In the Know

Trillium

Here’s a shot of my booth at the new Trillium Arts Center.  The co-op and retail areas have been transformed into an incredible artistic showcase.  If you have not yet stopped by, you must check it out.

Here is a list of craft shows I am doing this year.  I will add other ones as the dates are confirmed.

25th Annual Pickens Azalea Festival (website www.pickenschamber.org.AzaleaFest )

Sat April 18th 10am-9pm

Pickens SC 29671

2009 Strawberry Festival

May 16th 2009

10am- 4pm

Slater SC

October 10th 2009 Second Saturdays Art and Antique Market

The Butter Bean

12810 Old Statesville Rd

Huntersville NC 28078

November 2009

St. Stephen United Methodist Fall Festival

Charlotte NC

more to come

some of my work

lovely old barn

While driving along the winding mountain roads on Saturday, I saw this great old barn.  Normally I would have explored it but because it clearly belongs to the owners of a nearby house, I refrained from poking through the place.  A lot of my jewelry designs reflect my love for the past.  I am always sad to see abandoned houses torn down because I love the old places.  Who lived there? What did they do? I like to look for clues amidst what was left behind.

some of my earrings

Make what you love.  Say your passion is re-stringing vintage beads or painting on old scraps of barnwood.  Try to find time every day to work on what you love doing.  Give your passion time and space.  Transform an extra bedroom into an art studio.

     Find an artists co-op near where you live and rent a space.  Decorate your space to draw buyers in.  Tag all your pieces and include your business name, item number, a brief description and price.  Be sure your price covers the supply cost for your materials.  Check out what other artists are charging for similar work.  Make a profit but don’t overcharge.  Reasonable prices encourage buyers to become regular customers.

     Buy your supplies wholesale.  Register your business, then take your tax id number to your favorite supply shop and ask if they sell wholesale.  Fill out the form and you pay less for the materials and can pass the sales tax on to the customer when you resell.

     Network with other artists.  Find out about local craft shows in your area.  If you are part of an arts group, volunteer to teach a class or demonstrate a technique.  Don’t be afraid to ask other artists questions.  Read books about selling and marketing your business.  Take your passion and turn it into a job.