Steampunk Carnivale - an Experiment in Show Vending

I don't do shows.  Well, at least not in several years - the few I've done in the past have been less than successful.  While I am always happy to sell my work, finding the right demographic for beadwork is difficult...and frankly, I'd rather be beading than just about anything else.  That being said, awhile back I had decided that the next show I would have a table at needed to fit a few requirements -

• be within a few hours drive of home
• relatively inexpensive fees
• be a show I've attended in the past
• have friends also vending, preferably sharing a table
• time to make non-beadwork jewelry - something able to sell in the $10-$50 price point

SO...this year my friend Mel, a couple of her artist friends, and I decided to split a 10x20 space at the Knoxville Steampunk Carnivale.  I actually (briefly) met Mel at last year's show while she was vending her leather and ceramic wares.  We didn't become friends until earlier this year, and shortly after that we were talking about some sort of joint table at this year's show.  

This show seemed to meet all of my above criteria, and also had the bonus of being an event I would have attended anyway.  It is so much fun to get all decked out in steampunk regalia...and have a scruffy little town like Knoxville turn out so many other awesome steampunkers.  Since we lived in Knoxville for 3 years, we have many friends in the cosplay/arts/crafts/lLARP/maker communities - a homecoming and reunion all in one!

Alice in Wonderland theme necklaces

Circus acrobat necklaces

Escutcheon necklaces

I had fun coming up with some new merchandise for this show, especially these necklaces - incorporating laser cut wood and paper components from PorkChopShow.  I've had these for several years, waiting for the opportunity to make a bunch jewelry with them.  It was also nice to break out my under-used dremel, and do some drilling.  

I also made a slew of leather and silk cuff bracelets, embellished with metal, mica, lace, and a few other random things.  I discovered while making these, not only can my little domestic machine tackle more leather than I had expected...but also that my metal hole punch works on multiple layers of leather and fabric...and on mica!!!

For the new work, I had to come up with some new displays.  I used my trusty wire crate shelving panels to make two flat stands that I covered in fabric - I used these for the wood necklaces. Driftwood from my friend Steve became the perfect thing to drape and wrap the leather bracelets around. 

For my beadwork, I used a mixture of white ceramic decor, and driftwood necklace busts (also made by my friend Steve).  I like the mixture of refined/organic/architectural/human - it seems to fit my work well.  Also, my pieces have a tendency to not only overwhelm the normal cardboard necklace display busts...but also topple them.  With displays like this, I know that my work will stay safely where it's placed.  

I displayed earrings on little cardstock mason jars - hanging from a weird metal drum-shaped side table.  The slots in the sides were the perfect width for lining up lots of earrings.  Next time though...I need to affix a lazy susan to the bottom...everyone wanted to rotate the earring rack!  

An almost panoramic shot of our whole set up - with Mel and her leatherwork on the left, my jewelry on the far right.  The room in the middle was for the last member of our group, Constance, who brought her prints and paintings.  At first I was worried that we wouldn't look cohesive, because our table coverings were all different colors and materials.  But between Mel's leather merchandise, Constance and I working in similar colors, and the leather covering the rest of the tables, some how it managed to work!  ***unexpected bonus of leather table covers...being able to tape your breakable displays down***

How could you not enjoy a show with these characters meandering around, enjoying the music, and fondling your work?  I had so much fun all day long - chatting with old friends, making new ones, hanging out, talking about my work, walking around and talking with other artists and vendors about their work.  I still need to work on my introversion...but overall, I managed ok.  

Our 4th booth-mate Jamie and I, having a good ol' time!

So, by now you're wondering how I did, right?  We will just say, I made more $ than I have at any other show to date.  I was not expecting to sell any of the beadwork pieces, but I did alright with the wood necklaces, and also sold a pair of earrings and a cuff bracelet.  The event was hugely under attended from last year, with fewer vendors, food trucks, and one of the major attractions pulling out.  The show was very poorly managed and under advertised...that alone would dissuade me from vending again.  But from a "fun" standpoint?  I had a blast - 100% success!

Whole Bead Show

Last weekend I had the unique opportunity to get an insider's look at a bead show, even though I do not create beads.  I helped fellow AJE team member, Kristi Bowman, with her booth at the Whole Bead Show in Lynnwood, WA.  It was Kristi's first time being a vendor at a bead show and she did quite well.  Of course that was no surprise to me, because her copper and polymer clay components are so unique and gorgeous.

I arrived on Thursday and helped her with the pre-show setup.  I'm familiar with the whole setup and breakdown routine from my experiences with the fine arts and crafts shows where I sell my finished jewelry.

Thursday night.  All's quiet and ready!

Kristi's  banner was newly ordered from Vista Prints.  Originally we'd placed it on the bulletin board behind the booth, but we were told that we had to remove it.  We weren't sure how best to attach the banner to the booth and we learned from a fellow vendor that you can attach your vinyl banner to your table cover using double stick foam tape.  It holds well, doesn't damage the tablecloth and peels off fairly well from the back of the banner when you're all done.

Friday morning was a bit slow, but by the end of the day, Kristi felt pretty satisfied with her sales.  We found that we worked well together.  I'd wrap up the purchases and write the receipt, while Kristi added up the sales total, added the tax and operated the Square.

You can't imagine how difficult it was to spend 3 days with all this treasure right in front of my nose, tempting me!  I wanted it ALL!  I kept picking components up, fondling them and then reluctantly placing them back in the trays.  

Each day of the show, I wore different jewelry featuring Kristi's copper components. Pictured below is the jewelry set I wore on Friday.

April Bloom Earrings and Fly Away Necklace

On Saturday and Sunday we were battling gorgeous weather.  With summer-like temperatures, people wanted to be outside digging in their gardens, sailing their boats or playing sports.  Attending a bead show indoors, slips lower on the priority list in those circumstances.  Vendors told us the turnout was lower than the year before.   We had gaps of time when it seemed like there were more vendors than customers, but then there were other times when we had a pretty steady stream of shoppers.  At the end of the second day, Kristi was happy with her sales and she knew that she'd be able to call this show a success.  

Linda and Kristi at the Whole Bead Show

I spent the nights at Kristi's house and I must say that I fell in love with her 2 adorable long haired dachshunds, Shasta and Ginger.  

I had earrings made for Saturday's show, but I'd run short of time and had never made a necklace.  On Friday night, after the show, I created a necklace to go with the earrings. I was so tired by then that I was getting cross-eyed trying to wire on those dangles!

Saturday's jewelry du jour:

My daughter and her boyfriend live not too far away from where the show was being held, so on Sunday, I met them for brunch, since the show didn't start till noon on Sunday. That was an enjoyable bonus treat!

One of the best things about the show was getting to know our nearby booth mates.  We had so much fun laughing and goofing off together!  So much talent and such a great sense of humor. To the left of Kristi's booth, was Sheila Davis of Stone Designs.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of Sheila or her booth, but her lampwork is truly gorgeous.  Both Kristi and I bought a good deal of beads from her.  And, not only does she create lampwork glass beads, but she also designs intricate jewelry which features her beads.  Swoon!

To our right, were three more talented lampwork glass artists:  Judith Billig of Judith Billig Contemporary Lampwork Beads, Lori Bergmann of Lori Bergmann Design and Lara Lutrick of Lutrick.

Judith, Lori and Lara - photo by Lori Bergmann

These three women are immensely talented and both Kristi and I bought a lot of their gorgeous beads!  During slow times, we talked shop, laughed and goofed around.

Judith hamming it up and showing off her "Angelina Jolie lips"! 

She cracked me up!

Judith with her delightful lampwork

Lori and Judith at Lori's booth

I bought some lovely sage green lampies from Lara on Saturday and used them to create earrings to wear on Sunday.  I paired the new earrings with the necklace I'd made the night before.

Ammonite Impression Earrings

Overall the show was a success.  Kristi did well at her booth, we both scored lots of great new beads and we enjoyed the company of great people who shared our passion for beads and jewelry.  I returned home inspired!

Linda

Linda Landig Jewelry - ArtFire 

Linda Landig Jewelry - Etsy