I just found this in my inbox:

Would you like to exhibit your art in a Lake Bluff Art show without any application fee? Not only would it cost you nothing, but also the tent is already provided.  As if no fee and no tent were not easy enough,  you don’t even have to take your work home over night.

“Art for the Parks” will be the next exhibit and sale presented by Artists on the Bluff, our local arts organization with members from Lake Bluff and the neighboring communities. The event will take place Saturday, August 25th, and Sunday, August 26th, 10am to 5pm each day, in the Lake Bluff Golf Course tent, north Green Bay Road in Lake Bluff. For sale will be paintings, drawings, water colors, jewelry, and ceramics. There will be no entry fee for artists to display and sell their work but 35 percent of sale prices will be devoted...

Learn more and report back to us here! http://gazebonews.com/2012/07/29/art-show-in-lake-bluff-no-entry-fee/

Well, in case you don't know, I have been at the Meijer Heart Center (more specifically, Butterworth Hospital which is attached to it) since last Tuesday.  They knocked 22 pounds off me, mostly water, getting me ready for Open Heat Surgery Tomorrow.  Yes, they will  be cracking my chest open.

The Hospital Bed

They are state of the art here.  you have hand controls,also same controls are on both sideboards of the bed.  So it is all easily reachable.

I can raise or lower the foot end of the bed, do the same with my head end of the bed.

You have two controls for lights, one for reading and one for overall lighting.

I have a control to get to the TV or to get to movies, they have over 100 free movies to watch such as J.Edgar,etc.  You have good choices.

HOSPITAL FOOD

Bottom line, the food is healthy, but bland.  Here are some tricks I quickly learned to help get the most out of your food choices.

Initially,say for breakfast, when the nutritionist hasn't talked to you about choices, they are going to give you the pro forma menu.

In this case you would get coffee with a low fat milk, a juice,usually apple, a cold cereal with fruit like straw berries.  You would get one piece of toast with margarine.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHOICES

You ask the nurse for the nutritionist number in the kitchen.  You call her on the house phone.

You have to prod her about choices.

For example, instead of cold cereal I could order oatmeal or cream of wheat, order two packets of brown sugar to go with it.  Then query about what fresh fruits are available.  I could get strawberries,melon or red grapes.

Next, ask about bread choices.  I found out that I could have a bagel or a English muffin as well as the usual rye, whole wheat choices.  I could get a margarine and cream cheese.

Then I found out I could have eggs, scrambled only.  First day I ordered them that way and they were bland.  Then I got a good idea.  I called and asked if I could get sliced tomatoes, they said yes.  Could I get some onions diced?  Yes.  Now we were cooking with mazola baby.

So, I would order the eggs,bagel, cream cheese, tomatos and onions.  Then I would fashion an egg sandwich with the ingredients, it was a vast improvement over just plain scrambled eggs.

HOW TO IMPROVE ON LUCH OPTIONS

The first lunch I got was plain dried white pice of chicken--nothing on it erred with steamed veggies, then two dinky oatmeal cookies and some apple juice.  Yuck!

IMPROVEMENTS

Found out that soups were available, I ordered chicken w/rice, or chicken/noodles.  Order extra packets of Mr. Dash (I was on a no salt diet) extra packets of pepper--dump all of them in your soup--yummm

Ask about entree choices and pick your best one.  Instead of steamed veggies, get fresh veggies with a dip, much better. Order a juice or a milk.  For dessert I ordered either vanilla or chocolate pudding.  On top of that I got a fresh fruit--I like red grapes.  I was full, good lunches.

DINNER OPTIONS

Again ask about the entree choices and get what you like.  A lot of the time I would have a choice of swiss steak(with a passable gravy), a pork chop with a tropical fruit topping(not bad), a hamburger,pass, a turkey sandwich(dress it up with mayo, tomato,lettuce and a little onion w/mustard.)Other nights it was a big slice of white turkey or chicken, no embellishments.  Most will come w/mashed potatoes and gravy (which I hate), instead I would get white rice w/gravy or a whole baked potato dressed with sour cream, margarine, pepper, and Mr. Dash.  Yummm!  Then order a roll or bread.  Then get fresh fruit like nice pineapple chunks, strawberries or grapes.  Then get a pudding or a sherbet, and ask for animal crackers.  Order a juice or coffee.

Not a bad meal, all things considered.

Finally, dream about how that glass of a good red wine is going to taste ( Mine will come on Oct. 25 my birthday).

You gotta admit this is a very different Tequila Report.

i didnt think that nels and others questions were out of line . if its really none of our business why post at all? it would be good to have a reference points as  to what sales were in round figures, what was being sold, price range of the work and anything else that might help us out .i had read aa posts about how bad it is but leslies post has me rethinking about applying to aa. is so. univ. part of something else or is it a show by itself? more info never hurts, im not the irs . im just trying to figure out a show that ive always heard great things about. recent posts had me wondering. im glad you had a really good show mary and that you knew what ques to ask. i dont...yet, but ill never figure it out if i dont ask. as a general rule i think a lot of posters are too ambiguous. give up the details, good or bad and let us figure it out for ourselves. we thank you.

We were discussing pricing awhile back.  At least questions about price indicate getting PAID.  Everyone I know thinks of me when it comes to any kind of fundraising, whether it be church, school, athletic, animal rescue, on and on.  I usually donate prints for my closest friends, but for most I'll do a gift certificate for my least expensive portrait, knowing that most people will choose a larger size or more subjects.  I figure it is work I wouldn't have gotten anyway and some exposure.  It can be a little frustrating when you are asked over and over to give away your work in support of someone else's charity.

Every once in awhile, I'm the one who chooses to work for free.  I always offer to draw a memorial portrait when someone dear to me has lost someone.  It's a precious alternative to flowers that the family really appreciates.  Sometimes I'm not sure whether to offer a portrait as a wedding gift, or if people would prefer a cash gift. 

In today's blog I write about a time I was inspired to draw someone for free because he was so damn wonderful.  Thanks so much to those who have takent the time to read my blog and for writing such kind messages to me.

http://www.pencilenvy.blogspot.com/2012/07/barry-henby-and-birthday-emergency.html

It was a beautiful weekend, hope you all had great shows!

Wendy

Sunday took us to Appleton, WI's Art at the Park. A couple of years ago, they moved the show from being on the park grass, to being on the street around the park. This was done because of wet grounds from a lot of rain that year. They have continued to keep the exhibitors on the street, which works out very well. For some strange reason, last year was a rough year in sales at this show for many artists. I am glad to report that this year, our sales were up 300% over last years sales. The crowd is very engaged in art. And this year, they were back to buying art. In addition, the Trout Museum has a new Director. She has only been "on the job" for 10 weeks. She personally came into our booth and thanked us for providing an item in the auction. That was very nice. We love the Appleton Show and look forward to returning next year for our seventh year.

I know it sounds odd, but for many of my customers I seem to have become their “secret weapon” in 'keeping up with the Jones’ ' scenarios.   I’m  specifically referring to well to do, more mature ladies (i.e more grown up children) who “do lunch” with their friends, attend fundraisers, love to shop and so on.

They have usually found me online (by chance!) or at a show and live at least a couple of hours drive away (my local customers are more than happy to spread the word).    They buy regularly from me, for both themselves and gifts but overall, we’re not talking huge $ - perhaps $200-300 from each of them a year.   But that’s where it ends.  You would assume that you would get some ‘word of mouth’ happening and a few referrals.  Although I hear that they’ve received so many compliments on their newest purchase, I’m yet to see that translate … EVER… into an enquiry.  

I’ve think I’ve become their secret weapon in the way to outdo their friends (who I assume are similar in style and taste to them).    I’m obviously not well known where they are so that they can't "drop" my name and have it mean anything.  When complimented I assume they just say thank you and move on, or when pressed,  describe me as the little ‘girl’ (although I hardly fit that description any longer) that makes things for them.  To quote one of them  “I told my friends I have this amazing little girl I found who makes them for me”.   End of story.

I’m not comfortable with saying to them  “please let your friends know” as these are established clients and that line seems more appropriate for newer clients - and a bit pushy at this late stage.    

So, is there any way that I can turn this to my advantage?   Or a way to get them to spread the word?  Any ideas welcome!

September 29 & 30
Bloomsbury, New Jersey
on the historic Main Street
60+ Exhibitors
Deadline: August 15

The Bloomsbury Fall Arts Festival provides funding for the Bloomsbury Elementary School cultural arts programs, while providing area residents and visitors the opportunity to appreciate the visual and performing arts.

This is a community run festival and all proceeds go directly to the local elementary school, a very small school (pre-K thru 8th grade, one class for each grade) and a correspondingly very small budget...the festival provides for cultural and/or educational assemblies that the children would otherwise go without.  It supports local artists for and Artist's Day, authors doing readings & workshops, dance/music assemblies and many more activities.

The festival was started more than 10 years ago by a former art teacher at the school, and when she moved from the area community members took over the running of it.  It's an enormous undertaking & many many people are involved & committed to its success.

Bloomsbury Fall Arts Festival is in Hunterdon County, a rural yet affluent area of the state.  The Festival is easy to reach by car-it is immediately adjacent to a major interstate highway, I-78.  We enjoy a high percentage of repeat artists who, among other benefits, simply enjoy the beautiful setting that the Festival provides.

It is held in the Bloomsbury's historic district, on Main Street, which is lined with ancient maples and quaint Victorian-era homes.  It's a very charming location to pitch one's tent!  Past participants have also consistently commented on the warmth and helpfulness demonstrated by the Festival volunteers as well as the town residents.

Local non-profit organizations (churches, PTO and the FD Ladies Auxiliary) provide food booths, all featuring delicious homemade treats.  The festival also boasts a stage with a variety of local musical acts featured throughout the weekend.  In addition, each year there is a children's area with activities.

For more info. and application: www.bloomsburyartsfest.com

Our apologies for last year's sudden cancellation of the event. It was beyond our control but all is well this year. We welcome your application and look forward to seeing familiar faces. 

I know it wasn't all that long ago I asked you all to post a few well wishes for Nels Johnson, however, I am going to ask you to leave a few more for him again.   I hear Nels is off getting well and he could use a few more of our well wishes to help him over this last hurdle.  He has a laptop and can check in here everyday.  I am sure it will brighten his day knowing that we all care.  So, please send Nels your well wishes here.  Thank you.

Today was an unusual day in the Chicagoland area, there was an art festival that was simply that, an art festival.

And what a good festival it was.

The quality was very good, there was no more than one or two questionable booths and no one medium seemed to overwhelm.  Ok, I have one complaint, there wasn't enough blown glass.  

And what else wasn't at the show?  There was no NY Times salesman yelling at everyone walking by, no Verizon,  no window companies.  There wasn't any music, no food smells, just a lot of people walking around enjoying the art.  You could have a conversation with the artists without having to talk over outside interference.  

Getting back to the quality--I saw artists that I have seen at Coconut Grove, Port Clinton, Krasl and other shows. These artists were not slouches.  And, the most fun is seeing artists we rarely see or have never seen before.   The show itself is held in an affluent suburb west of Chicago.  I don't pay that much attention to bags but if crowded booths mean anything, people were buying.  

The artists we talked to were all very happy with how the festival was run.

My pARTner in crime and cousin, Audrey  and I do not usually venture south of Evanston so Geneva is out of our geographic comfort zone.  We got lost coming and going  (and I got some great clothes at great prices at the mall we turned around at) but it was definitely worth the trip.

A big thanks to Erin Melloy, the promoter for concentrating on the important thing--The Art.

Here's our latest podcast from July 26, where I spoke with three people who between them attend over 100 shows a year and buy at all of them! In addition, they take their friends who also collect the work they find at the shows. Listen to it here:

• Geri Wegner's favorite Christmas gift from her husband is a deposit to a special "art festival account"
• Ed Seidman says that going to an art fair is "like going to a museum with the difference that you can take home the art"
• Judie Seidman's critique of attractive art fair booths, suggests that an artist might emulate how goods are displayed in high end stores when designing a booth
• why they never enter a booth where the work looks manufactured

Listen and tell us what you think. What was most interesting to you?

Check out the rest of our podcasts by clicking on the "Radio" button on the toolbar at the top of the site.

  It has been a long time since I have someone ask if I can take less for an item. At the show I did last week, I had two people ask. One was actively looking at an item, and I felt she was more-or-less interested. The other one, however, just strolled by, slowed slightly, and asked, "Can you take less for these items?" having never picked up an item to even SEE THE PRICE. I have done shows for a long time, but I don't feel that I have a good response to this question. Any suggestions?

A tip for artists applying to the ACC shows

I forgot to put this in my last newsletter.

I'm going to post this in the jury forum also.

JAS has a different policy than ZAPP. Though they both allow you to change images in the application after submitting it, ZAPP makes you jump through hoops by contacting the show and asking them if they will set your application to incomplete or exception. JAS on the other hand, allows changes in your application right up until midnight (Pacific time) of the final closing date.

For example, ACC deadline is August 1st but there is a late deadline of August 8th. If you submit your application by August 1st, you can change your images without penalty up until August 8th.

I'm saying this because I'm currently working with an artist that needs her work rephotographed for the ACC application. She was nervous that the deadline was coming up Wednesday and it would cost a higher jury fee of she missed it.

No problem. I advised her to apply today using the images currently in her profile and that I would changed them after I photograph her work next week.

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

Last year I was thrilled to participate in some of the "bigger" shows, like AA Street Original, Madison on the Square, St. James Court, Krasl, among others.  I'm still a newbie, and the booth fees and travel expenses blew me away, but I wanted the exposure. Financially I did okay, and made about 5 to 8 times my booth fees.  But the travel and  long hours were exhausting and I felt I needed to step back and consider whether it was all really worth it or not.

This year I've pulled back and have been going to smallish local area shows within one or two hours drive from home.  These are advertised as "art fairs", run by local art guilds or ladies' groups or community organizations.  There are jewelers and painters as well as dip mix and "stuff on a stick".  The booth fees run from $50 to $100.  No hotel stay, not much gas, I take a lunch, set-up and tear-down are easy, the show staff is thrilled to have a "real artist" with a very nice display and sometimes give me an award which means no booth fee next year if I'll return.

Patrons walk around, don't see much they want, and come back to me to make what may be their only purchase at the show.  Good work still sells and I find that people do appreciate quality and want to buy from local artists.  My daughter calls it the "Big Fish in a Small Puddle" phenomenon.  I've been making an average of $2000 per show, with $100-$150 investment, and I'm home for supper.  Plus, many of these customers will make the trek to my holiday open house, which has grown steadily every year for four years.

For me the "big shows" just don't make sense anymore.  I think I'll be investing in growing my local market, rather than putting money into the pockets of show organizers and driving myself to exhaustion to try and get recognition.  My dog thinks I'm famous.   That's enough for me.  :)

This event takes place in Sequim (pronounced Skwim) which supposedly, if you buy into their marketing, is the sunniest place in Western WA. Yeah right!!! July 20-22 and we had rain on both Friday and Sunday with very gray skies on Saturday, but thankfully one day without rain. The best weather day??? Set up day on Thursday. However, that being said, after participating in this event in the rain, I can definitely see the potential this event has to offer if the weather were sunny. Western WA residents are used to the rain, after all, there is a reason we are the “Evergreen State”. However, rain in July and August? You can’t believe the complaints, grumpy attitudes and just general “grousing” we all participate in, artists, patrons, promoters, volunteers, it affects us all. Shouldn’t we be able to have at least 2 months a year without soggy conditions?? Guess not, for the second year in a row this was a soggy festival and chilly. Temps never really got above the low 70’s at best, many hours in the 50’s and low 60’s. Not typical summer weather. I’ve included a picture of the “lake” in our booth on Friday AM when we opened.

The Lavender festival attracts 500K visitors a year, many who are from out of state. Sequim is located on the Olympic Peninsula along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On clear, sunny days, you can see Vancouver Island across the strait. It’s a beautiful part of the state and attracts summer visitors who are escaping the heat as well visitors from Seattle who are looking for a fun weekend. The festival has gone through a bit of a change with a split a few years ago and now a separate “Art in the Park” event is being held. I’ve not heard many good reports from that event, most artists there did not fare as well as those of us at the Street Fair that is part of the Lavender Festival. That being said, there seems to be a general consensus that the split of the festival and now having 2 art shows on the same weekend has hurt everyone. Soggy weather didn’t help, but the new event has added other attractions such as a balloon festival and other events that are distracting from what used to be a weekend to attend the street fair and visit lavender farms. I think both shows are suffering from too many add on events that are detracting from the original purpose of the festival.

Load in was easy, all day Thursday, they published times by location. We were there early and our area was virtually empty, the show promoter told us we were more than welcome to load in early. I never really saw any traffic snarls during load in, we were able to leave our truck next to the booth for most of load in, our neighbors showed up when we were about 80% complete so we quickly got our truck out of the way. They also allowed us to park our travel trailer within site of our booth. YES, gotta love that convenience. It made for a very easy early afternoon trip to the trailer to brew more coffee for my husband and make some chai tea for me, and yes, it was chilly enough to make us appreciate having the extra warm beverages. Load out, well, that was another story, no oversight, lots of artists who pulled in well before they were packed up. It was raining during tear down which made it more difficult, we parked at the end of the street and dollied everything about ½ a block. However, we had a “lake” forming in the booth so tear down was challenging, trying to keep everything dry, but not being able to put anything on the ground in about 1/3 of our booth. Yuck, sloppy mess, yep, summer in Western WA.

Sales??? Well, I need to crunch the numbers to see if we do this one again, but they were decent. Friday in the rain was awful, didn’t even make booth ($375), Saturday was a good day, the “be backs” really helped end the day on a positive note. Sunday, about twice of Friday, well less than ½ of Saturday, in the rain. Our last 2 customers spent almost $400 near the end of the day which left us feeling a little better. Without those 2 customers it would have been a dismal day. This show replaced a local, very steady 2 day show for us with a $100 lower booth fee and $200 less in expenses and one where we can sleep in our own bed at home. So, we have to crunch the numbers to see if we decide to try this show again. On a sunny weekend I can definitely see more potential at this show than our local show, but 3 long days vs. 2 short days, hmm, will just have to think about this one some more.

BTW, restaurant recommendation?? Alderwood Bistro, within walking distance of where we parked, has a lovely outdoor garden where you can dine, everything is organic and you see the kitchen help coming out to cut fresh herbs, etc. Doesn’t get much fresher than that, the smoked salmon pizza? Yum!

Jewish Art Federation

Presents

Nelson V. Batin

333 S. 132^nd Street

Omaha, NE 

August 1st through 31^st

Please join us for a unique experience for your home and office. 

Nelson’s dedication allows him to find the reverence and joy in Mother Nature; whether it is in the quietness of a forest, the loveliness of springtime or the beauty of koi in a Hawaiian airport is captured to its fullest with his vivid gifts of color.

I've been getting the stink eye lately. But, I don't care.

If I am vigilant, I can stop people from photographing my work. At any given show, it is hundreds of times a day.

"Please Don't take Photos"

I step in front of them, I wave my hand in front of them, I yell. I can put up a sign, but that's futile.

These are not people who are going to buy my work. They just think it's cool. Great - but after you take the pic and leave the show - you don't know who the artist is. Also, it's stealing. I'm there to sell my work, if you take a photo, you are taking my image, and not paying for it. It's copyright infringement.

If I am vigilant, I can try to stop people from touching my original work - it's PAPER after all. Again, hundreds of times a day. Yes, some are framed behind glass, but most are not.

"Please Don't Touch"

They say "I have to" I say - no you don't. They say "I didn't" I say "yes you did." Stink Eye.

Why do people feel entitled to handle stuff they don't own?

I'm thinking of putting up stanchions - a nice velvet rope to stand behind.

I was surprised to see the poor reviews of the Ann Arbor Shows. My husband, Brian, just returned and did very well at the South University venue. This was his fifth year, I believe. He sold several large pieces and a few smaller ones. He did comment that many artists he'd met in AA in previous years did not come this year.

I have noticed at nearly all the shows, retailers and commercial sponsors are taking up more and more space each year, distracting from the artists' booths. I suggest separating the sponsors from the artists and clearly signing the different sections, so customers know when they enter the art zone, and when they are in the corporate/commercial zone. Sidewalk sales should be held at other times, so that the artists can have the spotlight.... and revenues.

Recap

It's a long show (four days) with Long hours (10am - 9pm). The booths are on the high end of what's typical these days for an outdoor art fair. To succeed at such an event your return on investment has to be higher than other shows. While the crowds were here, most weren't carrying bags - the hallmark of a great show; proof people are buying art! But they were wearing smiles and that's another hallmark of a good show. We could guess for hours why not a lot of artists did a bang up business at last weekend's A2Original Art Fair - and some did during their lulls in customers. Me included - though instead of spending a lot of time blaming the other shows, the economy and other extenuating factors I tried to focus on what I can do differently to improvewhat I have so it becomes even more irresistible! Which I've been doing since getting home!

The Original is A+

The Fair attendees had fun with my things This was the intention when I made this party vest! Isn't she so cute in it?

The Ann Arbor Original Art Fair is among the very oldest in the country. Around this core show though the event has grown in size to accomodate THREE MORE separate shows that run concurrently on the same four days surrounding the University of Michigan campus. There are those who will tell you that it has grown too large. As this year marked the first time I have ever participated in this event I'm not sure I can weigh in on that. I will say that I think I'll prioritize participating in smaller events that are just focused on fine art and fine craft because it makes the presentations much easier for the people walking through to understand. I can see how confusing it could be to the average attendee to walk past a booth selling sunglasses for $24.99 ("buy 1 get 2 more free") and then encounter my hand felted scarves, outfits and sculptures and wonder why they cost what they do.

Silver Living

I stayed at a neighborhood B+B and got to walk under this poetic arbor each morning.

Mind you, I got excellent feedback and did make some wonderful sales with people delighted with my work, so my time there was productive in this way. It was also a great opportunity for me to play around with the physical aspects of displaying my work throughout the booth; adjusting placement of items and noting the change in reactions turning passers by into browsers and even active shoppers. That was actually very fascinating and I think I got an entire course in the direct effects of visual merchandising which I will fine tuning for my next booth display at the Woodland Art Fair in Lexington KY August 18 & 19.

Fun People

These two fun lovers had some giggles trying on my wearables - I thought they looked adorable in them!

My work took in too many smiles to count, so many compliments and a whole lotta love. The reaction from the crowd ran the gamut from "Super cute!" to "Gorgeous!" ( see below for how I played around with eliciting each variety of exclamations by re-positioning pieces in the booth). Some really got into the spirit of the HappyArt presentation!

Best Coffee

If you should ever find yourself in Ann Arbor - for whatever reason - take your $4 and go get a cup of coffee from Comet. It's a little cafe located in an old style arcadebetween two buildings. You can only get there on foot. It's worth it to seek it out. I LOVE great coffee and this joe rocked!

Odd Moment

For me, probably the oddest moment in the 4 day duration of the A2 show was when the show's Executive Director asked me, in all seriousness, (and I'm paraphrasing here - but this is the true gist) "How on earth do you talk people into buying your things that are this colorful?".  She was wondering if anyone was buying my art and if so, what on earth for!  This was the show's Executive Director! The woman in charge of the artsiest part of the 4-show event! I was dumbfounded.

I just stood there looking at her and smiled. It's honestly the only way I could think of to answer her in the moment. Quite frankly, even with the benefit of these past 5 days I don't have much more I can add to that answer, lol. I don't talk anybody into anything! I offer what I have and enlighten when I'm invited to do so. I answer questions, explain the process and help folks understand what's involved with the creation of what I make. So maybe it's telling that the show's chief of staff may have lost some of the vision about what the show is actually about: Fine Art and Fine Craft. Creative work that probably creates trends rather than follows them.

Fun Kids

A friend , Michael Crumb, from my former go at the art fair circuit (in the 90's) stopped by with one of his new projects (his son Michael Crumb X2!) - and the photographer from Detroit Free Press caught the action!

Here's the other side to this view (we got press!)

University Town

This is a university town and has some delightful quirks.

I could spend some more days here. Ann Arbor is a delightful place! I enjoyed the people. I had a blast laughing with my fellow artists, my tribe. I felt welcomed and at home here. Will I come back? To be honest I think I need to spend some time looking into shows that are closer to home, and working on improving my online offerings first. I think I'll also prioritize well focused shows that are just about fine art and fine craft too. I work so hard at this - I want to give my pieces the very best chance they have to connect with people. The work deserves that.

I will be attending my very first juried art festival as a vendor in September. The venue

is supplying the booth rental, but I still need either mesh panels or grids. I would much

rather rent right now, since I don't know how often, or even if, I will do this again. If

anyone in the Philadelphia area knows of a place that does this, I would appreciate it.

Even if there is an online company that rents. Thanks!