Fall Arts and Crafts Festival in Lawrence, KS 2012

Here it comes! We have 4 large shows in the next few months. 2 are in October and are back to back. Then one in November before Thanksgiving to jump start the Christmas Season.

In the meantime, we'll begin our Fall Show Tour with the Fall Arts and Crafts Show in Lawrence, KS this Sunday, September 9th. I am super excited. We did the Art in the Park show earlier this year and had a blast so I have high hopes for the Fall show.

Although we loved the layout above, we've been working out ways to make it even better. The grids have come in super handy with a wonderful way to hang all our earrings and pendants. It's just not enough table space!

We recently purchased several more necklace busts as we want to display our beautiful pieces better. This means we need more table tops! So we're rearranging again. Come visit us to see our new layout (we're not exactly sure what it'll be yet. Ha).

A little about this Festival

This show has been happening for 33 years now. Quite amazing! An even more amazing feat is that it is strictly Artists and Handmade. There are no booths for Commercial vendors. So if you love going to events like these, stop by. You'll see some neat original and one of kind pieces by local and non-local artists. Over 160 artists! So you'll have plenty to choose from.

Not only can you purchase original arts and crafts, but you'll get to see some live music. The Lawrence City Band will be playing as well as the Lonnie Ray Blues Band. They'll also have kid-related things such as a moonwalk and booths specific for children. Oh boy, I just found out they'll even have miniature poly rides for the youngsters! So fun.

And of course, you can't have a festival without tons of food! Be sure to stop by the concessions area for the all time favorite of funnel cakes and blooming onions.

Location: South Park
1141 Massachusetts St
Lawrence, KS

Date: September 9, 2012

Time: 10:00a - 5:00p

Cost: Free

The Marketplace at John Knox - A Craft Show Booth Layout

Here comes another show! This one is The Marketplace Spring Mart April Fools weekend (March 31 - April 1). It is put on by the John Knox Village in Lee's Summit, MO at The Pavilion.

They're going to have all sorts of vendors, from handmade jewelry and accessories to clothing, gifts for friends and family, home decor, and even delicious food. All these items are going to be super unique, including my own.

Let me know you're coming! 

My mom and I have been making items like crazy for this show. I get off work at 5p, go home, and begin a new piece each night. Building the booth layout has been super fun too. It's been a challenge over the last few years acquiring the tools to have a fabulous booth. One that resists weather, looks great, displays the jewelry interesting and fun, and is easy to transport and setup. That's the best part though, facing the challenge head on and having a good game plan.

This is one of the more recent layouts I came up with for a 10x10 booth. This is a good one. A great option with both table space and grid space for good hanging or shelving. 

Option #2 isn't a favorite either since the center table could make it difficult for customers to walk through the booth. There's just not enough space between the 5 ft table and the 2 4 ft tables in the back. 

So far #3 is my favorite. I had found a posting for lightweight booth ideas on the Arts Business Institute's website which gave me the idea for the 4 small "tables" in the center. I'm still looking for the cardboard to pull this off. I'm optimistic I can find some good sturdy yet collapsible cardboard for those little tables.

Of course before we go, we'll do a mock-setup but I still wanted to have a better idea of where everything would go. It's always so chaotic when you get to a show and begin setting up. I've found it goes much more smoothly if you have a game plan and a good idea where to put your merchandise. 

This was the first drawing I had done to decide where to put all the different types of jewelry. Of course, with the layout above, I had to come up with a new placement.

Wish us luck! There is still so much to get done. Shows are a ton of work but extremely satisfying once they're complete. Definitely worth the trouble. 

Hope to see you all there.

Brittney

Ready for Sugar Mound Arts and Crafts Festival!!!

This is one of my favorite festivals during one of my favorite times of the year! October 8th and 9th, just before Halloween and the Holiday Season. I love the festival foods of funnel cakes, candied apples, and homemade ice cream. 

Artisans from around the United States gather for this festival. Begin your Holiday shopping for friends and family with all sorts of art and craft options. You can make your visit a day trip or a weekend event. Stay at various hotels and Bed and Breakfasts in the area or make it a weekend camping trip with a bit of shopping. Either way, it makes for a fun filled weekend with lots of sights to see with over 650 booths, 30 of which are food, and a Festival Parade on Main Street in Mound City.

Let us know you're coming.

For more information visit the Sugar Mound Arts and Crafts Website.


Booth Photos

 These photos are from our booth at the Maker Faire at Union Station but they'll still help you find our booth at Sugar Mound. We'll have a canopy of course, but look for the purple. It's a favorite.

These were taken in the afternoon when the sun was coming through the windows. Makes for beautiful, if slightly fuzzy, photos where the jewelry just shines for those patrons stopping by. 

Cat's Pajamas Art Show

Visit the Artists of Eclectics Gallery!

We'll be hosting our annual Halloween Show with various arts and crafts perfect for the Fall season. If you don't find what you're looking for, ask the artists if something can be made custom for you. Be sure to give them time to make your item.

 

Eclectics Gallery

7015 Oak Street

Kansas City, MO

816-361-6643

Margi Posten Trunk Show (Ceramics)

Meet Margi Posten

Margie began her career in the Radio and Television business, using her talents for a local commercial for the May's and Worlds of Fun or in industrial films for Hallmark Cards and Products and Kansas City Power and Light. She has been in radio and theater for years. Now see her talent grow in the world of ceramics.

Eclectics Gallery

7015 Oak Street

Kansas City, MO

816-361-6643

Katie Kwo Gerson Trunk Show (knitted wire jewelry)

Meet Katie Gerson

Katie makes fabulous knitted and wire-wrapped jewelry with custom pieces available. Visit Eclectics Gallery Friday evening September 9th to have one of her beuitful works of art as your own!

 Let us know you'll be coming.

 

Eclectics Gallery

7015 Oak Street

Kansas City, MO
816-361-6643

Edited: Art Unleashed Auction 2011 - Humane Society of Kansas City

Thank you to all who bid on little miss below. She was auctioned for $55. All proceeds go to the Humane Society of Kansas City to help those animals in need.

I love animals. I love jewelry and arts and all kinds of crafts. It's a great thing when you can combine the things you love in life.

The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City is hosting a Live and Silent Auction of original pet-themed artwork. The Art Unleashed event will take place Friday August 26th at Hale Arena beginning at 7:00p - 10:00p. They have asked local artists to donate their pet-themed artwork for this event. You'll be able to see artwork from Eclectics Gallery Members, paintings by Karrol Combs, ceramics by Melissa Moore, jewelry by yours truly, and many other types of arts and crafts.

My Donation: This isn't the best picture as I took it with my phone. The deadline for artists to submit happens to be today so I haven't had a chance to take this puppy ;) home and photograph her properly. She is made with feet upon feet of silver wire in various gauges with Swarovski Crystals in Black and Crystal AB caught in a wire net within the silhouette.Since she's a beautiful girl, she was given three freshwater pearls for her collar.

Spring is on your Wrist

To celebrate Mothers Day and make a few pieces for Eclectics Gallery's Mum's the Word event, I made a new bangle and a small set of earrings to match. This will match a ring I had made a few months ago with a small flower.

I hope you're ready for Spring! This set....bangle, earrings, ring...will help you get in the mood.

 The bangle is in progress in this photo. I finished it late the other night and didn't get a picture of the completed bangle. You can see the finished product with the ring at Eclectics Gallery tomorrow.

 Earrings to match.

 

 

  The Summertime Flower Ring

Mum's the Word Event

Friday April 15th

5:00p - 8:00p

Eclectics Gallery
7015 Oak
Kansas City, MO 64113
(816) 361-6643