Monday, September 13, 2010

Scenes From My Weekend---I Kinda Had a Feeling

Okay,  first  let  me  tell  you  about  my  weekend.  On  Friday  we  went  to  set  up  for  the show.  It was in  the Warren  county  fairgrounds--of  all  the  fairgrounds  that  I've  been  to,  this  one  is  my  favorite.

Great  country  setting--this  backdrop  is  what  surrounded  the  whole  festival.  So  this  photo  is  from  Friday  afternoon  and  the next  shot  was  taken  on  Saturday  morning.

No,  it  wasn't  raining  over  even  cloudy--as  a matter of fact  it was clear blue skies--this  was  fog.  It's  pretty  much  like that  here every  morning  until  about  10:00.  This  is  a  good  sign  here--the  foggier it  is,  the  day  usually  ends up  being  sunny.  So  we  had  to  finish  setting  up  in  the  fog.


Lots  of  tents, plus  most  of  the  barns  were  filled  with  exhibitors--

There  was  another set  of  barns  behind  these  also  that were  filled--I  think  there were  about  180 exhibitors  in  total.

And  I  had  to  show  you  all  this  one  exhibitor's  booth--


This  lady  was  offering  hand-spun  and  dyed  skeins  of  yarn  supplied  by  these  guys--


Alpacas  from  her  alpaca  farm!!--all  freshly  shaven,  or  is  the  word  shorn?

And  my  favorite  booths  at  this  time  of  year--

I  just  love  what  Fall  has  to  offer  us.



And  I  had  to  get  some  of  these--


I  making  me  some  peach  pie!!

And  these--


Look  at  the  background--this  was  the  line  of  people  waiting  to  get  into  the  show.


Okay,  so  what  was  the  feeling  that  I had?  Well,  I  brought  my  artwork  with  me--

But I kinda had a feeling that this wasn't going to go over real well with this folk art country type of show, so I made some wreaths to fit in a little more--



But  this  was  only  a  small  part  of  my  display.  I  did  get  a lot  of  compliments,  which  I  always  appreciate,  BUT  I  didn't  get a lot  of  sales.  This  was  definitely  more  of  a  craft  show with  a  different  type  of  customer  base. However,  it is  an  excellent  well - run  show  with  a  great  variety  of  crafts,  great  food,  and  entertainment  in  a  wonderful  setting--I  just  don't  think  that  I  fit  into   this  type  of  show.  (always  a  learning  experience  with  art  and  craft  festivals)

And  a  little  while  ago  in  one  of  my  posts  I  had  showed  everyone  a  piece  that always  sells  when  I  take  it  to  a  show  with  me,  and  I   kinda  had  a  feeling  that  it  wouldn't  at  this  one,  and  I  was  right!    AND  I  said  that  if  it  didn't  sell,  I  would  be  giving  it  away  on  my  blog---so  next  blog  post--a  giveaway--stay  tuned!
P.S.   BUT....... I  did  sell   my  magazine  rack  on  Saturday  morning!

35 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Oh Diane, I'm SO sorry to hear about your show. I know it was a learning experience, but I clicked on your booth and don't understand why the hearts didn't sell. They are a staple at these country type shows. I realize it was a learning experience, but I feel for you, because every one of these where the sales aren't great comes out of your pocket. I'm glad the magazine rack sold. I hope you also sold some of your wreathes.

On a brighter side, you took some gorgeous photos, got your name and business card out there, and purchased some wonderful fruit. All in all, a decent weekend.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Hey Diane,

Is that an ironing board cover on the outside of your booth? I could use one of those, since I don't have an ironing board (grin).

Jeanne Nelson said...

So happy to hear your magazine rack found a good home ... but disappointed to hear that you did not do well overall. However your great attitude about the experience is a wonderful thing to hear, and I'm smelling those pies and cobblers in the oven this morning, and they are making me hungry, ;). I hope that gorgeous rooster chair sold ~~ it's beautiful! Wishing you a peaceful day of rest, my friend.

Buffy said...

So many people in line! Your booth looks good. I love your wreaths,I didnt know you made them too. Also I love that chair with the rooster on it. I'm glad your magazine rack sold. I'm sorry you did'nt have that many sales. But it looks like you had fun and enjoyed the weekend. Now I want some peach pie!

Joji said...

I'm so bewildered by your slow sales. I thought it all looked beautiful. I so love your heart boxes they are my fav. These things are always a learning experience. BUT...You are going to have a wonderful peach pie, now that makes me jealous.

Emelie said...

I don't think I ever figured out shows, so I always look at the reasons I go to an art fair. Sometimes just because I love them and want to go walk around and somtimes I really hope to purchase.
Even to get ideas is a reason I go.
This show has every appearance of being a success for the seller.

Your booth is so right and such a variety of choices, done by a good artist.

Wonderful looking produce and yes I like peach pie also.

I have been to a wool show the size of this show, that was so much fun, and did i buy wool or yarn? A little and some great buttons. It was a cold day in early May and I think sales were good.

Sometimes I think I don't want gut feelings they can be so right. What you say is true one regroups their perspective on shows and do it again.

Healing Woman said...

Hi Diane,

All my sources have told me that the shows are down. Artists who used to do block buster sales are now rethinking which shows to go to.

Your booth and work looked wonderful and I'm sure you are a great salesperson but in this economy, people are buying food at shows where it's available. This is what is happening at the Farmer's Market where I sell as well. Food wins out when money is down and art is usually the first to go. That is not going to stop me from continuing to try to sell there or other places. My feeling is that things will make a comeback soon so it is important to create as much as possible for when that time comes.

Janet Ghio said...

You never know what will sell or who will like it--but it sounds like you had a pretty good feel for this crowd. Your photos of the fruit are wonderful--especially the baskets of assorted fruit--wish you had a close up of one of those!!

Isabel said...

Im glad the magazine rack found a home:O) They are soo lucky:O) As for Peaches....I dont like peaches or peach pie though the pics of them make me think they could be yummy:O) I loved the pics(you always take great ones) and loved the booth of the flowers:O). Your booth looked awesome and the wreaths gorgeous(love the chair)You are sooo talented Thanx for sharing:O)

Anonymous said...

You make wreathes too?! You are so talented!
Sorry the sales just weren't there, but I'm glad you got to experience this wonderful event. I wish I could attend something like that. I'm going to try find one in my area:)

Art by Darla Kay said...

Oops.......I hit 'anonymous' by mistake! Monday fingers don't work well :)

Lorraine said...

Am sorry to hear sales were poor, always a learning curve with shows. Would have liked to attend as it looks like fun....

Elizabeth C. said...

That is a shame that your sales weren't great, but it sounds as though you suspected that was going to be the case (always better than thinking you're going to have a bang-up weekend and turning out to be flat wrong) . . . you are generous indeed to turn your disappointing weekend into a fantastic plus for us by making a giveaway out of it! I am glad the magazine rack sold--I thought that was lovely.

Dianne said...

It sounds like you had a great time regardless of what you sold (or not)... So... Is this good news for me, since I want one of your amazing boxes??? I feel like I jinxed you!

Serena Lewis said...

YAY...I knew you would sell that gorgeous magazine caddy! Sorry, the show wasn't as successful as usual but it happens, I guess....just depends on the customer base on the day. The pics were gorgeous! Yes, same here too, foggy morning usually means a hot, sunny day ahead.

Terri Kahrs said...

I just KNEW that magazine table would sell quick as a wink!!! And your booth looked amazing, Diane! Even though it wasn't the right venue for your beautiful work, it looks like you enjoyed the day. All of your pics are awesome - love those alpacas!!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Debby said...

Hi Diane, Sorry to hear the show wasn't the best, but it sounds like you still had a great time. Your booth looks awesome and the peaches so yummy!!!
Hugs,
Debby

Manon said...

Sorry to hear about the sales but your booth looks stunning. You do have some great pics of the event though!!

Barbara said...

Hi,
It looks like you had a great weekend ... and there is certainly lots of fog in Newfoundland. I wanted to say thanks for stopping by my blog again and thanks for your kind comments.
Very best wishes,
Barbara

Rebecca Anthony said...

I can't believe all that crazy fog! Your work is amazing Diane! Your display looked fabulous! Your work looks to me like it belongs in a gallery. I'm so sorry for your disappointment!!

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

YOur booth looked beautiful! Congrats on your magazine rack, too! LOVE your photos. Autumn is so wonderful and cozy, isn't it?

Unknown said...

At my craft fair this weekend there were more vendors than customers, and there were fewer than 20 vendors! Trying again next month:)

Lynn Cohen said...

Your booth was delightful. I am surprised you didn't sell (more?) I hope some.
It looked like a busy place and all that fruit looks nummy.
I know we can't win em all. But it's fun trying. I've no doubt you will continue to be more and more successful.

Katrina said...

Hi Diane,

I love your wreaths, it looked like fun and experience as you say...I'm working on a collection of works and would love to attend some exhibition, will have to see how it goes, it would be great to find something very informal and "cosy" for amateur creations....will have to see if I find something.

Anyway all the best to you and your next exhibitions!!

Nelda Ream said...

Your booth looked wonderful, Diane. So sorry to hear that sales were slow, but now you have more inventory for the next show.

When I did shows years ago, I hated doing a show where there was food. How can art compete with fruit or popcorn for the viewer's limited funds? It seemed like, especially at a big show, people were overwhelmed by everything available, but they wanted to spend money on something, so they bought food. But even those shows had redeeming qualities like making friends and connections and learning more about the business.

Your work is so beautiful, you'll sell it all next show.

Tammie Lee said...

It does look like a wonderful show to go to and buy food, yum. I have found that shows with produce are not the best for art..... Your display looks wonderful!

jgr said...

As many others have said: Your booth looked great, and your work is lovely. My fave is your painted furniture. Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing all the photos, I could go for some peach pie!!!

Butterfly Works said...

I loved reading all about the show and your pictures are great.....it's hard to tell about shows sometimes; too many variables......Your booth was great...such wonderful items you have created......beautiful.......

Jen Beaudet said...

I knew that magzine would would sell fast; your booth looks great! Try not to get discourged but I know it must be pretty frustrating when you put so much into a show like that. I'm still looking for one to try but first I have to paint more, a lot more! Enjoy that yummy peach pie! Take care, Jennifer:)

Lisa Lectura Creations said...

Hi Diane! Congrats on selling your sweet magazine rack! The show set-up looked amazing. Loved the red barns too. Your decorated booth looked beautiful! Wishing you continued success sweetie! :)

Jonny J Petros said...

Hi Your right it depends on the type of crowd I love that rooster chair! that to me should have went with everyone wanting it- I did a chair once with an ocean and set seashells and a sailboat on it-one person bought it and had me hold it-- well I had 15 people asking for it - Its funny you never know-I would have bought the peaches also! in a store they are always hard as a rock but at festivals there so different. Sincerely Jonny

Tina said...

Well you are a wonderful talent and a huge encourager to other artists and I'm sure all who cross your path. I thought your display looked wonderful.

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Sorry that you didn't get a lot of sales, but all those items are so beautiful. Can't believe you create wreaths, too! :) The fair looked fun - I love attending them this time of year. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sure you'll do well with the next fair! Theresa

Say It In Color said...

What a wonderful fair and place! And I haven't had a home made in years!!! If you lived close...I'd put in an order....as I hate to cook too....that pie is beautiful!!

Unknown said...

Diane, what fabulous pictures, I was shocked to read that sales didn't go well, don't dispair though because your art work is FABULOUS and will sell on another day, you are right to treat this as a learning curve.
I remember years ago when I used to make salt dough people etc. some places they sold well and others not. Tomorrow is another day. I LOVE what you do as you know xxx

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