The most widely asked question at any show is, 'do you make all this yourself?', followed by 'where do you get the parts?'. And there are always some especially bold show-goers who will question you at length about your methods and techniques, even going so far as to try to play '20 Questions' if you won't give them the information.

Has anyone developed an especially pleasant way to say, 'I prefer not to give out my sources or information?'. That doesn't go over well, and may even leave people with the impression that you have something to hide.

I do give out a brief description of what I do without going into detail about techniques. But I make some components that some other artists typically buy, and when asked about it, I keep letting myself get drawn into a more detailed explanation just to prove I'm legitimate, while silently kicking myself for giving out too much information.

I'd really like to come up with some line that I can say with a big smile that will sound friendly, but make it clear that I'm not going to give out any information. I make jewelry and the competition is especially tough. I know that a big percentage of people who come into the booth are looking for ideas.

jartist;
My response to your question...

"We've spent 22 years traveling to markets, making long distance phone calls, dealing with people all around the USA to find and create the items we use in the production of our wares. It is with a great deal of time and expense that we do this so we can bring this produuct to an event such as this in your neighborhood so you might have the opportunity to select one or more of the items we are selling. For that reason alone our sources are private, and our relationships with those sources will remain the same.

We are happy to enlighten you on our techniques, even how we get some of our ideas, just not our sources."

That's a lot to say and sometimes I say it more rudely than other times, but it is in direct response to the query and how they ask it.

Oh, and since I have white hair...the one thing that gets me is when a customer askes what I did before I retired to doing this hobby...and are we having fun. I have holes in my lip from biting! I'm not retired...I'm just tired! LOL!!!!! Yeah right!

With a big friendly smile and a slight tilt of the head, my wife and I simply say..."Ahh, a magician never reveals his secrets." Usually gets a smile back and sometimes even a purchase.

Good line Bob, good line! Sometimes we forget the customer is not aware of their surroundings. They may have never been to a well juried fair, and they may well have only attended swap meets prior to visiting our booth at a quality show.

Until the year before we began this business, I'd never been to anything remotely close to a juried art fair. I was in my early forties before ever going to a festival or swap meet. It just wasn't my thing. When I was a kid in Boy Scouts, we had to, and I stress HAD TO, attend the Ohio State Fair. We worked from before sun up until closing with a stick with a nail in it and a canvas bag with a shoulder strap, picking up trash on the grounds.

Boy Scouts of America volunteered us to do the deed and we did it well. But I never wanted to be anywhere near a festive type event again! So I should now understand the likes of some of those peoples comments, but alas, I really don't take it very well. All I can think of is you can't fix stupid!

But Bob, you keep tilting your head and smiling, cause it's the right thing to do!

I simply tell them that if they want to know more on how I created my artwork, then they should simply sign up and pay for one of my workshops where I will gladly (once they have paid me) answer their questions