Wind is not my friend.........

by Staci Louise Smith

So I had my last show of the year last weekend (my last outdoor art show that is).  The weekend was supposed to be gorgeous, but windy.  Gusts up to 30MPH.  

I was a wreck leading up to the show.  It is in a huge field with little to no cover or things to break the wind.  

:sigh:

Anyhow, I have a pretty wind proof display.  I do almost all outdoor shows, and our springs and falls here in northeast PA are certainly unpredictable.  I have done some REALLY windy shows.  

I have seen tents go flying, or even just break apart while the legs stay staked.  Not to mention its is near impossible to keep displays up in high winds.

I am happy to report that I faired well. I was in a partially sheltered area- a building not far away and some trees off to another side.  I was also completely surrounded by tents.  So I did not take the full brunt of the wind.

Anyhow, I know I have shared this before but I just wanted to give some windy day tent tips to you guys once more.  It is not only important to be prepared for YOU, but so your tent doesn't fly into anyone elses.

Here are some pics of my set up.  I use these large rubber flat weights that are 22lbs each. I put one on each leg.  

Then I add on top of that, bags of sand.  I think they are about 30lbs each.  to make them look nicer I got brown pillow cases for on top.

you can see the sandbags in brown on top of the black weights in the outer lower corners of the picture

I used to use the homemade PVC / cement weights.  What I didn't like about them is they attached around the frame of the tent, and put pressure on it.  plus, I have seen tents flip, even with these on them.

Still, they do a decent job, and are much nicer to lug around.  I would say they are the most popular though.

Here is a link to a blog that has a wonderful description of how to make them!  step by step!  Thanks Jen!!!

http://hellrazor-art.blogspot.com/2014/04/diy-canopy-tent-weights.html

 I bungee cord my shutters that display my earrings to the tent, 

my shelves have displays on them, and on the back each one has a HUGE rock or brick.  

My crates have bricks and cement blocks.......

and duct tape is your friend for bust displays and everything else

(you can't even see it, but almost everything in this picture is duct taped from behind...its black tape)

you know, its a lot to lug around, but you don't' sell anything if you are spending your whole time picking up jewelry or holding onto things.

Anyhow, I could say at the end of the show, "Look Toto, we are still in Kansas"..................though at times, I feared I wouldn't be.

Finding your Market

by Barbara Bechtel

I have to admit this whole year has been a big blur for me. I feel like I've been playing catch up for the entire last half of the year. It seems as though just about the time felt like I could get caught up, the holidays sprung up and here it is almost 2014!!! I never even had a chance to plan properly for holiday sales, updating my website, let alone get tons of jewelry made like I had hoped!

Consequently, with financial and physical setbacks, I've had to rethink my plans for the latter part of 2013 and looking into 2014, I've really been thinking about ways to get my work more into my local community and build my business locally rather than focus so much as I have in the past on the internet. My decision for this is several-fold. First of all considering the type of work that I enjoy doing. Not only do I enjoy making jewelry and beads, I also enjoy mixed media work, decorative home decor, and paper crafts. For that reason, I find doing production work in any one of these areas mind-blowingly difficult. That also makes applying to and being accepted to Fine Art or Craft Shows difficult for me because I do not have a singular focus. Financially and logistically, these types of shows are often prohibitive for me as well. Secondly, the area where I live (the space coast of Florida) is not a known area for the types of locavore, hip-happening, community events that happen in larger cities. Even close by larger cities such as Jacksonville and Orlando (and not living IN those cities, sometimes makes it difficult for me to find out about opportunities.)

part of my weekly set up

There are lots of little local markets popping up and I've had success this past year setting up regularly at some, but not ALL, of these types of markets. What I love about these little local markets is that A) they're usually pretty inexpensive to set up at and B) you really get to meet and greet your neighbors. These markets also work great for me because I can take all of the variety of goodies that I make and sell and set up my own little shop once or twice a week! It thrills me to no end when someone asks, "Do you have a brick and mortar shop?" It feels like validation to me when folks think that my wares are artfully displayed as in a cute little boutique that lines the streets of that hip little section of "INSERT COOL SHOPPING DISTRICT OF ANYTOWN, USA HERE"....

larger view...this market happens to take place in a beautiful shady park along the Intercoastal Waterway...bonus: NO TENT NEEDED (unless it's supposed to rain!!!)

I've also met local shop and restaurant owners, swapped business cards and ideas with other like-minded individuals. It has a great local feeling, which is sometimes absent from traditional shows I've done.

setting up for a one day trunk show earlier this year outside a local boutique.

Oh, but it's a CRAP TON of work....and exhausting, and some days (although not lately, knock on wood) I come home with less money than I set out with.....but at the end of the day, I feel super satisfied about meeting more people and seeking that community connection that the natural layout of this area doesn't promote. This feeling is not dissimilar from preparing for a regular show, just once a week!!!

sunrise shot from the local market I've recently been setting up at....now you see why I'm having these crazy ideas! Who wouldn't want to come here and shop or set up for a market every week?!

So for 2014, I'm looking forward to expanding on these ideas and I hope to report back to you here!

Have you set up at local weekly/monthly artisan or farmer's markets with success? What has been your experience?

Thoughts on my first time as a vendor at a bead show.

Just over two weeks ago, I attended and vended at my very first bead show. While I'm still processing all of the tidbits and information I learned and gathered, I thought I would share some tips that I found helpful as a first time vendor. I'd love to share whatever I can with you, so be sure to leave me a comment or a question that perhaps I can cover in a future post!

In many ways, Vending at a bead show is quite similar to vending at a regular art show with some very important exceptions. My booth was very close to Artisan's Alley, the area where all of the artisans are placed. At art shows, I often have to explain my jewelry to customers, and explain that the beads and components are all handmade. At Bead Fest, a large percentage of the customers are already familiar with artisan components so I was able to spend a lot more time conversing about my specific processes and techniques.

Inventory was something I was concerned about since it was the largest unknown quantity. The most important lesson I learned was to make sure you have a large and varied inventory. Don't rely on what may be a best seller online, because in person, you may find your best selling components are very different!

Meeting people in person is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of any show. If you vend at a large show, be prepared to meet many friends and business contacts. If you have any upcoming plans or new products, don't be shy about mentioning them!

What questions do you have about being a vendor at a Bead Show? Let me know in the comments!