Craft Fair Tips from My Experience April 27 and 28

This weekend I participated in The Flea on Saturday and the Artisan's Market on Sunday, both at the Railyard in Santa Fe, NM.  So far I have not had good luck at any of these I participate in, including this weekend, but at least I have always made my money back.  And I have never regretted doing them.  I had been asking for abundance heavily in the last week or so, but I failed to specify financial abundance, so I received this in other ways, like knowledge and connection to others, which I have to say are better than money!

The first day was at the Flea so I could sell things that are not hand made.  I had my vintage jewelry and china out with my hand made jewelry.  A word of advice...when selling at flea markets and craft fairs, don't clutter up your table!  People need to see exactly what you are selling from a distance.  And the customers at flea markets are much different from art or craft fairs.  The former tends to be only looking for a bargain while the latter has much more appreciation for the work you put into your art.  But that doesn't mean I don't recommend flea markets!  It really depends on the city, the day, and the particular venue.

Also, being friendly is a huge way to gain traffic and sales!   You don't have to think of yourself as a "salesperson",  just be yourself!  Say "Hi" to anyone walking by and give compliments.  Starting a conversation with someone will bring them closer to your booth for longer.  I had a prime example of this on  Saturday at The Flea.  A very lovely girl walked close to my booth, and I said "Hi" and complimented her on the flowers she was wearing in her hair.  Because of this, she stepped closer.  After looking she gasped, and had to buy a vintage glass with an orange slice motif (one I bought last week at Goodwill...didn't even have a chance to shoot it!  The matching carafe is pictured here).  This had been an item she broke recently,  an event that was a really "emotional experience" for her.  And whats crazy is she was just telling the man she was with about it that morning!  It felt amazing to make someone so happy!

Chalkboard for displaying necklaces

On Sunday I had an even better day!  My booth was set up beautifully, and I met lots of wonderful people, including 2 sisters who talked with us for about a half hour and took our cards.   And I had another example of being friendly leading to a sale.  A young man walked past wearing an Invader Zim T-shirt, which I HAD to comment on because I love that cartoon.  The guy then walked up to my booth, looked at everything, and told his mom to come look which lead to a sale!  So I cannot stress enough just how important it is to be engaged and friendly with customers.  Don't just sit and read a book the whole time.

 Different displays

If you missed me at the craft fairs this weekend don't worry...most of my stuff (and more!) is available in my Etsy shop...https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErikawithaKDesigns?ref=seller_info 

Set up different display areas for different items or styles of items. See how the bead embroidery is separated from the other types of  jewelry with the black cloth?

So in addition to having a fun weekend with my friends and meeting new people, I had my second celebrity encounter ever in the span of 2 weeks!  This time Giovanni Ribisi (probably most famously from Avatar) was just walking around, and since my good, and very outgoing, friend Diane was there she drug me over to him to say hello and take a picture.  I was so embarrassed, but now I have a memory to last a lifetime!  He's pretty cute isn't he?  For anyone here in Santa Fe who wants a sighting, he is here filming "A Million Ways to Die in the West". 

Me and Giovanni Ribisi...I LOVE Santa Fe!

Weekly Artist/Etsy Seller Feature--Rhiannon Skelton of Rhiannon's Jewelry!

Before I tell you about this week's feature, I would love to thank Reine of Koya for being such a gracious, amazing featured artist!  Again, I wish you great success!

Adjustable Blue and Gold Seed Beaded Choker

This brings me to this week's featured artist and Etsy seller.  Her name is Rhiannon, and she is the owner of Rhiannon's Jewelry.   I chose Rhiannon for this week's feature because not only does she have very beautiful jewelry with a simple, clean aesthetic, she also is a very humble and sweet person, whom I have really come to like personally.  She is a real woman, a mother, wife, and homemaker, and this is noticeable in every aspect of her Etsy store. And Rhiannon is always striving to improve.  When I wrote my product photography tutorials, she was one of my first readers to make the light box to improve her photos.  The photo above is an example.  Didn't she do a great job?!

Adjustable Green Wire Wrapped Charm Ring

My personal favorites out of Rhiannon's jewelry are her bead weaving pieces, including the one above.  But when it comes to jewelry making, Rhiannon is an explorer.  She is always trying new techniques and media, resulting in a wide variety of  beautiful pieces.  She says in her Etsy profile, "I provide handmade jewelry that is fun, creative and original. There is a little something for everyone as the styles and themes of my jewelry tend to be diverse."  This is something I can relate to.  There are just so many amazing possibilities in jewelry, its hard to stick with just one!  

Rhiannon was gracious enough to answer an interview for me, so I will let her tell you more! 

Adjustable Amethyst Stone Fine Silver Hemp Bracelet

Erika with a K--Can you tell me a little about you?


Rhiannon--I am 25 years old, married and have an 18 month old son. I was in Army for six years but got out when I had my son so I could stay home with him. Right now I live in Hawaii, but we are on our way to somewhere new, not sure where yet.


Erika with a K--When did you start making jewelry and how did you learn?

Rhiannon--I started making jewelry about three years ago when I first came to Hawaii. Everything was so expensive and I would look at all the jewelry and would say, “I bet I can do that”. My first pair of earrings were made from a cheap Wal-Mart DIY kit and I was hooked. After that I read a dozen books, magazines and online tutorials to learn different techniques.



Erika with a K--What is you main motivation for making jewelry?


Rhiannon--At first, I did it to save money (that plan back fired a bit). Now, I love learning new techniques and it keeps me busy since I stay at home.


Erika with a K--I noticed you use a diverse range of media in your jewelry. Do you have a favorite?


Rhiannon--I think seed beads are my favorite to work with but I love all different types of jewelry and I don’t like to be tied down to one style. I am also real excited about getting into bead embroidery, I have so many ideas I can’t wait to try.


Erika with a K--Do you do any other form of art?

Rhiannon--Sometimes I do small craft projects for my son or around the house. I occasionally crochet or cross-stitch because I always need to keep my hands busy, they just can’t sit still!



Erika with a K--Though you are fairly new to Etsy like I am, I’m sure you have learned some things about the business of selling hand made stuff. What tips can you give us?


Rhiannon--Have patience, don’t get discouraged and keep improving. I try to keep realistic goals when it comes to my shop and to remain positive. I am always fixing something in my shop, either photos (which you have been a big help with) or items descriptions, etc., there is always room for improvement. It is also important to remember to have fun with it!


Erika with a K--Do you sell only on Etsy or do you have other avenues?

Green and Orange Statement Necklace with Tree Branch Pendant

Rhiannon--Right now I only sell on Etsy, but as I learn more about the online business world I might branch out.


Erika with a K--Do you have another job besides selling?

Rhiannon--Right now my only other job is to take care of my son and school work (I am one class away from a two degree in General Studies).

Erika with a K--As many of us know, branding is so important when selling our hand made stuff, and a big part of branding is the YOU behind the work. What else can you tell us to get a better understanding about you, your jewelry, or your business?




Rhiannon--I am a very easygoing person and I have a broad outlook on what I like. My jewelry tends to reflect different types and styles because I appreciate more than just one category. I get most of my ideas for designs from what I see around me; since I live on the beautiful island of Oahu I have tons of inspiration. Taking an assorted amount of beads and stones and turning them into something pretty and wearable is my ultimate goal for my jewelry.

Wire Wrapped Red Gem Beaded Dangle Earrings

Thanks so much Rhiannon!   I wish you lots of luck with your business, and hope your upcoming move goes well, ending in a place you find as inspiring as your current home of Hawaii!

 

Please visit Rhiannon at the links below:

Etsy:   https://www.etsy.com/shop/RhiannonsJewelry?ref=seller_info

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhiannons-Jewelry/126655740850201?fref=ts

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rhiannonjewelry

And please remember all photos are copyrighted and property of the artist.  Please do not use them without her permission!

Thrifty Finds April 22

Today I didn't get out to Goodwill until around noon, which I have learned means I won't find as much by the way of vintage, with no exceptions today.  The trip was not a waste, though, as I found a great ottoman for my big chair, something I have been wanting for a while, and it was only $5!  I'm going to clean it up and post pictures at a later date.

But since I didn't find much I'm going to post some past finds and what I did with them! 
 
This cute little end table has neat Asian style cut outs on the side.  I found it years ago at a "thrift store", which was basically a junk pile, in Texas for $15.  I spray painted it burgundy and covered the top with buttons for one of my design classes in college.  Its a bit hard to see in the photos, but the design made by the buttons is a spiral. 

More recently at my local Goodwill I found the two spiral "coasters" (how perfect for this table!), the leaf plate, the vintage lamp, and the lamp shade.  The wax melter is from Melaleuca.  (A great company which makes wonderful products...visit their site and contact me if you are interested!). 

Maybe I will add a tutorial or DIY project instructions for the button table...what do you think?

I love my mama!

 My mom truly is my biggest fan!  I checked my Etsy shop yesterday and noticed I sold this necklace and earrings set.  I got so excited until I realized it was my mom that bought them.  Not that I don't appreciate that!  Some guaranteed feedback is great. Love you mom!  You are the best!

"Soul Verbs" Series

I go to Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA studying for a master's degree in art therapy and counseling.  Right now I'm taking a class in Archetypal Psychology, which has been a very inspirational class for me.  We do a regular dream journal and artwork as well as artwork around the mandala books we are reading.  Today we had a discussion about feedback giving when sharing our artwork and how some people really like/need to get feedback or interpretations of their work and how for some it is not helpful.  This got me thinking about my jewelry.  I have always wondered why I make jewelry when I rarely ever wear it, and when I do its usually not my own work.  Thinking about our conversation in class I realized I create jewelry because it is a way for me to connect with others.  I make beautiful and meaningful jewelry because I like to hear what it means to others, even more than deciding on my own interpretation.  Its very heartwarming to me when I create something that another person likes enough to wear on their bodies, especially when it has meaning to both of us.  Its a way for two hearts and souls to align. 

"dig deep"

I've been thinking a lot about branding lately as well, and I see that this idea of meaningful, touching jewelry is what I want Erika with a K Designs to be about.  And coincidentally I created, in response to my mandala book for class, a series of necklaces (an in the future bracelets, earrings, etc) I call "Soul Verbs."  They are made with Swarovski Elements, glass vials filled with Swarovski beads and other things, as well as hand stamped metal tags with inspirational verbs like "Explore", "Love", and "Dig Deep".

"dream"

When I showed these today in class, one of my classmates pointed out that each one has 3 different elements, 3 being a very powerful number meaning synthesis and "2 becoming something greater than the sum of their parts."  I feel this is the perfect explanation of these pieces!

The first one I made was "Explore" (below) in response to my thoughts on mandala making (circular pieces of artwork representing wholeness).  I chose the Earth element because the Earth itself is like a mandala, circular and whole.  I chose the word explore because making a mandala is like exploring the unconscious or the soul.  And then I added the vial filled with beads to represent what one finds when exploring. 


These necklaces are all on sale in my Etsy shop in the Soul Verbs Collection section, and there are more to come.  Also, I encourage custom orders!

"EXPLORE"

"inspire, create"

"LOVE"

Weekly Featured Artist--Koya

Let's give one more round of applause for Jodi of JazzJodi Vintage!  Thanks for being such a wonderful featured seller and friend as well as for being my guinea pig for my first weekly feature.  :)

Isn't she beautiful!?

So moving on to this week's feature...Reine of Koya! 

Reine is an up-and-coming bead embroidery and jewelry artist from France whose work I happen to love very much.  Her style is very classic yet unique.  And she has a lovely variety of large collars to small (and not so small!) earrings.  Probably my favorite piece of hers is her "Collier LE TEMPS" (below) which showcases an asymmetrical steampunk style.  But honestly I find it hard to choose just one favorite! 

Reine has a website, Bijoux Koya, which as of the moment is only in French, but it is still worth the visit if you are like me and only speak English.  Her photos are beautiful and the website is very easy to navigate.  Plus she has photos of her work in progress which cannot be found on her Facebook page.

Collier Le Temps

Reine was generous enough to answer a few interview questions, so I will let her tell you more below!

Me--What drew you to try bead embroidery, and how long have you been doing it?

Koya-- I've always been attracted by the beadwork. Very young, I was doing small beaded necklaces and bracelets. Then I worked with Swarovski beads.

6 years ago, I was at a supplier to buy beads. There was a workshop [with] Miyuki beads to do a small bead embroidered bracelet. I decided to register me for this workshop and to train me to bead embroidery. My passion began at that time !!

Me--How did you learn? Are you self taught or did you take classes?

Koya-- I'm almost self-taught, I just did a workshop. The model was small (a lapis lazuli embroidered) and I immediately wanted to do more sophisticated models.

Me--Do you do any other forms of art?

Koya--I've always had a lot of artistic passions: painting, pottery, decoration, sewing - I make my clothes myself and for my friends! - and elaborate cuisine!

Currently I also make "vintage" painting and some decoration on furniture. I have an ongoing need to transform materials, such as glass and porcelain painting.

Me--Do you sell your work? If so, where do you have the most success?

Koya--Until now I mostly sold my work mainly to friends or relations!!

I just created last month a website www.koya.fr (not yet in English!), a new FB page www.facebook.com/ReineKoya , and opened a web shop on "A Little Market", which is the equivalent of Etsy in France: www.alittlemarket.com/boutique/koya-491203.html

Me--I noticed you are from France. Are there many other jewelry artists doing bead embroidery there?

Koya--Yes there are many artists in France who are doing beautiful things in bead embroidery, but creation is less developed and more recent than in the United States and Canada, and I think the style is more classic.

Me--Who and what are your biggest inspirations?

Koya--Following the course I took, I did some research and I discovered American artists such as Sherry Serafini, Betty Stephan, Jamie Cloud, Heidi Kummli and more recently you, that match the style I like (mainly ethnic).

This style is also why I chose an Indian name for my creations. Koya is the translation of my name "Reine" in Quechua Indian…


Me--Do you have any tips for us? This can be about bead embroidery, business, whatever!

Koya--You're rather precursor artists in this art, so it's difficult for me to give you advice!

About business and marketing, I also created a twitter account www.twitter.com/BijouxKoya

I think it's a good way to make ourselves known in specialized fashion circles.

Me--Tell us a little about you!

Koya--I am 56 years old, I quit my job as a beautician and I now devote to all of my passions. I would like to share my passion for bead embroidery, creating a training workshop.

I am living in couple in the southwest of France, which is a beautiful touristic region, in a renovated farm, where we created a bed & breakfast.

We would be very pleased to welcome you in our “Puits d’Amour” (name of our B&B! [Bed and Breakfast])

Looking forward to continue to share with you and your friends !

                                                                Reine

Tulum

Photo from Reine's Bed and Breakfast

It is truly my hope that Reine finds success as she is such a humble, lovely person.  And I plan on visiting her at her Bed and Breakfast, Puits d'Amour, if I ever make it to France!


Thanks and good luck, Reine!


Please remember all photos are copyrighted and should not be used without the artist's permission!

Thrifty Finds April 15th

Goodwill Monday, garage sales and flea market Saturday.  Mostly vintage china and glass, but also got a pair of pants, a book with good collage images, a pair of shoes I plan to paint, and some spoons I will be using for a new jewelry technique.  I will let the photos speak for themselves!

Visit my Etsy Shop soon to find some of these items for sale!

Star Struck at Santa Fe Artisan's Market

I'm a small town North Dakota girl living in the small, yet amazing city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where you never know what is going to happen.  Yesterday I was working the Artisan's Market like I do most Sundays, selling my jewelry with my good friend, Roxanne.  The day was good...I sold a couple things, made a little cash, and saw my first celebrity ever!

Having grown up in America's celebrity culture, watching them on a tiny TV or a huge movie screen makes famous people seem inhuman and untouchable, especially to a girl from a state like North Dakota.  So when Hilary Swank, who is filming here in Santa Fe for a new movie directed by Tommy Lee Jones, walked in, my initial reaction was to think she was a look-alike. I actually almost asked her, "Has anyone told you that you look like Hilary Swank?"  Once I realized she was the real thing, I think I just stared with a stupid look on my face, while she walked by staring back.  It was just so weird to realize this famous woman is a real person, a human just like me.  She seemed so real it was unreal.  And I have never been one to revere celebrities like some people.  It just shows me how much Hollywood can affect a person's perceptions! 

The Beauty of Seed Beads

My main passion in this life is beads....well, specifically seed beads.  And through this blog I am finding a number of new passions, things I always new I liked, but never got real excited about until now.  This includes connecting with others, writing, sharing my life, and especially...photography.  I have always believed I had no interest in digital photography, just black and white 35 mm (I took a class in art school and fell in love).  I do still love the latter and am working on a series of black and white prints (a long time in the making yet), but I am realizing just how fun it can be to play with my plain point and shoot digital camera, especially when I am photographing my seed beads! 

I have been working on a big bead embroidered collar using multiple colors of seed beads.  Something I have always had trouble with is finding a place to hold my beads while I'm working...a container that is shallow so they are easy to pick up with a needle and yet also easy to put away when done.  Here is my solution, and a quite beautiful one at that. 

Sneak peak of my work in progress!

 Stay tuned for more beautiful photos and for a post featuring my work in progress collar in the photo!

Bead Work Tip #2

I often have found when edging my bead embroidery, the foundation I choose to use is a totally different color from my backing.  This can pose  a problem when choosing a thread color for the edging.  Take this picture for example...the foundation was a tan/pink color, and because I hate being able to see my edging stitches from the front, I chose pink thread.  But this thread stands out on the dark brown backing I chose.  Sometimes this can be the look you want to achieve, but for other times you can use a Sharpie or other permanent marker to color the thread to match the backing.  Just test it first to make sure the Sharpie won't make it look worse!

Weekly Blogger Feature #1--JazzJodi

Because my blog is all about connecting with and getting to know up and coming bloggers, artists, crafters, designers, thrifters, Etsy sellers, etc, I have decided to start a weekly feature. 

This week's featured blogger, thrifter, and Etsy seller is JazzJodi of JazzJodi Vintage! This lady has a serious love of vintage!  And what I love about her blog is that we get so see all of her escapades at the thrift store in a photo format.  Her "photo essays" as she calls them take her readers into her world, so much so that I felt like I was in the thrift store with her! 

And then after reading about her finds, her readers can go directly to her Etsy shop and buy them!  Isn't that is what Etsy is all about?  Knowing the story behind the item you are buying and where it comes from is vintage shopping at its finest in my opinion.  Her shop is filled with beautiful vintage clothing, shoes, home decor, and kitchen gadgets. 

JazzJodi's blog is fairly new, there are many indications of dedication and good things to come.  She has not only her photo essays, but also great information on how to identify your vintage clothing and a forum where a community of her thrifty readers can come together and discuss their own finds. 

And JazzJodi is a real person with a real life!  Here is her bio from her about site:

  

"I live in Virginia near the beautiful ocean. I have a MFA in creative writing, fiction, and I teach at a university in the fall. Between writing fiction and teaching and raising my daughters, I am a thrift-o-holic. I love searching for vintage - everything! I can never decided what I love more, vintage clothing or home decor. So, why pick one over the other? No way!

To me, vintage clothing is beautiful and constructed with such quality that is not often seen now-a-days in a get-it-now consumer society. Often, I feel like I've found a piece of art work when I find a shirt, dress, purse, or shoes, and I can't wait to share it with the right buyer who will love the clothing as much as I loved finding that item. Now that I buy vintage clothing for my Etsy store, I am no longer restricted to buying clothing for myself or my girls, so I buy everything from a small to plus sizes.

Home decor is my weakness and ceramics is at the top of my list. I cannot resist art pottery, mainly drip glaze -- cups, plates, vases, pitchers, and more. I also really love unique items and often bring home strange pieces that require a lot of research, but it's worth the time. I love learning about a variety of vintage home decor items and vintage clothing to discover its history, which to me is like a story. Sometimes, I stand in a thrift store and think to myself, "Okay, who wants to come home with me and tell a story?" I know this adventure of searching for vintage and learning about the past is what keeps me buying and selling.

But where does the jazz in jazzjodi come from? When I was young, I used to listen to jazz records all the time. I loved vocal jazz like Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald and big bands. I felt like I had been born in the wrong decade. I wanted to go back in time and dance and sing (I still do)." 

 

Follow Jazzjodi on many social media sites below:

 

JazzJodi Blog:   http://jazzjodi.weebly.com/my-blog.html

Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/jazzjodi

 

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/jazz.jodi

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jazzjodi

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/jazzjodi/

Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jazzjodi/

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Lost Camera

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!  I cannot find my camera!  Whatever will I do?!

Erika with a "K"ontest!

Want to win some of my unique hand made jewelry?  Here is your chance!  For April 7th through the 13th, I will be holding a contest, well more of a drawing really, to my most loyal fans.  There are a few steps so read carefully:

1.  Like my Facebook page, and share the contest photo/post.

2.  Visit my blog (you're already here!) and write a comment on your favorite post.

3.  Visit my Etsy shop and favorite (or share on Facebook if you don't have an Etsy account) your favorite item in my shop. 

Do all 3 of these steps some time between April 7 and April 13, and you will be entered in a drawing for a custom piece of jewelry, or one of my already made pieces of your choice, or one of my vintage items of your choice, worth up to $25! 

If you could let me know when you've done all the steps, that would be helpful.  Good luck!