This post was originally created for and shared with my libbysaylor.com newsletter audience on December 15, 2024.
Hello to you all!
As many of you know, I've been blathering on about the upcoming Winter Artist Market (that I've been preparing for for months) in my last few posts. Welp, it finally happened! And I'm still processing all that I took away from it (and all that it took away from me).
It's taking some time to make sense of the day because “the artist life” often ends up feeling and being so very different than what we imagine in our fantasies. And at the same time, if we can zoom out a bit and check in with reality, much of “the artist life” can also be a waking dream come true, even when the real life version is SOOOO far from what we spent all those hours vision-boarding and daydreaming about.
First, let me start with a few cold, hard, undeniable facts about my day at the market. Regardless of how I feel about these facts, or how they measure up, these facts are representative of my non-dreamy, truth-based reality.
I made several sales! Strangers actually gave me money in exchange for something I made.
I gained a few newsletter subscribers.
Several people walked away with my business card.
Those are the undeniable facts.
Here is what I sold:
Everyone loved the magnets and these three shown above were scooped up at the market.
If you love these specific babies, don't worry, I have more, and make them as-needed.
Everyone also loved my mini note cards!
These three shown above were the popular picks.
Now for my more emotional and nuanced perspective…
The best part of my experience at the market was meeting a few amazing fellow artist vendors. The feeling of community among us was really lovely, and I'm totally looking forward to meeting up for coffee with my table neighbor. I wasn't expecting to connect with other artists in this way and it was a welcome surprise.
I also tend to forget what a healthy ego I have about my art, and it was nice to be reminded of this last week. In order to do these markets, and to be an artist in general, you need to be absolutely fine with people not liking your work, not understanding your work, and walking right by without a smile. All of that happened and none of that bothered me, even though at times it felt frustrating. When in doubt, I always tell myself, “If you don't like my work, then you just have bad taste," and that keeps my ego afloat.
Unfortunately, my expectations were higher than they should've been, even though I tried to keep them rooted in reality. When I first signed up for the market, I remember thinking, “I'll be happy if I sell anything.” However, as the weeks passed and the big day approached, I felt so confident about how everything looked. I loved my table spread and my art looked so amazing wrapped up in plastic, showcased in thrift store baskets so people could easily flip through them. I started imagining crowds of people fighting their way to my table, impatiently waiting for me to finish with a customer so they could finally buy from me. I worried I'd be overwhelmed by having to juggle so many customers at once, so I did as much as I could to anticipate ways to stay organized during the inevitable chaos.
In reality, I only sold a few things and didn't even need to record them on my inventory sheet, since I was able to remember exactly who bought what, for how much, and in what way. I had PLENTY of time to chat with other artists at their tables, scroll on my phone, stare up at the ceiling lights, refresh my coffee, use the restroom, and chat with my father who brought me a Wawa panini for lunch.
All that being said, I came full circle back to the fact that, GIRL, you made money on your art at this market! I also had a woman read my statement about my Connection Collages and what they mean, and she said she felt it in her heart and it gave her goosebumps. She was lovely. Some other people stopped by my table and totally “got” my work. I could tell by how they talked about it, what they noticed about it, how they responded to what I said about it, and their overall enthusiasm.
Another final takeaway is that people LOVE small, affordable, pretty things, and my magnets and mini note cards are simply irresistible to all. Almost everyone who visited my table went straight for the magnets and/or the cards. Even if they didn't buy, they ogled and enjoyed. So, I learned a lot about pricing, selling art, what people like, and what I need to keep focusing on.
Breaking down my table and packing up virtually all of my inventory was probably the worst part, although it didn't feel terrible. It just felt like a lot of effort for not much reward. But again, look at all the gains I've listed above. In reality—not my vision board fantasy—how was all of this not worth it?! All in all, I'd say the experience was a win, win win. Would I do it again? Perhaps only once a year. Do I regret doing it at all? Not for one moment.
Thank you everyone, for rooting me on, checking in with me, encouraging me, and reading this newsletter. I feel you, I feel your vibes, I feel your support, and I'm having so much fun on this journey, even when I bitch and complain sometimes!
More soon, and until next time, have an awesome week…
xo
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