We are the Buffalo Etsy Team!

So you've been wondering, what is the Buffalo Etsy Team? We are a diverse group of Etsy sellers from the Western New York region - mostly in the Buffalo NY area.

Etsy sellers have the option to join teams for networking, information sharing, and other types of assistance.  Teams can be virtual or location-based as we are in the Buffalo, NY area.  The benefit of joining a local team is you get to meet in person and learn from one another face to face.  Many of our team members have developed strong bonds and collaborate with one another in many ways.

The team blog - buffaloetsyteam.blogspot.com - has a number of helpful series for Etsy sellers including:

• Craft Show 101 - a guide to selling at local shows,
• the Did I Really Just Quit My Day Job series, 
• interviews with sellers from the team, 
• useful photography tips for Etsy sellers,
• a look inside team members' studios,
• and coming soon a featured shop series. 

The blog is loaded with other resources and features both for Etsy sellers and Etsy buyers so its worth scrolling through the calendar on the right side of the screen to find something of interest.

As of July 2015, the Buffalo Etsy Team is now meeting at the Whimsy By Kelly Studio.  Thanks to team leader Kelly we have a dedicated meeting spot where we can hold monthly meetings, workshops, crafting classes and other activities. This team selfie was taken at our July meeting.

The team has over 600 members who reside in the Western New York region though most meeting attendees come from Erie County and Buffalo area.  For those who cannot attend meetings, the team has an active discussion board on Etsy, a team Facebook page, a Pinterest page, and Buffalove on Etsy - a page full of themed collections of items for sale from Buffalo Etsy Team members. If you are looking to see what team members have for sale, visit our Shop Buffalo Etsy Team page.

In addition, the team has held workshops on photography and financial matters, raised funds in a successful campaign to support a veteran's family, and been featured on local TV to promote gift guides during the holiday season.

To join the team, you must be an Etsy seller living in Western New York.  Visit Etsy.com to see more about teams and how to join us by searching for us in the Community section.

Upcoming Show List: Where to Find Buffalo Etsy Team Members this Holiday Season

Here's where you can find some of us throughout the season. This list is subject to change so check it often. Convo me through my Etsy store (https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilentMyloStudio) if you'd like to add an event to the list. 

Events are listed by date and location with the participating team member(s) listed below.

Thursday November 21

5:30 pm - 9pm

Shea's Soiree 

Shea's Performing Art Center

646 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14202

This event is a fundraiser for the Shea's 

Shaun of Road Kiln

http://www.etsy.com/shop/roadkiln

November 22-24

Friday 5-9

Saturday and Sunday 11-5

Kenan Holiday Show

433 Locust Street, Lockport, New York 14094

Friday 5-9

Saturday and Sunday 10-5

Shaun of Road Kiln

http://www.etsy.com/shop/roadkiln

Nicole of Mealy Monster Land

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

Alison of Silent Mylo Studio 

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

Knox Farm Holiday Art Festival at Knox Farm State Park

437 Buffalo Road, East Aurora, New York 14052

Friday 6-9

Saturday and Sunday 10-5

Deb from debdds

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

November 29-30

St. Gregory the Great Holiday show

200 St. Gregory Court, Williamsville, New York 14221 

Friday 10-4

Saturday 10-3

Sara of GoldhawkPotteryEtc

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoldhawkPotteryEtc

Al of HarvestWoods

http://www.etsy.com/shop/harvestwoods

Friday November 29th

Black Friday Shopping Event At Beans to Brew Cafe

39 East Main Street, Springville, New York 14141

10am to 4pm 

Alison of Silent Mylo Studio 

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

** Alison has an exhibit of original paintings at the cafe that will run through January 2014. She will be at the cafe on Friday November 29th with smaller works and gift items

Saturday November 30th

Parkside Community Holiday Art and Craft Show

at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

96 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo, New York 14214

10am-5pm

Shaun of Road Kiln

http://www.etsy.com/shop/roadkiln

Alison of Silent Mylo Studio 

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

Monday and Tuesday December 2nd and 3

Artisans and Ales

Sterling Place Tavern, 1487 Hertel Aveenue, Buffalo, New York

 This is a fundraiser show

Shaun of Road Kiln

http://www.etsy.com/shop/roadkiln

Friday thru Sunday December 6-8

Burchfield Penney Open Studios Weekend Event 

Burchfield Penney Art Center

1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14222

Friday 5-9

Saturday and Sunday 10-5

This show is a fundraiser for the Burchfield Penney

Shaun of Road Kiln

http://www.etsy.com/shop/roadkiln

Robin of Aremel Soaps

https://www.etsy.com/shop/aremel716

Alison of Silent Mylo Studio 

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

Saturday December 7

Queen City Market

Karpeles Manuscript Library

453 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14201

11am - 4pm

Nicole of Ania Jane 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AniaJane

Nicole of Mealy Monster Land

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

SweetTreatsGifts

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetTreatsGifts

Erin of Erin Makes Stuff

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

Saturday and Sunday December 7-8

Williamsville Schools PTA Holiday show

Sara of GoldhawkPotteryEtc

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoldhawkPotteryEtc

Al of Harvest Woods

http://www.etsy.com/shop/harvestwoods

Sunday December 8th

12-5pm

Open Studio with Deborah Petronio and guest artists

1640 Blakeley Corners Road

East Aurora, New York 14052

phone: 864-9986

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

Friday and Saturday December 13-14

WNYBAC Last Minute Panic 

Western New York Book Arts Center

468 Washington Street, Buffalo, New York 14203

SweetTreatsGifts

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetTreatsGifts

Sauturday December 14

Unitarian Universalist Church 

695 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14222

Shaun of Road Kiln

http://www.etsy.com/shop/roadkiln

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. 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

Around Town: Where we can find some of Buffalo Etsy Team members this July!

Summer is in the air here in Buffalo, New York and with the change in the season we also start up the summer show festivals. Each month I will be posting a list of Buffalo Summer Festivals that you can find Buffalo Etsy team members at!
For the month of July:
 
BUFFALO SATURDAY ARTISAN MARKET
July 6th and 20th
Quoted Mosaic Collage
Goldhawk pottery etc.
AniaJane (20th only)
CDesignIllustration (6th only)
Lily Pickford (6th only)

West Hazeltine Street Sale, Kenmore, NY
July 6th


Silent Mylo Studio

Cain Park Arts Festival

July 12th, 13th, and 14th
Silent Mylo Studio

 Della's Consign Home Decor & Gifts
July 19th
Street Thread 
 
Larkin Square Classic Car Show
July 20th 
Street Thread 

 Run for Rover
July 21st
Street thread
Ithaca Artists Market
July 26th
Silent Mylo Studio

Ryu-Con  
July 26th and 27th
Jar of Dreams

 WNYBAC Bookfest
 July 27th
Lily Pickford 

Kenmore Farmers Market
July 27th
Street thread

Glen Park Arts Festival
July 27th and 28th
Silent Mylo Studio

Syracuse Arts and Crafts show
July 26th, 27th, and 28th
Mealy Monster Land

 

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