I am in the midst of applications for 2017 arts festivals though this year will be very different from years past. It is a lot of physical work to load and unload and load again at the end and unload at home upon return. When you add to that the cost of the booth, and lodging and food for the weekend events, it seems like I must sell 4-5 quilts just to break even. The extreme hot and stormy weather this past year meant that two of my festivals were total wash outs. Unfortunately, you can’t control the weather for outdoor festivals!
After giving the festival circuit a chance, even at the 4-5/year level I did, I have decided in 2017
to focus on other avenues of selling. I have had good sales on Etsy. Also, in my central Pennsylvania community there are are a few events which are lower cost or free to participate in AND during which I have had good sales. Only one is outside so I’m looking at only one major load and unload event! My plans are to participate in the three local events and some other venues. I have about a half dozen art quilts for sale in Newport, PA at the Perry County Arts Council Gallery and hope to continue a rotation of different quilts there this year. I will have a month long exhibit at the Elk Creek Cafe in Millheim, PA for the month of October in the fall. I hope to find some additional places for month long exhibits as that gives people a nice opportunity to get to know my art.
I’m also willing to see customers in my home studio.
The Lewisburg Arts Festival is April 22, 2017 in Lewisburg, PA, home of Bucknell University. It runs through beautiful downtown Lewisburg from 10am – 5pm. It is a super fun day for families and kids in addition to over 125 artist exhibits.
I hope to see or hear from you in 2017!
