Choi to the World

How'd it go at Artist Row????

I think it went well and I consider it a success. This was my first arts fair and I am pleased. I went in looking at this as a marketing opportunity a chance to test the art/craft fair phenomenon waters. I didn't sell as much as the one stroke painter did next to me but I made back my entrance fee and enough to buy my baby a little goodie for his room. He was such a trooper, hanging out with me and hubby and being our dear sweet booth juju.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day, sunny and the slightest breeze which was enough to blow my cards over and off the table, but it was manageable.  I definitely need to come up with better display fixture if I am going to do and outdoor show again!

My Lady Baltimores in action.

My valance, a similar design is featured in the upcoming book Paper Cuts: 35 Inventive Projects, available in January.

I met some great local artists who were helpful and super friendly. The coordinators were accessible and friendly. All in all it was a great experience. I got uber compliments and was even told my name came up for an Honorable Mention! A bunch of people picked up the information for the pop-up class I am teaching and yeah I had some sales.

The best part: I got to spend the day with all the things and people I love.

Oh and I have many new card designs that will be added to my shop really soon. This was a great way to get work done but a bad way to keep up on the blog. All the cool things I did in preparation never made it here. Boo.

Oh Lady Baltimore, you had me at hello

So here I am with one week to prepare for Artist Row. I don't have enough made, I don't have cards, receipts, signage...well let's just say I am up a creek. I needed display items and had an idea of what I wanted but I gave myself an afternoon only to accomplish it. I had a plan of hitting some antique shops on my way to a thrift store and then on to a household parts recycler. So with my Sweet Little Truffle in tow I pulled into the first place. Looking around I saw a few suitcases. Brown, which really I wanted something less neutral like a turquoise or red, even pink. But really something that wasn't too loud. Let's just say I thought I would have to compromise, so I was open to what was available, being under such time constraints. I found some green ones (that I thought were it), and some brown leather, I had to get help with one because I needed two hands at the same time to open one and that wasn't working while juggling a baby. The woman who helped asked what I thought I wanted and she brought me to the Holy Grail. I never knew Lady Baltimore but she was exactly what I was looking for. It was love at first sight. As I am tuning out the "blah, blah, blah" of her sales pitch I am seeing my display take shape to the sound of a chorus of angels. Everything I wanted to convey would come together around this luggage of the 50's. Perfect. $20 for the pristine set--nirvana!

 

I got the drawer (which is the perfect size for a row of A2 cards) from ReHouse added the sweet ceramic and brass handle and the bell was a treasure from grandma's dresser. I am picturing a little faux bois and maybe a couple shutters and I'll be in good shape. Maybe time will not allow the latter imaginings but that is my eventual goal. It is so wonderful when things just come together.