Artist's Review of the 25th Annual Firefly Art Fair - Wauwatosa, WI

25th Annual Firefly Art Fair

This past weekend, August 6 & 7th I exhibited at one of my all time favorite art shows, the 25th Annual Firefly Art Fair sponsored by the Wauwatosa Historical Society in Wauwatosa, WI.

This was the first art show I've done this season and was looking forward to seeing how the economy would have its effect on this particular show.  I've done this show for 14 years and it has always been a top selling show for me.

Below you will see photos, which I took on Saturday during the show.  They are a sad commentary on how art shows have declined over the past several years.  Saturday, at the Firefly, which was always crowded with art goers and "buyers", was down to almost no people attending, which made for hardly any "buyers".

This is a shot from my booth down the isle!!  This was about an hour after the show opened at 10 a.m.!!



Tables set up in the Victorian garden where people can sit and eat their food.  This area is normally crowded with "eating" customers.  Not this weekend!!

The Silient Auction area at one point on Saturday.  There were a lot of great art to bid on, donated from the artists.  Where are all the people!

Other years, people are normally lined up to get into this show.  This is a view of one of the entrances near my booth.  The entrance fee was raised to $4.00 this year from $3.00 in previous years.

This group was part of the entertainment at the show.  They were having a good time singing old time songs!

This is a fun couple we met at various art shows and they always have a great sense of humor!  Beautiful carvings on gourds is their medium!  This is what makes doing shows fun......when you reconnect with other artists which you have met over the years.

OK, here I am....still smiling, even though my sales were down from previous years over $1,300!  Iconsider myself very fortunate in not having to depend on art sales to live!  There were other artists at the show that didn't sell anything or next to nothing.  My sister and I always have a good time and "laughs" no matter what the show is like.  It is always fun to meet and talk to new people and visit with previous customers and artists.

My sister, Dianne!  Can't imagine doing a show without her!  She is so good at displaying my art.  In the past I usually always had at least 80 - to 100 creations to sell, but this year I only started with 22 figures and my fiber jewelry.  Since my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer last May and passed away in October, 2010, I didn't have the time to spend all the hours I used to in creating.  I truly believe that everything works out the way it is supposed to and that there is a purpose to everything that happens in life. If there were a lot more buyers at the show this year, I could have run out of inventory!!  

The key is to keep on smiling and laugh a lot!!

The FIRELY is still my favorite show, so we shall see what next year brings!  My next show will be the Waukesha Art Fest on September 10, 2011, in historic downtown Waukesha.  If you live in the area.....stop by for a visit!

25th Annual FIRELY ART FAIR - Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Handknit fiber necklace!

I will be exhibiting in one of my favorite art shows the weekend of August 6th & 7th....the FIREFLY ART FAIR!

It is one of the nicest art fairs around with its setting on the grounds of the historic Kneeland-Walker House and Gardens in Wauwatosa, WI. (7406 Hillcrest Drive)

I will have a variety of my original designed fiber fantasy creations along with my fiber fantasy jewelry!  If you live nearby be sure to visit the FIREFLY ART FAIR.  The grounds are beautiful, food is great, and of course there is a lot of great art to choose from.  My booth # is 89. 

The dates are:  August 6 & 7th, Admission $4.00, Hours:  10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (both Sat. & Sun) 

Fiber Sculpted Rainbow Fairy

Stop by for a visit!

To see some of the creations that will be available at the FIREFLY, click on the word DZFANTASY below the thumbnail photo.

Artist's Review of 24th Annual FIREFLY ART FAIR - Wauwatosa, WI

Photo of Victorian Gardens at the 24th Annual FIREFLY ART FAIR...Just beautiful!

This past weekend, August 7th and 8th, I was exhibiting at the FIREFLY ART FAIR in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  I've been doing this show for about 8 years, and it still remains my "all time favorite show"!  The grounds are just gorgeous, the environment and vibes at this show are so delightful.  This show attracts a lot of knowlegeable art buyers, which makes for a fun and enjoyable experience for both the customers and artists alike.

I just had a "feeling" this was going to be a great weekend, when I got up Saturday at 5 a.m. to get ready for the show, and when I read my horoscope it said, "you will be surrounded with a flurry of activity today, and you will feel like you are in the clouds"!  Well, that was so true!!  Both my sister and I were on "cloud 9" all day Saturday, as it was beautiful weather, the crowds were good, and people were buying.  Much to my delight I sold $350.00 in the first 1.5 hours of the show, and sales continued all day long!  What a difference from my first 3 art shows this season, where I didn't even make my expenses.

Since I didn't have time to walk the show and talk to as many artists as I normally do, it was hard to get a feeling as to how other artists were doing as far as sales.  I did, however, get several photos of some of the artists across from me, and next to my booth.

Colorful, gorgeous,handpainted windows

by Artist, Dawn Eve Harzheim

I noticed this artist's colorful creations as we were setting up for the show.  Her handpainted glass windows were just beautiful, and full of color!

I just might have to find a place in my home for one of these "windows"!  The colors and detail are wonderful!

If you are interested in find out more about Dawn's artwork, you may reach her at: dawneve9@sbcglobal.net

The next artist, who's booth was across from me, was a metal sculpture artist, who as you can see from the photos below, creates very whimsical, unique creations from different pieces of metal.  He also had tiny little creatures made from spoons, etc.  I always find it fascinating to see what other creative minds come up with. 

Now isn't that an unusual creature!

Artist at work!  Looks like a "spider" is being born!

The FIREFLY ART FAIR is held on the beautiful grounds of the historical "Kneeland Walker House in Wauwatosa, WI.  Tours may be taken of the home when the art show is on.  I'm not sure if it is open for tours at other times.  The FIREFLY ART FAIR is run by the Wauwatosa Historical Society and the people are very delightful to work with and it is a well run show.  The show has good food available, musical entertainment, a silient auction, popcorn wagon, and they also have food for the artists after the show on Saturday, and a coffee, donuts and juice on Sunday morning.

Partial back view of the Kneeland Walker House, with people coming in where the red umbrella is. 

Tables are set up in the center of the gardens so people may sit, eat and enjoy the flowers and scenery.

A portion of the flowers in the garden.  Below are several photos I took of the flowers you see in the right hand section of the above photo.  I can't remember the name of the flowers.  They were exquisite!

Does anyone know what kind these are.  I think it started with an "L", but not sure!

Below is another artist and I've also included her web page link if you are interested in seeing more of her work.  I wish I would have gotten some closeup shots of her work, but I didn't want to leave my booth for long.

EARTH BOUND Fine Art by Dara Chappie

Visit her website to learn more:  http://darachappie.com/

A section of my display.  All the fairies are enjoy the fine day at the FIREFLY!

To sum it up, the 24th Annual FIREFLY ART FAIR was again a great show, even though it rained Sunday morning and we didn't get to set up and start selling until about noon!  The sun came out and I had another profitable day. I is always such fun meeting and talking with previous customers, meeting new ones!

My next show is this coming weekend in Lake Geneva, WI - August, 14th and 15th - ART IN THE PARK.  This show is sponsored by the GENEVA LAKE ART ASSOCIATION.  The hours are 10:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. SATURDAY, and 10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. SUNDAY.  It is being held overlooking the lake in Flat Iron Park, which is right near the downtown area of Lake Geneva.


If you live in the area, be sure to stop by for a visit.

24th ANNUAL FIREFLY ART FAIR - Wauwatosa, WI

Victorian Garden setting  makes for an enchanting site for the 24th Annual Firefly Ar Fair!

The Wauwatosa Historical Society is the sponsor of one of my favorite shows....the 24th Annual Firefly Art Fair which is held on the beautiful grounds of the Kneeland-Walker House at 7406 Hillcrest Drive, Wauwatosa, WI!  If you live anywhere near the area, be sure to stop by for a visit.

The fair has a wide variety of talented artists, which include painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber, printmaking, glass and more.

In addition to wandering the grounds looking at "fine art", you will find a variety of food on the menu...baked potatoes, hot dogs, brats, hamburgers, homemade pies, root beer floats, beer, lemonade, bottled water, popcorn and fruit bars!  Come early and spend the day.  You may also want to take a tour of the historic Kneeland-Walker home.

Hours for the show are:  August 7 and 8th - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days.

My booth # is No. 89, so be sure to stop by for a visit.  I have added my new line of "fiber fantasy jewelry", and I will also be donating item/s to the Silient Auction.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

ARTIST'S REVIEW OF 23RD Annual FIREFLY ART FAIR - Wauwatosa, WI

KNEELAND WALKER HOUSE

Wauwatosa, WI

This past weekend, August 1 & 2, I was an exhibitor in the 23rd Annual FIREFLY ART FAIR, which was held on the beautiful grounds of the Kneeland Walker House in Wauwatosa, WI. I have been doing this show for over 7 years now, and it is absolutely one of my favorite shows!


You couldn't ask for a more exquisite setting for an art show! The Victorian garden setting gives it a wonderful ambience that you won't find at any other art show in this area.

People attending the show seem to spend the greater part of the day at the show....buying/viewing art, listening to the music, and of course....eating food. There are homemade pies, brownies, ice cream, hamburgers, cheeseburgers and more to choose from!

The artists' booths are set up througout the grounds of the Kneeland Walker house property. Some are in what used to be the grass tennis courts, bridle path, upper gardens and lawn areas.

Visitors can sit among the gardens and enjoy their food in what used to be the corral and is now filled with tables and chairs.

This photo was taken just after the show opened.

This delightful show is run by The Wauwatosa Historical Society, and they do a wonderful job. This year there were 93 exhibitors and the mediums ranged from jewelry, ceramics, photography, fiber, mixed media, acrylic and watercolor, sculpture, glass and more.

It seemed to be a "mixed bag" as far as how sales were going for the various artists. Some were selling very well (including me), others said they were doing "so, so", and some were not doing well at all. It is really hard to tell which show is going to be a good one for you, and which aren't. After exhibiting in 3 shows with low sales, I was very happy with this weekend's sales.

It has been my experience with the FIREFLY ART FAIR that it is usually pretty consistant as far as my sales. This year far exceeded even my expectations!! It was fun meeting and talking with old customers, and meeting new ones. I already can't wait until next year. My prayers were answered. no thunderstorms, and it wasn't too hot. In previous years, the temperature is usually near 90 degrees. I'm lucky to have a spot under a big tree. The only irritating factor were tiny, pesky "knats".

Below are several photos of my neighbor's booth next to me, and her colorful paintings. If you'd like to learn more about Ann and her paintings, click on the photos below.

ANN BAER

Click on either photo to visit Ann's webpage.

This show was the first opportunity I had to see how my new designs of my "butterfly flower photo" wall accents would be received. I'm happy to say that people loved them! More of these will be appearing in my Etsy shop soon.




My next show will be on September 12th in downtown Waukesha, WI. I will be posting more information regarding this show in the next few weeks.