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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