'Potty breaks:' An important consideration when applying for art shows

Artist rendering of my booth

There's an art to deciding which art show to consider for our short show season. I am finishing up the application process now, and I'd like to share with you what goes through my mind as I consider what shows I'd like to see fill my calendar.
When I first started out as a artist/vendor, my bar was pretty low. I was unsure whether anyone would buy my creations. I thought for sure I could get in to flea markets, but was very nervous whether my talent was worthy of an actual art fair. I decided - JUST APPLY and see what happens.
Five years later, I'm not afraid to JUST APPLY, but, I've become more selective.

Photo of my booth 2016

• As I consider the list of potential art shows, I think: "If I am selected, is this really where I want to spend the weekend and will this audience be receptive to my creations?" With most quality art shows there is a jury process, and it usually costs around $25 to $40 just to submit your application. (This money is non-refundable). 
• How are vendors treated by the event organizers? Yup, there are some art shows that are so much fun to participate, that even if it isn't the top sales generator, well, it is a great experience and you look forward to returning. Do they have helpers to assist in set up, if needed? Do they respect your efforts as an artist and participant? It's the little things that make a difference... people to watch your tent when you need a potty break.
• Cost. Besides the jury fee, many shows ask a participation fee of anywhere between $175 and $300 for a two-day event. So with a premium show (such as the Uptown Art Fair), you have to ask yourself can I afford to lose the fee if the show is rained out, for instance. Will my sales justify the expense?
• Inventory. Will I have enough inventory to ensure an adequate showing? For me, that means I'd better not schedule more than two shows a month. If I have a lot of sales at one show, and have another sale the following weekend, I may find I'm at the sewing machine 24 hours a day to replenish my inventory.
• Schedule and location.Two shows a month is about all I can handle - three is a stretch. So I look for shows that are likely to be the -most fun and most profitable. I try to stay within a 50-mile radius of my home in the Twin Cities so that I don't have the additional lodging and food costs. However, I now like to have at least one out-of-the-area show to start building a new audience.

So, here's my show application list for this year:

May

Alexandria Spring Arts and Crafts Show- May 5  - accepted

MInneapolis Art a Whirl-May 18-20-accepted.

June

New Richmond Park Art Fair- June 2 -accepted

Eagan Art Fair - June 23-24 - Applied 2/3/2018 (waiting to hear)

July

Anoka Rivertown Days- July 14th -- accepted

Cannon Falls wine and art festival July 21 and 22 accepted

Loring Park Art Festival- July 28-29 WAIT LISTED

August

Powderhorn- Aug. 4-5 - (waiting to hear)

Lake Superior Art Festival Aug. 11 - (waiting to hear)

Under The Spreading Walnut Tree Aug. 12 - (waiting to hear)

September

Northfield Arts Festival -Sept 8-9th (waiting to hear)

Afton Art in the Park 2017 (need to apply)

Booth set up and we're ready to go!

If you can, please stop by and visit us at during Art-a-Whirl. We're at 4 Angels Creations. It's a great spot, away from the maddening crowds.

It's been a whirl preparing for Art-a-Whirl

Whew. I should have taken a photo of my living room this past weekend. It is my staging area for upcoming art shows - and, oh my gosh, it was like cleaning out the cupboards..... pull everything out, re-evaluate its purpose and then dispose, recycle or put it back with the promise that things will NEVER get that disorganized again! This weekend is Molly and my first "official" show of the season- Art-a-Whirl. Print out a copy of the map of the various artist locations and draw a big circle around 4 Angels Creations - That's where we'll be located. Molly will be in the tent for sure, but, since that is the last weekend of the legislative session, it's questionable whether I can make it. I sure hope so.

Anyway, Molly will be debuting her new line of dish cloths. What do you think? I love her tag name. As for me, well after three years of coiling and coiling, I think I am finally perfecting the method. Here's another new item.

This two-piece creation is adorned with a dry sea fan that Molly picked up in the Caymans. Oh, by the way, please visit my store. I would appreciate your comments as to its ease of use. I'll be at three shows in June - Stillwater, Excelsior and Eagan

Summer Time, Art Fair Time

My summer art festival schedule is pretty firmed up, and it's busy, busy, busy. I hope you can make it to at least one of the fine shows.

May 21 and 22: Art A Whirl Molly and I will be hosted by 4 Angels Creations located at 2653 Stinson Blvd. May 28-29: Sillwater Rivertown Art Fair. June 11-12 Excelsior Art on the Lake. June 26-17 Eagan Art Festival. July 9: Art at St. Kates. July 16-17: Bemidji Art in the Park. Aug. 6-7: Powderhorn Art Fair. Sept. 10-11 Little Falls Art Fair.

Good art makes me think, feel and question

I'm learning that you never know what you'll learn from participating in a sale. Yesterday was my first-ever trunk show, where a group of artisans were invited to display their work at gallery. First off- I'm not comfortable calling myself an artist - I'm far from my definition of an artist. What's that, you ask? It's hard to define in words, but I know what good art does to me - it makes me feel; it makes me think; it makes me question. I do know some fabric artists whose work DOES deserve to be called art.I don't think my work is yet to that caliber; however it is something I strive toward. On Saturday, I will be a participant in another show "Fight Like a Mother." More on that later this week. So- what did I learn yesterday?

Commitment to the process and having the faith in karma that creativity will take you where you need to go.

I'm having a great time,and I thank Jessica at Regla De Oro gallery for giving me the opportunity to grow. Also thank you to Nina from 4 Angels Creations. Her journey as an artist is as inspiring as her work.