Friday, May 31, 2013

Everything Old is New Again....Buffalo Etsy Team Vintage Shops


   There are lots of great vintage Etsy shops out there.  I thought I would create a list of local Buffalo Etsy Team member's vintage shops.  Below is part 1 of the list.  Next week I will post part 2.  If I have left any vintage shop out please feel free to add a link in the comments section below.

SeptemberStation

TilaJocelyn

Raidersoflostloot

Missrobinsnest

MikaBoo

AbundantStore

GreenIsGrand

ElegantiTesori

RinVinJewelry

PurpleGreyhound

VulturesVintage

Badkittyvintage

DollhouseWindow

ChappiesRelics

EurotrashItaly

YourTreasureHunter

WashMyBooty

TheHeirloomAttic

716Vintage

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Following YOUR Path...Alison Kurek

All of us are on our own, so to speak, when it
comes to the paths we travel and where we end
up. Along the journey, it's the decisions we make
that lead us one way or another.

The funny thing is that very often a simple decision
changes everything.

This week we get an update from Alison Kurek of
SilentMyloStudio. She shares some good news and
some great insight about some of her decisions along her journey.

There are things to learn here and of course this is a chance to help support our fellow team members!!

How has the beginning of the craft show season been treating you?  I don’t feel that my season has really started yet. I did 5 little Spring shows but those don’t really count :-) Spring shows are BAD for me, but then, I’m really not the exception to the rule there -- a lot of people do bad to mediocre at Spring shows -- I just did extra bad at some of mine.

One true success of the Spring season was the Junior League’s Decorator’s Show House. If you’re not familiar with it here’s a link:www.jlbuffalo.org/?nd=show_house I applied to/was selected for the gift shop and they sold about 90% of the stock I gave them. They are very particular about what they want and will accept ONLY the stock they request. While I understand why, it’s a little frustrating. Had I been able to give them more stock I’m pretty sure they would have sold it. As it was, my sales at the shop were double what I had sold at all 5 Spring shows combined. Even with the 40% commission, my actual income was higher than those 5 shows combined.

My low point of Spring was getting a rejection from a show I’ve done for about 15 years, the Clothesline Festival in Rochester. I was pretty surprised by the rejection! I have no idea why I didn’t get in and was frustrated that, when the rejection letter arrived, it was about a week too late to apply to an Ohio show that I’ve been eyeing up for that weekend. Not doing that show could be the equivalent of someone else being laid off for the month of September - ouch! But, shocked or not, I allowed myself to sulk for one day and then thought about how I’d replace that lost income. (I can, in part, thank the Creative Thinking Seminar I attended at UB for that.) So -- I used some of the money that I would have paid for that show and ran a Facebook Ad to try to bring more LIKES to my business page -- which will hopefully drive business to my Etsy shop later this year.



Update as of 5/28/13   I forgot to mention -- and it illustrates the difficultly and unpredictability of trying to make a living on art shows. I think I mentioned that I had been wait listed for the Cain Park Arts Festival in Cleveland Heights. It's a small (150 artists), pretty competitive show. Well -- I got a phone call from them and I'm in! The funny thing is, the images that got me into this small, competitive show were almost the same images that got me booted out of the much larger (450 artists) Clothesline Festival that I had done for 15 years. Weird! :-)

You have made a few videos so far that promote your art, can you talk about them - like how you are coming up with ideas for them and how are they being received?  I don’t know how I feel about the videos just yet. The whole point behind them is to get my work “out there” on the internet. I think many people like to buy products from people they like, people they feel a connection to -- so why not just talk to them through a video? The viewers get to know a little bit about me and my process -- and they can see that my work is not being mass produced in some “art Factory” in China.

I guess you could say they fall into 3 broad categories: 1.) Videos with me talking about what I do, 2.) Videos that feature my work, but I don't appear in, and 3.) Promo pieces for events (I’ve only made one of these so far.) 

As for coming up with ideas, I pretty much just wing it -- with the exception of the video that shows step-by-step stages of one painting: www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201218617887528&set=vb.103158839507&type=... 


I had a snappy Al Jarreau sound track attached to that video when I originally posted it. It was taken down within a minute and I received an “Alleged Copyright Infringement” email from Facebook, probably because of the music.

 I reposted it silent and didn’t attach any music to my latest: www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151620279344508&set=vb.103158839507&type=... 

Friends have told me about copyright free music websites that I can pull music from -- and I will in the future, but right now I just don’t have to time to search for it. 

Luckily, these other videos are still up: 
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201164742660681&set=vb.103158839507&type=...
www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151582618179508&set=vb.103158839507&type=...

As for how they’re being received -- I’m not sure about that. The views range from 150-500+ -- with those numbers creeping up. I’ve gotten good feedback from friends and family feedback for the most part, and some “Likes” and “Shares”. I DID get one negative critique about my framing and failure to zoom in on myself. Ha ha! Zoom in? I’m shooting the videos on my iPhone -- I can’t zoom in -- and while I may be able to figure out cropping in iMovie (the program I’m putting these together with) I don’t know if it’s worth my time. These are supposed to be very casual, quick, relaxed clips. Spending large amounts of time making them look “professional” isn’t my intent.

When we spoke back in April, I asked what you would change if you could start again and you said you would have started off on your own sooner. Are there any other pieces of advice like that, that you would offer to someone who thinking about jumping off and going full-time with their craft?  I think I need to qualify that answer. While I sometimes beat myself up for: why didn’t I move to NYC when I was in my 20s, why did I work a full time job rather than focus on my art, why didn’t I........., the fact is, I don’t think I was ready to do any of that. 

I’ve been making and selling my art for a very long time -- and I had sporadic small successes throughout my career --but I didn’t start seeing any consistent success until 
about 2010.

 I had started painting in 2008 and by 2010
 things started to gel. In early 2011, I made my 
first “Silent Mylo” painting (pictured at right), and then bought an archival ink printer. Had I been at that point earlier in my career then yes, I should have made the push that I’m making now -- but I wasn’t there yet. 

I guess my advice to someone thinking about jumping off would be to really look inside him/herself and ask if the time is right. I think that, deep down, we have more answers than we think we do. We know where we are in our lives, what we really need income-wise, how our decisions will affect others. No one else can really tell you if your ready because they don't know all of the variables. 



                                   You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. 
                                    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. 
                                   You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill; 
                                   I will choose a path that's clear- 
                                   I will choose Free Will.   - Rush

Next week we visit with Sarah Trumpp of Wonderstrumpet!!







Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Around Town: Where we can find some of Buffalo Etsy Team members this June!

Summer is in the air here in Buffalo, New York and with the change in the season we also start up the summer show festivals. Each month I will be posting a list of Buffalo Summer Festivals that you can find Buffalo Etsy team members at!
For the month of June:

BUFFALO SATURDAY ARTISAN MARKET
June 1st & June15th
Goldhawk pottery etc.
AniaJane

ALLENTOWN ART FESTIVAL
June 8th-9th
Mealy Monster Land
Silent Mylo Studios 

GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL AND PARADE 
June 2nd
Buffalovey

OWEGO STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
June 14th & 15th
Twisted Stitches

BOSTON MILLS ARTFEST
June 28th-30th
(Peninsula, Ohio)
 Silent Mylo Studios 

DISCOVER DELAWARE SIDEWALK SALE
June 29th
 Mealy Monster Land

 LOCKPORT ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL
June 29th & 30th  
Wonderstrumpt

ARTS AND CRAFT SHOW AT SOUTHGATE PLAZA  
 June 29th & 30th
 Buffalovey
 Twisted Stitches

*if you would like to add your event to the list for July and you are a Buffalo Etsy team member please visit our team page for more information or contact me Mealy monster Land. 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Monday Interview with Jessica from fastcrawl


 This week Jessica from fastcrawl joins us~



Please tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Jessica Jewett, and I was born and raised in Lockport, NY.  My mother says she knew I was going to be an artist when I was 2 years old and turned the laundry baskets upside down so I had more room to draw.  I love reading, traveling, eating, and talking to anyone who will listen to me prattle on.  After going to college there, I consider Philadelphia to be my second home, but every time I leave the Buffalo area, I somehow find my way back.





What do you create? How long have you been working on your craft/art?
I make mostly women's hair accessories, and some jewelry.  I have plans to introduce some housewares-types of items, but never seem to have the time!  I opened my shop in October of 2011, so I've been doing this for a little over a year and a half.

The best advice that was ever given to me was to find the hole in what you do and fill that void.  Many of the clips I make are sculptural.  I use wooden vine spirals that give a beautiful three dimensional look to my hair pieces.  I've never seen anyone utilize and manipulate the materials in that way, and that makes me very unique.

How did you come up with your store name?
The name Fast|crawl symbolizes not only the swiftness of the underground community to band together as a part of the slow-life movement, but also the slowness of which the rest of the world and mainstream society have to catch up. Anyone can talk the talk, but it takes a lot of effort to walk the proverbial walk. We've made huge strides, but we still have so much further to go. We're really only moving at a fast crawl.

How does Buffalo influence your work?
Buffalo is a really laid back area, and that vibe makes it very easy to be yourself.  We embrace a lot of different cultures and sub-cultures.  The art scene around this area is one of the best I've ever seen, but it's not presumptive - it's all encompassing.  

One of my favorite things has been the monthly creative challenges this blog has set up.  The first one had a theme of "Spring in Buffalo," and I had a wonderful time thinking about what spring really meant to us here.  It was quite the honor to have won the challenge!  If anyone is interested, this is the piece I submitted, with the text of my interpretation of the theme:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/130340627/bright-yellow-spring-flower-hair-clip

What is the best thing about having a etsy shop? 
The best thing for me is also the worst:  It's easy to put aside when the rest of life catches up with you.  I have a full time job, and try to make Etsy a priority as often as possible.  


How do you promote your work to the world? 
Promotion is one of the hardest things for me.  Luckily, I have friends and family all over the world, so my word of mouth extends a little further than most.  Pinterest and facebook help, as well.

What is the hardest part about selling online?
It's the same gripe I'm sure many, many others have:  You can't touch it.  You sort of forget how important tactile qualities are when you sell online.  Finding creative ways to describe my items is a challenge!



Where can your work be found locally?
Right now, I'm only found on Etsy.  I would love to sell wholesale or on consignment, but until I get a better grip on managing my time, I think I would be stretched a bit too thin.  I'm hoping to get some things together before the end of the summer.

Do you have any up and coming art shows/craft shows that you would like us to know about?
None this year!  I may do some shows around the holidays, though!  Finding ways to juggle my work schedule with craft shows is tricky, so I mostly stay away from shows.


Do you have any advise or suggestions for new sellers to etsy?
Stick with it!  Etsy can be very fickle.  Find your niche and stick with it.  Find something that no one else is doing and exploit the need.  Be different than everyone else while still being yourself!  Selling on Etsy is more than just making things and putting it online - you have to be your biggest fan.  Don't undervalue your work.  You can't compete with factory made items, so don't price yourself like you can.  You are not your target market!


Where can you be found online?
To my Etsy shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/fastcrawl
[and please use coupon code BuffaLOVE for 15% off!]
and to my facebook page:  www.facebook.com/fastcrawl


Thanks Jessica for sharing your experience with us!
If you are from Buffalo and would like to be featured on the blog please contact me for more information!!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

May Creative Challenge Voting

Oh no! I hope you'll forgive me; Sunday is almost over, and I'm just putting up our entries in May's creative challenge so we can vote. We had lots of great entries this month, so our voters will have a tough decision to make. To participate, pick your favorite and leave a comment on this post telling us what it is. I will leave the voting open an extra day, so until the end of Thursday, May 30, to account for my lateness.

The winner of the challenge will get to pick the theme for our next challenge (thanks to April winner Jessica from Fast|crawl for picking our May theme of "sea creatures / sea life"!)

Here we go! Our contestants, in the order in which they submitted, are:










Good luck to all our participants! I hope we get lots of votes this month :)

Saturday, May 25, 2013

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters, Vol.10, Some Advice about...Advice :-)




ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters
             
     Volume 10: Some Advice about......Advice :-)

“Artists should appear mysterious. Don’t wear that hippie dress of yours and “chat” with your customers! Dress in black and act superior.......”

“Your work is SO expensive! If you cut your prices in half you’d probably sell twice as much....”

“Your prices are too low! Triple them and NEVER offer a discount! It devalues your work......”

“You should put up a big sign that says “Super Blowout Sale”. That’ll bring in more quality customers......”

“Wholesale? Don’t give someone a 50% wholesale discount?! Why GIVE your work away when you can SO EASILY sell it at shows?”

“If I were you I’d.....(fill in the blank).......”



Ughh!! Advice! So, so, so much unsolicited advice! Sometimes it seems that everyone and their brother knows how to run your business better than you do; and they just can’t keep themselves from sharing their fabulous ideas.

Listen to their advice, throw in a few educational seminars and workshops on marketing, attend a few networking events, read a few articles online (especially this one :-), and you’ll know everything you need to know to increase your business threefold -- right?!?

Well -- maybe not :-) 

In an attempt to increase sales and free myself from the need of side jobs, not to mention financial worry, I’ve been seeking “professional” advice. I overbooked myself this week; three seminars within a day and a half; the quality of which ranged from very good, to forgettable, to really pretty bad.

And maybe because I’ve made no secret of my current seminar attending spree, I’ve been treated to more than the average amount of unsolicited advice from friends and acquaintances.

After a week of listening to “professional advice” and “You shoulds....” I was nearly catatonic! Not only did I fail to find “the answer” to all of my current questions, I started doubting everything that already works!

After taking a giant step back and smoothing down my very ruffled feathers, I realized there comes a time when we have to stop seeking the advice of others and just go with our guts. Because, when it comes right down to it, no one knows our businesses better than we do. Professional speakers are, well....professional speakers. They may have the education and work experience to speak wisely (or not) on topics that may affect our businesses, but they don’t know the day to day reality of what we do. Go to some of these events. Listen carefully to what the speakers have to say, and then separate the wheat from chaff. It is our job to find what works for us, not to conform to the model set forth by a speaker or advisor.

When seeking answers to pressing questions about our businesses we shouldn’t forget to look within. Deep down inside, we know our strengths and weaknesses. We know where we excel -- and we also know the boundary lines we are not willing to cross.

And for all that unsolicited advice offered by our friends, families and peers? Keep in mind that most, if not all of it, is offered in good faith. Listen to some of it, change the subject when it gets to be too much and, if all else fails, smile and nod as you drift off to your happy place.



Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek







Friday, May 24, 2013

Everything Old is New Again in Some of Etsy's Most Unique Vintage Shops



 We all know that there are 1,000s of unique specialty craft shops on Etsy.  This also holds true for vintage shops.  Below is just a sample of some of the unique shops I have recently found. These kinds of shops are a treasure trove for crafters and collectors alike.
 I could spend hours searching though all the vintage shops out there in Etsyland! Feel free to post a link to any unique vintage specialty shops you find.

1. vintagewindowpanes

https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagewindowpanes

Specializes in vintage window panes, sashes, locks, weights, and pulleys for use at home in decor, arts, crafts, etc.

2. FiniRibbon

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FiniRibbon

Specializes in vintage french ribbons from the 1900's +.

3. ImAButtonGlutton

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ImAButtonGlutton

Specializes in buttons manufactured in the 1940's and before.  Many Mother of Pearl buttons and new old stock.

4.  togei (also known as Folding Cranes)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/togei

Specializes in selling vintage Japanese clothing such as kimonos, obis, etc.  Located in Japan.

5.  THEPOSTCARDSHOP

https://www.etsy.com/shop/THEPOSTCARDSHOP

Specializes in vintage postcards of Edwardian actresses, children, holidays, shipping boats, etc.



Thursday, May 23, 2013

Following YOUR Path...

Commencement is over, at least for me. Working
for a local college; the past few weeks have been
a very busy time. In order to end we must begin.

Just a little play on words there of course.

Now that the seniors have begun (I mean commenced) I can now work on the blog again.
This is just an excuse for missing last week's entry - weak,  I know.

Apologies to all.

Next week will bring the latest update on Alison Kurek of SilentMyloStudio. The following week we'll check-in on Sarah Trumpp of Wonderstrumpet.

If you haven't been following these two amazing shop owners you should - there is a lot to learn from their journey as full-timers. You can read their previous articles here:

Sarah - March 21, 2013 , April 11, 2013 , May 2, 2013

Alison - April 6, 2013 , April 25, 2013

Until then, enjoy the weekend and remember the real reason for Memorial Day.

Written by Al Pilato of harvestwoods







Monday, May 20, 2013

Monday Interview with GlassArtbyVicki

 This week we have Vicki from GlassArtbyVicki !


Please tell us a bit about yourself?
What do you create? How long have you been working on your craft/art?
I am a full time glass artist, studio owner, and instructor. I was raised on the Jersey Shore and started my professional life as an English teacher in the Bronx. (That feels like several lifetimes ago.) I’ve been living in WNY since 1980.

 
For the past 7 years,  I’ve been “turning hot glass into cool stuff!" I own Expressive Glass, a 9-torch studio on Route 5 in Buffalo (Woodlawn). Think of it as “a little bit of Corning in Buffalo's backyard.” I started out making glass beads by wrapping molten glass around steel mandrels (rods). Over the past few years, my work has evolved into sculptures. I have been gaining international attention for my miniature life-like portraits of dog heads. I love pushing myself and exploring the limits of my medium.
 


How do you promote your work to the world?
I wish I were better at this, but like most artists I know, I'd rather be creating than promoting. One of the best things I've done is contacting Kevin O'Neill from WGRZ TV. He came to the studio and interviewed me really early in the morning. Five of my students joined us at 5:30 am and were at their torches. It was fun and good exposure.
 
I send out newsletters from time to time using Constant Contact. I had a TV commercial running for 3 months as part of a "Western New York Works for Women" campaign. (Not sure I'd recommend that.) I've invited the local press to my studio and have gotten a few articles in the Hamburg Sun. I was also featured in an article in Business First and selected as Artist of the Month by BeadingTimes.com. I've joined the Canine Art Guild and gave a presentation to the Centennial Art Center in Hamburg on my art. I am constantly looking for opportunities to promote myself and my art. Unfortunately, it's very time consuming and there is no magic bullet.
 
What is the hardest part about selling online?
There are several challenges in selling online. I think the hardest and most critical are: 1) getting found by your target market, 2) taking photos that make the buyer feel like they have actually seen and experienced your work in person, and 3)regularly adding enough items to keep your presence interesting.



Where can your work be found locally?

My work is in several local stores and galleries, including Ashwood Artisans Gallery (East Aurora, NY), Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, NY), Enjoy the Journey Art Gallery (West Seneca, NY), Expressive Glass (Woodlawn), NY), Kazoo Boutique Gift Shop (Eden, NY), Memorial Art Gallery (Rochester, NY), Thin Ice (Buffalo, NY), and Village Artisans (Williamsville, NY). I’m looking to expand more into galleries and museum stores as I think they may be a better venue for me. We’ll see.

Do you have any up and coming art shows/craft shows that you would like us to know about?
I will be participating in the Roycroft Summer Show at the Parkdale School in East Aurora on June 29-30, 2013.
 

Do you do this full or part time? If full time how did you get yourself to that status?
I’m a full time artist. In 2009 I bought the old Dickies Donuts in Woodlawn and turned it into a teaching studio with 9 torch stations. At that time, I was still traveling all over the Us and Canada speaking to executives on how to collaboratively improve people performance in their organizations. I got REALLY tired of the traveling and decided that I could afford not to do that anymore. I quit cold turkey and became a full-time artist and instructor in January, 2012. I’ve never regretted it.

Have you had any formal training in what you do?
I began my journey in glass in 2006 when I took a weekend class in beadmaking at the Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass. Since that time I have studied with some of the world's most respected artists, including Loren Stump, Emilio Santini, Wesley Fleming, and Bronwen Heilman. Even though I learned a lot from each of them, it's really been the hours and hours and hours at the torch that have made the difference.  There’s no substitute for experience and tenacity.

Do you teach any classes in what you do?
Yes, I teach 3 levels of lampworking from making beads on a mandrel (steel rod) to off mandrel work. I also host an international instructor once a year at my studio.  

Where do your ideas come from?
I’m not really sure. They just seem to bubble up. Not being a trained artist (in anything but glass), I don’t typically sketch out my ideas. Sometimes I wake up with an idea I want to explore, sometimes it happens when I’m sitting at the torch. Sometimes I’ll get an idea looking at someone else’s work. As I continue to learn and practice new techniques, the ideas flow.

 
Where can you be found online?
In addition to my Etsy shop, GlassArtbyVicki,  I have a website, www.expressiveglass.com that I just redesigned and am working to optimize, a Facebook page, VickiSchneider3, and fanpage ExpressiveGlass. I have a Twitter account, but I hardly use it. I’m planning to start a blog. I afraid of the time suck. I think it would be easy to spend all day every day online if I’m not careful.

  Thanks Vicki for sharing your experience with us! If you are from Buffalo and would like to be featured on the blog please contact me for more information!!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Accepting May Creative Challenge Submissions


It's time! What time?? Time to submit your entries for our May Creative Challenge!

The theme this month is "sea creatures / sea life", as chosen by April's winner, Jessica from Fast|crawl. For those who are new to these challenges or need a refresher, here's what you do:

Leave a link to your item in the comments of this post. The link can be to your Etsy shop, your Facebook page, or to a post on your own blog; just make sure it's a link directly to your entry and that it is publicly accessible.

We are accepting submissions until 11:59pm Friday, May 24, so you still have time to create something inspired by this month's theme. We will begin voting on Sunday, May 26.

I look forward to seeing the creatures you've made!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

ART SHOWS 101: Survival Tips for Show Artists and Crafters Vol. 9: How to handle discount seekers, clueless festival goers and artist wannabes




             
     Volume 9:
How to handle discount seekers, clueless festival goers and artist wannabes


“What do you want for that?” $50?! I’ll give you five bucks, take it or leave it!”

Artists and craftsmen who have done even a small number of shows are painfully familiar with those words -- or at least the sentiment behind them.

The clueless, sometimes rude, comments that are made to show artists and craftsmen never cease to amaze me. Right behind the low-ball discount seeking comments are phrases like:

“Look at this stuff. My kid can make that!”
“Do you know who makes all of this stuff?”
“How did you do that? Exactly?” Like, say I would want to make one.....”

And the list goes on and on........... because, when you are dealing with the public, you are bound to run across a jack-ass or two :-)

So, how do you respond to questions and comments of this sort? Do you give in to the discount seekers and sell your new, beautiful work for a fraction of your asking price? Do you angrily snap at the “would-be” customers and commenters and tell them to get out of your booth?

The answer to both questions is NO! But you should have a plan to deal with situations like these. While I can’t tell you how to set your pricing policies, or give you canned responses to all of the ridiculous comments and questions you may receive, I CAN tell you that it’s really not worth blowing your top at the festival goer who has asked you the 100th stupid question of the season. It may feel good for about a minute, but it’ll make you look bad to anyone within earshot -- and you really don’t want to lose a sale to a non-discount-seeking customer because you were a jerk to the person standing in front of them in line.


Think about and formulate a discount policy BEFORE you go to your show. While it’s absolutely fine to NOT offer discounts of any sort, there may be situations in which you do want to offer one. You may want to establish a “Friends and Family Discount Policy” -- something like a standard 10%- 20% off your asking price.You can also choose to extend that discount to repeat customers and people buying large amounts of work at one time if you’d like. Establishing a policy, (even if it’s just written in your head :-) will do two things. First, it will make you really think about your pricing and profit margin. Second, with a policy in place , you won’t be caught off guard when a complete stranger asks for a discount. Do you need to give a complete stranger the same discount you would give to Aunt Sally? Hell No! But you’ll at least have done the math and decided on the maximum discount you’re willing to give. 


As for the insulting low-ball “I’ll give you five bucks for that” comments, just grit your teeth and say “No” -- with a smile, albeit a fake one. I’ve found that it’s just not worth your breath to explain that all of the items in your booth are hand-made and they are not flea market items; or taking the time to remind the offending asker that he does not bargain for purchases at supermarkets or gas stations; or stating that your art work is a means of making a living, not a hobby. While that may all be true, it’s not going to change the mindset of Mr/Mrs. Five Bucks, but it will frustrate you and waste your time.

As for the myriad of other strange, weird, funny, insulting and unbelievable comments you may receive, take the high road and answer as politely as possible. Keep in mind that many people attending festivals and shows just don’t understand what we do. We want to believe that each and every person who walks into our booth knows the hours upon hours of time we spend creating out work, and the time and energy we spend getting ready for the show, and the jury processes we go through to be accepted into shows, but they don’t! Many of them are well meaning individuals who truly think we are selling someone else’s work and are given free spaces to do so; and some of them just don’t take the time to think about how their questions will be interpreted by us. Not that I'm saying we're over-sensitive, but are we? :-)

At the end of the day, get together with other show artists. Share and trade your stories. Laugh about them. If all else fails, blog about them. I do : http://alisonekurek.com/?p=617




Until next time -- keep creating!

Alison

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAlisonEKurek




Friday, May 17, 2013

Everything Old is New Again......in Sarah Coventry jewelry


Sarah Coventry jewelry is the oldest direct selling jewelry company in the world that sold brooches, earrings, sets, and bracelets.  This line of jewelry is highly collectible but still affordable and attainable. My grandmother always enjoyed collecting and wearing it.  She inspired a love of vintage jewelry in me. I enjoy collecting this jewelry myself because it is of really great quality.  I have several pieces I have collected for sale in my Etsy shop.  You can find the links below.

Who is Sarah Coventry?
Sarah Coventry was named after the granddaughter of Charles H. Stuart, founder of the company.
Her name was Sarah Ann.
How was it sold?
Sarah Coventry jewelry was sold through home jewelry parties and the Sarah Coventry International Department store.
When was it made?
Sarah Coventry was established in 1949.  The company closed it's doors in 1984.  It opened for six months in 1994.  In 2002 some jewelry was sold on HSN parties and home parties in 2003.  This ceased in October 2008.
What are the marks?
SC- after 1953
Sarah Cov.
Sarah
SaC
Coventry
Sarah Cov with copyright 2002-2003


Some examples of Sarah Coventry Jewelry-

https://www.etsy.com/listing/83849065/sarah-coventry-necklace-green-gemstone

https://www.etsy.com/listing/95038809/vintage-sarah-coventry-leaf-brooch-with

https://www.etsy.com/listing/98159745/large-sarah-coventry-swirl-pearl

https://www.etsy.com/listing/89312598/sarah-coventry-1960s-spring-bouquet

https://www.etsy.com/listing/108682050/silvertone-vintage-sarah-coventry-shiny


Sources:

Carroll, Julia C. Collecting Costume Jewelry 202: The Basics of Dating Jewelry 1935-1980 : Identification and Value Guide. Paducah, KY: Collector, 2007. Print.

"Sarah Coventry." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Oct. 2012. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Coventry>.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Monday Interview with Buffalovely


 This week we have Amanda from Buffalovely!


Please tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Amanda Valentine and I was born and raised in North Buffalo. I originally went to school at SUNY Fredonia and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. After three years in the classroom, I discovered that I would much rather be doing my own thing. I started making anything that came to mind (felt board sets, hair bows, etc) and stumbled upon the idea to create pillows that were funky and unique. It didn't hurt that I had just purchased my first house and wanted decor that wasn't what everyone else had. I figured others would feel the same so I decided to give it a shot. Buffalovely was born.
 
What do you create? How long have you been working on your craft/art?
I create pillows that celebrate the city of Buffalo. My most popular product being my street sign pillows. All are customizable and made completely by hand. I have been building my business for about 2 1/2 years now and have been having a blast getting it off the ground. 
How did you come up with your store name?
I used the word Buffalovely a few times before, just in passing, and when it came time to decide on a name for my Buffalo-based business I knew that had to be it. I'm so in love with it now, and I feel so lucky that no one else thought of it first!


How does Buffalo influence your work?
My love for my hometown inspires all of the work that I do for Buffalovely. I have found that there is so much in our city to celebrate. I love creating work that people can put in their homes to reflect their love of Buffalo, whether they are local or an ex-pat. Our love of Buffalo endures.

What is the best thing about having a etsy shop?
I wouldn't be able to do what I've been doing with Buffalovely without Etsy. Having an outlet where you can showcase your work so inexpensively has been invaluable to someone just starting out. Being able to connect with other artists and gain advice from their experiences has made my business what it is today, and I am so grateful for that.
 

 Where can your work be found locally?
My work can be found at Thin Ice on Elmwood Ave, Home Roots in Cheektowaga, Reeds Jenss (both locations), Village Artisans, Homeward Bound, Tis the Season Gift Shop, Buffalo Adore in South Buffalo and Floral Explorations on Hertel Ave.

Do you have any up and coming art shows/craft shows that you would like us to know about?
I will be participating in a Mom and Pop Show at the Tri-Main Center from 10-4, at the Gay Pride parade the first weekend in June and the Southgate Plaza craft show at the end of June. Other shows I have applied to are still up in the air, but I'm excited for the Summer season and Christmas to come!


 Do you have any advise or suggestions for new sellers to etsy?
Ask for advice from those who have the experience. The community on Etsy has been so warm and welcoming, and I have gained so much knowledge from so many sellers that have been willing to help me.

do you do this full or part time? If full time how did you get yourself to that status?
I do some work on the side, but Buffalovely is my full-time focus. I am always working on making it grow in any way I can and am always thinking of new products that I think might be popular.
 Have you had any formal training in what you do?
None. Up until 2 1/2 years ago, I had never sewn a thing in my life! I decided that if I wanted to make pillows, I better learn to sew. Youtube has been a huge asset for me. There are endless videos on any topic or technique and have taught me all I have needed to know along the way.

 Where can you be found online?
I can be found on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, all under Buffalovely.
 You can find me on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop

Thanks Amanda for sharing your experience with us!
If you are from Buffalo and would like to be featured on the blog please contact me for more information!!