My husband's guitar on the cover of Creative Crafting

Recently my husband was asked to write a piece and be in the June cover of the online UK Creative Crafting magazine! 

It was a great honor!!  I will be teaching a project for the August edition!  We both were chosen as the artist couple to contribute.

Here is a link to the magazine! Thanks Creative Crafting for your support!!


http://issuu.com/CreativeCrafting/docs/june2011

At the Show!!!

Shows are so much work!!  We were very excited when friends from our church volunteered to go with us to our first show.  Good thing it was sort of local...about 40 min away.  I did not realized how much stuff we need to make an eye catching display, even with a tent rehearsal!! There are so many other things to consider...where to store the buckets or boxes used, who are your neighbors, getting electricity without having extension cods everywhere.  We are going to have to have separate tents for shows that we book after we make some $ from the ones we have already scheduled.

Made a pretty good impression, but next time I am going to streamline a lot, place some of the necklaces on flat trays that are tilted and behind them place the neck displays, this way I will be able to display more items!  Also I want to make some of the necklaces a 'one price' ticket, so not only is it easy for pricing purposes but also for buyers!

Can I Make An Income From Art Shows And Craft Fairs?

'Tent Rehearsal'

My husband and I are taking these art shows as a serious way to support ourselves in the near future.  After more than 25 years in software, he has decided to go back to his love of hand made guitars and has become a luthier.  And with my background in jewelry we look for art shows where we can both share a 10x10 tent.  Most shows do not allow 2 different mediums under a tent.  These spaces can be costly, normally, between $200-$800 +.  We have been able to book about 4-5 shows for the summer time, and paid $200 for one in Sta Fe, 2011 (that is a deal), a few local ones for about $100 and some $50-60.

Since we are just starting, we are trying to get a 'feel' for what these art shows are.  Over the past 3 years we have done our research, 2 years ago we both started creating our products, and last year we actually started to buy everything that is needed for the shows.   We are planning on kicking it up a notch, after the end of this year, provided that do as well as we expect.
About every show we have been, and there are many just here in CO plus we go to NM frequently,  we  always speak to many sellers/artists.   Most of them are doing this year around, every weekend to support themselves.  And it is true there is at least one art/craft show going on in any given day in the whole US.

A lot of these artists/sellers travel in pairs, husband and wife teams,  that are or went through the same 'there is something better to do with my life' stage.  We received a lot of useful information and been told over and over again, that YES you CAN have a comfortable life, or make enough money on one show for you to live comfortably for 6 mos or a year!  These artists are the ones that are paying about $1000 to have a 10x10 spot in places like Venice Beach FL, Coconut Grove FL, Sta Fe NM, Cherry Creek CO and more.  Most of them are painters or sculptors, but even they started small, their talent had to be recognized and it took time and a lot of traveling for them to sport the 'best in show' ribbons. :)

But for 5 of the top recognized artists, there are many, many regular people like you and us, that know in their hearts that what we make with our hands can be sold.   I know I can sell, because I have sold on line, not on my website, I want to keep that just for stores that want to carry my items.  I want to generate most of my revenue and sales from shows.  I have sold through ebay and etsy, mostly ebay, and from these sales I have been able to fund more supplies.   I have been able to sell my pieces to a local store, and these sold very fast.  Come June, I will be taking some of my jewelry to another store in Boulder.   My goal is to get a few stores to carry my jewelry, so we can make the transition from a full time job (husband), to a part time, and perhaps a lifetime of selling our art!

On another blog I will let you know about how much to start putting aside to make this dream a reality.

Keep on creating!

Married And Together Making Art To Sell!

My work station

My husband's workshop

From day one, my husband and I decided to work on our craft/art with the purpose of selling it.  It has been a little over a year, but we are finally ready to set up a tent at an art show.  I have sold my jewelry through stores, ebay, etsy,  but we wanted to join the 'arts/craft/ fair community'.  See if this is something feasible, and make sure we will be able to support ourselves in the near future. 


We have a 3 bedroom house with a 'partial' basement, my husband took it and made a small work wood shop where his custom made guitars are designed and born.

 I have a spare bedroom where I set up my computer desk, jewelry display and workbench.  We calculate that we have spent together about $5000.00 in supplies tools, wood, beads... and everything needed to go to the art shows.  This investment was done over time, and funded with some sales that we made on the side.  I sold on ebay many of my personal items that I was not using :) 

Right now we are out growing our assigned spaces,  but we make do with the space we have.   It is a good thing that the two of us, went back into our craft about the same time.  We give each other support and ideas, and of course we are our worse critics.

I can't imagine what would have happened if he dove into this venture and I had not started to make jewelry.  I would have been bored out of my mind, and most likely it would have cause friction in our marriage.  It is also a blessing that we will be sharing a space/tent in upcoming shows.

A spouse or partner that supports, shares and joins in the fun of the creative purpose is great.  But if you don't have one in your life, a family member or a friend will come in handy too!

So share with someone else all the fabulous things you create!

Name Recognition.. YOUR Business Cards Should SELL YOU!!

This is very important!! When we go to art or craft shows, we all pick up so many cards, so many that when we get home, only a few will spark a memory!


 I decided to do something about that.  I figured, I am the product, what I make design and sell should be a part of me, and people should be able to remember me. After all, they have my product, it will end up somewhere in their home, (I also make belts, paint, and use a lot of other media).  But when they are gone, I want them to put a 'face' or an image be it subliminal or on in 'your face' of the artist they met.
Even if they do not buy something, they will probably keep the card for a while...and like a friend of mine always says...Who knows?  Her 'who knows' have taken me very, very far, because I have dabbled in different things, and took chances just on those 2 words! 

I spent some extra $, it was less than $100 on a professional 'mega store'  picture pack promo.  I brought all the clothes that I wanted to use to create the image that I want to convey, something that tells 'my story' and that is unique to me.  I also made sure I used my jewelry as well.  Some say that when you first see the card they don't always think jewelry until they read it, (I have very little text too, I believe YOU have to be your product).  But every single time some one gets my card they always, always compliment the picture.  Plus it makes me look better than in person :).   I had them made in the best quality glossy paper, this is the color version, I am know using the same one but in sepia tones, and as you see is vertical!.  I am getting ready to re-print some with my etsy info and I am doing those in color for my upcoming Tri-Cultural-Show in Santa Fe and just for variety!  I got a great deal, I got 2 poses, in different widths, the one I currently use on this blog, and this one, and both in color and in sepia tones.  

So keep on creating and start re-inventing yourself.  Remember YOU are your product, GO out and make money with your art and sell your talents!  Read more on 'dressing' or accessorizing for the part, with your art!

You MUST Display Items At Eye Level So They Are EYE CATCHING

I have seen many art shows craft fairs, tables where the seller, just lays it's merchandise flat on the folding table.  One of the appeals of a 'real' jewelry store or an art gallery is that your eyes are basically 'forced' to look straight ahead, then you look down, but your first impression will be at eye level. Most likely something, bright, shinny, unusual or colorful.

I had previously mentioned that there were so many items that you could use, or buy inexpensively that would double as displays.  Not only are they visually appealing, but they create height.  It is important to set aside some funds for this.  After all, if you do not display your items properly, they will not sell, and your efforts will be in vain.  I will blog later how to make the $ to invest on these 'props'.  (Easy things that worked for me and funded most of my business operation).

In the picture above I found that wire sort of pyramid thing that I still have no clue what it is, but it serves a double purpose.  I display earrings on it, and create height for one my neck displays.  And I am able to secure the display to the 'pyramid' in case of high winds. Every exhibitors nightmare. ;(

About everything that is here, other than the velvet bust and the hand, (Michael's with 40% coupon about $12 for both) have been purchased at local thrift shops. I scout these at least 3 times a week, & go to flea markets and yard sales.   The little box is a perfect primitive background and also serves as a source of height!  Remember build your display UP! (But make sure is secure). Then you can place some of your merchandise on a table, (not too many pieces) in pretty silver trays, bowls, natural rocks, bamboo place mats, small rugs, picture frames, paintings, mirrors (here I found a SW mirror that matched perfectly my decor, plus a great Day Of The Dead cross.  All of it for about $20!  It is also extremely important to keep a cohesive theme and stick to a few colors for your display, this way is easy to pick up matching display items.  It makes a BIG impression, it looks polished and it looks like the seller cared.  I just didn't show up, unfolded a table, covered it with a sheet and threw my lovingly hand made items there.

If I treat my 'store' like a flea market, I can only get flea market prices.  If I treat, design, and display like a gallery, I can charge and will get gallery prices.

Of course, I have been getting ready to do shows and collecting 'decor' for about a year.   But this might be the principal difference between you and the tent or table next to you that seems to be generating some sort of 'buzz'.

So if you are getting ready to start selling in craft/art shows, scout for interesting items, preparation is key to create a lasting impression.  More on how YOU can become part of that impression on another blog.

Get cracking to get selling and keep on creating!