When I first started creating fused glass work, I realized I needed outlets to sell it. It really started out kind of slowly. I wore my own things, people at worked liked them enough to ask about them, and I overcame my uncertainty enough to bring a basket into work. To my surprise, I sold quite a few that way. The next step brought me to a local gift shop where I rented a space for my things, and I explored the possibility of doing my first outdoor festival. This is where Gowensville comes in.
I really don't remember exactly how I found out about this festival, probably an email from MAC (Metropolitan Arts Council). But, I nervously filled out the application and sent it in with the entry fee. To my relief, I was accepted and began preparing for the show. I had nothing to work with. I borrowed a couple of tables from my dad. They weren't even folding tables, so he took them to the site in the back of his truck for me. I was so nervous about this show that I took half day off work so I could go out the afternoon before to scope things out and set up my tables.
I borrowed a set of red charger plates from my mom to use to display my pendants. I threw together some signage and scrounged up a couple of red tablecloths. Thankfully, my mom came along with me to help out as well. There were just so many details involved in doing a show, from price signs to money for change. It was all so new - kind of scary but fun too!
That first show went better than I had expected. The people there were so nice. The weather on that November day was unseasonably warm. And, I actually sold stuff!
So, this past Saturday, I went back to Gowensville for the third time. After a couple of years of doing shows, I don't get nearly as nervous these days. I don't go out the day before anymore, and I have my very own folding tables. I still rely on and enjoy help from my mom and my husband. I still have lots of details to remember, and I confess to worrying needlessly about having enough inventory...haven't sold out yet.
I enjoyed being there this year as much as the first year. It is always nice to get out and meet people. I enjoy talking to them, explaining the process of fusing and hearing their stories. It is nice to sell a few pieces too! I always feel better about making the money to support buying and fusing more glass.
The tree right above my tent - 2011
My first festival space in Gowensville in 2009.
My booth this past Saturday - 2011
Yes, I may be just the slightest bit obsessed with my art festival display. I seem to post a bunch about it's development, continued evolution, overhauls, and tweaks. I guess to the casual reader it may seem a bit odd, but it is something of a continuing saga for me.
This past weekend, I did what is probably my last outdoor show until Spring. As I was setting up, I took some photos of my display as I was assembling it. The last change I made was to replace the panels with a light weight, but sturdy foam core board.
Two metal shelves from Hobby Lobby with two curtain rods suspended between.
Three panels clipped to the curtain rod with chip clips that I attached to the foam core with E-6000 adhesive. I created three panels instead of one larger one so I I could store the entire display in one container for easier transport.
I cut and glued thin strips of foam core to create shelves for the pendants. Because of the angle of the panels, the pendant sit on the shelves without falling over or off. It is also easier now for people to see the pendants and pick them up and put them back. In the first draft of this display, the pendants were attached using s-hooks, but it was awkward for customers. They had trouble putting the pendants back on after looking at them.
Tonight was the first night of Mistletoe Market. My mom went down to Anderson with me and helped me set up for the show. She had already taken my big box of pendants home with her this week and spent time organizing them into categories, colors, styles, etc.
This was a huge help when putting them on display...oh, she did that too! Thanks Mom for all your help! I loved having you with me.
We got to the museums about 2:15 and were finished setting up just about the time the first customers came in at 4:00. There was a pretty good crowd there tonight. The event was very well organized. I enjoyed meeting the people who had been sending me advance emails in person.
A colonnade at the entrance of the museum
A fountain outside the museum
My booth
A few new enameled copper pendants
This weekend I will be at the Eighth Annual Mistletoe Market at the Anderson County Museum. This officially kicks off the holiday season for me as far as shows go, and I am excited to be doing a show I haven't done in the past. If you are planning on going to the MM this weekend, please stop by and visit my booth. I've been working since the summer on Christmas pendants for this and other shows coming up this month. Below is the information for the Mistletoe Market and a few photos of more holiday pendants.
The Eighth Annual Mistletoe Market hosted by the Friends of the Anderson County Museum will be held November 4 & 5, 2011 at the museum. The Mistletoe Market, a juried show, marks the start of the holiday shopping season in the upstate and features artisans and crafters from all over Upstate SC and Georgia. This year’s market is the largest to date with thirty-four vendors. The Friends will host a “Sip & Shop” with refreshments on opening night, Friday, November 5, from 4pm until 8pm. On Saturday, November 5, the Market is open from 10am until 5pm. To allow parents time to shop uninterrupted, ACM will have a program for children under eight years of age at 10 a.m. and at noon. Each program will last approximately one hour. The children will make turkey centerpieces to take home for their Thanksgiving table. For more information about the Market, you can call the Museum at 864/260-4737 or contact Catherine Luplow, Market Coordinator, at acmmarkets@hotmail.com.
Since I had nonrefundable hotel reservations, my family took a trip to Cary, NC this past weekend.
Knowing that Hurricane Irene wasn't supposed to be too bad in that area, we drove down on Friday night. We decided to leave I-85 at Charlotte and take the smaller back roads to get there. I really don't enjoy being small car sandwich meat between a semi truck and the cement wall of death. If you could see my little car, you'd understand.
So when time allows, I always like to take the road less traveled and see the small towns along the way. We saw a "Walmart Express" - looked like a cross between a Walgreens and a Walmart. I didn't even know those existed. We saw a convenience store chain called "Tank and Tummy" - their slogan: "fill both at the same time!"
I was really impressed with the Cary area. We stayed in a very nice Holiday Inn and Suites. There were lots of refuges from the coastal areas staying there too. Irene came ashore about 7:00 am on Saturday, and we were in the very outer band of the storm. The winds were fairly high, and it pretty much rained all day long,
Tim and I drove over to the actual downtown Cary area and found the streets where the festival would have been. It was pouring rain, and it made me grateful to the organizers for canceling it. I think it would have been a miserable day for everyone involved. I also imagine my tent would have been worse for the wear after enduring the high winds...if it survived at all.
We didn't really do much the rest of our time there. We visited a mall, had lunch at a Red Robin, hung out at the hotel, and just relaxed. It was good for my family to have a chance to ditch the routine and just hang out. So, even though I was disappointed that I didn't get to experience my first Festival there, it turned out to be a nice weekend after all.
In our office, there is always art on display. Most of the time, we showcase student artwork from some of the very talented students in the district. During the summer, we sometimes have show featuring art teachers from across the district.
However, this summer, the person who coordinates the shows is not able to do so. I was asked to help a friend downstairs put up a display featuring my work and things from the collections of others in this building. So, this week, we hung the show. It was small, so it was very manageable, and we had fun doing it.
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