The Holiday Shows Are Coming!

by Kate Dardine

 

The Holiday Shows are coming! The Holiday Shows are coming! And it is not too early to start getting ready…

Most Holiday shows start right after Thanksgiving, which only gives you EIGHT weeks to get everything ready. Ten weeks might sound like a long time, but even if this isn’t your first rodeo, you’ll want to allow ample time to order prints (and frames if needed), gather together everything you’ll need to display your art, order postcards (to send out to tell people about your upcoming shows), mount and wrap your bin prints, frame the prints and originals you’ll hang… See? There is lots to do!

Here are some things to think about and act upon:

• If you plan on selling prints, now is the time to get your originals scanned and ready (and, until September 30, take advantage of our buy two, get one free scanning special.).

• Small framed prints sell best at the holiday shows – people are looking for items that they can just wrap and give.  During October we run our mini-giclée special, which is a perfect time to order small prints. 

  

•  Greeting cards are good low-priced items to sell. Overnight Prints is a good resource for reasonably priced cards and low minimums.

• You may want to take advantage of Colorado Frames’ small frame bundles – 10 ready-made frames for $10. They also have a great deal on bundles of glass/foam board backing to fit the small frames. And if you need standard size frames, they’ve got a good selection of ready-made frames at 50% off the regular price. Give them a call 970-493-5699 to find out what is available. If you need custom sizes, you can order on-line and choose from a selection of in-stock mouldings at very reasonable prices.

• Consider designing a postcard with one strong or 3-4 related images on the front and the dates, times, places of all the Holiday shows you’ll be in on the back. Let people know you’ll have framed prints perfect for gift giving at the shows. Send these out to your mailing list about 1-1/2 weeks before your first show. Two online resources for postcards are PSPrint.com and Overnight Prints.

Don’t know how to design a postcard? Contact kate@fineprintimaging.com. For a small fee, I can design and order postcards for you.

• Think about how you are going to display your art. Small framed pieces can be displayed in a rectangular basket or pretty box on a table. Larger framed pieces can be hung on a grid panel (available from http://www.graphicdisplaysystems.com) or, if you are handy, you can make panels using chicken wire and 1x 2s.

• Want more info on art shows? Check out http://victoria-case.searchwarp.com/swa12109.htm, http://www.fairsandfestivals.net/articles/view/how_to_prepare_for_your_craft_show_-_your_event_checklist/103/, http://www.squidoo.com/art_festival

• If you need help figuring out images, sizes or pricing, give me a call at 800.777.1141. I am available by appointment for consultations and the first 15 minutes are free.

Remember to give yourself plenty of time to get everything ready – you don’t want to be stressing the week before your first show! Eight weeks may seem like a long time, but believe me, they go by quickly!