I’m back from my first wholesale show. The Buyers Market was very quiet this year, not surprisingly, and long-time attendees felt the difference. Since it was my first show I had nothing to compare to, and plenty to take in and learn.

My pal Val flew in from Michigan to help me. Hallelujah! Load in was smooth, and my booth was near the loading dock which made schlepping a lot easier. Plus we had a full 24 hours before the opening of the show so there was time to futz with the display and remember to eat and sleep.

Here I am in the booth with my “I hate to have my picture taken” face on.

I met lots of wonderful artists and buyers and got great responses to my work. People brought their faces right up to the cases, and wanted to touch the jewelry and see how it moves. The most used word after “beautiful” was “different”, which is a HUGE compliment.

I feel encouraged and surprised by how strongly people reacted. Especially to the sculptural pieces, which were the most noticed. How fun for me – this means I get to make more.

M came and helped me pack and load out and drove us safely home with the help of his new GPS toy (which I nicknamed Jimmy). I’m so grateful. I was so tired that I might have ended up in Florida if left to my own devices.

The store at the Museum of Art & Design (formerly the Craft Museum) placed an order, which is what I’m working on now. I’m excited to have my work for sale in New York, and in such a great location.

And for a cherry on top the show organizers used a picture of my necklace on the cover of the show guide:

I’m a cover girl!
Who needs to clean her house. Boy did I leave a mess.

First it was the birds, who came for the feeders I put out. There was a blissful week of nature romance; hours spent watching them and identifying their colors in my Sibley.

Then came the squirrels, clued in by the birds, who brought the dream crashing to the ground and started me on my campaign to find the perfect baffle.

And now this gal and her friends.

She’s so pretty, and will probably reduce the sunflower bed I’m bound to have growing under the feeders come spring, but come on – I want to garden! Vegetables. Fruit. For me. Not deer salad bar!!

When I get back from Phili I’m buying a book on fencing. And figuring out how to get rid of the mice. ‘Cos yeah, they’re here too now.

I’m getting ready for the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia next week. It’s my first trade show and it’s a biggie so I’m a headless chicken these days, running from bench to computer to hardware store. I’m all kinds of excited and nervous.

This is a wholesale show so if you have a store come on down and see me, I would love to meet you (and there will be snacks).

The show runs from Friday February 13th through Monday 16th,
with a Jewelry Preview on Thursday February 12th from 4 to 7pm.
Here’s the Buyers Market link for more information.

I’ll post pictures of the booth after the show so everyone can have a little visit, if only imaginary.