The Business of Glass

Choosing a good match in an art show

2009-03-08T11:52:00.003-06:00

With all this preparation for the show season I thought it would be a good time to take a look at evaluating potential art shows. First its important to know your audience. Is your work more appropriate for a small community craft fair or for a juried fine art show? For me, I know my work is just not appropriate for local craft fairs. In my part of the Midwest these shows commonly attract people looking for crafts for about $20 and under. Don't get me wrong there are some pieces that sell for more however since I make jewelry I would have to be competing with jewelry made from cheap import components selling for about $5 per piece. I don't even want to be compared to that type of jewelry. So, for me the best fit is a juried fine art show.

Once you know what is your best fit begin your research. Here is a list of things I evaluate when looking at a show.

1) Is the show indoors or outdoors?

This actually is a key factor. Do you have all the proper set up and display items necessary for either? For outdoor shows you usually have to provide your own canopy as well as all tables, display items etc. Usually a much larger investment factor. While many indoor shows provide space and at least tables. Probably a better fit if you are just starting out and trying to learn all the ins and outs of the business

2) What are the application criteria and deadlines for the show.

Do you need professional slides made? Do you need business references and an artists bio?

3) Is there a theme or preferred type of art/craft?

Is the show a contemporary show, country show, etc? Will your art fit?

4) What are the recommended price ranges for this show?

5) What are the costs involved in the show?

Booth fees, electrical fees, membership fees, parking, publicity etc. Many shows have costs above and beyond the application and booth fee. Its wise to know these before applying.

6) How are selections made? Juried, spaces assigned by date applications are received, limited number of spaces per category, free for all, etc.

7) Who are the Jurors? Professional artisans or a chairperson etc.

8) How many applications were made last year? How many total spaces are there?

9) When are selections made.

10) When are exhibitors notified? (When is your payment actually deposited?)

11) Is there a tenure for returning artists?

12) What was last years attendance? How does this compare to previous years?

13) Will the show promoters provide artisan references?

14) How many years has the show been in this location?

15) What types of advertising do the show promoters do?

16) Are there awards and incentives?

As you can see there are many things to think about. The list can be overwhelming to the new artist/crafter however the very beginning artisan probably will not be choosing the type of show that would require asking all these questions.

I would recommend that the newest artists be familiar with the local art shows. Attend the shows in your area then pick a couple to begin with. Don't be afraid to ask other artists in your area for their recommendations.

I wish you all the best of luck with your shows and business.

Show Business

2009-03-04T09:33:00.006-06:00

Its that time of the year when alot of my thoughts turn toward show applications. Although most of my shows are bead and glass shows, I try to do about 4 shows a year with my jewelry.

I only do juried shows. And I try to make sure these shows are within about 2 hours of my home. I have been doing large bead shows and jewelry shows for over 12 years now and for most of my shows I have to travel. Once upon a time I would fly and ship my displays and inventory but as I perfected my displays and built up more and more inventory it became cost prohibitive to do this so, I now drive.

Most of my drives are one day (17 hours) or less, then there is Tucson, a whopping 30 hour drive. So, as you can imagine I really dread driving to shows these days. Of course it does have its advatages, like having a car with me at all times. The down side is the mileage that it puts on my car, over 20,000 miles a year, ouch! And the studio time it takes for the travelling, it adds up. So, the jewelry shows MUST be close to home.

Anyway, I am constantly evaluating the shows that I do. Just because a show has been a good show in the past does not necessarily mean it will remain that way. One case in point.... I do a show that is only about a 30 minute drive from home every spring. It is a nature based show and in years past was in a beautiful garden setting. This year the show is moving to a venue that is well, a convention hall. I know that people who attended this show loved the quaint garden setting, even with its cramped parking, lack of food and lack of electricity for vendors.

The promoters are playing up the move with phrases like: "Ample customer parking", "Space for Food vendors", "limited electricity available", "choose to be inside our outside with your own canopy." I have my reservations about this year but have decided to apply and see what happens. Now, if it my sales take a down turn then I probably wont be going back after this year.

The jewelry shows I regularly do all have a nature theme to them. Would you like to see a few of my images for the jewelry? I am busy taking shots this week and trying to decide on what images to send in for the application process. I will keep you all updated on the process as it progresses.

Learing the business of blogging

2009-03-03T18:59:00.003-06:00

I have to say that in the past my attempts at blogging have been very sparse indeed. I guess its my busy schedule. For instance today since I am feeling a bit under the weather I decided to try and get a handle on my blog. Well I have spent 4 hours now on the layout and am not sure I am happy with it yet. I know that if I just put my mind to it and make it a regular part of my schedule it will get faster. So, with that I am going to make a real attempt at blogging.

That is not to say that it will be a daily post but at least 3 times a week is my goal. I have never been one to be a self promoter and am one of the most introverted people you will ever meet.

I would be perfectly happy just working in my little studio space every day and playing texas holdem on the weekends with my friends. I have to push myself to even post items on my website and on Etsy.

So, we will see if I end up having anything to say that holds any interest for my friends, and acquaintances.

Lets try this again!

2009-01-30T21:33:00.002-06:00

Well as you can see I started this blog a bit over a year ago. Of course I had the very best of intentions. Time is just always at such a premium to me and I am usually such a private person my heart just wasn't truly in it.

This year I have made some decisions to try not to travel quite so much and focus more on my creativity. Blogging seems like a great tool to assist me with this.

What better way to begin this journey then to blog on my 2009 Tucson show experiences.

Today we arrived after a 3 day car trip. I always hate the drive here. My poor Pontiac Vibe was so packed with inventory and show displays that I did not even have room to bring my jewelry tools and design box. In one way it makes me a bit nervous. What will I do at night? Usually I come back to my room after dinner and work a couple of hours. Well, this year I guess I will have to learn to relax a bit. Hmmm..... those of you who know me know better. We shall see.

It was a balmy 4 degrees out when I left Wisconsin. Today at 3 in the after it was 74 degrees here in Tucson, poor me! It is predicted to be a lovely 2 weeks this year. Yes thats right, 2 weeks. Since I now do 2 shows every year I am here 2 weeks.

Tomorrow I go to set up my space at the To Bead True Blue Show. Yes it is a new show for me this year. I had some good friends who have been doing the show regularly recommend it to me. After doing a bit of research I decided to try it out. One of my big pet peeves lately is the lack of advertising some shows are doing. When I pay over $1000 regularly to the bead shows I do expect value for my money. I had been doing one of the Tucson shows who had started to skimp on their advertising. The last 2 years I spoke in depth to the show promoters and they assured me they would do a better job of advertising. When I wasn't seeing this happen I decided it was time for a change. We will see if its for the best or not.

I left my camera at home, of course so we will have to see if I can post some pics from my little blackberry.

Busy Season

2007-12-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

It's funny how I hear nearly everyone I know complaining about how crowded all the shopping venues are at this time of the year. I am lucky I guess since I always get to go out first thing in the mornings when the malls and stores are still quite empty.

Yesterday I went out and did my shopping. Well the shopping I had to do for things that are not handmade by myself or others. You know, socks and underwear.... shoes etc. Anyway the stores were very empty. I mentioned it to my fiance at dinner last night and added that perhaps more people were shopping online or for handmade items. He quckly reassured me that the times he has had to venture out were a veritable nightmare of frantic shoppers and pushy people. Lucky me I guess!

Now about glass work. Here is a piece I just put up for sale. A lovely necklace. I have been working on an entire series of these linked necklaces getting ready for Tucson this year.

You can find this one in my Etsy shop.

I woke up dreaming very early this morning, 5:30am and was very excited about my dream. You see, I was dreaming of a new glass series. So this morning finds me at the torch working out the details. Perhaps next week I will have it ready to preview to the world.

Besides working on the new piece, my day brings a lot of production work. I have a wonderful little bead that is one of my best sellers and over the course of the next 3 days I need to make about 350 of them to get ready for Tucson. Yes it does get monotinous at times however, I am listening to "Stardust" the book, right now and that is helping pass the time.

When its over, I will flip on one of the shopping channels and try to keep up to date on coming fashions and colors for next season. I find that the easiest way to do my research.

Well off to work for me!

Happy Holidays

Welcome!

2007-12-17T12:09:00.000-06:00

Perhaps the holiday season isn't the best time to start a blog but that's the way my life typically is. As the first posting here on my blog I would like to share just a bit about what is happening.

Last week was spent updating much of my website. I have been travelling to bead shows now for over 11 years. That seems like such a long time. I used to love the travelling. Lately however, its just exhausting.

Driving to each show, often 12 to 18 hours each way. Loading and unloading hundreds of pounds of beads, jewelry and display. Set up and tear down. etc... etc... etc...

Sure, there are things I could do to make my life easier at shows. My current set up takes 4 to 6 hours and I could make that easier. However, I percieve myself as an artist. I just can't bring myself to throwing my beads and jewelry down on a table and hoping they sell themselves.

I could perhaps fly to shows. But.... I would not be able to take all my art to each show with me. This also takes me back to set up... I would not be able to set up and display everything the way I want.

I already try and take a helper to each show. However, he does not drive so thats no help with the travel aspects.

So, taking all that into account and knowing that the future holds more and more online sales. I have made a comittment to spending more effort on online sales. Cutting my shows down to about 2 a year from the 10 or so I do now.

Sure I have had my website up for years however, it takes real effort in promoting a site to the level that allows one to earn a decent living on just web sales. Up to this point, I have been adding things here and there, and listing my site on my business cards and letting things just happen. LOL! Well they don't really happen on their own.

In conclusion, yes it's the holiday season, Happy Holidays everyone! I will be enjoying the holidays but I will also be spending more and more time on the website, my Etsy store and promoting both!