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The scenario you describe is pretty typical for the auctions I've done. They are stingy about giving out tickets because that sometimes means dinner and a seat at one of the tables (even though I've told them that's not why I wanted to be there.) I think they also don't want donor/vendors "selling" to the attendees during the event.
These auctions often have literally hundreds of items donated, and the display tables and the walls are sometimes packed to overflowing with stuff and displays. Often, as Stanka said, you can't really explain that you're associated with your item, though a name tag might help, if they do let you attend.
One idea that might work is to offer to do a demo during the event itself. That way you're bringing something else of value to the evening. It would be a great attention-getter for you also.
You're lucky they let you put business cards out. Some of the auctions I've been in didn't even want me to do that.
I've had what I would say is a 70% success rate with the auctions I've participated in: I did a painting and either got some income due to an upgrade or a subsequent referrral, in most (but not all) of the auctions to which I've donated.
Though I didn't have a 100% success rate, and though I donated a lot of pretty valuable items, doing these auctions really launched my career. I look at it as having exposure to an upscale crowd who wouldn't normally hear about me, getting a succesful painting in a client's home who can refer me to others, and having some very nice samples for my website without having to scrounge up models. Eight of the paintings on my website portfolio page came from auctions or referrals that came later.
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