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BUILDING
A BETTER BOOTH
As the sun hangs overhead this summer, it’s a perfect time
to explore how color and light can enhance our most crucial summer
traveling companion—our booth designs. In light of American
Artist Appreciation Month we quote Matisse, "Color helps
to express light," as well as offer a few color-sensitive
tips.
1) Choose your colors wisely! Keep color and style in line
with your design. A hand-knotted, Persian rug would not blend well
with a funky, modern booth. Consider the professional effect.
2) Colors affect your buyer’s mood and spirit. Have
you ever noticed how restaurants almost always use red or yellow
in their signs? Use color as one more tool to draw people in and
make them feel at ease. Take a look here
for more info about color psychology.
3) Don’t be afraid to make changes. Consider bringing
a Polaroid or digital camera to your next show. Take a booth shot
halfway through your setup and re-evaluate everything.
4) Preparing in advance is key. Remember to pack extra bulbs,
lamps, and know where the nearest hardware store that would have
replacement parts for your lighting set-up is located.
For tips and helpsheets on setting up your booth, e-mail us at news@rosengrp.com
MAKE
THE MOST OF MENTORING
If you are attending the Visiting
Artist Program, remember to make the most of your advisor session
by bringing slides, a portfolio, and any promotional materials you
have created for yourself. Like Woody Allen said, "Eighty
percent of success is showing up." Come prepared to be
inspired!
Here are some anecdotes from previous visiting artists:
"I came away with new ideas and resources that you just
can’t find in articles and books."
"I felt so much more ready and informed about what I need
to do to succeed in my business."
"My eyes were opened to the possibilities of growing my
business without compromising my art."
Remember, learning is an organic and reciprocal process that can
take many forms. Log on to the American
Craft Forum to pick up some craft tips, share ideas, give advice
to burgeoning artists, or ask questions.
With
over 1,600 members and hundreds of active topics, AC Forum offers
the largest free craft community discussion online! We’re
available when you’re available - 24 hours/7 days per week.
Log on and join the discussion today! www.americancraftforum.com
SPOTLIGHT:
Best of Missouri Hands
Want to meet face to face with fellow artists and have an impact
on your local community? Try joining a local trade association!
This month we focus on the Missouri
Artisans Association (MAA), better known as "The Best of
Missouri Hands." Founded in 1989 as a nonprofit, MAA is dedicated
to advancing the arts in Missouri through education and community
building. The organization has grown largely via word of mouth and
a solid reputation, now includes over 300 members from across the
state, demonstrating various art and craft disciplines.
This year Best of Missouri Hands is again excited about their Artstravaganza
(in its fourth year). Taking place in late October as a partnership
with the St. Louis Artists' Guild, the festival features Missouri-made
fine art and craft.
Best of Missouri Hands membership includes not only well-established
professional artisans but also those "just starting out,"
and many more in between.
Don Crozier, president, recently spoke with a new member who expressed
happiness at finding a whole new network of friends that she can
relate to, since her husband "didn’t get" what she
undergoes to create and market her art. "When I see our
logo at a show, I know there is someone I can count on to be open
and friendly, someone with whom I can commiserate about the lack
of buyers or celebrate a good day."
Click here
to learn more about the Best of Missouri Hands. Or, e-mail us at
news@rosengrp.com about your
state arts association and what they’re doing for you!
OPPORTUNITIES
KNOCKING
Interested in promoting your work outside of the traditional
craft fair, festival, and trade show scene? Consider these avenues…
Lark Books seeks images of handmade contemporary metal
beads for publication in the gallery section of a how-to book tentatively
titled Making Metal Beads by Pauline Warg. This book is slated for
release in the fall of 2006. Individual metal beads, bead groupings,
and beads as elements in a finished piece of jewelry are welcome.
Send high-quality transparencies, slides, or high-resolution digital
images. For more info visit their website.
Deadline: Aug 19.
The Society of Watercolor Artists presents their upcoming
2005 September Membership show at the University of North Texas
Health and Science Building in Fort Worth, Texas. The exhibition
is open to paintings that are 80% watermedia on paper, or watercolor
board completed within the past two years without instructor supervision.
For more info visit their website,
or contact Marie Coerver at (817) 927-0682. Deadline: Aug 19.
2006 NICHE Awards, sponsored by NICHE magazine, celebrate
excellence and innovation in American and Canadian craft. Categories
include Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Metal, Wood, Jewelry, Lighting,
Clocks, Clothing, Decorative Fiber, Garden Art, Goblets, Judaica,
Mixed Media, Narrative, Recycled, and Teapots. For more info visit
their website.
Deadline for professionals: September 7. Deadline for students:
Sept 30.
The National Association of Women Artists, founded in 1889,
is seeking membership applicants from professional female artists
in all media. Members are provided with juried and curated exhibit
opportunities in NYC and across the US. Download an application
here, or send SASE
to NAWA, 80 5th Ave #1405, New York, NY 10011. Deadline: Sept 15.
Call For Life Experiences: New England artist/writer is writing
a book on "the circle of life" and is looking for volunteer
participants to share their life experiences. What helped you become
the person you are today, and what life lessons can you pass along
with others? Send writings in the body of the email--not
as an attachment. For more info visit the website
or contact crcl_of_lf@yahoo.com.
Artist
Mentors Needed: Pam Corwin of Paper
Scissors Rock is looking for artist volunteers to mentor artists
taking a craft business class and ready to take the next step. Artists
will be matched with one mentor who would be available to answer
questions and offer advice via email or phone. If interested e-mail
Psrock@comcast.net.
DON'T
MISS A THING!
Do you know a craftsperson who should be receiving Market Insider
each month? Do you know someone who recently changed their e-mail
address and forgot to tell us to forward future newsletters to their
new address? Contact us at news@rosengrp.com
to be added on the Market Insider mailing list.
WHY
NOT...
Take a moment to sift through our archive? Remember, great craft
tips don't have an expiration date!
Market Insider
Archive - MI newsletters from previous months. |
