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10x10 tent with all accessories /Trimeline by Florish

10 ft awning 

carry bags for tent, poles , awning etc

3 mesh white panels 

4 sand weight bags

Set of dark burgundy fireproof show curtain, cover 3 sides

lighting included for overhead + telescopic clamp table lighting

Tent is in very good condition. I live in East Texas. No shipping, must pick up.

asking $750 or best offer

dkollaritsch@yahoo.com

936-568-0570  leave message.

4.The verbage "Your Medium" is confusing and extraneous.  I would prefer you to remove it from My Page.  Just show the actual work products and note.

5. The size of the photograaphs on the righthand side and the writing fonts have been made larger and more viewable.

Thank you,

J. R.Beatty 

1. I do not like some of the initial visible changes to your website.  But I am waiting to see if that changes.

Technology is relentless. The company that hosts Art Fair Insiders said it would disappear if we didn't update the site with their new software. We built this site in 2011 and it was easy to edit and stay in touch. It certainly has been helpful:

• 16,500 members from across the country in all media, pros and newbies alike sharing information
• 7100 blog posts covering every topic you can think of
• Oodles of discussions, really helpful information, including my favorite when members helped the police track down someone in Minnesota who was passing bad checks.
• Over 50 podcasts with guests who really knew their stuff.
• Friendships made and tents sold

The bad news: Change is a bitch and now you have to learn a new way to navigate the site.

The good news: Some changes have been made that should make it easier to share your information, some that you have asked for over the years.

A few the good things: 

1. Members can edit their comments in the discussions and blogs (not just us folks who run the site)
2. In the forum/discussions it is necessary to choose a category to publish your info. In the past discussions were often posted in the "wrong" categories. What works well now is that you write your article and then at the end you can choose the correct category, there is a place to click. I like that.
3. Supposedly we'll be able to give "star ratings" for the good stuff. I haven't seen this function yet, we'll see if it actually works.
4. It is easier to write "tags" for your blogs and discussions so others can find your fine work.

Not, one of the good things, because it will cause some work on your part. When you go to "My Page" it looks kind of bleak. This is your chance to be a designer ... not only can you upload an image of yourself, and we hope you do, but you can also add a large image of to show off your work or some other meaningful object to personalize it even better. Here is "My Page" ...  How do you do this? See the "options" in the upper left hand corner? That's the place. 

Let us know in the comments below how this is working for you and any changes you'd like us to make. We really need your help.

Just wondering if anyone has used wireless security cameras at an art show and posted that their booth was secured with cameras?  Usually there are two of us manning the booth at an art show but I'm still being hit.  I did a show in RI a short while ago and someone walked off with a $149.00 pair of seaglass earrings. They took the earrings and the earring holder.  At a show a few years ago (I was by myself) someone walked off with a necklace and bracelet valued at $550.00 while I was busy with a customer.    I do have glass cases but I also have a lot of my jewelry out on forms so that people can touch and try. I'm thinking of using wireless security cameras, has anyone tried this? 

And it caused matting to get wet, about $500.00 in damaged materials and labor.  The sales Rep, Clint Nagel, refused satisfaction and put it on me to have known in advance that the top would leak.  Warning others to avoid this company.  Suggestions as to how to proceed?

Well, this show was last weekend.  Usually it is in mid-May but because of COVID it was moved to August.  It was cancelled last year.

They made it a smaller show, 85 booths instead of 150-plus. Also the competing craft show, on campus, was not moved to August, which would had made it another 300 booths.

That said, it is early August in the height of summer season in Michigan, and all the “Good Shoes People” are up north in their summer cottages.

Which means it was a Lowend selling show.

But, they were buying.

Itwas a nice setup. They had one block of 20 artists facing each other with the road in the middle. The other 65 booths were on a straight line down a perpendicular street. Only problem was, we were all crammed in side to side.  I guess they forgot about COVID. This is only the second show this year that has no spacing.  The other one was the Bonita Springs shows.

That said, the show is held right in the heart of the business district with retail and food biz everywhere.

Normally, this show is held in mid May, the college is happening and professionals  biz people are out buying.  It is the only show there for the year.

I have done it since the 90’s, and it always been a $3-4K show, mostly Lowend sales. When I found out it was only 85 booths, I was licking my chops.  Unfortunately, the serious buyers never showed up. But, a lot of artists had not done a show for a year,and they were hungry.  They were happy to be out again. If they only made $1K, so what, it was money in the account.

I was fortunate to clear $3K, that is still a great amount for a two day small time show.  We are not talking Saint Louis here.

My neighbor was a great painter who did a underlay map of Michigan with local scenes over painted, like the Mackinaw Bridge. Her fiancé was busy going back to the van for more stock all weekend.

I never saw any real big pieces go by me, and my booth was dead center, number 44. Maybe they got picked up later or went out at either end. The crowd was young and energetic, and valued our art.  Lots of good comments. “That is seriously sick man!” I think the May time is better and hopefully next year it will be there.

Now, how about a Lansing Tequila Report.

The fourth time is the charm—finding a good sushi bar, with booze, in East Lansing.

I shared a room with Barry Bernstein for the show. He is more renowned than me, and that is not easy to do. He has been out on the circuit for centurys. They are thinking of putting his face on Mount Rushmore in place of Crazyhourse—is that sick! Barry does great ceramic pottery and gets into the best of shows, ahem, Cherry Creek next. I was hoping rooming with him, some of that would rub off on me, besides his snoring.

I know, WTF, does this have to do with Tequila Report?

I am slowly getting there, I am using the Hemingway experience. Live, breathe, read, stay with me, if necessary drink a margarita. So, Friday, after we setup, I said, “Let us go find a good sushi restaurant.” Barry has eaten with me many times and usually likes my choices. So, I used Google Maps and found four good sushi choices, none that I had been to before.

The first one we went to was four blocks from the show. I got there first. When I walked in I saw a small counter with chairs.  Saw two people munching on a sushi roll. Saw no sushi refrigerated cabinet with fresh fish. Perflexed, I looked at this small Asian man who pointed to the ceiling. ”What!” I exclaimed.  “Menu on the ceiling, all rolls” he said.

I asked if he did Uzusukuri (a dish of sashimi grade whitefish sliced razor thin), he looked at me like I was a crazy man. ”We only do rolls, mostly for takeout.” Oh, and they did not do any alcohol. Wham,bam! I was out of there.

Barry had just pulled into the lot.  He drives real slowly like most of the old farts that I grew up with in Saint Petersburg.  God!  Do not let me end up like this. He is a safe driver, just slow…and very…steady. So back to Google Maps and I find a promising choice—Korean Sushi Bar. Let’s go.

I let him lead on this one.  He had his GPS map on it, and you know how that can go. We drove by the place twice before we found it. We walked in, place looked promising.  Saw a sushi chef slicing at the bar, thank God, she missed her fingers. Waitress came and led us to a nice sunlit booth.  My mouth was watering with anticipation. I asked, “Do you sell alcohol here, like sake and beer.” She solemnly nodded, “No!” I was ready to leave but Barry was hungry and ready to eat. So, I was all in.

The waiter brought us two bottles of water with iced cups. Then, we waited, and waited,and waited, and she never returned. We were out of there.  Barry was hungry, but I was hungrier and wanted booze too. I have never eaten sushi in my life without a hot sake and Sappharro beer.

We spotted a Thai restaurant around the corner. ”Let us do Thai, they always have booze,” says Barry. I was all in. At that point I would have eaten grilled Phad Thai off a heated sidewalk if I had sake too. The place was around the corner from the Korean place. It had a large takeout counter with menu boards hanging from the ceiling. No alcohol served.

We said,”Loggone” and fled the place.

So  Barry got on his phone and found a promising choice. It was billed as San Su, a sushi restaurant with Cocktails. I was all in. I followed Barry in his aging Ford-Michigan-encrusted-rusted-Upper Peninsula van. We got lost again, fricking GPS. But we got there.  It is about 7:45 pm now.  We have spent almost a good hour trying for sushi..with booze.

I loved the look of the place. From the outside it was sleek charcoal building with large windows that went floor to ceiling. You could hear people chattering while munching,the place waxed energy. We walked in, and we saw about 25 people waiting in the lobby. The place was fantastic, sleek tables, slim razor chairs,modern bowls and utensils. The sushi bar was as long as a runway in Daytona with 16 empty chairs. Oops! Sleek alcohol bar with slim high back chairs, nobody in them.

Hopefully, because I know at most sushi bars people want to eat at the table, not the sushi bar, Iasked, “Can we eat at the sushi bar?” ”We are short of staff, only seating at tables, it is a 30 minute wait.” The greeter said. We were hungry, we’re not leaving here, this was our Alamo sushi moment, I would have traded my Jim Bowie knife for a set of chopsticks in a Mexican moment.

The lobby was jammed and I spied the empty chairs at the more empty bar. I figured Barry and I could tell old Art fair war stories for 30 minutes. And we did. About 40 minutes later, our friendly host spotted us. ”I did not forget about you guys, but…I forgot there are three groups ahead of you. ”How much longer?” My head, inches off the bar, I was sake-driven with no prospect of salvation.

Then Barry made the best quote of the night which led to our salvation. He said,”Well, maybe you should comp us a few beers for being so compliment rather then belligerent.” The guy looked at Barry like he was talking Greek and walked away. Soon, maybe five minutes later, this well groomed, and well built, guy shows up behind the bar-bar where we were sitting. He was tiny, with a pencil thin mustache and he radiated confidence. ”So, do you guys want to eat appetizers here with drinks.” Music to my ears.

Barry, mused for a minute, and asked can we do entrees too? I shushed him and told tiny Mike (we found out he was the manager of the place) “please get me a large hot sake and a 16 oz Kirin beer." Barry did the same, without sake.

(Stay tuned for the rest of the story. CM)

LARRY BERMAN is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: LARRY BERMAN's Zoom Meeting
Time: Aug 10, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/4338895789?pwd=NXFRME9JRFdMK3VDUEJhdHJ5T2daQT09

Meeting ID: 433 889 5789
Passcode: art-show

Anything art show related or selling art can be discussed. Especially booth pictures if you have one to share.

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

As a creative, the pieces you make are priceless. As a small business owner, every purchase you make is carefully calculated. Insurance can be expensive, but a single claim could cost you hundreds—if not thousands—in expenses. Without insurance, you would be expected to pay those fees out-of-pocket.

Even the most careful artists, crafters, and tradesmen experience accidents. The most common ACT claims come as a result of someone or something else causing damage. Here are 7 examples of real claims from ACT customers and how to avoid them.

1. A policy holder reported they had rain damage to business personal property, their handmade notecards, greeting cards, art supplies, and additional prints. With the Business Personal Property coverage on their ACT annual policy, the policy holder was able to receive a payout to help cover the costs of the damage.
   • Payout = $592.00
2. During a meeting, the policy holder’s MacBook Pro was damaged beyond repair by another individual. Because this computer was used for work-related business and had important business information on it, the policy holder was able to receive a payout to help cover the costs of replacing it.
   • Payout = $849.00
3. While at an event, unexpected wind and rain damaged a policy holder’s canopy tent and several pieces of their artwork. This policy holder was able to be reimbursed for some of their losses.
   • Payout = $3208.00
4. During the evening and late night, a storm came through an event area where exhibitors had set up the day before. Tents were thrown everywhere, resulting in a policy holder filing a claim for damaged supplies, artwork, and displays. The annual policy holder was able to replace their items and avoid paying out-of-pocket expenses for other people’s items that were damaged from their tent.
   • Payout = $1615.00
5. At an event, a sudden gust of wind damaged a policy holder’s tent and destroyed their art supplies and easels. The policy holder was able to receive a payout to help replace the damaged items.
   • Payout = $2209.00
6. Upon opening the booth at the start of the business day, the policy holder discovered 72 of their handmade rings were missing. In cases of theft, your annual policy can cover some of your losses. The policy holder was able to make up some of the revenue lost and focus on making new rings to replace them.
   • Payout = $2443.00
7. When shipping an item from the policy holder’s studio to a customer, the art piece was damaged beyond repair. By adding Business Personal Property insurance to your ACT annual policy, you can insure your pieces for shipment over land. This coverage helped the policy holder cover the costs of damaged items and send a new one to the customer.
   • Payout = $450.00

One benefit of the ACT annual policy is the option to add on Business Personal Property coverage. This policy could address a claim in the event your unapprised artwork or inventory was damaged or stolen. If it is determined that it fits within the coverage details, you would receive a claims payout based on the cost of replacement materials of the artwork.

For example, a painting may include a canvas, frames, easels, paint, and more. Unfortunately, your claim would not cover the labor to create that artwork. Insurance company payouts typically cover the replacement of the cost of goods and not "market" or "finished" value as that is often subject to interpretation.

Stay Protected With ACT Insurance
Without insurance, a single claim can cost thousands, damage your reputation, or halt business operations. ACT is here to help you stay protected, navigate the claims process, and lower—or even eliminate—expenses. Your craft deserves to be covered, and we are proud to protect artists, crafters, and tradesmen like you.

What a year it has been on our planet! Is there hope for our business? Art fairs are a cultural treasure and 1,000,000's of people attend them every year in our country. Will they survive? I'm kind of thinking there is a touch of eagerness in the air. Do you feel it? This just in from ZAPP, the software company that helps artists and art fairs connect.

1. Some of you were actually exhibiting at art fairs in May and June this year. Did you last year?

2. Can you imagine what this amounted
to in $$$?

Do the math ... how did the festivals stay afloat?

3. Impressive! Back to 2019 figures? Do you think we're going to get back to that?

When do you think we'll be back to normal? Will you be there? 

Beautiful pieces of work? Created. Perfect display setup? Check. Exhibitor fees? Paid. Certificate of Insurance? Not quite yet...

When preparing to sell your carefully crafted pieces, getting insurance is usually the least exciting part. While it may not be at the top of your list, having top-rated artist insurance is one of the most important investments you can make. But how do you know what kind of policy you need?

For more than a decade, ACT Insurance has made successfully protecting artists, crafters, and tradesmen our top priority. We have created two low-cost policies that you can purchase online in minutes. Both our annual and show policies meet most Exhibitor requirements and help protect you from costly claims.

What is an annual policy?

Designed with creatives like you in mind, the ACT annual policy offers a robust range of customizable coverage options. Not only do you have year-round protection, you have the option to add an unlimited amount of additional insureds and product liability coverage. You will receive your own Certificate of Insurance that helps you meet exhibitor eligibility requirements when attending shows, fairs, markets, exhibitions, and other types of events.

Available only to those who purchase an ACT annual policy, we highly recommend adding cyber liability insurance to your coverage. In the case of a cyber attack, having this policy can help you recover lost or stolen information, inform customers of a data breach, and return funds lost by e-theft.

What is a show policy?

For those who only attend a few events each year, the ACT show policy allows you to customize your policy term. You get to choose what day your coverage starts and how long you want the coverage to last. Our standard show policy covers you for 1-3 consecutive days, with the option to add on additional days for up to 7 days. We even offer a 90 consecutive day coverage option, which is ideal if you plan on attending several events in one season.

Just like the annual policy, you have immediate coverage from the start date you select and 24/7 access to policy documents—including your Certificate of Insurance. You are also covered in 50 states and have the option to add an unlimited number of additional insureds.

However, the show policy does have some exclusions. If you are looking to cover your business for demonstrations, protect your equipment and supplies, or insure the products you sell, our annual policy allows you to customize your coverages.

Which policy do I need?

While each of our policies are offered through an A+ rated insurance carrier, it really comes down to how much coverage you need and for how long. Easily compare both options and find the right coverage for you below:

	ANNUAL POLICY	SHOW POLICY
24/7 Access to Policy Documents
Licensed in All 50 States
Not Premises Specific
$2M General Liability Aggregate
$1M General Liability Per Occurrence
$5K Medical Expenses
Coverage for Damages to Premises Rented to You	$300K Limit	$300K Limit
Coverage While Selling at Events, Festivals, and Shows
No Deductible on Liability Claims
12 Months of Coverage		1-90 days
Products & Completed Operations Coverage	$1M Limit
Business Personal Property Coverage	$5K/$10K Limits
Personal & Advertising Injury Coverage	$1M Limit
General Liability for Online Sales
Optional Professional Liability

Stay Protected With ACT

Whether you select the show or annual policy, ACT has your back. For over a decade, we have helped thousands of artists, crafters, and tradesmen access events, grow their businesses, litigate claims, and stay protected from the unexpected. Your craft deserves to be covered.

February 5 & 6
Fort Myers, Florida
Downtown Fort Myers
Option to participate in Opening Night: February 4
Friday 5pm-9pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm
200+ Artists
Deadline: September 10

We are beyond excited for ArtFest Fort Myers 2022! ArtFest Fort Myers is coming back as you knew us pre-COVID, 200+ artists with a great layout overlooking beautiful Downtown Fort Myers alongside the riverfront and yacht basin. A FREE, non-gated event for all members of the Southwest Florida community to come shop your artwork.

As a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic, many home buyers and new residents from big northern cities are making their way to smaller cities in Southwest Florida. The cities seeing the most migration are Fort Myers and Cape Coral who are adding 50 new people on average a day according to David Cobb at Market Watch 2021. With all of these new residents there is an overwhelming desire for art to fill attendees’ hearts and enhance their homes.

How do we promote for you?

All advertising messages and media will be targeted to bring art buyers to you! Drawing in art lovers, experienced and new collectors and educated buyers, who are year-round residents and those visiting Southwest Florida during the peak of season, is our primary goal.

$175,000 Marketing Campaign targeted to art buyers from Marco Island to Sarasota to West Palm Beach and beyond. We are getting the word out about your fabulous art work via TV, radio, digital billboards, glossy magazines, theater/symphony programs, our website, eVites, and year-round Facebook, with paid ads and organic postings. We know the importance of online advertising and having a social media presence. Social media works best when artists & art festivals work together.

How do we assist with artist success?

We have multiple resources to help build your business to create more revenue streams. We have also partnered with experts to bring you video trainings on the power of video, Images for Jury and Websites, and much more. There are opportunities for artists to participate in Artist-based promotions leading up to the festival. Please feel free to be in touch with any questions. We love talking with artists and we want you to succeed in all aspects of your art business.

If you are new to the idea of selling at an outdoor Art Festival, please contact us for any support you may need- we love to help.

Learn More Here

At ArtFest Fort Myers, you will find:

• Two-day, FREE to the public, community event, with 90,000 attendees

• Year-round professional staff, with 22+ years of consistent management

• New and cutting-edge art is equally at home with more traditional work

• Loyal base of dedicated art buyers/VIP members who are focused on YOUR work

• Attracting young professional families with free fun art related activities for kids of all ages

• Encouraging the next generation of artists and art supporters with a high school art competition; sidewalk chalk competition; kids art activities.

How do we take care of artists?

• Oversized booth spaces – 3 feet between booths & ample storage space behind
• Easy Friday Set-up with scheduled staggered drive-up access beginning at 8:30am
• Artists' Hospitality includes daily complimentary continental breakfast, water, and private indoor restrooms
• Dedicated Artist Ambassadors and Booth Sitters
• Discounted hotel rates at area hotels & Luminary Hotel & Co.  in the heart of the festival with including covered parking with special artists rates.
• Reserved free artist parking with complimentary trolley transportation
• Professional 24-hour security
• Learn More Here

Be a part of ArtFest Fort Myers:

• Apply from May 14th – September 10, 2021 at ZAPPlication.org
• Visit our festival website ArtFestFortMyers.com. The Info for Artist page provides artist specific information including hotels, set-up, jury success & many other helpful tips.
• Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram where we feature festival artists and engage patrons year-round

Apply Now: ZAPPlication.org

Questions: Erin Jackson, Community Engagement Manager
Erin.Jackson@ArtFestFortMyers.com

As focused as we all are on our businesses, selling our art at the art fairs, the events are even more important to the small business owners where the events are held, the business districts and commercial areas. Most events have been started not primarily to focus art but to bring buyers into areas that are looking to increase commerce in other ways. 

Here is a report from the store owners in Ann Arbor last week (hint: they were happy):

https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-ann-arbor/2021/07/20/it-was-just-terrific-business-owners-talk-ann-arbor-art-fair-successes/#//

We always made it a point to patronize the businesses near our booth during shows. One of my favorite purchases was at Cherry Creek some years ago. There was a cowboy boot store right behind our booth. Growing up I'd always wanted to be a cowgirl some day, so when our earnings were looking pretty good I bought cowboy boots! What about you?