Priscilla Cataño, 25, studies artwork at the 21st annual Las Olas Art Fair, held Jan. 3 and 4 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Wilma Hernandez/NYT INSTITUTE)

By WILMA HERNANDEZ

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Marcella Cataño found herself at the 21st annual Las Olas Art Fair by chance on Sunday. Although she had a credit card to treat herself to artwork or jewelry, not even 40 percent off could persuade her to swipe it.

“Even if I’m dying for something, I’m going home today with my hands empty,” said Cataño, who had just finished eating dinner with her family at a nearby restaurant.

Cataño, of West Palm Beach, said she liked what she saw, but, facing tough financial times, she is saving every penny for necessities.

“This is the first time that I didn’t buy anything for anyone in Christmas,” she said.

Other festival-goers bargained for what they wanted or asked for payment plans in their search for jewelry, art, glass work, purses and pottery.

“I like this piece, but I can’t pay for it,” said Sunny Isles resident Clarita Saragoza. She finally got the vendor to reduce the price by $50.

The outdoor festival featured items such as jewelry, purses, pottery and these glass art pieces. (Wilma Hernandez/NYT INSTITUTE)

Lin Martinique has showcased her art at the fair for 15 years. This time her best seller was one of her most inexpensive items — a $10 poster of the Las Olas Art Fair. The original artwork for the poster, priced at $3,500, did not sell.

“Our work is not a must-have thing, so we have to be smart about it so that we can sell, or otherwise get another job,” Martinique said. “This is what I do for a living, not my hobby.”

Still, she was heartened by the size of the crowd at the fair.

“People are being more cautious with their money, but art lovers buy art no matter what,” Martinique said.

While some longtime exhibitors said sales were not as brisk, others fared better.

Maria Fernanda Ramirez, surrounded by her purses, spoke to customers as they admired her original designs. So far, she said, sales had gone well. She had sold 50 leather purses in two days, and customers were even trying to buy items that weren’t up for grabs.

“A lot of people have asked me how much the frames cost, but those are not for sale,” said Ramirez, gesturing toward three paintings decorating her booth, including one of the Mona Lisa holding a purse.

Ian Lieberman had a steady supply of customers peering into glass cases full of gold and diamond jewelry. Business, he said, was good.

“In this area we are recession-proof because people come here from all over the word,” said Lieberman, an employee at Robert Trisko’s jewelry booth.

Darrin Alan, marketing director for Howard Alan Events, the company that organizes the fair, said people were not buying as much as in previous years, but the packages were still flowing.

“This is one of the top events we produce and it has been successful,” Alan said.