Lessons Learned

This weekend a dream of mine came true: I was in Artsfest at Annmarie Gardens in Solomons Island, MD!

I remember about four years ago when I took my then-boyfriend (now husband) to Artsfest and told him that one day I wanted to be an artist displaying there. And this weekend, that dream was finally realized :]

Overall, it was a great weekend: our booth display as well as our artwork got many many compliments, the weather was fantastic, and we sold some work. However, we did not sell anywhere near what we had hoped or expected. I take that as a learning experience, since it was our very first tent show.

Here are some lessons learned:

*Have a big awesome piece at the front of the booth. We put Callie's "Welcome Home" glutton on a plinth out front and it worked fabulously for drawing people in.

*Tent banners are worth their weight in gold. The banner and the big awesome piece drew people from across the corridor like bees to honey, and then they would be intrigued enough to wander inside.

*Wall pieces sell the best. Not a new concept but it was brought home this weekend, as 70% of our sales (and 90% of sales to people we did not know) were wall pieces.

*Artwork priced $15-49 sells the best. Only two items were sold above that price range to people we did not know.

*Bring directors chairs! We had two choices: sit in a lawn chair behind or next to our sales desk, or stand. We did both throughout the weekend, but a directors chair would be great next time.

*Bring an umbrella for the sun! The weather was GREAT--- for people who weren't stuck in one spot in the sun all day. I got a bit of a sunburn despite applying sunscreen fanatically :] An umbrella stand shading our sales booth and directors chairs would be perfect.

Those are the big lessons from the weekend. I will plan my next show with more wall pieces in the magic price range, and see if sales increase.

If you know any other important tips for art festivals, please let me know in the comments! I welcome all advice :]