NEW BOOTH

It's been at least 4 years since I have done an art show, and why? NO BOOTH!! (Left and below, my glass cases before repair and new stain and new inserts, and phase 1 of the counters.)











I decided the best way to get myself back out into the art show world was to schedule a show so I would have to build a booth for it.

It took about 2 weeks of almost constant work, more money than I expected, and several days with almost no sleep, but I made it! I built cabinets, took them apart and rebuilt them again. I took apart glass cases, stained and cleaned them, and put them back together. I created counter tops and figured out how to get them to sit properly and safely on their bases for every show. I mounted photos and signs on backer boards and sewed fabric panels to set them off.


And then, I FORGOT TO PHOTOGRAPH IT!!! So here are some of the before (above) and after (below) photos of the construction. (Left and below, cabinets are rebuilt, and given fabric inserts, and everything has a nice new coat of matching stain.)

I am really pleased with the results, although you won't get to see any of the nice colorful elements here. At the show, I added black drapes, some patterned turquoise fabric hangings to add color, and tan fabric hangings behind my photos. And nice booth and case lighting, too. But now that I'm back in the show world, I'll have to get some photos at my next show. Stay tuned!

Finally, a Show!

After 2 years without a show, I have finally taken the step to get back out there! As a member or PSG (the Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths), I had the opportunity to join some outstanding jewelry artists this past weekend for a jewelry trunk show at the Delaware Center for Horticulture. This was a great time for me to pull my work out of hiding, and to begin to develop the new displays that will take me through my shows next year. A big change for me was in not including most of my bead items, which tend to be better sellers than my silver alone. But I did it, and now that I have started, I know I'll keep the momentum going.

There's so much still to be done. Prices need to be figured and tagged (I hate ugly price tags, isn't there a better way?) Chains and neck wires need to be added to the pendants, some color has to be added to the display. And I am determined to create some silver pieces that will use beaded components, so that my beads can come to the shows with me! Lots of work ahead, and it felt so good to take the first step. Too bad that the five pair of silver ginkgo earrings, perfect for a horticulture show, are still sitting half formed on my bench!

One of my favorite parts of this weekend was joining a wonderful metalsmith, Maggi Dabaecke, in her home. Maggi was gracious enough to invite me to stay with her during the show, and what a pleasant evening we had, sharing stories over wine and some fine Italian cheese from her recent trip to Italy. Her home is absolutely beautiful, and her work shop - be still my heart! Bright, airy, modern, and the size of a small classroom.... I still have chills! I was fortunate enough to have taken a workshop with Maggi several years ago, and her work is always exciting, different, and most of all, fun! She has expanded into the realm of enamels, and I can't wait for the workshop she promised us in torch-fired enamels this spring. That's Maggi, on the upper right, with some of her jewelry sculptures - pins and pendants so special, they have a pedestal of their own!

The biggest benefit of this weekend, for me, was in joining the amazing group of artists that is PSG. Experiencing everyone's work was an absolute joy, and provided instant inspiration. The work I saw was full of shape, full of color, complex and dimensional. It was certainly well above the artistic level of the jewelry I see at many craft shows. What a pleasure it was to share the weekend with such craftsmen! In between customers, we had the opportunity to talk, compare ideas, share notes, and trade information. I came home with my head so full of the beautiful work I had seen, that I can't wait to see the effect it has on my own creations!My thoughts are awhirl with images of texture, color, metals, and shapes. Who knows what the results might be?