Friday, June 20, 2008

The love hate of vending at shows and festivals



Wowwee! May and June have been packed with lots of fun for me.

It has been festival after festival along with a fashion show and trunk show in Seattle. Also May was my birthday and the birthdays of two of my sons~~ 33, 14, and 8 years!!
June is my little ones bday and my husbands too!!
Well I am back to stay here in Eugene for a while. Which means I will be vending at the wonderful Saturday Market once again. I have been a member for 6 years.
The Eugene Saturday Market is a great opportunity for local artist to sell at.
Sad to say I had a $145 necklace stolen from me last weekend=(

I would like to discuss the pros and cons of street and festival vending.
It is a great way to get your art out there and promote yourself . And also fast cash$=)
BUT.....
A few things that I have learned is
1. Always get a grass spot if possible rather in the dirt.
2. Keep a good eye on your goods.
3. Get plenty of rest ahead of time.
4. NEVER sell at a venue with imports!
5. Be positive because you never know when and who could come strolling along and love to buy lots of your art.

I must say that after years of vending at festivals I may be ready to give it a rest (for exceptions of those for sure successful shows).
I am tired of all the hard work of setting up and taking down and also there is all the time and money that you spend buying the the materials and making the product.
I am not trying to just complain I am keeping it real. Enough times I have had my jewelry pieces stolen, dirty and dusty, and fallen over and broken. I have also had great times!
So my point being is that I am now going to be focusing more of getting my jewelry in Galleries and Boutiques.