Temptation and Pear Frost Links

This past weekend, a BeadStreet USA show was in town. I tried to resist the temptation to go, but if you read my Facebook on Sunday, I couldn't resist any longer and went on my lunch hour. The show was kinda sparse which normally would be a problem but since I was in a hurry, it was perfect.

I had a couple of things I was looking for so I went in like a stealth missle - zeroing in on what I was looking for and trying not to get sidetracked. I made a few quick decisions and was out of there. All done on my lunch hour! YAY!

This morning, I've taken my morning coffee outside and the strands of beads I bought.



Quite a colorful bunch, huh? I'm not really sure what it all is, I think it's mosaic turquoise and dyed turquoise. The bright pink/fuschia are dyed stones of some sort I think. I was going for color this time around.

The dyed turquoise was bought first because I had the Frost Links in Pear in mind. I think they go together quite well, don't you?



Topping today's to do list is to make something from the Pear Frost Link and the dyed turquoise before I have to leave for work at 11:30am. So I better get crackin'! What's topping your to do list today?

Is a Show for You?

Shows are as varied as artists. There are wholesale shows, high end shows, arts and crafts shows, bead shows, glass art shows - the proliferation of shows means you have to do your homework.

Homework?

Yes, homework.

You're about to spend some serious time and effort to sell your goods on the road. You'll spend time preparing, creating product, designing a display, promoting your work, packing, traveling, unpacking, selling and promoting. You want to choose a venue worthy of all that work. So, research and start by reading up on all the information the promoters offer. Some questions you want answered is:

1. What is the expected attendance of the show? The more people who walk through a show, the more potential customers you'll have. Be aware, high foot traffic can mean a higher booth fee.



2. Where is the show hosted? Is it in an out of the way place? Is it in the center of town?

3. Does your work fit? If you're doing an arts and crafts show, if you have jewelry and the show is mostly home decor, you may not sell much. Or your work might not be in the price range of the most of the items for sale.

4. Talk to other artists who have worked the show you're researching. Be wary of comments made online about a show - read them but I find that most artists aren't willing to be too open simply because it's their business and they don't have to share openly. Besides, who wants to say they didn't do well?

5. If researching online, make sure the advice you follow applies to the show you're considering. For example, advice for a juried show may not apply to a small arts and crafts show for the local charity. Taking twice your inventory isn't necessary at a local show.

6. Go to the show before you buy a table. I can't stress this one enough - see what it offers you. Envision yourself at the show. Who are the customers? What kind of questions are they asking the artist? Are there other vendors like you? Is it busy? Do customers seem to be buying or are they looking? Are there imported products at the show?

I've completely ruled out some shows after researching them and deciding they were possible venues for me. Then, I went to them and realized they were not what they seemed.

Do you do research? If yes, then how has it gone for you? If no, then I'd ask the same question, how has it gone for you?

Beadfiesta! Monticello, NY

I've re-stocked from Urban Glass and am ready! I've got more spirals in lots of colors! Beadfiesta is this weekend in Monticello, New York - click on the title above for details!

I love the name - Beadfiesta! Sounds like fun! I feel like a Mariachi band should be playing in the background! I love the show hosts - Mac Arts they're friendly and treat the vendors well!

Hope to see you there!!

Published and going on The Road!

I've received the copy of the Annealer magazine - all the effort I put into taking the pictures paid off! I've had several comments on how good the pictures are - of course, it's not all me - the magazine layout for them is fabulous - nice clear, BIG pictures! Remember, if you're interested in the tutorial, pick up an issue of The Annealer Magazine. I've posted a couple pictures of what you can do with the knotting technique once you learn it.

Tomorrow, I'm going to get back to the glass - now that inventory is done, I've been in the studio creating inventory for the next glass show - Urban Glass in NYC and the Spirals that will be coming out in the April edition of Beadwork.

I know, I know, you're thinking, Cindy, why so early? It takes time to create each bead by hand. Every single bead is wound by hand onto a mandrel. So it takes time to create inventory. Urban Glass will be the first show for the spring - I'll also be at Beadfiesta in Monticello, NY in April - that's a new show I added this year. It's their first in NY! I'm excited as the Beadfiesta people are terrific!