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!
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
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These are some of the laser cut busts Pat created for me. I adore them!
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On Friday, Pat helped me transport, unload, and set up everything. He's my hero!
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| 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.
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| 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!
