: the act or an instance of exploring
: to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery
Exploration has many definitions. For Chris and I, this year has found us exploring new venues to sell our beads and in doing so, exploring new customers that haven't seen our beads and jewelry before. We have added several new shows to the other shows we have become regulars at over the last couple years. We did the Omaha Bead Show for the first time this year in April. This was our table at the Bead Show.
Chris has been enjoying his adventure into the Farmer's Market venue on Saturday mornings this summer. We get set up at the Highland Park Farmer's Market in Hastings around 7am (when not at our other summer shows) and then I head for work downtown in Hastings at Julie's Xpressions. When he is finished, he runs errands or comes down to the shop to hang out until I am finished with work. The Farmer's Market has opened our business up to a whole bunch of new customers, and brought in a BUNCH of special orders! We also get to see and visit with friends and customers who have seen us at other shows. These pictures are of the Farmer's Market set up.
I have become fascinated by British beading magazines. I don't subscribe to them, but I pick them up anytime I am near a Barnes and Noble. While they are just another beading magazine, I look at it as a exploration in beading anthropology! They use different terms and have different display styles than the US magazines, and it is interesting to see how our bead trends compare to their bead trends.
While this post isn't especially about art beads, it is about our exploration to expand our art bead business, and to find new ideas and inspiration for art beads in jewelry..
8 comments:
I just want to dig into those beads!
Thanks for sharing your set-up -- I always like to see how other artists show their work.
I am always interested in that too! When we are thinking about our displays, we always look for everyday items that can be turned into bead items. The wooden bowls are serving bowls from Wal-mart, with lentils as a base to cushion the beads/marbles. We have had tons of compliments on the lentils and they cost like a dollar a bag! I also like to use spring/summer tableclothes on top of our cream clothes for brightening up the displays, I change them again at fall and Christmas. Christmas adds twinkle lights to our big apothocary jars that hold our glass shelf. I think of it as setting the table for company!
I enjoyed your Exploration post! The jewelry design publications you listed really caught my eye because I too love to venture out and see what's published outside of the US as well. They do have a bit of a different slant and I always find great inspiration and projects in them.
I know the beads shows are a lot of work to set up and take down. I wish you two the best and lots and lots of sales
Your set up looks great! Glad this summer has gone good for you guys! Good luck at Kool Aid days!
Blessings~
Leslie
Thanks! We enjoy shows, but they are a ton of work!
I am a little jealous, as you guys have so many cool art shows in the US. We have flea markets here in Germany , but this is not the same. People sell new stuff often, but if you want to address certain clients, the flea markets are not the right place to be. The beads are looking really yummy.
Thanks Nicki! Yes, flea markets are definitely NOT the market you want for art! Here, flea markets are like garage sales, that people think they can bargain with you on the prices or pay next to nothing for items. We avoid those. We are very fortunate to have so many shows that are local and close to home. It is nice to have a customer base of people you recognize and can chat with!
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