This is bound to be controversial, but:
I personally have strong feelings about the relationship between art and craft. Conceptual art has led to a separation of the two, but I think “real” artists not only have an intrinsic understanding to what I call the holiness of the world, but a strong connection between that and their hands, so that their understanding can be conveyed through objects that are not understandable in any other way but to experience the object personally. People who bring their intellectual understanding to bear on a problem (such as making a woman look good or advertising a product or holding things) are “designers,” not artists. People who make objects that are interesting to look at but do not solve any problem or foster a deeper understanding of the world are “crafters”.

Hence, I think of my husband as an artist, myself as a designer, and many of the vendors at craft fairs crafters. Personally, I’m not fond of crafts, they just clutter up precious space. But there are plenty of people who do like it…

The Carbondale (CO) Mountain Fair has been an institution for decades, juried, high quality, good mix of stuff. Rock and his partner who demoed the thing were there one year – late ’80’s? They had an incredible presentation and when it was over, almost suffocated under people trying to hand money to them.

They then stiffed the fair – never paid their %. This resulted in all kinds of really stupid legislating for vendors for the next year – one requirement was that you had to pay by certified check before leaving. For a festival held in a park ending on a Sunday afternoon. Right.

This has not dulled my favorable impression of their presentation, or the fun of their product. If I ran across them, though, I might loudly ask if they are still skipping out on their obligations. Presumably not, if they’re still around.

Also forgot to add an S on Garnets name.. sorry!
Vendor is the ‘V’ word to many artists because there is a huge difference between those of us who actually work with our hands and those who just sell a product they have never touched or created.
I know I am also a vendor but prefer artist/vendor or just plain artist.

Yes, I still do shows at the Tucson Museum of Art.
In fact just a couple of weeks ago, I had a phenomenal show there.. as usual. Tucson has always been a profitable market for me.

Since my work is so ‘ethnic and colorful’ the locals and tourists keep me very busy there as they do here in NM.

You are so right.. it is all about a well made, unique product that is PRESENTED WELL.. and sold at the right price, in the RIGHT PLACE.

I may be one of the lucky ones Garnet but I, like Christie have not seen a drop in sales.. at all.
The Clinton years were great and lots of us did well in the 90’s but I just had one of the best summer seasons ever in Santa Fe and so did many of my friends.
I think it is more than just placing your work in a booth at a show and hoping that it sells.
When I started out years ago I had a few not so great shows but as Christie said, in order to be successful, you have to do the right shows.

A few years ago I sold thousands of pieces to 5 stores in Japan in the fashionable Shibuya District. I made that contact at the Pearl Mall art show in Boulder. I don’t think that would have happened at some bogus little show.

I also know people who have a hard time at any show. They should probably re-evaluate their work and try to key into WHAT SELLS..and become more innovative.
Like Kathleen, the D.E. Spy (just kidding Kathleen) says.. maybe they should buy her book!

She was actually forthcoming with me about the ’scouting’ (not the spy part.. didn’t know I was being ‘rated’) and we had a good chat…
she didn’t notice however, that the one Guatemalan vest ‘displayed’ in my booth was actually the one I had been wearing and hung up on a rod behind my chair. I do not sell anything Guatemalan, just my own designs made from molas.
And yes, I do pay my Kuna Indian associates quite well.. as a matter of fact, they set the market price and I pay above that to ensure highest quality and to help create an economic avenue for tribal women. It has been a win win for almost 14 years.

She is correct about the quality of the show.
I would say though, that there were also some very fine artists at the show who would not be considered ‘Designer Entrepreneurs’. Many good friends of mine were there who, like me are on the art and craft show circuit because we are ‘Working Artists’ who actually do make a very good living selling our work. We do much more tham pay the rent. We own our own homes and have the time and resources to enjoy life too. My close friends and I do not depend on anyone else for income. I guess we are the lucky ones who live here in New Mexico where people come from around the world to see and buy our work.

I think it is easy for people like Garnets to criticize and demean us as just ‘vendors’ and not ‘artists and artisans’. She may have been unsuccessful at shows because she doesn’t have a fully developed art or craft.

It may also be a good idea to wish EVERYONE well who works hard to create and then attempts to sell their work at a show, regardless of their
ability.