From Ebay To Etsy To Small Craft Shows To Our Own Gallery In less than 2 Years!!

Friday March 2 at 5:00 PM, 2012 we will be opening our gallery-studio in Santa Fe. Located in historic Rout 66, on 533 Old Santa Fe Hwy.  We will be having live music, drinks and munchies.

Adriana a photographer from the area will be exhibiting some of her photographs, I will be unveiling my new silver jewelry line. And my husband will be formally opening his guitar studio.  We finally have a place that we can work in together.  It was a series of events that could only be coordinated by the grace of God. :)  We found the perfect space without looking, in a great area, lot's of traffic, affordable rent a great landlord a parking!! A must in Santa Fe!!


So for the past month we have been working to get the place together.  Keeping it low cost, for many reasons was one of our concerns.  But also making it comfy and pleasing to the eye is a must, and that so my pieces do not get lost in the sauce is not easy!! Plus my new silver line has to be a mayor focus! I have a very high tech desk, one medium size display case and 2 side open display ends. A few narrow tables with display busts.

I also have a little area where I will be able to work on my pieces and make jewelry repairs, such as sizing rings and soldering. There is a specific wall space for his handmade guitars, for photography, a folklore area and my pieces are displayed through out. I have taken so much advantage of this little space by dividing it with the sliding doors from a closet that belong in one of the only other room in this is a one room 1600's authentic Santa Fe adobe home.  The space also has a kitchen in back :)

When in Santa Fe please stop by and say Hi!!.

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!

Using Frames And Shadow Boxes For a Gallery Look To Your Displays

 I am always looking for interesting and cheap ways to display my items. Regardless of what you sell, you can create the 'Gallery' look to your on line store, craft table, or art show booth.

On the first picture I took a lovely original signed print ($4) in a great heavy wood frame, at the same store I found a heavy clear glass frame, that slides right off!  If I glue the together, it would create a gallery effect to any piece, plus I can set it down on top of the table, without that 'thrown' look.  And it will be want to make it easy and accessible to a buyer, I can leave it unglued.

 Recently I was at a show in Santa Fe, where we are planning to move in October (God willing)!.  It was an indoor show (GREAT for sellers and buyers!) One of the artists had a gorgeous setting on her table, her handmade jewelry ($350+) consists on delicate rose buds tied together with fine silver.  As a couple with kids went to see her higher set/displayed pieces, their child, started playing, picking up and touching the delicate necklace.  The parents where oblivious.  If your pieces are delicate and you only want adults handling them, find a way to place them on a higher shelf or display, and the pieces   that are sturdy on your table. I like to have a combo of both but protecting the heavy and expensive is a must.  I did mentioned to the artist, she also told me that the majority of the damage incurred to her pieces where made by adults!  So her most expensive pieces, rosaries, was displayed on the wall, in a vintage frame.

I did mentioned to the artist, she also told me that the majority of the damage incurred to her pieces where made by adults!  So her most expensive pieces, rosaries, was displayed on the wall, in a vintage frame.  Setting some of your work on interesting frame, not only adds dimension, put keeps the kids away from them.  Mix and match these, and don't forget to add something interesting  around them.   Basically eye candy for all.

Deep framed shadow boxes with either paper or fabric liner that compliment your product are also very professional looking.  These are always available, they usually come in sets, or the square open big frames that are used on walls for decor, can be stacked and your pieces can be displayed there as well, plus you create height! 

Continue tweaking your displays for that professional, but fun and interesting look that will have people looking in various directions, and finding your items even more appealing.

Continue creating, your goal is to sell, sell, sell :) 

Display Ideas....Jewelry Show Ideas...Displaying Your Merchandise For Sale

Mmmm, so you finally got the courage to step out there, and sign up for some art fairs, craft shows or art shows and craft fairs.

Two different ways to make money with your art. And basically SELL what you make at home.
A very popular trend right now!

We are all looking for that 'personal' connection. We are also looking for unique items. Even with this economy we still buy 'impulse' items. For example when you go to another State or City or Country, don't you always buy something as a 'memento'? Same is true with with art shows and craft fairs. Even if they are selling something different and interesting at the farmer's market, we are bound to buy it, as long as it fits in our budget.

So get your crafts together and make a plan! If you sell hand made jewelry like I do, you scored BIG time!! Even if you sell handmade cards, I am sure you will find my display ideas, affordable and something interesting to look at.

Make an impression!! People should be HIT with some sort of 'feeling' when entering your booth or looking at your little folding table at the local craft fair. But a combo of you, your products and the original ways to display it does the trick :)

Start with a mock up display at home. Leave it as long as you can and get feedback from every one you can. Take pics every time you change the look, just in case the look you had before worked better than this one. Think color, BOLD in your face. If possible keep your display where you do your craft. This will inspire and motivate you.

Separate yourself from everyone else, the more different you and your product 'seem' to be the better your chances to sell them. It is all a matter of perception.

In the next few weeks, I will be going through ideas, displays, costs, equipment required, basic needs, and more.

If you have any specific or related ?? let me know.