ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Theft and Vandalism REVISITED

I really hate that I have to write this! A couple weeks back I wrote about theft and vandalism at shows, you can read the post HERE.

While I still stand by much of what I wrote, and I don't want to give the impression that art shows are, indeed, hot beds of criminal activity, I would be remiss if I did not write about what recently happened at an otherwise wonderful show.

Here's what happened:

• At least 6 cell phones were stolen
• Higher end jewelry was taken right off of displays
• A back-up crate of photographs was stolen from behind a booth
• Small, table-top items were shop-lifted from displays
• And more. The list of offenses grows every time I talk to a fellow exhibitor

Additionally, a cash box was recently stolen out of booth at a different local artisans market.

CRAP!

So -- as exhibitors -- what can we do to do prevent this?

Sadly, some of the little shoplifting incidents are hard to prevent. I had a $10 mini frame taken from my booth and will write it off to the cost of doing business; the cost of hiring assistants to monitor stock far surpasses that kind of theft. But the higher end jewelry? The back-up stock? The cell phones and cash?!

Here are a few things that we, as exhibitors, can do:

• keep your cash and cell phones ON your body or WITHIN VIEW at all times! At least one of the cell phone thefts occurred when an exhibitor turned her back on her phone to wrap an order.

• use an anchoring device for necklaces, rings, etc., rather than laying them loose in a display case

• keep crates of back up work well organized, stacked and covered with tarps or cloths. Use them as desks or resting places for food, drink, or whatever. In other words, make them look more like a part of your display rather than extra stock.

• DO NOT lend your cell phone to strangers! 

Until next time, be safe, be alert, and keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters

Many of our team members are exhibiting this weekend. Come out and say hello!

At Elmwood:

Nicole Johnson Space# 88

Sarah Trumpp Space# 140

Ericc Jude Mott Space# 170

Anne Bliss Space# 22

Alison E. Kurek Space# 160

Inside at Unitarian Church:

Sara Goldhawk

Inside at Thin Ice:

Amanda Valentine

Due to illness, Shaun Silverwood will not be showing at the Unitarian Church this weekend. Let's wish her a big 
Buffalo Etsy Team GET WELL SOON!! 

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol. 21 Theft and Vandalism

***Please read this note too: REVISION ***


One of our team members had some questions about security at the upcoming Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. Here's some of the info I shared with him and more......

I don't know if I've addressed this topic in the past. If I have not it's because, at least for me, it's never been much of an issue. But, as with all things in life, art and craft shows are not immune to criminal activity, so I guess it's worth a few words.

Over many years of participating in shows, I've had only one major theft from my booth. I was set up at the Allentown Art Festival and had a line of people waiting to cash out when I noticed a young woman trying to catch my attention -- or so I thought. She darted in and out of my booth several times and I told her I'd be with her in a few minutes. When my line of paying customers had left I noticed that she was gone too, along with 3 of my small framed works!

Well -- that stunk! But it was an isolated incident more than 10 years ago. Since then I may have had some small thefts. Small items that could easily go into a pocket, like note cards or magnets, may have been taken. But if they have I have not noticed.

Here are a few of the other issues friends and neighbors have had:

• unattended cash box stolen from booth

• $1000 ring a neighbor "claimed" was stolen from under her nose. The exhibitor planned on filing an
   insurance claim and the whole thing seemed a bit shady to me.

• tent walls slashed overnight at an otherwise sleepy suburban show

• morning finds that indicate a booth was used for an overnight party -- like unzipped tents, empty
  beer and liquor bottles, and ugh, urine puddles/odor.

So yes -- crime does happen at shows -- but, from my experience,  it's not a regular thing.

Here are a few safety tips:

• DO NOT leave money or cell phones unattended in your booth!

• show days are LONG days and you WILL need to walk away from your booth from time to time. If you're doing a show alone it's a good idea to get to know your neighbors. Ask them to watch your booth while you make a quick run and do the same for them in return.

• if you have a product that can easily be turned into cash by a would-be thief (e.g. gold and precious gem stone jewelry) DO NOT leave your product in your booth overnight! Invest in a locking display case and have someone work the show with you if at all possible.

• like anywhere -- always be aware of your surroundings. If you are in an area where you do not feel good about leaving your stock overnight then don't do it! Taking the extra time to load your work back into your vehicle at the end of the night is well worth it!

• if you DO leave your work in your booth over night (I often do -- and many exhibitors ALWAYS do) make sure that you seal your tent up well. Use electrical zip ties to close up your tent zippers. Tarp up your work, do anything that will make a would-be thief think twice about breaking into your booth. Most thieves are opportunists and will move on if you don't make yourself an easy target!

• Use common sense and trust your gut!

• ask your show neighbors about the show's reputation. The cash box theft and overnight party issues that I mentioned both happened at the same show, a Rochester show that has a reputation for being a big street party. It's located right in the middle of college rentals, frat houses, etc. and exhibitors often complain about blasting music and drunken party goers.

• DON'T PANIC! Most thieves steal items that can be turned into quick cash. Let's face it! MOST of our work does not fall under that category. And we're not selling Van Gogh or Picasso level work -- at least not yet :-)

Be safe, have fun, make money!

Until next time - keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol. 20 The Hazards of Living in a Groupon Economy

I've written about this in the past, but I'm curious to find out if other people are experiencing it too. I've noticed a definite uptick in bargain-seeking and price haggling at shows this year.

Not that it's anything new. I clearly remember one of the first times it happened to me. I was set up at the Colden Art Festival, a late-September, one-day show in "downtown" Colden at that time. It was a stormy day and my make-shift display was not holding up to the wind, so I had work spread out on the ground. A guy picked up one of my Polaroid transfers, which were quite popular at the time, and asked about the process. I explained how it was made and he replied: "I don't care about the image, but I'm interested in the process, will you take $5 for it?" I was mortified and said "NO!"

20 years later, in a much better tent, with a completely different body of work, I'm hearing echos of that sentiment. "I LOVE this little ($68) painting! It would be PERFECT for my boat! Will you take $50 for it?" 

"NO!"

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not completely opposed to offering discounts. I have a bit of a cushion built into the prices of my higher end work just for that reason. But I'm not going to drop the price of a smaller piece by 30 to 40 percent just to make a sale!

Is the Groupon Economy destroying us?

Is the constant influx of "Save over 60%", "50% OFF!", "Never Pay Retail Again" offers undermining pricing strategy as we know it?

Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Until next time - keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol. 19: Bigger Isn't Always Better

Understanding the Connection Between Expenses and Net Profit

In an ideal world, participating in "Big" Art Shows should lead to BIG profits -- right? Well -- sometimes yes, and sometimes not so much. Traveling from city to city to participate in festivals can get pretty expensive. There are hotel/lodging expenses, gas, tolls, wear and tear on your vehicle and increased food/dining expenses - not to mention TIME! Your time, that you could spend doing something other than driving or hanging out at a hotel after the show closes for the day.

Be sure to consider ALL of the costs of doing shows before diving in. It's amazing how many artists just don't do that! Bigger does not always mean better!

Let me offer a case in point:

 I decided to opt out of a Central New York show that I usually do on this weekend. It's a three day street show that has seen it's attendance decline over the years. Instead, I participated in a one day show in Ithaca - the Ithaca Artists Market -- and it turned out to be a good decision! While I sold less art work this show, my expenses were lower, so I  actually made more money than I did at last year's much larger three day festival. 

Now, it doesn't always work out this way :-) But taking a close look at the actual costs connected to shows can help you decide which ones are must-dos and which ones you may want to skip next time around. 

Here are more pictures from the show:

Until next time - keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol. 18: Vocabulary Words

ART SHOW VOCABULARY WORDS:

Be-Back: a person who announces "I'll be back" as they walk out of your booth. Once in a while they do come back, but usually not.

Buy/Sell: mass produced art and craft work that is purchased (not made) and resold by an exhibitor. Buy/Sell is banned at most shows. If you're caught with it you'll be shut down.

New Normal/New Good: a recent term used by exhibitors who are accustomed to having good sales at shows and are seeing smaller sales totals.

Paycheck Show: a mid-range income show. Not great, not bad -- similar to getting a paycheck for the number of hours you spend at a show.

Sh*t-On-A-Stick: usually a derogatory term applied to low-end garden art. It can also be used to describe the over all quality of a show - "it was a Crappy Craft show with a lot of sh*t-on-a-stick". But I have to say, I've seen some wonderful garden art on sticks this year :-)

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol. 17: Show Hospitality

When it comes right down to it, we do shows to make money. I can't think of one show artist who would choose a low sales show over a high sales shows because the promoter treated them well -- but it certainly is nice when you can combine the best of both worlds.

I'm at the Cain Park Arts Festival in Cleveland Heights this weekend, and I can not say enough good about the hospitality shown by the organizers. They are extremely organized and offer help above and beyond anything I have experienced in the past. I had help unloading my truck, setting up my tent, hanging my weights. They've served us decent coffee and good donuts, a light lunch during set up on Friday. They've checked on us repeatedly throughout the day -- booth sat -- asked "what can I do for you?". In fact, I think I heard the phrase "how can I help you" more yesterday than I have in 20 years of doing shows combined!

Yesterday's sales were okay -- nothing record breaking. But Fridays aren't known to be the best of sales days at many shows. There are still 2 more days to go and I'd better get out of the hotel and headed back to the show. I'll let you know how it goes.

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol.16, Staying Flexible in Uncertain Financial Times

Making a living as an artist is never easy, but in uncertain financial times it can be a wild ride. Fellow show artists are reporting large swings in income this year. Shows they could pretty much count on in the past are down, and little sleeper shows surprise them with higher than expected sales. A ceramic artist I spoke with last week said: "Shows are either WAY up or way, way down this year. I just don't know what to plan for anymore." Add a little crazy weather into the mix, torrential rain or blazing heat, and the ride can get a little bumpier.

So what can you do at times like these? Stay flexible! Mix a few smaller shows and earning opportunities in with your "big" shows. Keep your online store stocked and ready for business. Keep your consignment and wholesale accounts up to date. In other words, don't neglect your smaller venue streams while preparing for big summer shows. 

I flexed my artistic muscles this weekend :-) After traveling to Ohio last weekend to set up at a higher end show, I dragged my scratched and dent work out into my driveway this morning to participate in my neighborhood's annual street sale. I'm happy to say that both events were a success, even if they drew very different crowds.

And speaking of scratch and dent work, here's a link to an Art Garage Sale I learned about last weekend. I had no idea that juried shows like this one existed:


The Garage Sale Art Fair in Kalamazoo Michigan



 Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol. 15: On the Road

One of these vehicles is mine and the other belongs to a fellow exhibitor at the Boston Mills Art Festival -- take a wild guess which is which :-)

This is a show of "big" work in even bigger tents. Most of the 160 artists are housed in 4 very large communal tents, with about 20 artists in stand alone, individual tents in a center courtyard area.

Set up on Friday morning was tough. I was in the North Tent last year and was able to pull up behind my space to unload. I'm in far end of the West Tent this year, the tent farthest from the unloading area, and had to cart in through damp, rutted gravel. My usually wonderful little cart had a hard time with the loose gravel and it was an unusually long load-in. Load out on Sunday evening will be as bad if not worse, so I may add one more night of a hotel stay to this trip rather than driving home after breakdown.

I shot some video of the load-in which may or may not make it to this blog at a future date. No make-up and sweaty is not a great look for me with the sun glaring in my face :-) But I would like to pull some stills from what I shot to give you a feel for the show.

This is a 3 day show - Friday night being a $50/head Wine Tasting Preview. Attendance was good and sales were okay, although no "big" paintings left my walls this year. But there are 2 more days of the show -- wish me luck!

Here's a link to the show info:  Boston Mills Art Fest

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol. 14: Summer Solstice Break

Most businesses have cycles -- busy times that require not only time but a good deal of focus. Summer is one of my busy times, so I’ll make this short and sweet. 

If you are participating in festivals this summer I wish you well. The team is doing a great job of promoting team member show, so be sure to list your event here: 

List Your July Shows Here!

If you haven’t made the jump yet but are thinking about doing shows in the future, this is a great time to get out and gather information from local shows. See what’s out there, visit fellow teammates, have a good time!

Happy Summer Solstice -- a day late!

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters Vol.13: ....with a little help from my friends.....

It may seem like I’m backtracking. Just a few weeks ago I wrote a rant against unsolicited advice:

Volume 10: Some Advice about.........Advice :-)

I’ll stand by what I wrote. The world IS full of clueless, bad-advice givers. But sometimes, if we’re lucky, we run across someone who offers GOOD advice. Someone who truly has our best interests at heart.

That happened to me just this past weekend. I “hired” a friend to help me with the Allentown Art Festival. I’ve put “hired” in quotes because the pay was low for the number of hours involved -- but what I got in return for my small investment was invaluable information about how the public views my work. I was so impressed by what I learned that I made a video about it:

                               Studio Talk with Mixed Media Artist Alison E. Kurek, June 12, 2013

So.....what’s my point here.....other than shameless self-promotion of my blog post and video? :-) 

It’s this: we have to recognize our strengths and weaknesses. My strengths lie in creating new work. And while I may not be terribly bad at sales and product placement within my display, it’s not my strong suit. Turning over a bit of control to someone I knew I could trust, someone without a hidden agenda, allowed me to see things from a different perspective. Furthermore, paying for that assistance took away any feeling that I was imposing upon my friend. She was no longer doing me a favor -- she was doing a job.

So ask yourself - what are your strengths and weaknesses? Sit down with a pen and paper and make a list. Once you’ve made that list -- tear it up! Don’t beat yourself up for being imperfect!  Build on your strengths and seek out people who can assist you in overcoming your weaknesses. Learn from them and compensate them for their time and assistance. You don’t necessarily have to “pay” in a monetary sense, but you can barter, trade goods and services, and acknowledge that you value and appreciate their time and efforts.

As for determining exactly who may have the right advice for you -- that'll take some trial and error. Hopefully not too much error :-)

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters,Vol.12: Educational Field Trip Time!

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters

             

     Volume 12: Educational Field Trip Time!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a big, live Art Festival is worth ten thousand of my posts -- at least!

I’m varnishing, framing and matting like a wild woman this week, so I’m writing and scheduling this post on Tuesday instead of barely making my Saturday deadline. This will be short and sweet :-)

If you are still on the fence about whether or not to show at outdoor festivals, or if you are just curious, take a trip down to the Allentown Art Festival this weekend. Nicole Johnson and I will both be set up on Delaware Avenue, and there will be about 450 other artists and craftspeople with us.

This is a great opportunity to do some research. Take a look at the wide variety of work and displays. Look at the tents, the shelves, tables, panels and weights. Look at the work. Check out the prices, the signage, the demeanor of the artists.

Pick out the best display, the worst, the ones that are unique and the ones that seem like a cookie cutter repeat of that display you see at every show.

Pick out your favorite, buy a little art :-)

And most of all -- have fun!

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101,Vol.11: An Odd Ball List of items to Take to Your Next Outdoor Show

Outdoor show season has arrived! As you’re rushing to finish up and pack your items for sale, keep in mind that outdoor shows are a bit like camping. You will be outside for a long day or two -- or three. A quick stop at a hardware store and a discount variety store (think Big Lots) can help make those long days more comfortable. Here’s a list of odd ball items you might want to take with you:

Towels: bath towels, kitchen towels, or absorbent shop rags:

Like it or not, rain happens. Dry, absorbent towels can quickly dry off your product after a rain shower, clean up that beverage a would-be customer spilled on your table, and help to prevent mold and mildew growth on canopy walls if you dry them off before packing them at breakdown. 

Bungie cords, Electrical Zip Ties and/or clamps:

Good weights and stakes help hold your canopy in place, but even light breezes can topple signs and shelves if they are not anchored well.  Carrying a mixed bag of the above items can help you focus on sales rather than that wobbly rack or would-be airborne sign.

Clear Plastic sheeting and/or tarps: 

Not all shows will allow exhibitors to drive up to their allotted spaces. Having a tarp to throw over your work before your canopy is up will reduce your stress level on a misty morning. Tarps also come in handy as cover-ups if you plan on leaving your product in your tent overnight. 

Depending upon how watertight your tent is, clear plastic sheeting draped over your work will help you stay open through a rain shower.

Sun Umbrella and/or a sunhat:

Depending upon the location of your space, you may have morning, afternoon or early evening sun beating down on you - for hours and hours at a time

Rain coat, rain poncho, and/or umbrella:

For obvious reasons :-) Also, a change of clothes, or at least an extra pair of shoes and socks can make you more comfortable after a soggy set-up. Also keep in mind that the early morning cool temps you set up in may skyrocket during the day. Changing into lighter clothes as the  day heats up is so much better than stripping down to your underwear :-)

Tape Measure:

Some customers want to know the exact size of a framed larger work or sculpture. They may even walk into your display with written notes about their wall space. Don't lose a sale to a customers who LOVES a piece but thinks it might be an inch too big even if it's not.

Shims:

To even out wobbly tables, panels and shelves.

Camera and/or smart phone camera:

Don’t forget to take a few booth shoots to use for next year’s applications -- and snapping a photo with your smart phone is great for Facebook posts and tweets about the show.

Cart: 

http://rocknroller-multicart.myshopify.com/ - or a similar product. I use the smallest one offered by this company and don’t know how I did shows without it. It’s small and compact and makes a huge difference if you are unable to pull up to your display for set-up and break-down.

Best of luck to everyone doing shows this summer! Wishing you clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and many, many sales!

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol.10, Some Advice about...Advice :-)

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters

             

     Volume 10: Some Advice about......Advice :-)

“Artists should appear mysterious. Don’t wear that hippie dress of yours and “chat” with your customers! Dress in black and act superior.......”

“Your work is SO expensive! If you cut your prices in half you’d probably sell twice as much....”

“Your prices are too low! Triple them and NEVER offer a discount! It devalues your work......”

“You should put up a big sign that says “Super Blowout Sale”. That’ll bring in more quality customers......”

“Wholesale? Don’t give someone a 50% wholesale discount?! Why GIVE your work away when you can SO EASILY sell it at shows?”

“If I were you I’d.....(fill in the blank).......”

Ughh!! Advice! So, so, so much unsolicited advice! Sometimes it seems that everyone and their brother knows how to run your business better than you do; and they just can’t keep themselves from sharing their fabulous ideas.

Listen to their advice, throw in a few educational seminars and workshops on marketing, attend a few networking events, read a few articles online (especially this one :-), and you’ll know everything you need to know to increase your business threefold -- right?!?

Well -- maybe not :-) 

In an attempt to increase sales and free myself from the need of side jobs, not to mention financial worry, I’ve been seeking “professional” advice. I overbooked myself this week; three seminars within a day and a half; the quality of which ranged from very good, to forgettable, to really pretty bad.

And maybe because I’ve made no secret of my current seminar attending spree, I’ve been treated to more than the average amount of unsolicited advice from friends and acquaintances.

After a week of listening to “professional advice” and “You shoulds....” I was nearly catatonic! Not only did I fail to find “the answer” to all of my current questions, I started doubting everything that already works!

After taking a giant step back and smoothing down my very ruffled feathers, I realized there comes a time when we have to stop seeking the advice of others and just go with our guts. Because, when it comes right down to it, no one knows our businesses better than we do. Professional speakers are, well....professional speakers. They may have the education and work experience to speak wisely (or not) on topics that may affect our businesses, but they don’t know the day to day reality of what we do. Go to some of these events. Listen carefully to what the speakers have to say, and then separate the wheat from chaff. It is our job to find what works for us, not to conform to the model set forth by a speaker or advisor.

When seeking answers to pressing questions about our businesses we shouldn’t forget to look within. Deep down inside, we know our strengths and weaknesses. We know where we excel -- and we also know the boundary lines we are not willing to cross.

And for all that unsolicited advice offered by our friends, families and peers? Keep in mind that most, if not all of it, is offered in good faith. Listen to some of it, change the subject when it gets to be too much and, if all else fails, smile and nod as you drift off to your happy place.

Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek