Sunday at Our House

A house without either a cat or a dog is the house of a scoundrel.  ~Portuguese Proverb

From Etsy to In the Flesh

It's easy to feel lost on Etsy since there are so many shops.  One wonders if you're standing out amongst the crowd.  Imagine my delight when another seller on Etsy comes to my booth at my recent art show, browses my table, and says she knows me, has seen my work, loves my work....  Delighted!

Tara and me at the Triton Museum of Art (photo by Tara Linda)

Tara Linda has such a presence.  She's adorable and has a positive energy that is palpable.  She's a musician who writes her own music as well as has her own Etsy shop with colorful artisan jewelry.  I can't wait to hear her at a local venue, because I'm in love with her voice and style.  

Mermaid's Lair Treasure Necklace by TeraLinda

Her music is like old west meets folk meets jazz... maybe not all in one song!  Can't you imagine this song in a western starring Johnny Depp?  (You know you'd see him in anything!)

Tara's sister Jaya is an oh so talented painter so read her post about the show to see her sister's work and then weave your way to Tara's music samples along the right hand side to go to her album and more samples.


The other visitor I had from Etsy was a fellow member of the UWIB (Unique Women in Business) team.  We're all over the world so to put a face on to the many email and Etsy conversations we've had was awesome. 


I didn't get a photo of Judy and me, but we had a good long talk so I'd recognize her anywhere now.  : )  Judy's Etsy shop is called Wellspring Creations and is filled with original work primarily of beautiful stones and wirework like this cuff on Etsy.  

Sterling and Fine Silver wire-wrapped cuff by Wellspring Creations

Judy is such a helpful strong woman whose friendship I value.  Even with busy lives I'm sure we'll meet up again.  It's not just beads and stones we have in common after all.

I Bid Adieu to Two One of a Kind Necklaces

Last weekend's show was a good one for me.  Besides some fun earrings I sold two of my one of a kind artisan necklaces.  Farmer's Daughter went to a good friend of my sister-in-law's whose husband was unable to shop for her birthday and told her to go buy her own birthday gift!

Farmer's Daughter (lampwork:  Canyon Echoes)

Bee is for Bicycle was purchased by a beautiful local woman who was there with her friend.  The two of them spent a lot of time at my booth and were both very in to jewelry that was different and told a story.  I was so pleased she found something that spoke to her.

Bee is for Bicycle (bee lampwork: Kerri Fuhr; discs: Radiant Mind)

I don't know if other artists feel this way, but they must at times.  When I do a show and pull out my jewelry for display there are pieces that I have twinges of "do I really want to sell this?"  Most of my jewelry is one of a kind so usually it's not like I could make another one to keep.  Knowing I can't keep everything and that I really want them to go out into the world with new owners, I display them with care.

Beachcomber's Talisman

However, about three-quarters of the way through the last show I pulled a brooch/necklace that I had a couple people tell me they couldn't believe I was selling for the price I had it listed.  It reminded me of the hours I put in to making it and that it really was special.  Every show I've done with it someone has commented on its incredibleness (their words, but I agree!) and yet it didn't sell.  I was discussing it with another jewelry artist who said you know if someone really wanted to buy it they could buy it off you when you're wearing it.  I decided the universe has been telling me to not let it go!  That I'd regret it if I did.


So... Beachcomber's Talisman is now really mine.  A little black dress?  Blue jeans and a plain white tee?

What have you made for sale and then changed your mind during a show?

Find a Feature of Me on Lilly Pea Designs

I forget how I first came across Jen's blog, but I'm guessing it was either one of her good eats, fashion or travel posts.  I like that she shares more than just her creative stationery that you can find in her Etsy shop:  Lilly Pea Designs.

Love Tags

Just My Type note cards

She's as cute as can be so naturally models her new fashion finds.  I'm showing my age, but I got a kick out of her not knowing how to wear leg warmers and that her only reference was the film Flashdance!  lol!  Check out this post to see how she interpreted them.


Jen does Features on fellow artisans and on Sunday posted one of me:  Top 5 Spotlight:  Honey from the Bee!   She selected the jewelry items to show along with the interview.  I always find it fascinating to see what others would highlight of my work.


Thank you Jen!  I hope some of my readers pop on over and say hi.

My Simple and Quick Art Show Display

It was about 4 years ago when I participated in an art and craft show in the state of California.  This past weekend I jumped back in with a loaded bag of colorful gems and shiny metals when I participated in the Triton Museum of Art's Spring Art Fair.  


Although my regular booth set up stuff is in storage I went to Michael's and Beverly's and "shopped" in my house for potential display props.

Scroll frames (Michael's); Dress forms and small table (Beverly's)

The photo above is the set-up.  It took me one trip from my car the afternoon before the show.  The morning of the show I received compliments from other artists who had seen my display.  The museum liked the tie-in with my frames and the photography exhibit on the walls.  (That was a happy accident!)
  
Below is after it was filled with my jewelry:

vanity case was my Great Grandmother's!

Love the mirror I found at a local consignment shop!

I wanted to have a display that was attractive, gave a mood and didn't compete with my jewelry.  I'm very in to French design right now and always love going in to antique shops to see what treasures I can find.  That's the feeling I wanted to evoke.  From the comments I think it worked very well!  I'm ditching my old display as this one has way more charisma.


Another important factor is that it took me one trip back to my car at the end of the show with all of my display and jewelry!  I loved that, as the last hour of a show seems to always drag.  I did rent the table so didn't have that to lug that back.


Tomorrow I'll share some farewells to a couple of my statement necklaces and introduce you to one and possibly two etsy artisans that I met at the show!