I am often contacted daily for immediate availability with someone becoming unresponsive when they found out I am booked a bit ahead.
When I was less experienced and worked at walk-in street shops I had tons of availability all the time!
The truth of the matter is, there is a difference between a street shop/walk-in studio vs. a custom artist.
There are often even differences in skill level from artists booked out a week or so to artists booked a month or so.
When I was in Los Angeles I shared clients with artists who were booked out a year or more.
After all don’t you believe your design is worth a little more time and effort than while you wait?