My Experience Setting Up a Jewelry Booth for October's First Friday ArtWalk

I keep saying that things are starting to settle down and I should be able to get back on track here, but then I have a bit of a bloggy hiatus. I won't say it yet again. However, my craft room is about as good as it's going to get for a while, my daily to-do lists look a little more normal, and I feel less frantic in general; so let's keep our fingers crossed!

The beginnings of my booth sans lights, busts, and sign

For now, I want to share what I did over the weekend. Actually, it was Friday night. Downtown Fairhope has what they call 'First Friday Artwalk" each month. I was invited to set up a display booth at a new local restaurant, The Bone and Barrel, (some friends own it and it's amazing, but whatevs). I bust my booty trying to come up with a good setup and make a few new pieces.

A few of the new pieces I created before the event.

I was asked to limit my table to four feet. That worked out well since the only portable table I currently own is four feet long.

Set up and ready at The Bone and Barrel for First Friday ArtWalk

It hit me as I awoke one morning that I had impulsively bought a vintage typewriter that would work great to give some height and layers to my display.

I really adore how this looked. It garnered lots of interest from the kids there who wanted to pound on it.

I spiraled out of control from there, adding duck cloth and burlap ribbon as my table covering, using some glass cake plates (handmade with thrifted plates glued to fluted glasses- made YEARS ago), stacking books for interest, and laying out a few of my laser cut busts Pat made.

Lots of layers for texture and interest.

The front of the table looked bare, so I made myself a banner sign using paper, stencils, paint, glue, and basic twine. I was told to bring lights with me, so I bought one small one and then added one from Pat's office.

As the sun set, I was relieved that we brought more than the one light I initially thought would be okay.

I had a friend point out that my booth style definitely had a writing/text theme that I didn't even notice. I guess I have a style without intention: typewriters write out words; my busts, foam board, and jewelry cards all use old book paper, and the books on the table are full of text. I'm glad someone helped me recognize that theme, because I was just going with what I like, I guess it's words!

These are some of the laser cut busts Pat created for me. I adore them!

On Friday, Pat helped me transport, unload, and set up everything. He's my hero!

Loaded up and ready to go.

The booth got quite a bit of interest, but I didn't really sell anything. I'm not too bummed about it though. It was good exposure, a fab experience, and a lot of fun (we saw a bunch of friends and family while out on the patio). I'm hoping to try again next month.

Long necklaces laid on on foam board covered with dictionary text.

For your reference and mine, here's a list of what I took:

• Jewelry (sorted, priced, and ready to go)
• Table
• Table coverings (duck cloth and burlap ribbon)
• Banner sign
• Displays (typewriter, busts, foam board, cake stands, books)
• Tape and scissors (just in case)
• Cashbox with cash, change, and Square reader
• Receipts
• Wrapping materials (tissue paper, paper baggies, baker's twine, and washi tape)
• Business cards
• Extension cord, 6-way power strip, and cell phone charger

Would you recommend removing/adding anything to it and/or do you have any advice for others like me just starting out selling our art in a booth-like setting?  And, what do you think in general? (please be kind, I'm new at this)?

Like I said above, it was a good experience overall, and I'm looking forward to another opportunity to show my creations. Thanks to those who came out to support me!

Vacation and My First Art Show. . .wrapping up

We're back from Spring Break and all the excitement of the Art Show. This week is already starting off with a frenzy of activity so I'm up early and thought I would share a little more about this past week with you.

We enjoyed several more sunrises from our location on Perdido Bay

The HUGE wrap around screen porch was our favorite 'room' in the whole place. There were oodles of rocking chairs, three hanging beds, a hammock, and a porch swing. Heaven!

I even got a little work done from one of the hanging beds. I just pulled up a table and set to work making these stacking rings.

This was my view while I worked!

As for the art show this weekend. . .Y'all!! I was so, so anxious. I was a bundle of nerves and excitement and tense energy. I was able to go and set up a few hours before the show, which helped get out some of that energy.

This was my table all set up for the show. Pat laser cut me a few busts that I altered with some paper but the rest of my displays were made with items from the dollar store that I spray painted and glued together. The large baking sheet on the back right didn't work out so well as the necklaces kept sliding off.

Here's a closer look at the left side of my display. You should be able to click the photo for a larger image.

And, this is the right side. It's a bit harder to see since the door was on that side.

I'll admit that I was clueless about what I needed to do. I tried smiling and saying hello to each person that looked over my pieces. I told them to let me know if they had any questions. But, I have such a hard time speaking to others that this took every ounce of my willpower. I ended up selling a few items, making a trade with one of the other artists, and garnering some attention as quite a few people took my cards. I even talked with the owner of a local boutique who gave me some tips and said she might be in contact with me. I went home happy but extremely exhausted.

This event was only a few hours long and it was a perfect starting point for me for something like this. I'm relieved to finally have some experience doing it and that makes me happy. Pat and I have some tweaks to make with the displays, but it went well all in all. I gained so much from it.

I'd love to know if you have any tips on doing an art show: presenting yourself and your product in the best light. 

Now. . .to face this frenzy of a week!! Here's hoping you have a great one.