At The WEEMS Art Show in Alburqueque New Mexico Show With John Corbitt!!!

A lot of these shows are juried, so if you are interested in applying for any of them I recommend that you join something called ZAPP,  (for a nominal yearly fee) you can file your applications and upload/save the pictures there and send them directly to the jury.

A lot of them want the actual hard copy pictures, which I find out that Walgreens does a great job and super fast.  Usually they need four size 4x6's all in clear plastic protection sleeves with 3 holes, brief description of medium and price.  You have to keep your 'resume' to a minimum!!  The first application you put together is very stressful.... deciding what pictures, and some demand a picture of your booth, if you do not have one like me, I just sent a picture of my regular set up, making it look as streamlined (black colors not too many items) as possible. Later it will get easier to send these apps.  I have placed 3 so far at the beginning of the year, they are very strict when it comes to dates!!!  However not heard from any yet! ;(

If you miss your chance trust me, there are 10 other artists waiting for that spot, and that is for the newbies. The ones that are regular get preference of course.  Zapp will advise you when the deadlines come for your favorite shows.  Also with this economy some regulars drop out of the circuit, and some others might share the booth (10x10) with you!!! As long as you are not competitors, this works great in case any of you needs a break. Spaces can run from $300 to $500 for a weekend, try to choose one close enough for the first time so you save on extra expenses, hotel, food, and others.  Also if they are indoors, you get protection from wind, dust, rain, snow and what nots...

I decided to throw my hat on the ring and applied to one of the most famous in the NM area, the Weems show, it has a local buzz, parking and it is indoors!! Prices where from low to high, so there was a range for every buyer.

And it was just my luck that I ended up meeting Hollywood actor John Corbett, from Parenthood, Sex In The City and of course when he played the hottest DJ ever in Northern Exposure!! We got into a conversation, he now paints, and also plays guitars, so my husband offered to make a guitar for a charity even in the future...he is a cool dude.  I pray I am accepted to this Art Festival, it would be my first, and perhaps I can get a space next to him :))

STEAMPUNK.... Other Interesting Jewelry Line Cold Connections

 Steampunk style jewelry is very HOT.  In some cases, it is also called cold fusion, since you really do not need to solder anything,  Although it helps if you do.  It is also great for your creativity, and if you have little things here and there in that messy drawer we all have, with some of those, nails, dice, broken clocks, watches, children toys, screws, and wire, all you have to do is buy copper and or metal sheets (Michaels), and a good pair of metal shears.  Also very popular and in high demand are words, little designs or names that are stamped (hammer and anvil) like old fashion tags to your jewelery.  

Basically create organic, interchangeable pieces!  Either used with a chain or a choker style wired necklace.  All the components are basically inexpensive, at least 2 rolls of wire, either silver tone, or copper, if you have colored ones even better a thick gauge and a thin gauge.  A good hammer, preferably one with heads that you can exchange for texturing metals, if you can afford to buy thin gauge silver...go for IT.   It will add more dimension and color to your pieces, mix them up with stones, and findings such as wire, spacers, get your tools to do the  work. A hole puncher is also a great investment as it is an anvil, there are more interesting tools out there if you want to spend the cash, but you can start with a small investment of $50, and most likely get it all when you sell your first piece :)

Now for the actual meaning of the word : Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art!

My Magazine Article On Making A Memory Wrapped Bracelet

A British On-Line magazine (Creative Crafting) contacted me a while ago, to teach their readers how to make a simple memory wrap, or coiled bracelet with my signature charms!   I could not believe it!!  so I set up the theme being Halloween this way I could get very creative and the colors would be amazing.   I set up the camera and took pictures of the whole process! It was a HIT!  I loved it, and of course the bracelet SOLD!  Getting yourself on an on line magazine is not that hard either.  I was approached by them through ETSY, but you can send emails to local or international magazines with your crafty ideas!! It is a great promotional tool.   Plus you can get a hard copy and put it on your table at your artists or craft show!

First step get all your tools wire and jump rings

Get colorful beads, either for a specific holiday or colors you like

Get your charms ready, mix matched earrings, old dangling little things

Place jump rings on all charms and alternate charms and beads.

Start with a small loop at the end so the beads don't fall. Cut about 3 wrist sizes

Finished bracelet

1.  These are actually my best sellers... they take no time to time to make and while you are selling at a market, you can be working on them. People are always interested in artists that are working their craft.  I placed these at the end of the table closest to the entry point, right next to the 'Cash And Carry' section, along with all my colorful earrings that are very inexpensive to make, and I sold them at about $6 each or 2 x 10. Basically, you have to think about it this way, you can sell a $100 piece, or 2 bracelets at $25 each and a couple of earrings, and it is still the same amount of $, plus you are giving someone that might not have the same amount of money to buy one of your more formal designer pieces, something to remember you by :)

Sundays at the Artist's Market in Santa Fe New Mexico

What a great experience this has been, I started with so many things, now I am streamlining, my husband (the guitar maker Jim Kath) made these great screens for me, they fold and they have a metal mesh, from which I can hang all the lariat pendants that I have recently designed. 

I have also decided to change the pieces every week, and place some on tilted velvet trays, on each of these I place one of my larger postcards or my business cards.  I am showing fewer pieces, I find that buyers won't be overwhelmed  with the merchandise.  If I see that they are interested in a particular stone but can't seem to find what they want, I take some of the extra inventory that I keep on a handy tray cart (jewelers case).

Trying to set up is always the worse, no matter what I do still takes me more than an hour, not a good thing, if I am accepted by any of the 3 local shows I have applied for!!   

I have 3 large folding tables, purchased the black straight table covers (I keep my mess under them) and in between the area I have created I also added a runner, a good 'warm feeling' plus if anything falls or if anyone drops a piece it is saved!

Don't forget to place a lot of signs showing that you take credit cards!!  

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!