Welcome to Studio Saturday Sunday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you’ll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
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This weeks winner is Malin de Koning. Congratulations!
You have won a Happy Camper pendant from Gaea Cannaday.
You have won a Happy Camper pendant from Gaea Cannaday.
Send Gaea an email with your address and she will get them right out to you.
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This week we visit the studio of Rebecca Anderson of Songbead and The Curious Bead Shop.
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Woops! Today is very much Sunday, isn’t it? Anyway, better late than never – here’s a combined Studio and Show Me Post, all in one.
August was a full-on month for me. Straight on the heels of a fantastic actor/musician production down in London and The Lake District, I leapt straight into the longest craft fair I have ever done – 23 straight days! Phew! Doesn’t it make you want to go and have a lie down, just thinking about it? The West End Fair ran from the 3rd to the 25th August.
Before it began, I really didn’t know what to expect – the longest event I had done previously was over a weekend. I had been to The West End Fair as a customer many, many times – but still, that doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the reality of trading at such an event.
Despite slight trepidation, the fair was an absolute blast! I had a teeny tiny booth, which you can see here:
I was pretty pleased with how we got it set up thought, despite the size. I even had a scrap of space at the back to work – which was absolutely essential, as I had virtually no back stock! Top tip for those doing long fairs – make more jewellery than I did, before the event! I spent all day, and many evenings working into the wee small hours, creating more jewellery for the stand the following day.
I was lucky to be surrounded by some really excellent – and lovely! – other makers, and without them, the fair could have been a totally different experience. There was a great sense of camaraderie and support amongst us – coffee runs, toilet trips, and morale boosting on those days that dragged on more than others! There were also several other designer-makers there who had done the fair many times before, and it was great to get the benefit of their experience.
All in all, it was a truly fabulous experience and one I would do again in a heartbeat – well, in a year at any rate! Here are a few designs that sold over the 3+ weeks:
My question to you is, what’s your favourite part of taking part in craft shows? Leave your answer below to be in with the chance of winning a pair of Songbead earrings!
And now for the Show Me Sunday part of our broadcast…..
Today is the 1st September, and it’s back to school time for some of us! So I asked you to share tutorials, books, tips etc…..
Kathy shared Sally Rusick’s tute for beading bezels. Sally is not only an amazing jewellery artist, but also a fantastic photographer, and her video tutorials are super clear. So do take a minute to check out both her tute and her blog!
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Share your favourite tutorial with us this week in the comments below!
And now for the Bead Blogger Links:
Combine shells, bamboo beads, and hemp for this unisex necklace design.
Check out this month’s Blog Tour – see all the wonderful creations that our readers came up with, inspired by Rufino Tamayo’s Tres Personajes.
To help celebrate “Metal Month”, Cyndi has collected links to some amazing tutorials for you to try!
Have you tried Chinese knotting yet? Carmi has a wonderful tutorial on her blog this week!
Making a locket picture last is easy with resin.
Jean’s teaser post for Beads & Baubles and what she received from the store to design with is pretty dramatic! See her blog!
Check out what the participants of the Inspired by Reading Book Club made for August’s book, “The Infinities” by John Banville.
Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Manchester, England. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.
Claire Lockwood
September 1, 2013 at 10:01 pmErm – My favorite bit is the decamping for a wine-y lunch once everything is packed away, preferably following a good day's takings!
Meadowland Designs
September 1, 2013 at 10:36 pmUsually for me it's getting to know my fellow/nearby sellers(depending on how big the event is) & laughing at all the funny bits & pieces you find as you pack up!
~ Catherine
Susan White
September 2, 2013 at 2:15 amMy favourite part is seeing the reactions of customers when they see my pieces. Also getting feedback from customers as to what they are looking for.
KayzKreationz
September 2, 2013 at 2:30 amI love seeing what other artists have brought to the fair, and not just jewelry. Plus I like getting to visit with the other artists and exchanging ideas and also the customers to see what they think of my creations.
Carol D.
September 2, 2013 at 3:21 amI would have to say my favorite part is probably meeting my fellow vendors and talking shop with them. You can always pick up some helpful ideas for working the shows.
beadrecipes
September 2, 2013 at 5:05 amI love it when people tell me how much they like my booth display — validates all the time I've spent on Pinterest looking for ideas!
Malin de Koning
September 2, 2013 at 9:57 amYAY! Thank you for pulling my name for the Happy Camper pendant.
Kathy Lindemer
September 2, 2013 at 11:56 amTo be honest, my favorite part is making a sale!
sandi m
September 2, 2013 at 1:47 pmWhat a fantastic opportunity to be in a Fair for 23 days!!
My fav part is talking to a customer about my work resulting in a sale.
CraftyHope
September 2, 2013 at 3:52 pmI've never participated in a show as a vendor/artist, so my favorite part is the shopping I guess. Actually, even as a shopper I really love being surrounded by so much art, inspiration, and ideas. It's almost overwhelming in the creative sense, but I love it all the same.
Erin S
September 2, 2013 at 5:45 pmI've never done a craft show. Not my thing. But I LOVE walking through them, looking at all the beautiful work.
Klassy Joolz
September 2, 2013 at 11:12 pmMy favorite part is getting to know what the customers think about my jewelry (getting nice comments)and then making a sale.
Despina
September 3, 2013 at 12:02 amI've never done a show (yet) but I enjoy reading everybody else's experiences, thank you for the chance to win a pair of lovelies!!!
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Carolyn
September 4, 2013 at 5:28 amI think the part I like the best at a craft show is talking with the customers.
I appreciate the chance to win one of your earring sets. I really like your designs.
Carolyn
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