Island at Boyd's Campground.  It will cost more than $40 per night.

A glass artist friend got together with five other people and rented a whole house during the show.  Actually, they stayed for six days.  Cost each of them about $100 per night.  But they partied hardy.  It was worth it.

On the CLC card I used to get a Days Inn at the top of the Island for about $125 per nite--but that was being remodeled.

There are hundreds of B&Bs there.  You just gotta get on the horn early to try and get a good rate.

So finding a cheap room is almost nonexistent for this show.  You gotta know that right away.  And plan accordingly.

That is the only detriment that I can think of for this show.  Everything else is blue skies and plenty of fish and margaritas.

The nice thing about this show is that you can meet people from all over this planet there.  And, most of them have money, or they wouldn't be there.

Between the airlines and the cruiseships, let alone the ones who just drive there, there are people from Europe, South America, Asia, and from all over the USA.

I spoke to seven persons from Philadelphia on Sunday.  Heard a lot of mid-western accents with a sprinkling of New England.  And, of course, you have a ton of New Yorkers and Jersey people thrown into the mix.

Which means anything is possible to sell here.  You just gotta give it your best shot.

It is a two day show with early morn setup on Saturday.  Six AM if you are on Whitehead Street and seven AM if you are setup on the Truman annex part of Caroline Street.

The local Art Association led by the very able director Lois Songer run a very smooth show.

Lois learned her chops from longtime director Florence Rechter, and she learned well.

It is a tight street for setup and everybody flows the correct way.  Nobody hogs the road and blocks it for others.  Teardown is equally smooth.  Most people are out in a hour-and-half  or less.

You got storage room behind in most spaces.  Side to side is tight unless you have paid for one of the few corner spaces.  You need weights.

They have free parking for artists few blocks away.  You can park in a municipal garage nearby.  There is a pay lot, about $20 per day, right off Caroline near the show.

They provide coffee and bagels in the morn, water and juice too.

They run a very enjoyable show.

I just don't know any other place I would rather be in the last weekend of February.  Oh, there is Naples.  But Key West is way more fun.

There is Kellys Restaurant right on the corner of the show.  They do a killer happy hour 4-7 with cheap Margies and Buffalo Wings.

In the mornings I hiked it down to Pepes Restaurant for breakfast each morn, it is about six blocks down.  Just beyond Pepes is Harpoon Harrys, another great spot, which serves a killer coffee con leche.

After the the show each night, Jim and I hit Origami Sushi bar in Square One Duval complex.

They have the freshest seafood and at reasonable prices.

At least one night you gotta have cocktails on the Afterdeck Bar at Louies Back Yard, right on the Atlantic Ocean.  It is the best ocean bar, bar none, on the Atlantic.  In the old days, Jimmy Buffett used to live right next door.

NICE STUFF ABOUT FOOD AND BOOZE, NELS, ARE YOU EVER GONNA TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT THE SHOW?

THOUGHT YOU WOULD NEVER ASK. (to be continued ...)

Well, Saturday crowds were strong and sales happened pronto for many.  I saw  several large paintings go out and they were not just tropical images.

People kept buying most of the day, most of us turned $1K or better, usual for Key West.

One important note about this show.

This is the fine art show and no crafts are allowed.  In January they have a craft show at the same site and no 2-D art is allowed.  So be aware of these things.

Back to saturday.

You have to be ready to ship art.  Post a sign in your booth that says this.  You have customers who have flown in, or boated in for the most part.

I never sell big items here, it is mostly out of the browse bins with some 16x20 frame sales included.

Ironically, I have loads of Keys images (been shooting there for 40 years) yet I sell very few of them.  How do you figure?

Wilbat and I did a good happy hour at Kellys followed up by sushi at Origami.  We made it an early nite.

BTW.  The temps went up nicely on Saturday to a breezy 68 degrees.  Sunday, it got even warmer.  We were the warmest spot in the nation.

Sunday morn we got there early, did con leche at Harpoon Harry's and read the paper.  I got two hours of good shooting in, came away with some great Key West Gold--photo-wise.

Sunday was much slower.  Thinner crowds, more looky-lookys than real buyers.  Time seemed to drag.  I consoled myself looking at the tropical birds flitting above the trees.  I dreamed of fried Mahi and Golden Margaritas.

At 5 PM show was over and the load out began.  Surprisingly, while I was gone to get my van, a guy came in and was waiting for me.  He ended up being a $300 sale which made the show a decent paycheck.

Monday morn I was on the road home to Tampa at 5:30 AM.

Around Marathon I spotted the first silvery glimmer of clouds starting to crowd out the night light.

Then slivers of pinks, followed by deep purples emerged.

The Keys sunrise, to me, is the best.  I always feel real joy seeing it.

You smell the salt in the air, you see the coral blue waters, fish jumping and boaters skirting atop waves.

It makes it all worthwhile.

I made it home by 3 PM, safe and sound, and a little renourished from my Keys adventures.

Not a bad way to be earning a living.  Living the good life.

Later, Gators.  Nels.

We have had some discussions as of late about Bayou City and the problems there.  I came across this info.  I meant to post it before now but I am catching up on my work and so today is the day.

http://www.ifest.org/p/about/press-room/press-releases/board

If you click on the link you will learn that the Houston Festival Foundation is now closed and they are filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  The Foundation has had to sell all of its assets to pay its bills.  They have no assets anymore. 

I don't know if this will affect any of you.  If any of you need to contact them, they are checking general messages for a time.  Their phone number is   940-784-3378.  Here is their email in case you can't get through on the phone:  contactus@ifest.org

http://bermangraphics.com/blog/care-and-feeding-of-your-jury-images/

Once upon a time there was an artist who sold his paintings every weekend at art shows. He took a few pictures of his paintings, and for the few shows that required it, hung his paintings on the fence next to his house and took a “display” picture. The film was dropped off at the corner drug store where he picked up the slides three days later. He filled out a paper application, included two checks, a few 35mm slides and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The envelope containing everything was dropped in the mail box.

When the jury results came from the show, he could usually tell if he got in because the envelope didn’t include the slides, just a sheet of paper telling of the acceptance and that more information would be coming in the months ahead. Applying to art shows was easy and life was good.

The Internet and digital cameras changed everything. Computers with web browsers and digital cameras with image editing software changed the application process. Applying to art shows became easier, so easy that application numbers jumped, and applying to art shows became more competitive. 2004 was the turning point.

This is an update of my article on how to set your camera to photograph artwork. It has many more tips and suggestions, including a section on managing images on your computer. Since the full article is too long to post here (at 3500 words), continue reading the article on my web site.

http://bermangraphics.com/blog/care-and-feeding-of-your-jury-images/

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

July 11 & 12

Naperville, Illinois

The Event features 100+ local and national artists exhibiting, selling and demonstrating their original works of art. Mediums include Painting, Drawing, Pastels, Fiber, Glass, Wood, Ceramics, Jewelry, Batik, Photography, Mixed Media, Metal, Sculpture, Print Making, Upscaled Recycled Art, Silk & Textiles.

The next time you are tempted to invest your time and money in a "filler" show, take that travel time and your $$$ and invest instead in building a website or updating your beginner site. Think of it as building your retirement.

1. Buy a domain name. Choose a name that reflects your work, or identifies you. Try to think of a name that someone would use to search for your work. E.g., bigcypressswamp.com, bestrakuever.com, Amishphotography.com, bronzesculpturesbyjean.com, ShererSaddles.com, finestfeltedfiber.com -- or if you think you can get people to search for you, use your name: Bermanart.com, Herzogart.com, Schimmelart.com.
   
   Learn more about choosing a name here: http://www.domainsuperstar.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-name
   
   Godaddy.com is the definitive place to go to buy the name.
   
   
2. Choose a website building platform where you'll find a template to build your site. See this link for some of our members favorite sources for hosting artist websites: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/have-a-website-but-am-clueless-what-to-do-now
   
   Think about what you want the website to do for you. Will it be:
   

   a. strictly a gallery where you showcase your work and bring people to find you at art fairs, (a WordPress site) or
   b. a selling site where you sell directly from the site (think BigCommerce.com that has all the bells and whistles for handling ecommerce)

   Most specifically it should be easy for you to update.
3. Install some way for people to leave their email addresses, an email sign-up box so you can start collecting addresses for marketing. Here are the top choices for email marketing programs: http://email-marketing-service-review.toptenreviews.com/. I have five websites. They all have an email sign-up box in the upper right hand corner. I have built an online business as a result of being able to collect emails. It works.
4. Market your website. Put your URL on all of your marketing materials. Make it part of your signature file in your emails.
5. Download and listen to these podcasts while you are working in your studio or driving to that next show:
   
   
   • What Good is a Website for Artists? (strategic beginning info from an expert)
   • Online Marketing for Artists 101
   • Email Marketing Works! Top Tips for Success
   • Happy 4th Birthday AFI - 10 Tips for Selling Art (includes 5 tips for selling online)
   • Artists, Are You Homeless? (finding a home online to host your site)

I'm from Saugatuck, Michigan, the same town that the venerable Nels and the irrepressible Fulweiller come from. We're all down in Florida now trying to make a living. I scheduled five art fairs for my stay in Florida. Arti Gras, last week's show in Jupiter was a big success. But this week, the South Miami show was a big disappointment.

It is a small show with most booths set up back to back down the middle of 72nd Street. Booths are small... exactly 10 by 10 without any storage space to speak of. Setup is early Saturday morning, which I hate. It typically takes Marcia and I four to five hours to set up, and we used up every minute before opening at 10am. The Rotary Club runs it and they do a good job, but they just didn't bring out the buyers for this show. One of the big problems is scheduling. This show runs the weekend right after the big Coconut Grove show, in a close by neighborhood. Too many shows too close together.

I managed just around $750 in sales for Saturday and eeked out $850 on Sunday bringing my take to $1600... not enough to make it worthwhile. Hotels are expensive around Miami and the booth fee ain't cheap, so, we just about broke even when you factor in gasoline and meals.

I'm on the wait list for Gasparilla next weekend, but don't have much hope for getting called (although I've been pestering them). I do have Lake Wales as a backup, but, judging from my performance there last year, I'm not overly optimistic. I'm heading to Naples for a few days to spend some time with some friends, so, I'll save a little in hotel bills before taking off for Lake Wales.

August 8 & 9
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Downtown Milwaukee
10am-5pm
135 Artists
Deadline: March 16

The Wisconsin Designer Crafts Council proudly presents the 41st Annual Morning Glory Fine Craft Fair. Join this group of talented craftspeople dedicated to the art of fine craft.

The Fair has been popular with artists and patrons for 40 years and features 135 fine crafts artists exhibiting in ceramics, digital, enamel, fiber, glass, jewelry-metal, jewelry-non-metal, leather, metal, handmade paper, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood and 3-D mixed media.

Morning Glory is held in downtown Milwaukee on the grounds of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, alongside the Milwaukee River, and the adjoining Red Arrow Park.

Morning Glory includes many amenities for artists:

• Friday afternoon set-up
• Overnight booth security
• Parking in a covered lot available
• Booth sitters
• Over $3,000 in prizes
• On-site caterer/food service with an indoor hospitality area
• Saturday and Sunday continental breakfasts, including complimentary Starbucks coffee both mornings
• Saturday evening reception and awards presentation
• World's greatest volunteers!

Here's what previous year artists have had to say about us:

Morning Glory also includes many amenities for our patrons:

• Sally Bright at Morning Glory

  Outstanding exhibition and sale of jury-selected fine crafts from throughout the country, sure to please the most discriminating patrons
• Opportunity to meet the artists and learn firsthand the personal story of what's behind the artwork
• Ample, nearby parking
• Free admission to Morning Glory
• Delicious food available on site
• All while enjoying a relaxing setting in the shadow of the Marcus Center, designed by noted Chicago architect Harry Weese 

Application deadline is Monday, March 16.
Visit www.zapplication.org to apply.

Morning Glory Fine Craft Fair - you know you've always wanted to try this one! Make 2015 the year you join us, in this our 41st year.

Questions? Need further info? Contact bethhoffman@wi.rr.com, 262-894-0038