So let us see where we are now,
Currently I'm gathering up a list of prominent Masquerade festivals and parties that occur around the world. My intention (wherever they're advertised online) is to make a connection with the site owner and provide a link to the hundreds or thousands of people flocking there for information so they can be referred to my site to purchase my masks which will be sent to them in time for the event!
Excellent progress on this front, the list is steadily growing and I've decided to start with the U.S first and then move my way around the world.
Bringing things back home -I'm also attempting to see if I can have my higher-end masks (in the $300-$500 range) sold and presented in smaller galleries in more affluent sections of town. Unfortunately this is proving to be a spray of tacks on my road because these galleries make their money off of artists who are already well established, have heavy schooling/training and have exhibited in other well known galleries across North America or world-wide. Compared to them I've barely a pot to piss in to my name… but we must start somewhere. I think my best bet is gaining recognition through marketing myself online, over showing my work to limited groups of tourists in real time.
Next on the list of pursuits is hitting up the high volume craft fairs that come in the Spring and Winter. (It's always good to make a name in your hometown first if you can, so your fellow men can claim you proudly as their own and tell everyone they watched you steadily grow in their very own city!)
I've found about 7 or 8 extremely popular craft events that boast 2-4 thousand visitors per day (usually running for two days) and these would be incredible for exposure even if nothing was sold. Tons of business cards will go out and people will simply be able to see the beauty of my products. The application forms are printed out for all of them and I can make all of their deadlines. I could possibly end up presenting for their Winter fairs if I get accepted.
I would offer just a few high-priced masks but make the majority of them affordable, (unique of course) and definitely not christmas themed.
The only issue we have here is that all accepted artisans usually have to pay a jury fee (the application fee relating to the jury, team or panel that looks through all of the prospective artists they might choose to feature -which can be thousands-) but this fee is usually low and included in the acceptance fee.
Now, the acceptance fee is where it can get expensive. I mean Really Expensive depending on the quality, size and prestige of the craft fair. The fee you have to pay can range from $50-$1300 per day (if you choose to present for both days of the fair) .This fee covers electricity if you need outlets, your table and the space you're renting.
Sometimes the fee can be lowered if you bring your own table, but when you're looking to sell at as many shows as I want to (pretty much all of the biggest ones) $50-$100 per table per day can rapidly add up, especially if I have no previous media or press that will draw people specifically to me.
I'm willing to bypass Circle Craft at the new convention centre this year which displays all of the creme de la creme artisans of Canada, simply because the spaces cost up to 2,000 per day!! Hahahahahaha maybe next year… maybe never.
Slipping into the next thought…
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