Craft Shows and Booths

I see the question a lot as to what a good display for a booth at a show should look like. Well here is what I have learned from my experiences.

When I started doing shows, I was clueless so I bought 3 folding tables and made black tablecloths for each one, I spent a
lot of time sewing them to fit so as not to blow wildly in the wind.
Well black is usually the first thought to show off sterling silver, due to contrast.
but I learned very quick that I looked like a black hole amongst my colorful neighbors.
No one wants to enter a black hole, and my jewelry was lost in it. I had very few sales.

Then I moved on to purchasing some pale green fabric to put on top of the black. This helped just a tiny bit, customers weren't as intimidated, but it still wasn't what I wanted and it wasn't good enough IMO.

Then I realized that my tables were at waist level, and so was I where I was sitting. People had to look down at my items and I was looking up to them from my short chair. I could not stand for hours. Neither my booth nor myself were very approachable.

I spent a couple of years mulling over how to remedy my problems, I had no ideas at all. (I only ever did about 4 shows per year.

I researched some very expensive displays I came across a company called abstracta, they had a good product with good ideas but cost so much it was out of the question, plus they used glass - and it gets windy on the Cape Fear River.

I needed something which could break down and easily be transported in my van.

My husband all along had been preaching that display didn't matter, the product is all that counts. How wrong that line of thinking is. Remember the black hole - would you go into one.

Big corporations spend mega bucks on merchandising and the appearance of their stores.\\

Then just a couple years ago, before kid #2 which has totally stalled out my show ability. (I will be returning this spring.)
I had an idea....

My husband could barely believe what a fantastic idea this was.
It gets everything at eye level, including me, I could sit and speak eye to eye with customers.
I was very noticeable and bright. Customers came in by the hoards. (though I still haven't been to many shows with my display yet - soon though)
I won a hundred dollars and third place in a show.

It was easy to put up and break down and easy to transport.
I LOVE IT!
ok you wanna see it now don't ya.

here it is (click for much larger view)


The wood shelves slide onto pipes it breaks down flat.
For the blue necklace displays I cut my shape out of plexiglass and painted the back blue. two notches at the top holds the chain, add two more for earrings to match set. Only problem I have to somehow fix now is I have the necklace displays stuck in soap to hold them upright, it is not the best solution, although my tent smells lovely!

The rest of the individual displays were purchased.

My tall director's chair was the icing on top.

I hope this inspires someone out there in how to display their merchandise.

I have an idea!

I wonder if you can use Kool-aid as a pigment for epoxy resin?
I must try
and keep you updated!

Spiral In Resin

My newest creation is an argentum spiral set into mustard colored resin. The head is completely Argentum Sterling, and the band is Traditional Sterling Silver. This was a fun ring to create, I really must explore resin more.

However I did glue my third hand down to my desk, oops. gotta figure a way to unstick it. Maybe acetone.

I did make this so I could solder the band to the customers unique size. I am seriously hoping I don't damage the resin in the process.

Here is a trick when soldering a shank where the head cannot take heat.
put enough water in a small container to just cover the entire head. Most of the shank needs to be sticking out of the water. You must use a third hand to do this. Then make sure the shank is perfectly aligned. Place your flux and solder over the area to be soldered. Use a HOT flame and heat the top of the shank only and flow as quickly as possible. The water should keep the sensitive material cool enough to not be damaged.

Someone mentioned in a forum post about how organized one keeps their workspace. Well my answer (as well as many others) is not very organized at all. Here is a picture of my bench. I did not clean it up a bit for the photo. I love it though, it suits me and I can find things when I need them.
My husband and my dad built my studio for me, I am forever grateful, it is my santuary. It has electricity, of course, the yellow stripes are where wires are running so I don't hang something there and get electrocuted the blue stripes at the top are where the studs are, so If I am hanging something heavy I know where to put the nail. There is a tv cable running out there, though it isn't hooked up, there is a phone line running out there, there is a water line running out there, though that isn't hooked up either right now, hopefully soon. We set the other half up with a couch, TV and colored flooring for the kids, do you think they use it, No Way. Baby won't stay over there, even if we had up a gate, he wouldn't stand being by himself, though my older one would sit and watch TV the vcr broke. The flooring is made of that rubber matting, it is very cushioned, I love walking out there barefoot (Watch out for metal shards!). Thats about it.
Here is the outside, beautiful isn't it!

Torch Fired Enamel - NEW!

I love to enamel, but I don't have $1000 for a new kiln. So the only option left for me is torch fire.
There are inherent problems with using enamel in jewelry.
The edges must be protected from damage due to being brutal to your loved piece. Enamel is glass after all and will chip and crack if abused, (lets face it all jewelry gets abused to some extent).
So I needed a design which was both beautiful and practical for everyday wear. So I came up with the Double Dome Pendant. The bottom dome is super shiny, and the top one is enameled. I plan on making a line of these pendants of all different colors. And we will see where this leads me .

Artist Statement

To me art is a process, not a destination. The inspiration for my work begans with nature. As I mature in this field, more and more of my work reflects my personal experience. I find that my inspiration often comes from within, it is a response to what I have already created.
I intend to continue where I left off 4 years ago, and see where it takes me.

Photos

I have been spending a bit of time trying to get more photos taken. It is not so easy, but the more I do the better they seem to get. I am still learning.

Here is a pic of my bee pendant, hanging from its chain, the background is my backyard. I like the effect.

Welcome To my Blog

Welcome to the official Bordeaux Designs blog.
I have just gotten back to my artwork - after a long hiatus of having and raising kids. They are my reason for living, but hey a girl has to have more than screaming younguns, least she go mad. So back to my studio I go, and so far am loving it. I found Etsy.com and that site has proved to be my sanity salvation, with each new sale I just want to keep going. And the more I keep at my designing the better I get. So I am on a Etsy high, hopefully christmas will be so busy that I will have to get my husband out to the studio bending wire. I must get to work now, toodles.