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I have been thinking of some features that Zap might incorporate into the show listings. Some of these might not prove popular with every event or promoter, however they do merit some thought. I' m looking for opinions on these thoughts.
Along with all the usual event app info etc, I would find it useful in making choices on entries if the following info was available:

Total openings at show, total number of re invites, remaining openings, now for the fun part, openings available by category and number of apps to date. Wow would these be mind blowing! One other thing would be to note in the show info if they provide artist parking and also parking for large rigs & RV's at the show site. This would eliminate some phone calls to the event directors to ask about the parking. Anything to make planning easier. Thanks for reading!

I am set up as a S corp, virtually no inventory/invoicing/etc. issues. I am looking for some software i.e. intuit that would make it easier to file annual tax returns, anybody got any ideas?  Thnx in advance.

1. Member of the year - Geoff Coe, Larry Berman, Jim Parker, Nels Johnson, Annette Piper
2. Personality of the year - Nels Johnson, Munks, Linda Shields, Barry Bernstein
3. Author of the year - Nels Johnson, Geoff Coe, Corey Johnston
4. ROFL award - Caroline Kwas, Munks
5. Most generous and helpful - Larry Berman, Jim Parker
6. Newcomer - Michelle Wermuth, Ruth Finkenbiner
7. Special Recognition - Geri Wegner, Annette Piper
8. Best Blog post -
   Two Gutterballs in a Row
   Rejections, Wait Listings in 2012
   A Pirate looks at 67
   I Can be Taught
   Escalating Booth Fees-What are they thinking?
9. Best Discussion -
   What's the worst question you have been asked at an art fair?
   If Jewelry is such a competitive arena why don't the shows subdivide the category?
   Addicted to Gushers
   Is it possible to earn a living doing art fairs?
   
   

Please email me your votes: connie@artfaircalendar.com

Deadline:  January 15 Midnight

Please note we will NOT extend the deadline.

March 30 - April 1
St. Louis, Missouri
36th Annual Spring Art Fair

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 110 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.

Both shows are presented in the indoor, air-conditioned setting of the Greensfelder Recreation Complex at Queeny Park in west St. Louis County.  Food and refreshments are available on site, parking for the public and artists is free.  Live music playing during wine tasting and peek attendance.  During Sunday afternoon, an interactive shildren's art education program encourages families with youngsters to meet and talk with artists and learn about their work. 

• Our 36th Annual Spring Art Fair
• An air-conditioned indoor art fair.  You don't need to worry about the weather, tents or security
• Jury/Booth Fees ($25/$200); free electricity available for every booth at no additional charge.
• Cash awards totaling $4,500
• Booth sitters, 24-hour security
• Excellent marketing campaign, including 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 and Saturday Evenings
• Interactive art program on Sunday afternoon to encourage families with youngsters to meet the artists

Artist's entry deadline: January 16, 2012 (postmarked) 

Notification Date:  February 3

Booth Fee Due:  February 23 

 

For more information: www.artfairatqueenypark.com/  

 

You may also contact:

Vic Barr, GSLAA President

314-997-1181

vicbarr@sbcglobal.net 

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looking for more 2012 art fairs?

Visit www.CallsforArtists.com

Well, I was there.  It wasn't very pretty for me.  Maybe for others.  Somebody please step up to the plate and give a review.  I hate being put in a tight spot with Mrs. Megala reading-- Help me Rhonda, Help me please.  Don't make me have to review this show.  BTW, I did not make expenses--worst show in 32 years in Naples.  Help.  Somebody who did good, please write the review.  it aint going to be me folks.  I am not stupid.

Fantastic weather, a great venue with easy set-up and plenty of traffic. I am looking for feedback from other artists who may have done this show. It was really my first fine art festival in South Florida and I do think I might give another year even though my numbers were not so good. I do about 12 shows in my home area of New England plus Annapolis and I think because I have developed a following I am doing really well up there. No one is buying much art in January in New England so here we are!

We were allowed to set up starting Friday at noon and were able to drive right up to our space. Included in the booth fee was a nice continental breakfast Sat. and Sun. mornings. And some lively volunteers brought water and snacks around on Saturday afternoon. Cash prizes were awarded Sunday morning for 1st and 2nd place in category plus best in show. So some happy campers there!

Feedback is welcome.

The Marion (IA) Art Festival is pleased to announce their upgrades in the ratings from the Art Fair Sourcebook:

"The MAF is one of the most artist-profitable festivals nationwide! The 2012 Art Fair SourceBook ranks the MAF as:
- #17 fine art event nationwide
- #24 overall in fine craft
- #1 among events exhibiting 100 artists or fewer
- #1 one-day show in the country
- #2 in the nation for return on your investment ($12 for every $1 spent)

Our exhibitors enjoy a sincere welcome and an easy-to-do show. Visit our website to see the range and quality of our 19th annual lineup – you'll find fifty of your most respected artist pals."

Read more about this show here:  http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/call-for-artists-marion-arts-festival

(Note: I've reviewed the background, location, and demographics on this show several times.  You can read more here.)

Patty Narozny's "Hot Works" shows at Estero are always a pleasant part of my schedule.  And while the November show is reliably profitable, the January show, infused by seasonal snowbirds and vacationers, always delivers the strongest results I see this side of Naples.

Under clear blue skies both days, crowds were steady and buyers were plentiful. Saturday seemed to be a bit busier, but I'm splitting hairs: This show was very close to a home run for me--I was up 50% over last year's decent totals--and most of the folks I talked to during the show were happy, too. 

Patty knows how to advertise a show.  There were plentiful radio and TV spots in the week or so before the show and print ads in all the local publications where you'd expect to find them.  HotWorks always mails artists postcards for distribution to clients and local retailers, providing some grassroots marketing as well. 

The show size was just right: Just over 100 artists, arranged in 3 columns in the parking lot on the south side of Miromar Outlets (which, despite the name, is an upscale mall with lots to offer shoppers.) Acoustic music was at one end of the show, a DJ from a sponsoring radio station was at the other. The music enhanced the experience and didn't blast the artists in nearby booths.  As for artist amenities: Patty's staff came by regularly with water, and there was a well-attended artist breakfast Sunday morning, as well as artist awards, delivered after the show opened on Sunday morning. (I didn't get a list of winners; maybe someone who won one would like to mention that in a comment.) Patty's shows are notable for their partnership with local non-profit agencies: in particular, there were booths for artwork produced by disabled artists, and for youth artists too.  

The quality of the show was strong as always, in all categories. Jewelry was a bit high on the mix (30% of exhibitors) but in fairness, the quality was uniformly high and there was lots of variety within the category.  Walking the show on Sunday morning, what stood out for me was how sharp the booths looked, providing an inviting atmosphere for shoppers--and suggesting that Hot Works really pays attention to booth presentation in their jurying. 

All in all, this show is a top-notch, professionally run, and enjoyable experience for artists and patrons alike.  You can't ask for much more than that. 

Las Olas Blvd. is a very upscale street in Ft. Lauderdale lined with trendy shops and restaurants, a go to destination for locals and tourists alike. Howard Alan events has three shows at this venue every year, Jan, March and Oct. This show is turning out to be a very profitable show for me. I've exhibitated at this venue four times and each time the sales get appreciably better and I'm developing a very strong following in the south Florida market. I was not alone, many of the artists I talked to were having the best show they had had in years and when I could see over the people in my packed booth I saw lots of art in the hands of happy shoppers.

Bill covered the logistics of the setup in his post, it can be as hard or easy as you choose to make it. This year the show was the weekend after the New Year so we didn't have the well lubricated celebrants to deal with. There was also a jazz festival within walking distance of our show which served to increase attendance, which was massive. Saturday was busy, but Sunday was absolutely packed. All economic demographics are represented at this show so there are buyers for all price points. That being said you do have to work for your sales. I had painters on both sides of me, one was very aloof, sat on the sidewalk across from his booth and had no interaction with his customers, the other painter was in his booth talking to his customers, guess which one did better. It's a new world in the art show business and if you don't adapt you're going to die on the vine.

I apologize for the brevity of this review but I have a lot of jewelry to make to get ready for this weeks show, perhaps some of our other reviewers can chime in.

June 1-3
Columbus, Ohio

Riverfront
230 Artists
Deadline: January 13

The Columbus Arts Festival will be back on the Riverfront!  Presented by Time Warner Cable and produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council the Columbus Arts Festival is the city's welcome-to-summer event, pairing the finest artists and craftspeople with continuous entertainment including hands-on art activities, musical performances and food from the area's finest restaurants.

Join us on the Scioto Mile June 1, 2 & 3, 2012 for great art, music, food and fun!

Mark your calendars and join us on Tuesday, January 10 at 5 pm ET, as Connie Mettler talks again with fiber artist Barbara Poole, painter Caroline Kwas and photographer Michelle Wermuth about their art fair experiences. All three artists are new to the business having started in the last two years and have lots to say that even seasoned artists will find interesting.

These artists were chosen because they are from different areas of the country (Barb in Boston, Caroline in Florida and Michelle in Kentucky) and have different media. In addition, both Barb and Caroline have explored the country, Barb has been coast to coast and Caroline has been out on the road in an RV. I chose Michelle because she has stayed close to home balancing work, kids and the shows, like many other beginners in this business. Although they are all new to the business all have been working in their chosen field for many years so they were ready with the work to be shown but had much to learn about the business.

We'll be talking about their biggest disappointments, their biggest surprises, advice to other newcomers and their plans for 2012. It should be a great discussion.

Listen here: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/artfairpodcasts

This program sponsored by EntryThingy.com, FrameDestinations.com and ACTInspro.com.

I have been "in the business" since 1981. Got my start in local craft shows...Greenwich, Westport, etc. Then switched to entirely wholesale. Did NYInternat'l Gift Show, Chicago, LA, etc. for 5 years. Picked up several very successful catalogs and sold to them for a three year period. All went out of business. In '95 I had to go to work in the real world but in 2007 started selling on Etsy - Not Ebay - Etsy. Husband downsized. Need additional $$ to survive. Problem: Most of the shows I did "back in the day" are either gone or strictly "gallery oriented". Any one have any ideas where I would be welcomed?  My site on Etsy: http://www.warmth.etsy.com.  Thanks so much.

Linda the Mousemaker in Connecticut.  lindawelcome@snet.net

July 18-21

Ann Arbor, Michigan 

On the streets around Burton Carillon Tower and on the University of Michigan's Ingalls Mall

                   190 Artists

             Deadline: January 9

The Street Art Fair is one of the highest ranking art fairs in the nation and for good reason:

• It draws collectors who rarely attend art fairs  
• It attracts the finest artists 
• There are no merchants or buy/sell vendors in the

  Street Fair

• It works with many cultural community and educational

  institutions to produce exceptional community art  

  activities

• It works throughout the year to be a blue ribbon        

  presence in the Ann Arbor community

The Street Art Fair has a distinctive jury process, unlike that of any other art fair:

The jury meets over the weekend of January 27th. All images are projected, statements read with additional information available upon request. The strength of this approach is that they have jurors (who are paid an honorarium) working 4 to 6 hours in their own area of expertise only, or related areas. Jurors see the work multiple times and are able to ask questions and to discuss the work, moving back and forth to compare it to other submissions in the category. Jurors are generally working artists and are often educators at area colleges or museums. They mix new jurors with experienced jurors.

The Jury Advisory Board member brings a familiarity with the fair and knowledge of the goals and programs from having juried the fair on site the previous year. They will bring the overall sensibility

Kathleen Eaton, a veteran of the AA Street Art Fair

of the panel to the final session.

For more information on the Street Fair visit their website: 

www.artfair.org

To view the application and apply today, visit:

www.zapplication.org

Here's another oldie but goodie artist who has been in this business I'm thinking like forever -- this information from the Boston Mills newsletter, forwarded to me by Sandy Moran:

Hi Ron,
 
     I am writing to let you know that a member of our artist community is gravely ill. Dean Lauderdale broke his leg and during subsequent tests it was found the cause was cancerous tumors which are also in his brain and liver. This all happened within a matter of days. He and Sally could use as much help, love and comfort as we can send their way. Cards and letters would be greatly appreciated by Dean. Dean's life was creating his art work and doing the shows where he had his show "family " and friends. He is at the Woltz Hospice Home , 945 Vethyr Road, Dobson, NC. 27017. Sally says this is a small wonderful facility and it is just off interstate 77. If you are heading to or from Florida it would be easy to stop for a visit.
 
   The Home address is: Sally Wencz and Dean Lauderdale, 109 Chestnut, Jonesville, NC 28642. Sally can be reached at 405-365-8159.

Laurie Fowler

I'm sending you good wishes, Dean, and remember the fun we used to have at Boston Mills and other places around the country.
 

Las Olas (Ft. Lauderdale) is coming up this weekend and those of you who’ve been there have an idea what to expect.  For those of you who doing it for the first time, this report is to give you a preview based on my experience from last year.

     I was fortunate enough to split a room with Steve Vaughn, a pretty good photographer.     He’s a Las Olas veteran of many years.  We stayed in the Riverside Hotel which is right next to the show.  Had I fallen down the stairs I would have rolled out the front door and right into my tent.  It rarely gets that good.  The only downside was the noise.  There were slamming doors, drunks whooping in the hallway, and shrieking bacchanates (It’s OK, I barely know what that word means myself).  I called the desk to complain and the young man at the desk said “Sir, it IS New Year’s Eve”.

     Oh. 

We showed up at three in the morning to set up, well ahead of the traffic jam of artists sure to show up later.    You can park your car on the side of the street right across your spot and then unload on the grassy median until setup time.  Three in the morning, however, turned out to be when the bars closed, turning  well lubricated customers onto the sidewalks.  Much to their credit, they seemed to all have called cabs.  There were at least a dozen taxis at any one time parked and picking up customers or driving by my booth.  It took quite a bit of dodging between parked and slowly moving cabs trying to get my loads to the median next to my booth.  You have to drop off your stuff and get out of there.  

     Parking wasn’t that bad if you knew what to do.  I left my van in the parking area with my cell phone number stuck under the windshield promising I’d be back at opening time to pay up.  It worked out well.  

     After that the rest of the setup was a piece of cake and I didn’t have to rush.  

Since I was by myself (Ann was recovering from knee surgery and it went very well, thanks) I didn’t get too far away from my booth, but many artists dropped by to visit.  Most of them weren’t exactly ecstatic over sales.  My own sales were pretty slow compared with my expectations.  

     As with many other shows these days, the crowds were there and if you had what they wanted, they had the money for it.  Some folks did quite well.  

     For me the worst part was an earache that started up on Saturday and was working its way toward a peak by teardown.  It was the longest teardown I’d had in a long time, then there was the four hour trip home.  Fortunately I was able to reach my daughter (professional RN) who recommended a med.  It took about three hours before I drove by a drug store that was open that late and had a living pharmacist on duty.  This was required because the stuff I needed was an important ingredient for meth cooks and it’s kept behind the counter.  It did the trick.  

    We decided to skip the show this year and stock up for a busy February schedule.  We hope it won’t be in vain.  

     For all of you who are going to be in the show this year, best of luck and it will be interesting to hear from you, even a year from now.  

        The cabs at three in the morning were busy picking up the more responsible drunks and crossing the street with loads of stuff was a bit tricky.  

   This cheeseburger (Riverside Hotel, ground floor bar) was the best I have ever had.  Half of it would have been plenty, but I couldn't stop.  

just started thinking about entering some craft fairs.......doing ribbon bows, baby hats, etc.  any opinions to help me out

In their advertising, Howard Alan Events billed this show as "The first and best art festival of 2012."  One could be snarky and say, "Well, sure...so far!"  But for many of the 200-plus artists who exhibited,  it was a solid weekend, with brisk crowds, packages aplenty, and enough sales in the till to leave hope that maybe, just maybe, the economy has turned the page as well as the calendar. 

Alan has been holding events at this fine upscale mall, halfway between Naples and Fort Myers, for six years or so. The last few years have featured an early-season show in November as well as the long-running one around Valentine's Day weekend.  But this year Alan moved the fall show to New Year's weekend--a savvy move since other Florida promoters are staying shuttered until Jan. 7. (The second show will be held six weeks hence, as always.)

The show's location within the mall was shifted slightly this year, closer to the property's SW corner, which seemed to make access a bit easier for artists and patrons alike.  Setup was all day Friday, 10 to 5.  Most artists took advantage of that; those that didn't could arrive early Saturday morning.  (There's lots of lodging within 5 miles of the show, as any Priceline search will prove out.  Alan also arranged a special at the Hyatt on site.  I didn't use either option, since I live 20 minutes north on US 41.)  

Layout was back-to-back in three columns, with enough space behind the booths for inventory and supplies, and just enough space between booths to squeeze through and get them if, like me, you didn't have a back door.  Parking was off-site this year instead of behind the movie theatre--a last-minute change that was well communicated by email--and shuttle buses ran before and after the show for those who needed it.  Alan arranged with Costco to provide an "artist's breakfast" booth with muffins and pastries and bottled water, but alas, no coffee.  It was a minor inconvenience, given that a Starbucks and Panera Bread are adjacent to the show, but it would be a nice addition next time.  

Weather was Chamber of Commerce-perfect: cloudless blue skies and temperatures that reached the low 80s both days.  Crowds were steady enough on Saturday, but patrons were definitely in "browse mode".  Sunday amped up both attendance and sales.  Interestingly, too, several artists mentioned to me that they thought the crowd skewed a bit younger than a lot of the Florida shows they do.  Maybe it reflects vacationers, as opposed to residents and snowbirds...or maybe Facebook and social media advertising is starting to have an impact (but that's a subject for a later post.)

I out-did my Day One results by better than 3 to 1 and reached my sales mark from the February 2011 show at 3 PM Sunday--a happy event since this show marked a new product mix for me, with fewer but larger canvases and no more 8x10 mat sales or notecards. It also helped that I'd mailed Christmas cards to all my large-ticket patrons, with a hand-written message and my show schedule printed on the back.  Over a half-dozen came to say hello, and several made new purchases. 

I made a point of walking the show twice, and I thought the quality and category mix were excellent. But why take my word for it? More convincing proof were the three times I heard women calling their friends to tell them about the event, all with essentially the same message: "You've got to come down here and see this...it's a beautiful show!" I can count on one hand the number of times I've witnessed that.

Like any show, there were folks who didn't fare so well.  Jewelers (which Alan held at 20% of exhibitors) seemed to fare a bit better than 2-D artists, generally.  Several photographer friends were disappointed, and a nearby painter who had sold several large pieces at last year's event wasn't so fortunate this time around.  But on the whole, folks were chalking it up as a solid start to the New Year. 

How 'bout some of you other AFI'ers out there?  What did you think?

April 6-7

St. George, Utah
Town Square
110 Artists
Deadline: January 13

The St. George Art Festival began 33 years ago showcasing the many artists who call St. George their home.  Over the years it has expanded to include over 110 artists juried from hundreds of entries from throughout the United States.

This festival has regional appeal for both artists and festival goers.  Displaying thousands of original works of art, the festival is punctuated with pageantry, music and food.  Townsfolk and visitors from around the West converge in the beautiful town of St. George on Easter weekend, one of the busiest travel weekend of the year.

The festival takes place in the beautiful Town Square, the centerpiece of the Historic District.  The Art Festival is known for consistently outstanding art work, and does all it can to send the message to artists that they are appreciated and valued guests.

We guarantee that artists are treated with the respect they deserve.  We know it is expensive to travel, so we like to help out with:

• a hospitality room
• Friday morning breakfast, water and delicious fruit and vegetable plates delivered to you at your booth each day.    
• In addition, we provide courtesy space for motor homes and RV parking near the Festival site.  St. George is known as a warm, friendly city.  We want your stay here to be the highlight of your year.

St. George is known as a warm, friendly city.  We want your stay here to be the highlight of your year.

Find the Application on-line at:

www.sgcity.org/artfestival/application.php

For more info: (435) 627-4500 or email:

Gary Sanders
Community Arts and Exhibits Administrator
City of St. George
Office: (435)627-4510 ex:116
Fax: (435)627-4526

---------------------------------------------

Find more art festivals for 2012:  www.CallsforArtists.com

Well 2011 is about to close up today.  So it is a time for reflection on things past, and a time to look ahead to the year coming.

I did my first show by a waterfall in Hawaii in 1975.  No booth, just photos on a picnic table, hanging with my Army and surfer buds drinking Olympias, smoking some of that "pakalolo" and oogling all the pretty women that came by my space.  I made $15 (it was a one-day show) and I was hooked.  I said this is what I am going to do the rest of my life.  Of course I knew that I had to figure out how to make a living at it.

Well,35 years later, i got that slick looking booth with white walls, white roof and all the requisite trimmings.  I make a living at it.  This year-end i am up 18% over last year--this being another year where most have seen sales plummet to 40%-50% off.  I count myself lucky, and blessed.

I miss not drinking the Olys and smoking the 'lolo weed, but hey you gotta grow up sometime--I guess I did.  Down deep in my heart I am still a big kid who just wants to play and have a good time with life.  As my wife well knows, I live in the moment.  That means I celebrate all those little victories that come our way whether it be getting a nice award at a show or winning the golf league with the net low score.

Our business is the damnest one I have ever seen--and this was my third career.  We can go to some shows and just kill them with great sales and then we can turn around and be juried out of that show the next year.  When you try to explain our business to most outsiders, they just scratch their heads and wonder why you would not be back in Ft. Worth after having a killer show.  Most people want sure things, they don't do well with uncertainty.  For most of us it is just the way it is.

So, 2011 was killer year for me--course it helped getting in some super shows like St. Louis, Ft. Worth, Des Moines and Artisphere.  Well guess what?  I am not going to be in three out of those four (St. Louis awaits my fate).  I will be out more than $20K just from the loss of those shows.  It has happened before and it will certainly happen again.

The images that got me into almost 80 per cent of shows I applied to in 2011, have so far got me into about 50%.  And that is with adding a new one here or there but keeping a certain unity to the body of work.

That is probably the hardest thing we have to deal with in our business--Rejection.  You have to get used to it, nobody escapes it forever, some have longer successful runs than others--God bless them.

I can take getting up at 4:30 am to get to a show, I can accept driving 650 miles to a good show, I can accept exasperating tear-downs, but when you get that form letter from Zapp or JAS that starts off,"Dear Nelsphoto we are sorry to inform you...." Well that always puts a bad pickle in your day.  But you gotta keep trucking on.

I will probably do another 34-36 shows again this coming year, about three a month average.  I notice I get a little more winded when tearing down compared to years past.  I dream of someday becoming a jeweler so I can get out of Dodge in 30 minutes like my buddy Phil manages to do.  I dream of making it past age 82, still doing shows (certainly not 36 a year).   That is my goal.  Photographer Bill Coleman who did the wonderful work about the Amish made it to 81.  He had a wonderful assistant in Carl.  Without him, Bill would have been done a lot earlier.  I guess I have to find me a "Carl."  He is out there somewhere, I know I will find him.  I gotta outlast Coleman--it is my goal and I am very goal-oriented.

Let's see.  I just gotta avoid Cancer, heart attacks, strokes, bad backs, bad legs, high blood pressure--oh, and don't get juried out of everything.  I gotta avoid auto accidents, they put a big crimp on our lifestyles.  Also DUIs, don't want any of them either--big,big crimp on the lifestyle.

I feel good  about 2012.  I think we will see a certain little thawing in consumer resistance to sales. I am going to raise my prices in three levels.  I have held them steady for six years while my operating expenses increased.  I have a new web site, since thanksgiving, which made me about $800 in sales over Christmas.  My goal is to see if I can average $400 per month sales off of it.  If I could, that would be equal to doing two good Florida shows right now.  I am adding new bins, new signs to the booth, I might even start dressing up better like I used to in the good old days.  Hell, I might do the unthinkable like my good buddy Ray Mosteller does.  I might keep my booth open after official show hours closing in order to snare those late sales.  Oh well, I guy can dream.

It wont be an easy year, but I will keep plugging away.  There are lots of little daily victories to look forward to.  I count among my friends some of the most thoughtful and talented people I have ever met.  It gives me joy to be among them.  I look forward to new friends to be met.

We have the best darn professions in America.  People dream of being able to live their lives like we do.  Most do not have the forbearing,certainty, or tenacity that we do.

Well, it is a long way from that waterfall in Hawaii to the present--but I savor each moment, and drink it in like an intoxicating liquor--and I smile a lot.  Life is good, what more could a guy ask for?  And, I got Ellen, the most talented and good-looking pastelist for a partner.

Happy 2012 everybody.  I hope you get in most of the shows you want. I hope you will continue to make a living out there--and most of all, be happy, keep in good health.

Aloha, Nels Johnson.

PS.  I lost a tooth two years ago from biting into a chicken wing.  A mere $3300 will correct the problem.  But you know what?  I lost that tooth and my sales increased 20%.  I plan on getting it fixed by my 50th high school class reunion in 2013.  So a pirate I will remain a little more longer.