Well, did my final show of the year, number 29, in my old hometown. It is always nice to be able to sleep in my own bed when doing a show.
Problem is, the show sucked. I made more money selling out of my driveway then paying Paragon $400 for a booth fee and not doing very well.
It is not Paragon’s fault. Bill Kinney does a super job producing the show. He gets the message out on billboards, print media and social media. Setup is very mellow, and for the most part, teardown is mellow.
I think part of the problem is that the show comes too late, a week before Christmas weekend. Most serious shopping has already been done. It may be he cannot get the park any earlier in the month. It is a City-owned Park, and you know how that goes when trying to do anything with a municipality.
It is a small show in a very lovely location. We set up in South Straub Park, right next to the Yacht Club, also we are on the waterfront, trendy restaurants surround us. Tons of people are walking their trendy dogs (of course you know how many of them ever buy anything).
The crowd that comes is monied and well dressed. They have disposable income, but unfortunately, most choose not use it with us.
I barely sold $1200 in two days. Many, did not make booth and travel expenses.
Most sales are in the Lowend price range. But once in a while I would see a big ticket item go by. Trouble was, they were not that many.
The dilemma for most of us is that it is December and most people do not buy a lot of art for Christmas presents.
Secondly, in the Florida fall, most shows suck, if you gross $1500-$2000 you are lucky. The only really good one is the Pensacola one. Of course everybody knows about it, so getting in is not easy.
Then there is one great Cruel Irony.
When you are facing one of the most lowest grossing months, This when most shows want their booth fees for the spring shows.
Yep, maybe you were lucky and got in Artisphere, or Downtown Fort Worth, or Winter Park,but they all want their booth fees now. And, these fees are not cheap.
This is one very cruel irony of our business.
OK, I will get off my soapbox. (Chill,Nels).
Which is why we will pay a high booth fee for a show that delivers mediocre returns. I have done this show three years in a row, and never once broken $2000 in sales. Mainsail, the late spring show in St. Petersburg, always brings me $5000-plus in sales every time. I am in the 2018 show, so is Ellen.
The best I can tell you is this show is a gamble.
I think Bill Kinney, Mr. Paragon, is a savvy promoter. But this show is on a tightrope. I personally do not think it is worth a $400 booth fee.
Oh, I gotta cut this short. Santa is arriving across the street from our Ybor house tomorrow. Three thousand are expected to attend.
The driveway beckons.
May 19-20
June 15 & 16
June 8, 9 & 10
Limited to 180 artists
May 26-28
June 9 & 10 
August 4-5
September 22-24
