Inside the Studio - Mini Displays

Welcome to Inside the Studio! 

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 Kim Stevens! Congratulations!
You have won an owl from Tesori Trovati.

 Today you back in the Humblebeads Studio and what's on my mind today - holiday shows!

I don't have much planned for the holidays and to tell you the truth I'm doing a little hustling to find places to host trunk shows - offices, schools, boutiques, spas - wherever I think a good match would be for my jewelry!  I have been researching shows but deadlines are so far in advance for the good shows, let's just say next year I'll be rocking the holiday markets in my area.  

For now I have two shows that are Artisan Markets at local art centers.  These are basically gift shop settings that take over the gallery for 2-3 weeks during the holidays and work on consignment.  

So how do you sell your jewelry and tell a story when are aren't there?  Well here are a few tips:

1. Merchandise your jewelry smartly - this isn't the time to throw any and everything on the display.  Create a  collection that works together.  For this show I paired up woodland themed jewelry with the motifs of leaves, trees, birds and nests.  Everything works together and I have a range of prices from $25-$65.  

2. Keep your display simple, affordable and one that compliments your brand/style.  I covered a canvas from Hobby Lobby with silk fabric and a flew 12" particle boards that we had in our crafty closet. A glue gun and scissors were all that were required.  Make sure you put your name on your displays.

The great thing about this display is your can make up several sets for different shows.  

*Be sure to pin everything down.  It keeps them from sprouting legs and walking away.

3. Tell your story without saying a word.  Create a sign with one or two sentences that introduce your jewelry, include it with your business name and logo and put it in a frame to go with your display. 

Mine says, " My jewelry features designs that jump out of my sketchbook, are transformed into clay and become reminders for the wearer to live mindfully, rejoice in nature's beauty and to remember the peace that comes from touching the earth."

I also included a copy of book because well that's just impressive isn't it?  And now you see the story of my jewelry and know a little bit about it without me saying a word.  If you do sign up for these type of events they always have an opening night.  Plan to attend, meet as many people as your can, wear a ton of your jewelry and bring your business cards.  You never know who you might meet!

 Now for the prize this week - it's a $20 gift certificate from Humblebeads.com. 

What is a clever display idea that you've seen or that you use?

Leave a comment and we'll pick a winner next Friday. 

Bead Studio Inspirations

I have such an under decorated studio, it's down-right embarrassing and rather uninspiring.  Like seriously, my beautiful seagrass paper-covered inspiration board has one picture on it.  And anyone else sick of having their beads stuffed in plastic containers? Out of sight - out of mind! Or how about jewelry and displays that are neatly packed away for the next show - efficient but a few on display could spark some new ideas.

I'm on a mission to create this space into something that would leap off the pages of Where Women Create, keeps me organized and helps me work more efficiently.  That really sounds like a job for a professional but unless a Home Crasher find me the aisles of a home improvement store, it's a job that I will need to tackle!

First up - my poor walls - bare and forlorn.  They need some art work and photos stat.  I am going to start with this Shine On You Crazy Diamond print from Vol25.  Love, love, love it!

Next up, my jewelry from my book is on display on a green pegboard.  Uh, no - bad Heather.  It really needs a more artistic display.  I'm digging this reclaimed wood one from Yesterday Reclaimed.

Art beads tucked in boxes, hidden away?  That's a shame.  They need to be in a few special little bowls.  I would gather up birds, eggs and nest beads to put them into this cutie from Karen Norton.

Wouldn't this be a fun way to display inspiration photos or earrings on cards.  This vintage find is from In With the Old.

Ah the printer's tray.  I don't think I'll ever be lucky enough to snag a whole cabinet, but a tray or two would look awesome on my bead table. I always feel a little green with envy when I see them in other bead studio photos. You can find this one from Aurora Mills.

I have a collection of trays that I use when I design jewelry. I'll gather materials into the tray and see what happens!  And it makes a quick clean up at the end of the day, just stack your trays until you are ready to work again. This weathered one is from On Winston Lane.

You know those beads you absolutely love?  Yeah, those ones.  They need their own bowl.  This precious ceramic one is from Lauren Sumner Pottery.

A little utilitarian, I actually have a few of these card files in my studio and store my clay in them. I like their vintage feel and they hide away quite a bit!  These are from River Jim. 

A sweet display for some of your handcrafted treasures - don't hide them in a box, hang them in your studio. You can find these at Selina Beads n Bits. 

This vintage owl from Long Lost Love can be used to display earrings, but I think he'd made a good studio mascot.  You know, to remind you of just how smart and clever you are!   

I will wait to see what kind of treasures I can find at the next antique market at the end of the month.  Until then I will be purging.  I have beads I will never use.  You know, they kind you saw at a show and price was just too good to pass up but that was 5 years ago. Yeah, that kind of bead stash needs to find a new home. This is my mantra for my studio redo:

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. - William Morris