Saturday, September 5, 2009

Jewellery Displays - It does the head in.

With Spring off to a slightly wet start, I've started thinking about craft markets even more so than usual. Something about good weather screams outdoor markets and picnics, don't you think? I've put myself down for two markets this December at the Camberwell Sunday Trash and Treasure Markets, but if lady luck shines on me, I might be able to have a place in the brand new market organized by Northside Makers.

However applying for markets is one thing, and being ready for it is another. Part of the preparation process is working out your display. And that's something I'm really picky about. I have an image in my head on how Little Waltz should look like, and I really want to stick to that. You'd think with an image already all sorted out, the rest should be easy right? Wrong. Not with me anyways.

While having the image and the idea is half the battle, that doesn't actually mean I know how I want my pieces displayed. So I turned to Flickr.com to have a look through. I found groups such as: Arts & Craft fairs & shows and Show me your booths that had quite a number of beautiful photos contributed by crafters showing off how they did up their booths.

Here are a few of my favourites:


image by Sugarcookie


image by TheCupcakery Girl


image by Glass Elements


In the commercial market right now, there are different different types of jewellery display. If you were to waltz out there right now, you could probably come home with enough to fill a table. However, the problem for me lies in that it looks commercial. While the lovely white busts look really good in photos; on a craft market table, rows and rows of them remind me of goldsmith shop windows: not a favourite look I'm afraid. I'm a crafter, a handmade supporter. It seems wrong for me to go out there and fork out the money for commercial displays. Is this weird? Possibly. But I think I will sleep better at night for it.

That really leaves two pathways for me to take. Either I make my own displays stands, or I salvage something vintage and recycle it, modding it to suit my needs. There's always the ever popular corkboard on a stand: I've tried it, and have noticed that it potentially poses as a safety hazard (It pushes over easily). And winds or crowds can easily do that.

I also have to be aware of the very real time constraints that I will have while setting up, and packing up. I can't take hours uhm-ing and aah-ing over my table. So whatever I come up with will have to be easily packed up and put away efficiently.

And then there's the clutter aspect to be careful about. It can't be cluttered for that will just look messy and buyers will lose interest if they get lost within your own goods on the table. The presentation must be eye-catching or potential buyers will wander past without a second glance.

All these and so much more to think about: Just how do you decide on one? It seems to go on and on and on, and I'm ever so afraid of making that first step.

But when push comes to shove, I know I will come up with something that will do myself and my pieces justice. It's only that right now, I have absolutely no idea what that is.


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10 comments:

  1. Setting up my craft booth is always a daunting task for me too!
    I'll have to check out those Flickr links...thanks :)

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  2. I love the display by cupcakery! Good luck with the craft shows.

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  3. I feel the same way - In my mind I have this wonderful display, but bringing it to reality is a hard process. And No, it is not weird to want to avoid commercial displays - I actually made a tree to hang my bangles on which I am really pleased with - didn't cost me anything, I just used what we had around the house.
    http://deliciousdesignz.blogspot.com/2009/08/resin-tree.html

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  4. Those displays are wonderful! I haven't done any craft shows yet, mainly because I don't know how to set up my display for one. Best of luck to you with your shows!

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  5. Great blog post Celeste - always informative!

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  6. Memoriesforlife: there are more on Flickr than the ones I linked. Just do a search, plenty will pop up!

    Very Verdant: I do too! It's very eye catching isn't it? And thank you =)

    Del: I love that resin tree you made. That's quite smart!

    BeadedTail: I've set up a few booths here and there before, but this will be my first serious craft booth and it's making me nervous! Thank you. =)

    MooBeeTees: Thanks Karen!

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  7. When u do set up a stall at Camberwell, let me know! I live near there!! :D I can help out too if you need it :D

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  8. Setting up the booth is hard! Good luck with yours :)

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  9. You are right! This is difficult but oh so important. I see the photos you chose all have a unified look. It's important that prices are displayed clearly. If not, some people will give up and walk away.

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  10. Have you tried making a board out of MDF with either a velvet or felt covering - that way you can pin stuff to it. Put the board up on a good quality wooden artists easel. Then you can put one of each item on the board and then have little baskets or plates with the extras. Packaging everything up before hand is a pain but it is kinda fun too. Just give yourself plenty of time!

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I love to read comments and chat, so please do leave me some titbits! Thank you so much for adding that little bit of sparkle into my day. Hopefully my blog post added some into your day as well.

Love,
Celeste

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