Maker's Faire Kansas City 2012 - A Craft and Science Fair

AAAAAHHHHH!!! It's Maker's Faire time!

We did this event last year and just loved it! They have so many things going on throughout the weekend that there's no way to be bored. This is a new event in Kansas City, however, they've had this event in cities around the country for years. They had their beginnings in San Mateo, California in 2006 then slowly made their way to Detroit, MI and New York, NY and finally to our very own KC.

Saturday, June 23, 2012,

9:30 am – 7 pm

Sunday, June 24, 2012,

9:30 am – 5 pm

One of the best things about this Fair is that it celebrates the Makers and Creaters in the world. This includes those crafty artistic types like me, a jewelry artist. The Makers that join the Faire make all kinds of things like Robots, Tesla Coils (you know...those lightening like things in the movie The Sorcer's Apprentice in 2010), Crafts, and Woodworking. Many of the booths will be having what's called a Make-and-Take so you'll get to do some projects and learn techniques directly from the Maker's.

Tesla Coils

The team that built this calls it the "Arc Attach." And yes, those people are really inside a cage that is getting struck by lightening which also happens to make music! 

Are you interested in learning how to solder? You can learn that skill this weekend from CCCKC Hakerspace at their booth. I'm pretty sure their form of soldering is geared more toward computers and such but some of the techniques and information can still be transferred to some forms of jewelry making. Last year they even had a little flyer with the steps for soldering that you can take with you. Definitely helps to remember the steps.

Did you know that Kids are Maker's too? There are two kids who will have a booth this year. A 15-year old young man named Joey created an LED cube that makes 3D patterns. While a young lady, age 10, named Sylvia hosts YouTube videos on some DIY projects such as rockets and sidewalk chalk.

Need something a little more robust? Check out the Maker Faire Blog and read up on some really neat Maker's. They'll have Art Cars, Super Hero Robots, Power Wheels Racing and Live Music.

Flying Saucer Art Car

Check out the Program Guide so you'll be ready!
You're probably wondering how I fit into this. Since this fair is for Maker's, people who create things in the "craft" bracket are invited to have a booth as well. That means yours truly gets to have a booth! 

This is our booth from Last Year. 

Although our booth turned out fantastic, we've come up with an even better design for this year. We took the new layout to Art in the Park in Lawrence, KS just a few months ago and absolutely loved it! 

Art in the Park - Lawrence, KS - May 6, 2012

The picture is a bit fuzzy, sorry about that. It was taken with my phone since I try not to travel with my good camera. Don't want to break it. At least the picture shows you what to look for!
We can't wait to see everyone! We love meeting our customers. Both Carrie (she's behind the mirror on the right. She's also in the Maker Faire Booth Photo) and I will be there. We always bring a selection of our supplies with us as well and demonstrate how we create our pieces. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have. We are happy to answer and assist!
Have a good day everyone!
Brittney

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