Devlin LeathercraftWent to scope out the festival and feel like I dodged a bullet. Seventy five percent of it was jewelry made from components rather than casting, brazing or hand forming. Ten percent were things made with a 3D printer or Cricut. The three soap booths, dog treat booth & lathed goods booths were cool though. This was promoted as fine artisan goods. I wonder if I should bother when it rolls around again. #festival #artisanal
Brody Berg@DevlinLeathercraft my strategy would be to note these facts and when approached next time to use them to get your fee waived on the grounds you are a true skilled trade which will be a unique offering at the show
@DevlinLeathercraft but my experience with fairs like this is that curation is a management problem and depends on them to get better vendors and a more ideal mix. So I would only go if you had nothing better to do
@Brodyberg It's a fundraiser so I don't mind paying the fee. I only objected the last time because it was last minute and the cancelling vendor already paid and should forfeit their payment.
I guess it won't get better if artisans reject it but you're correct that I won't do it unless nothing else is going on.
I guess it won't get better if artisans reject it but you're correct that I won't do it unless nothing else is going on.
@Brodyberg Told my partner what you suggested and he had a good idea. I should leverage what I saw today to get a booth near the door so they see my goods first and don't turn around and leave. So your advice did bring about helpful inspiration. :)
@DevlinLeathercraft very clever - I love it
Maria Langer | 📝🛥️💎@DevlinLeathercraft The percentage of jewelry booths at art shows these days is out of control. And the number of "art" shows that allow assembled jewelry (as opposed to handmade jewelry) is appalling.
@mlanger It's a shame but I think a lot of people don't know the difference. I think a lot of creators don't understand the difference.
@DevlinLeathercraft I think you're right on both counts.
My first show this season is Mother's Day weekend. I usually do well. I know that if I don't do well this year I'm probably going to cancel the other two shows I've got scheduled for the season. It's a waste of my time to sit in an art show booth for three days not sell enough to cover the value of my time.
One good thing about this show is that it has a low booth price but takes a commission. So if sales are low, costs are low.
@mlanger I like that model though. It gives the organizers a reason to make sure you're successful.
@DevlinLeathercraft I also like the model, as long as the fixed booth fee is low. This one is low: $35 for a 3, 4, or 5 day weekend in a tourist town, right downtown. It's limited to 22 artists and they make sure that they don't have too many artists with the same kind of thing. Most weekends there are never more than 3 jewelry artists, although I think they put 4 on Mother's Day weekend, which I suggested. (1/4)
All of our work is very different; if you like mine you probably won't like the others and vice versa.
There's a central cashier and the organization keeps 21% of proceeds. They deal with sales tax and credit card fees. The net proceeds go to a charity that supports art for young people. It's a total win-win. I get my payment as a direct deposit on Tuesday or Wednesday after a show. (2/4)
@DevlinLeathercraft
I've seen other shows, however, where they want $400 for the booth PLUS 10, 15, or 20% of the proceeds. That's total bullshit. How is an artist supposed to price their work affordably and still come home with enough money to make it all worthwhile? I think it's impossible so I don't do shows like that. (3/4)
@DevlinLeathercraft
@DevlinLeathercraft
I should add here that I keep track of my costs and revenues for every single show I do and calculate a percentage return: cost/revenue. This one is always right around 77%. — it HAS to be. I can't say the same for other shows. I think the best I've ever done at a show might've been 82%, but that was a really good show. (4/4)
@DevlinLeathercraft
@DevlinLeathercraft
@DevlinLeathercraft One more thing. What it also does — and what the organization that runs the show is most concerned with — is give new, emerging artists an opportunity to sell their work with little to no risk. Some of the other art is a little edgy and probably does not sell well to the general public. But at least these artists have an opportunity to try to sell their work and learn what people like.
But they sure do like having me on Mother's Day weekend; I'm often the biggest seller.