Connie Mettler's Comments

Isn't this cool? Time for the art fair artists community to REALLY enter cyberspace. Social networks aren't just for those kids anymore!

Hi Connie -- It's the number one entry if you google my name (C. L. Cunningham) and links dirrectly to the website. No biggie, but please make sure it is available on this site and linked as you think best so it won't be confusing to others. Thanks and good luck with this exciting new venture!

when things change significantly. But I miss the contact with other artists doing shows and this will be a good replacement for the short term.

Dear Connie
Yes, we are all aware of each other and most of us started during the 90's as I did. There's probably 30 of us still rotating through the circuit, reeling from the double whammy of a slow economy and music industry CD sale declines--however there are still some of us who just love doing what we do and are dedicated to toughing it out. The most well-known singers on this circuit include Pacific Coast's Jean Sidwell and Pat Surface--and I see both of them each winter in Florida. I personally sing and keyboards are my first instrument, but I also contribute guitar to my albums.

Thank you for respecting music as a part of the Art Show Community!! It is an honor to start this group and to gather information about the state of music retail at the shows--- we can help each other find and choose good venues, and how to support the artist community at large.

Thank you Connie!

I used to do 47 shows per year (no kidding) but I cut back this year and "only" am doing my best 30. I did Grand Haven/Muskegon/Orchard Lake as my Michigan tour and really enjoyed all of them. I have spent the extra time at home working for the mainstream Country Music Publishing industry here in Nashville and working on new music.

Things are looking better here in Tennessee as we have at least one city with gas prices at $1.95/gal!

I run Arts, Beats & Eats in Pontiac and Russell has been there just about every year. The Sidwell's were there for the first time this year and I didn't get a chance to visit, but stopped by their booth several times to listen. Very nice.

I believe the musicians add an ambiance to the festivals that is refreshing, sort of a like a medieval street fair, especially at evening events when the music swells up out of the night.

Any chance you have these other's email addresses? It would be great to add them to this community.

Since you live in Nashville, any chance you know my good friend, Jack Stoddart?

Thanks for the heads up on my video I was in youtube pulling videos a few nights ago.I may have accidently put that one private I'll try and fix it tomorrow. I'll let you know when I do.
You must be a night owl too:)
Looking foward to meeting everyone, and learning what I can about art fairs!

Funny how quickly things get around... I had a handful of artists at the Washington Craft Show also mention it to me on Friday. For the most part, it seems to have been widely appreciated.

Hi Connie--I am an EarthAngelsToys.com artist but of course have a lot of other friends in the folk art (or whatever you want to call it) world--and also a lot in the altered art world. I'll be sure to blog about this site and I'll bet we can get others interested... thanks!

I'd really appreciate it, Laurie. What is your blog url?

Connie, thanks for your comment! Etsy is a cool artisan/craft site and the minis perfect for showcasing your pieces..like this

Etsy Buy Handmade esmeraldadesigns

Hi Connie,

The Cypress Knee Museum ( Tom Gaskins) that was around Palmdale, fl has closed. It was this museum that inspired me to try carving Woodland Spirits in Cypress Knees once I retired.

hi Connie, and ditto to you--you sure know your way around creating a network! thanks for your praise about the website mods I made. I'm a former art director/designer turned fine artist but I'm still interested in helping other artists with their websites, biz cards, promo materials and e-newsletters so if you know of any artists looking for an assist, please pass my name along. this is a great site, I'll be back--all best, Jann at AustinDetails.com

Hi Connie,

The Tom Haskins Cypress Knee Museum in Palmdale, Fl has closed. His Museum is what inspired me to start carving cypress knees.

Hi Connie: No I didn't but thank you for pointing it out to me! I'll take a look.
Thanks!
Nargue

thanks, Connie, good suggestion, I just tripped over the Web Wizards site last night and did just what you suggested . . . will keep it up. funny how now that I've left graphic design behind, I kinda miss it . . . not in the big corporate way that I used to do, but helping artists with their websites and cards and marketing is really more fun for me now. Okay, now back to my own art and if you do the Austin festival next year, Art City Austin, we will have to hook up!

Hola Connie, The photo is from last week’s visit to Santa Clara del Cobre, the copper community, high in the mountains above Lake Patzcuaro, in west-central Mexico.
Yes, also sorry we missed ABE, but prostate surgery, (a family problem,) keep me in convalescence for six weeks. I’m now the poster-child for convalescence, by walking up to about 5 miles a day the last week of recovery. There is a new surgery technique that is nearly, totally, non-evasive.
Anyway, hope that wasn’t too much information but it is unfortunately a fact of life for men. My current prayer is for an equally successful treatment for breast cancer.
Travis and I are back doing Festivals as if nothing ever happened. Of course, that speedy of recovery is only possible because of the love and positive affirmations from friends. Thanks! Besos y Abrazos, David
PS Love what you are doing with this site! Do I link this to my site?

Hi Constance,
Once again I've failed at a digital endeavor. At the top of the page there's a place entitled: "start a discussion". When I place my cursor on top of this spot it lights up. When I left click on this an hourglass appears. That's it. It doesn't work for me. The impulse to start or share in a discussion isn't a constant thing. When I get digitally frustrated I swear a lot and go find something else to do. Too bad.
Robert

Hi Connie:

Thank you for the invitation to join you here. I look forward to exploring the site and learning from fellow contributors.

In answer to your question, we have been relying on our website extensively for the past six or seven years to generate business for us. Up until recently, it has provided us with enough orders for custom weathervanes to keep my husband, me, five weathervane makers, a gold leafer, shipper and office manager quite busy.

Of course, like everyone else, we are experiencing a sharp downturn in our business as a result of the economic implosion. We are monitoring our situation carefully and may need to make strategic changes starting in early 2009.

Networking, under such circumstances, is always a good idea so I am grateful to you for the opportunity to join you here.

Sincerely

LizAnne Jensen
West Coast Weather Vanes

Hi,
Still unable to make comments on your forum. Don't know why. Probably something wrong with my "settings". Reluctant to change any settings because I do not have access to digitally competent advisers. My reasoning: anything I change may adversely effect something else-and I won't be able to repair damage I might do. Too bad.
Robert

Others seem to be able to make this work, Robert. Ning is a pretty thorough platform, run by some thoroughly techy dropouts from the big software firms in the Silicon Valley.

Is there a "help" button on your page? Maybe Ning can solve this problem.