Cleaning up after the fun

It's a wrap! My first big festival is done. Sold a few paintings, got a lot of compliments, gained some great learnings. Net/net it was a positive. But my slippery character is focusing on the negatives rather than the positives. Such a bad habit.

I was nervous thinking of all that could go wrong: a hotel 50 minutes away, an hour and a half to set up, a seemingly complex tent to erect, setting out all 145 paintings, getting my credit card reader to work on site. Thank goodness I had my friend and her son there with me. Their help was invaluable. We were set up with a little time to spare.

The gates opened for the VIPs. Right away, I sold 3 paintings and made the price of entry to the event back. I was blown away and thought this was going to be a great day. And then things slowed to a crawl. Lots of lookie-loos. So many people liked pieces but had reasons not to purchase: out of wall space, didn't want to carry it and said they'd come back. Many people spoke about their own connections to places I've painted. Almost everyone took a business card.

I had been fantasizing about how many pieces would sell. I imagined a crazy frenzy to purchase my artwork, knowing I paint things and places that will resonate with most people. I'm confident that my price point is good, especially for original artwork. Yet, when competing for people's dollars that can also purchase a bottle or 2 of wine, the choice was clear. People were at a wine festival first. They purchased wine. I sold just enough to cover the entry fee, my tank of gas, and the fancy dinner we had the night before.

Once I push the negative fog away, I start to see some sparkling glitter. I didn't have to pay for 2 nights at a beautiful resort - I used points. And we got a complimentary upgrade to a 2 bedroom casita so we all had our own space. Next, while bulky and not having experience, the tent went up smoothly. The booth looked great! The Square credit card reader worked like a champ. I felt like Dolly Parton in Steel Magnolias: "I'm official!". The weather was perfect. The other vendors were friendly. The attendees were a boost to my ego.

I remembered a small neighborhood fair I did with my friend Theresa and another gal a few years back. Theresa made painted wine bottles with lights inside that looked like The Grinch - she sold them like hotcakes. Our other friend painted horse shoes and sold those. I brought my paintings and didn't sell a thing. BUT one of the women who took my card contacted me a few days later and I got a $600 commission from her. It was a much bigger project and I was nervous about the stretch and whether or not she'd like it. Or her parents as it was a gift for them. In the end, her parents loved it. And that woman, Hillary, became such a great contact. She lives in my neighborhood. She is so involved in the community and in the AZ wine industry. She organized the event that happened over the weekend.

Late in the day, Hillary came to my booth and asked how I was doing and if I was making sales. I told her it was good, but sales were slow. She gently asked if I would be open to a suggestion. Of course I would be! She thought if I could do the paintings the same but offer them in a cello bag, maybe more people would consider the purchase. Her thoughts were around how people want to hang pieces that match their decor and the frames are part of that. She has a great point. I have noodled offering customers a choice of frame colors. This is also a win for me: so much less bulk and weight to lug to shows - and I can lower the price point a bit.

So off to my art notebook I go. Notes about what worked, what could be improved. Looking for the next festival. Back to painting - always improving. The dream continues to evolve! ❤️