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     For me, beginning my own business was something I sort of 'fell' into. I was feeling pretty lost over the summer. My art has always been a kind of 'blankie' for me, so I began to draw again. For fun one day my daughters and I went to the craft store and bought a block of clay to come home and play with.

Wow, it was like finding a new land to explore. We played that night, mostly just to see what we could come up with. After a few hours in between making dinner and getting the girls off to bed, I realized that no matter where in the house I was, I wanted to have that little wad of clay in my hands. 

I sat down and got to work. Trying one thing after another. I played and folded, squished and molded until I created, what I thought to be an adorable little horse. The next day I showed my husband and girls. It was so exciting to see little 'creatures' seem to come to life as I molded them. 

I was sometimes overly excited to show them to people. I wanted to hear their feedback and what improvements I could make. People really seemed to like them, enough to pay me money to make them one. At first I was just happy that someone else wanted something that I had created. But these gifts started to add up. So when someone would ask for one, I would only charge them enough money to pay for the materials to make a creature for them. It was great for a while. It wasn't very long before I realized this was something I could really bury myself in. I went to local boutiques and offered them samples to have in their shops. I posted on FB. I made a page dedicated to my art. Then I got frustrated with the lack of interest. "what happened? I thought. "Wan't this the way it is done?" I took the page down. Beginning to get depressed that I had not become an overnight success. I had not realized that the people that are out there making a reasonably decent amount of money, have been doing this for years. I had wanted it pretty much right away. 

I researched names on the computer. I thought of so many. It really amazed me to see just how many names I thought were original only to find out they were already taken! I wracked my brain for days. I would pester my friends with various examples to see what they thought. It wasn't until one night that I was up particularly late working with my clay, I set it all aside and decided to go to bed. Somewhere in the middle of the night I thought up the name LemonDropsArt or LDA. It was perfect and exactly what I wanted. I was afraid to look. There were a couple of things but nothing that matched exactly. It was so close...I had to check if it was too close. I asked an attorney {the one I'm married to} We looked deeper into it and it was available {insert cheesy smile here} I decided it was a good idea to trademark my name and so I filled out an application, a pretty lengthy process but relatively straight forward. You can find/fill out an application for your trademark at www.uspto.gov Viola!! The LDA was born.

 I had business cards made and left them EVERYWHERE. I opened a shop on Etsy, and waited. For the time, my big sister was my biggest customer. She bought just about everything I could make. I started putting things up on ebay, and waited. I would check everyday and see...nothing...Finally I decided to 'take a walk around Etsy' I Favorited one lady's shop, who made similar creatures to me. I messaged her just to introduce myself. I looked at her shop even deeper and realized she had SEVERAL sales under her belt. "LIGHT" I asked her what her secret was. {This was the first correct thing I had done during this whole thing} She was WONDERFUL. I am still one of her biggest fans and we still keep in touch =) She taught me about patience. She shared with me her trials of when she first started and it was because of her, I opened a new FB page for my art. I no longer focused on how many people my posts were reaching. I was focusing on the content of my posts. Gradually more and more people were taking notice. Then one day *message* One of my figures sold to someone who WASN'T related to me! I was so excited! "I did it!! I did it!" I told myself all the way to the post office. 

There I realized a whole new set of expenses and issues. What is the best way to send my creatures? Which service is best? What about packing materials. I soon realized the serious lack of a well thought out plan. I sent the item off to it's new home and drove home with a mixture of euphoria and anxiety. 'Am I charging enough to compensate myself for the materials to make the figures and the cost of packaging and shipping them? I definitely wasn't adding in the time it took me to create something. Because honestly, at the time I think Michael Angelo could have finished the Sistine Chapel faster.  I had to recalculate everything. 

I had to really think about this. What should I  charge? What is reasonable?  I have yet to figure out exactly what is right. In fact there may not be a 'right' but I think I have at least discovered what is fair. I am finding that people want fair. They want to know they are getting something wonderful for their hard-earned money. They want to know that they are not being taken advantage of. People are you, and me. I put myself into their shoes and looked at it from that point of view. Taking into account my costs, and now I am able to account for time. {Since I am getting much quicker and improving on my skills} It isn't perfect yet. When I write to you again, I will share with you the formula that I found. It is really a wonderful way to calculate what I spend vs what I charge.

I am still new to this and I am by no means 'supporting' myself yet, but I have patience and I push myself everyday to learn more and to improve my skills. I cherish every tidbit of advice I have been given so far. 'Shoestring budget' is how I refer to myself. I love that phrase and I got it from one of my heroes Heather Wells {you can find her on youtube} 

My sculpts have come a long way from the 'rough little horse' in the beginning, and I am inspired by all of the other artists out there. There is SO much I still need to learn.  

I hope that I will create some form of impact on the world through art, in some way. Thank you for reading =) 

Until Next Time, 

Alicia 

June 12-14  

Columbus, Ohio
Riverfront
300 Artists
January 16

• Over $950,000 in marketing/advertising support and partnerships
• Booth fee $495 for 10'x10' 
• Free parking space with each booth           
• $8,000 average sales           
• Produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council 501(c)(3)          

          

Artist information:                   

• $11,000 in Artist Awards          
• Artists hospitality areas with artists only restrooms
• Contact information and booth number in Guidebook           
• Text based information system provided by our radio partner CD 102.5          
• Name and image sited on CAF website with live link to artist website         
• 24 hour site security provided by Columbus PD
•               

Jury Process:
        

The jury will be held February 7th and 8th at the Westin in downtown Columbus.  This blind jury process is open to the public. We invite you to attend.

          

Please contact Scott Huntley, Executive Director at (614)221-8531 or SHuntley@gcac.org for the weekend's schedule or to RSVP to attend the jury.

          

For more information visit:  www.columbusartsfestival.org

          

Apply today at: www.Zapplication.com 

          

                     We look forward to seeing you in June 2015!

        

Those were some long holidays, stretching more than two weeks! Hope you had some fun, got some hugs and are rested and ready for what comes next! I got so distracted by all of it I forgot to ask, What are you doing this Weekend?, last week because I was pretty sure there were no art fairs. 

Lo and behold the Florida shows started up with a vengeance, including:

Ft. Lauderdale, 27th Annual Las Olas Art Festival: Art enthusiasts converge on Las Olas Art Fair, story from the Sun-Sentinel that includes a video: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-lauderdale-las-olas-art-fair-20150103-story.html

and on the other side of the state

Naples New Year's Art Fair, downtown on 5th Avenue, from the Naples Daily News, http://www.naplesnews.com/entertainment/naples-new-years-art-fair-2015

Did any of you take part in these shows? Did the New Year start off in the right direction for you?

Located on the streets surrounding the historic Burton Carillon Tower and the treelined central campus of the University of Michigan, the Street Art Fair, the Original offers a serene atmosphere that does not include sidewalk sales or merchandise vendors.  The Street Art Fair is known for attracting collectors, corporate buyers, and gallery representatives.

Highlights:

• The combined Ann Arbor Art Fair draws more than 500,000 fairgoers from across the nation
• Marketed extensively throughout Southeast Michigan and northern Ohio
• In-depth Artist Directory on the Fair's website, which received 11 million hits leading up to last year's Fair.  An enlargeable color thumbnail of your work, contact information and links are included
  (Ronna Katz making the sale at AA)
• Inclusion in the searchable mobile application, which incorporates a color thumbnail of your work and geolocation of your booth on the Art Fair map
• $7,500 in award money and automatic re-invitation for award winners.
• Set-up the day before
• Behind booth storage
• Artist amenities include:  on-site security, indoor restrooms, booth sitting, daily continental breakfast, continuous beverages and snacks available at Artist Hospitality, water delivered to booths, welcome cocktail reception on Tuesday, and an awards breakfast on Thursday
• Paid demonstration opportunities.

Application fee:  $40 

Booth fee; $650 single

Electricity and corners are available for $100 additional

Apply here: www.Zapplication.org 

Greg Strachov: Picture Imperfect (8275 views, 12 pages of comment)

Stealing Intellectual property at art fairs by photographing artists work

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/intellectual-property-theft-at-the-art-fairs

Jennifer Ivory: Bayou City, I May Have Excommunicated Myself from the Bayou City Shows, but I go Knowing I Tried to help (2396 views)

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/i-may-have-excommunicated-myself-from-the-bayou-city-shows-but-i

Paul Flack: Are the Big Shows Toast?

A trend that I have been noticing is that the "model" for the big shows (by that I mean the 300+ artists shows) overall is down and heading further down....

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/are-the-big-shows-toast

Geoff Coe: Got Show Help Here?: Pay it Forward

Geoff's helpful information on sharing and posting on AFI, making it easy for you to share and help each other ...

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/got-show-help-here-pay-it-forward

Carol Knox: Mock Jury (1997 views), 5 pages of comments

A veteran artist attends a Mock Jury and learns -- a LOT, and reports her findings here:

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/mock-jury

Karen Cooper: Art or Product?  (1086 views, 3 pages of comments)

What are we doing here? are we making art or products? Solid discussion of the facets of both

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/art-or-product

Karen Holtkamp: Rejected and Told Why-Sort Of (2395 views)

Artist requests jury info and gets solid help from the show director

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2160589%3ABlogPost%3A471945&commentId=2160589%3AComment%3A472664&xg_source=activity

Mark Loeb: Licensed Work?  (2561 views, 6 pages of comments)

A show director tackles whether or not licensed work belongs in his shows ... and the controversy begins

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2160589%3ABlogPost%3A481179&commentId=2160589%3AComment%3A483133&xg_source=activity

Margaret Luttrell: New Lighting...What's Hot, What's Not

Ok, So I have been using the same lighting for the last four years and it's ok as standards go except that the...

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/new-lighting-what-s-hot-what-s-not?id=2160589%3ABlogPost%3A464493&page=2#comments

Brian Berkun: A Good Read...For Beginners and Others Alike

I've been doing shows for a good number of years but it never hurts to get a reality check once-in-a-while and make sure the rudder is heading in the right direction. I saw a reference to a new book called Death To the Starving Artist by Nikolas Allen and feeling as though I were a starving artist after the shows in 2013 ...

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/a-good-read-for-beginners-and-others-alike

Barrie Lynn Bryant: Important Hotel Security Info

Useful tips for staying safe when you are on the road

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/important-hotel-security-info-1?xg_source=activity

Susan Parry: Caught a "Cat Burglar" in the Act and Need Your Opinion (1445 views)

When one artist steals another's ideas and work and presents it as their own

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/caught-a-cat-burglar-in-the-act-and-need-your-opinion

Choosing the Right Wholesale Crafts Market - An Opinion

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/choosing-the-right-wholesale-crafts-market-an-opinion

Promoting Your Work, Part I - The Business Card (4353 views)

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/promoting-your-work-part-i-the-business-card

Oscar Matos Linares: What it Means to be a Hispanic Artist

Oscar's poignant post brought out a flood of helpful commentary

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/what-it-means-to-be-a-hispanic-artist-in-united-states-of-america

Larry Berman: Booth Picture Tips (2128 views)

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2160589%3ABlogPost%3A515999&commentId=2160589%3AComment%3A517101&xg_source=activity

Ellen Ruckstahl: Are there any Compassionate Art Show Promoters out there?

A discussion not only of the promoters but the ins and outs of selling paintings

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/are-there-any-compassionate-art-show-promoters-out-there?xg_source=activity

Some of the fun: 

Barry Bernstein: Back to College, Parts I, II & III

A great read from a veteran of the art fair wars. What really happens when reality and dreams of being an artist collide in the classroom.

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/barry-goes-back-to-college-life-in-the-twilight-zone-part-1

Greg Little: Do I Really Need to Join Facebook?

This is a good place to learn about Greg's being bi-sack-ual and more!

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/do-i-really-need-to-join-facebook

Lynda Wallis: The Horror! (2015 views)

A funny photo brings a flood of views ...

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/the-horror

My personal favorite from Nels Johnson. Nels reminds us why we are addicted to the art fair life: 

http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/artigras-some-new-and-old-thoughts-for-2014

For even more good reading, while you are at this link click on "View Blog" under the title of that post.

Although, I'm not doing art fairs at the moment but my Etsy shop is running fine. I just received my first order for the new year! It was a gift for someone else. Starting the new year with a sale makes my happy, very happy! Here is the print that they ordered... Male Embrace #13/125...

This is not something you can show at an art fair, but for your New Year's day entertainment, check out his story about the best street art from around the world in 2014:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/30/best-street-art-2014_n_6390450.html

I've pasted in a few below.

May 2 & 3 
Elmhurst, Illinois
19th Annual Art in the Park 
Grounds of Wilder Park and Elmhurst Art Museum
10am-5pm both days

For more information and to download the application please visit: www.rglmarketingforthearts.com

and LIKE our Facebook page.

    

For those of you--no, wait, make it BOTH of you!--who have been wondering "What the heck happened to Geoff?", here's the scoop:  After seven years in the art fair biz, my show schedule has a lot of repetition in it now, and it seemed silly to keep reviewing the same events year after year.  But I promised the esteemed Connie Mettler that I'd re-review a show if I felt that the old reviews were no longer a valid barometer for readers.  And that may be the case with Howard Alan Events' Coconut Point New Years Weekend show.

A brief history: When this show first came on the scene, it was a late-November affair, one of the earliest shows on the Florida circuit.  But snowbirds aren't down in force in SW Florida until after Christmas. So a few years ago (after the powers-that-be in Naples took the reins of the Naples New Years show from HAE in favor of their local art association), Alan was quick to slide the Coconut Point venue (a swank mall about 15 miles to the north) into its slot on the schedule.

And although in my experience, this show has never quite produced the revenue of Alan's February Coconut Point show, it has been, for the most part, a pretty strong kickoff to the Florida show season.  But for most folks this year, it wasn't.  And there are some possible reasons worth noting. 

* One of the most welcome aspects of this show is that setup is normally a leisurely all-day Friday affair, providing time to chitchat with artists newly-arrived from Northern climes, pull right in front of your booth, take your time getting unloaded and set up, and maybe even spend some bucks on a nice meal at one of the many fine restaurants the mall provides.  But this year, the usual setup date fell on the day after Christmas--Black Friday, when stores everywhere are packed with shoppers exchanging gifts and pounding the limits on their gift cards.  So the mall, wishing to maximize parking, requested a Saturday show setup. 

Unfortunately, that decision got made after the deadline for artists to withdraw from the show.  So those artists, particularly those who want or need extra time to set up, suddenly didn't have it.  Most years, obviously, that won't be a problem. Alan's show manager said that it will return to a Friday setup in the future.  But I would hope that the mall and HAE can work it out in advance next time Black Friday intervenes, so the schedule isn't changed after the payment deadline.

* Unexpectedly, the Saturday setup put some artists, including me, directly in the line of fire of lawn sprinklers, which came on at the worst possible time--6:30 am, just as many of us had our tents partially erected and our work stacked up--you guessed it!--on the lawn. I didn't have any long-term damage, and I didn't hear of disasters from other artists, but it could have been really bad news.  And I could have done without a half hour spent drying artwork with paper towels, or working the full day in wet clothing.  (I was grateful for the extra shirt I brought, but my shorts and shoes never recovered.) Again, I'd like to see a note added to the show-mall agreement stating that both parties will double-check the sprinkler schedule so that never happens again. 

* This year, the show was migrated away from its usual spot in the center of the shopping area, toward the perimeter of the mall, which has less foot traffic, and where the show isn't as visible to shoppers.  This had to do with parking, too, but nothing to do with the holiday.  Many large anchors at uber-malls like Coconut Point have a contract clause that guarantees a certain number of available parking spaces in proximity to their store.  Most times, the anchor store informally waives that when the mall holds special promotional event, in the interest of being neighborly to smaller stores that get a boost from the additional customer traffic.  But one of the major tenants squawked about a recent event and invoked their parking clause...leaving the mall no contractual choice but to move the show toward the mall perimeter.  And this is likely to be a permanent arrangement.

Soo, with all that said, how the heck was the show?  Saturday sales were pretty meager.  Whether folks were fatigued by gift card redemptions, returns, and shopping the 60% off sales at the brick-and-mortar stores, or whether it was psychologically just too-too-close to the Christmas holiday, it's hard to say. But the crowd was generally incurious, and definitely not spending money.   I was able to make booth fee back, at least, but even my neighbors, who kill it at this show nearly every year, were struggling to make a buck.  Reports from other areas of the show were similarly glum. 

Sunday, happily, was a bit better, at least for some of us: By noon, art buyers were in evidence: folks browsed, asked good questions, and expressed interest, but (perhaps because of my location at the front of the show) most everyone told me they wanted to see the rest of the show first before they bought.  This is where you have to count on your experience and a willingness to have a good attitude, even when you're not closing sales.  Although there were a couple of times I had to take a deep breath, leave my booth, and stroll the show for a couple of minutes, ultimately I reasoned that if enough people loved my work--and they seemed to--that I'd get my share.  And around 2 PM, the tide started to turn, culminating with a 5 PM cash buyer of two large canvases, capping a respectable, show-saving payday.

I didn't have time, post-show, to canvass lots of artists, but the sentiment I got from most of those I spoke with was that Sunday was a far better day...but that the holiday hangover and the new location may have scuttled the big kickoff show people had hoped for.

As for me, I feel like I dodged a couple of metaphorical bullets, and I'm happy to get out with a decent profit and undamaged artwork.  And there are some lessons to learn: For artists, you can't make a sale if you are out of your booth complaining. And for even the best promoters--and HAE, for my money--is one of the best--s*** happens.  Let's see how Alan, and the mall, can work out these issues and have this continue to be a successful show. 

 

Thought I would end 2014 on a very optimistic note.

Everybody dreams of selling out completely at a show and going home with an empty van.

It used to happen to some lucky people awhile back.

It was called, "Getting Moe-ed."

Read on, and enjoy.  Who knows, maybe there is another Moe out there for us  in 2015.

                                                   GETTING MOE-ED

Once upon a time in America artists used to make mucho dinero at outdoor art shows.

Especially during the "Miami Vice Era in the 1980's."

In Miami, one could get a little high just off the residue on $100 bills.  This happened at shows like the Original Las Olas  Museum Show, Coconut Grove, Beaux Arts and many large art venues along the eastern seaboard all the way up to Virginia Beach and beyond.

People were in very acquisitive modes.  Patrons snapped up multiple items from  artists' booth.

One guy,in particular, was the Legendary Moe.

If he liked your work, he would buy out your entire booth.  He'd pull out a wad of $100 bills, large enough to choke an alligator.  And then walk away chuckling to himself.  Later, an assistant would show up to take delivery of the art.

I know this for sure, because it happened to my neighbor at a Miami show.

Ask around, other old-timers have such memories too.  Heck, maybe some some of them will drop a quip onto the end of this blog in comments.

(Now, let us hold our breaths for about a minute or two and see if this really happens--one can only dream.)

So, I will tell you about the time with my neighbor, I was at the Grove show, must of been around 1985.

As was usual, there was lots of buying energy going on.  And, we all had our dreams.  In fact that morn before show opening, I said to my neighbor, a very fine printmaker, "Wouldn't it be great to get "Moe-ed?"

He just looked at me and grinned, "Sure."

Naturally I was pulling for me to get Moe-d.  But if that didn't happen I was pulling for my neighbor next.

In a short while, we both noticed this big old bushy-bearded guy in blue-striped overalls ambling our way. No shirt, hairy armpits, heck, hairy everywhere.  Had a short cap on backwards.

I said t myself,"H-mmmm, that could be Moe, or not.

Had never really seen him before, but sure heard a lot about him.  He was a regular modern folk legend on the circuit.  

I had only been doing mostly the smaller shows at this time.  Getting into one of the biggies like the Grove was a new experience.  I had big dreams, even ambitions.

He ambled into my booth and checked out my imagery.  At that time, I was doing color images of art deco hotels and diners.  Lots of jazzy neons lit up on the buildings at twilight.  They were real eye-catching--and shazam!  They were sellers.

Anyways bushy-beard spent a long time in my booth, I could almost feel the fish getting ready to take the bait, drag that bobber underwater and fork over some big granola to yours truly.

Not.

He thanked me, told me how much he loved it and walked away.

Now he ambled into my neighbor's booth, looked around rather quickly, and exclaimed in an

amber-scented drawl, "I like them, pardner, I'm going to take them all."

My neighbor almost swooned on the spot, but quickly regained necessary composure. I think Moe's big wad of bills did it.

Moe reached into his bib overalls and pulled out an outrageous wad of money.  I had never seen that much cash in my life.

I tip-toed close to his booth trying to get a sniff.  I just wanted to smell that much money.  I figured the smell would ready me for the next Moe ever to come into my life.

Moe knew he had us all transfixed with that cash.  He grinned from ear to ear.  Let out a loud laugh and said, "Well, pardner, did I make your day?"

My neighbor just grinned and grinned.  And, he had the good presence of mind to quip,"Will ya be eating them here, or should I wrap them to go?"

Moe just roared with absolute delight.

"I'll have my assistant come around later and get them.  I got more things to see and buy."

And then he walked away.

That was the only time I ever saw him at an art show.

But, I did meet him years later at a party--at his house.

I had an old traveling buddy, Larry Lackey, a fun-loving jeweler from West Virginia.

We had met years earlier when I did my first Boston Mills show ( and no, it is not in Massachusetts, it is in Ohio).  

Larry and I were neighbors.  It was 10:30 AM on a slow Saturday morning at the show.  He heard me rip off a pop-top of a Budweiser.  He grinned big time.  He said, "Nails, you and I are gonna be good neighbors."  And we were for over a decade until he retired from the biz.

Anyways, one time I am visiting him up in Bluefield, West Virginia and he says, "Nails, put on your best aloha shirt, cause we are going to a very special party tonite over in Virginia."

I yelled back,"Are they going to have any good tequila there?"

"Hell yes--Nails--there will be enough tequila there to kill ya."

"I'm in big boy."  And off we went.

We arrived at this fancy condo, a very large one.  And there were people I knew from the circuit, and many I didn't know from the circuit.  Food and booze everywhere.  There was art everywhere.  Hanging, stacked on the floor, heck even pile high in all the closets.

I told Larry,"This guy loves art and more.  He has to possess it, not necessarily look at it every day."

"You betcha, bubba."

Then Larry grinned big time.  You know who's place this is?"

"Nope", I said, "But I sure like his taste in tequila."

Larry laughed.

"It's Moe's place."

"Sh---it!"  Are you kidding me?

"Nope, Nails, it's his place."

We had one hell of a time, crashed there for the night.

Well, I never saw Moe again.  In fact most of us on the circuit never saw him again.  He became a real Urban Legend.

But, in his time, he gave us all hope.  

"God, I hope I get Moe-d today."

Well, that's my story.  Hope it gave you all a good chuckle.  And who knows if there isn't another Moe around the corner in 2015.

Jump in with comments if any of you had run-ins with Moe.  Spread the cheer around for the New Year.

God bless, everyone.  Have a great New Years and lets start off cooking hot in 2015.

Aloha, Nels--or as Larry would say, "Nails."

First of all I got into show off wait list, not to happy about that, but it is what it is.  Usually go a day early Wed. so can set up on thanksgiving, but this year started setup when arrived on Wed which was a plus.  Then came back on thanksgiving and finished setup.  So yes setup was easy as was teardown.  

I was given a corner, which helped my display.  I do not think it helped sales.  2013 did fantastic,  2014 did 1/2 of what i did the year before.  Fri started out gang busters, buying frenzy.  Thought Sat was going to be just as good but did terrible.  I think everyone went to the malls, cause they were not at the show, and were not buying from me.

Thought maybe Sunday would be better but it was worse.  It was like people were only buying $20.00 items or just looking.   There is a fee to get in the door $7.00 unless you had a $1.00 off coupon.   Coffee was supplied with eats in the morning when arrived.  Parking was tight on Sunday since everyone was trying to get a place for vehicle for teardown.  

I think the show was rather expensive, with lights, and curtains (unless had own).  As far as would I return.  I think the answer is skip the show and do every other year or two.   Have done show over past 10 years and first time did well, then did it year after and did half.  Took a few years off, went back did well, following year did poorly. From my experience not worth the money.  A week after the show talking to some artists at an AZ show and the location is not in the greatest area of Alb.   

St. Louis, Missouri
39th Annual Spring Art Fair at Queeny Park
Queeny Park in West St. Louis County
Fri. 5pm-9pm; Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 11am-4pm
130 artists
Deadline: January 15

For more than thirty-eight years the Greater St. Louis Art Association has been providing opportunities for the public to see and purchase original works of fine art and fine craft directly from the artists who create them.

Every year we produce two juried art shows (Spring and Labor Day Weekend).  Artists in all media are encouraged to apply. These shows feature juried local, regional and national artists' original work.  From the pool of artists applying, about 130 artists from all over the US and Canada are invited to exhibit.  These artists are selected by a professional jury process in eleven distinct media categories.

Food and refreshments are available on site, parking for the public and artists is free.  Live music playing during wine tasting and peak attendance.  During Sunday afternoon, an interactive children's art education program encourages families with youngsters to meet and talk with artists and learn about their work.

Noteworthy:

• Our 39th Annual Spring Art fair
• Limited to approximately 130 artists
• An air-conditioned indoor art fair, no worry about the weather, tents or security
• Jury/Booth fees ($25/$200); free electricity 
• Cash awards totaling $4,500
• Booth sitters, 24-hour security. Rest easy knowing your booth is locked up safely at night.
• Excellent marketing campaign, expanded to television, newspaper, magazine and radio advertising, internet and e-mail promotion
• Promotional postcards, business cards and coupons provided free to exhibiting artists
• Live music throughout the art fair
• Wine tasting Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon

Important dates:  

• Artist's entry deadline:  January 15
• January 24 Late Deadline for Artists Applications ($25 late fee applies)
• January 26 Artwork has been juried
• January 30 Artist notification via e-mail.  Acceptance letter will soon follow.
• No booth fees will be refunded after March 3
• April 10  Booth set up starting at 9am, must be finished by 4pm   

Learn more & apply: www.artfairatqueenypark.com/  

You may also contact:  Vic Barr, GSLAA President

(314)997-1181  vicbarr@sbcglobal.net 

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Find more 2015 art fairs: www.CallsforArtists.com

Well, bubba.  It is pronounced "yee-bor>"

Ybor is named after the guy who founded the city and the cigar industry in Tampa back in the 1890's.

His name was Vincente Ybor.

He was born in Cuba, migrated to Key West where he was big into cigars.

Then, shrewdly, he found out about all this vacant, fallow land near the water in Tampa.  It was weedy, snake-infested, just nasty land, nobody wanted to live there.

He bought it all up for a song and decided to found his own little city there.

He brought up the cigar industry from Key West to Tampa and named his little enclave, Ybor City.

Ol' Vincente was one smart Cuban dude.

He owned the freshwater spring there.  He owned the ice house.  He owned the bank.  He owned a gazillion warehouses to store tobacco in.  He owned all the cigar factory buildings.  He built housing for the cigar workers.  Little cottages called casitas.

He founded his own little empire in Ybor and prospered.

So, for whatever reason how they pronounce it--the "Yb" sound comes off like a "Yee."

Ergo, Ybor.

Ellen and I live in a hundred year old house there, one block off the main drag.  We are only the third owners of this house.

Interestingly, our house is the subject of a very important crime that happened in the 1930's.

It involved some drugs, alcohol and murder.

But, that is another story for another time.

Aloha, Nels.

Nels, first of all, best wishes for the season, happy holidays and all that good stuff. Next, what is with those people where you live, can you tell them to buy a vowel, what the heck is a ybor??? Really.

God bless.

July 18 & 19      
Northbrook, Illinois
Village Green Park
Presented the Northbrook Arts Commission
Sat. 10m-5pm; Sun. 10am-4pm
80 Artists
Deadline: February 2   

        
For the past five years, the Northbrook Arts Commission, in collaboration with the Northbrook Park District, has hosted the event and it has quickly developed into a revered and highly anticipated summer happening for the Village and surrounding communities such as Highland Park and a quick train ride from the City of Chicago.     

Happy Holidays from fatcatimages!