Sunday, March 20, 2011

My First Arts & Crafts Show

Last week was Spring Break...I spent the entire break getting ready for my FIRST Arts/Crafts show in Tupelo, MS--The North Mississippi Green Festival.  I am excited to show some pictures of what I've worked so hard on over the past few months!  But first let me share the top 5 things I learned on my first go-round at this sort of thing:

1. You never know what people are looking for or what they will be willing to spend their money on.  

2. Setting up takes so much longer than taking down.

3. Never try selling at an Arts/Crafts show by yourself.  I was so thankful to have some close friends that helped me do everything.  Next time my husband will be there:-)

4. Advice from other vendors is so helpful.  I met a really cool artist, Billy Moore, from Memphis, who gave me some helpful words of wisdom.  We actually ended up trading at the end...I gave him a piece of pottery for a painting (I love it!)

5. I will never go to an Arts/Crafts show as an observer and be the same.  So much work goes into doing shows...I look up to all the vendors I talked to who do this just about every Saturday!  You really never know if you will sell out or not even make enough to cover fees and gas!  

Now that I've shared my experience, here are some shots of my work and my booth.










I received so many compliments and was very encouraged by how many people asked if I had a store!  I would love to have my own studio/gallery one of these days...it is definitely a dream of mine:-)

Here are some close-ups of work I took to the show.  I am planning on putting some of these things on Etsy very soon!





Here is some of my current pottery--I have fallen in love with turquoise and brown...
Somehow can't get away from it! 










I've also been playing around with making jewelry from ceramics and am having so much fun!


 







These are some close-up shots of some picture frames I've been making with old tongue-and-groove boards.  The glass is held on with magnets...and the pictures are actually cut out from the latest issue of Real Simple magazine.






Here are some frames I painted, antiqued, and made flowers out of synthetic fabric.

  
And lastly, a couple of paintings I've done recently:



Would love to hear what you think about my recent work--please leave a comment to let me know!

Happy Monday!
Love,






Right now I am linking up to:

Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle

Newbie Party at Debbiedoo's

Take A Look Tuesday at Sugar-bee Crafts

16 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful! And the turquoise and brown is wonderful!!
    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  2. michelle it's all gorgeous!! awesome job! you've obviously been working hard. i've thought about doing some shows but you're right - it's a little scary thinking through all the logistics! thanks for the tips. your booth looked awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  3. hiya i am visiting from debbies newbie party and sure gald i did your work is amazing love the jewlery the plaques withthe little verses and the paintings ok well i love it all x tfs , hope to see you at mine soon x
    xmaggiex

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love your artwork! Come visit me! I am your newest follower!
    dreaming-n-color.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello from a fellow Mississippian. Love the brown and turqoise pottery. Your art is very good. Stop and visit me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. WOW WOW WOW!!!!!
    Your work is amazing! You are a very talented artist! You do canvases, jewelry, pottery, EVERYTHING! I love all of it!
    I'm also following you now!!!
    xxDaniella

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great job on your first show. I have been a vendor for several years and I totally agree with you. So much work is involved and yes, you never visit another show the same. I used to go to shows and browse but I never do that anymore. I always come home with something from every show I visit because now I realize the effort and time vendors put into their shows and product. I wish you all the best on your futures shows and they do get a "little" easier! Your tent looked great by the way for your first show!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think your work is stunning! Really a true gift you have. Enjoy it and I wish you much success. Thanks for joining my newbie party.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful! Everything is just amazing! I love the turquoise and brown also! And I really love that tall vase with the circles under the 2nd turquoise platter...my mantle may need a pair of those! :) And the pear painting! It's all just so great! You are so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dang! You have been working hard. It is all beautiful I especially like the frames made from tongue and groove. you are so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Michelle,
    You are so talented! I love your pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Michelle beautiful work! What a sweet blog you have. I stopped by from Debbiedoos :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I want to say so much and I don't know where to start! I love the wooden boards that have sayings on them with the crosses. I haven't seen anything like that before! I also love the picture frames with the flowers. It made me think of Jessica Kent because she would love something like that:)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh my goodness... these are beautiful. I saw your link on Sugar Bee Crafts and had to see! Thank you for this, it is truly beautiful!

    -Karli
    www.dancingaroundwithkarli.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Michelle,
    I never read blogs, but I saw the pictures and had to read it. You are amazing and have such a talent. You are a blessing to share this gift with others!
    K. Barnes

    ReplyDelete
  16. Michelle! Your work is absolutely freakin' insanely beautiful!!! I can't wait to get back and buy some of it from you. :)
    So glad I got to talk to you yesterday too! Miss you SO much! and, I'm praying for you!!! :)
    Love you so much!

    ReplyDelete