Here it is folks, the set-up for my booth for the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft(that would be booth 4233).  It shows a mixture of new work for Sacred and available older work, which I’m calling "prototype" that’s also available for sale.  It’s set up in my studio, which makes it hard to get a good overall pictures (that’s a supporting beam there in the middle of the 3rd picture – it holds up the house. No way to get it out of the middle).  Read the pictures from left to right:  left wall; left corner, full picture, right corner, desk detail, right wall.  For some reason the placing of the left wall gets lighting that I can’t adjust well in the photo but the desk and right wall are the truer colors (at least on my computer).

There’s a spot on the left wall (lower left) that’s left open for a chair so that a tired buyer can sit and rest a spell – recommended by everyone I’ve talked to.  There will be several more Sacred signs (made by the inimitable Dhyana of Mystical Dream Art – she’s amazing folks!) and yet more small signs (one is behind the two green bowls on the desk unit) that say:  Please feel free to touch.  Wouldn’t you love being in a booth full of ceramics that invite you to stroke?  All of my collectors, every single one of them, say that to touch the piece is to feel the energy; pictures are nice but the real thing is amazing.  So I’m incorporating that information!

Now to finish their story tags, bead up their wire and rewire where necessary (just to keep them all consistent) and figure out what I need in the way of packing tubs.  I’m starting to think I may not have to buy any new ones.  I know I have enough for the ladies (except maybe one pregnant), and have one tub for some of the guys but am not sure if enough for all of them.  I’m packing directly from the walls, leaving the hangers in place, numbering the panels and will be set to go when I’m reassembling without having to adjust hangers to just right. 

I realize I need to get a masks page up on the Sacred website.  Hmmm, where’s my list….

I am planning to  rotate pieces on the front of the desk.  The table will have a snack bowl, and the desk will have a sign that says:  We value our clients.  If I was tied up when you came though, please leave your card – I’ll get in touch as soon as possible and give you the same attention as those I am currently helping!    And then I’ll follow right up in the evening.

By the way – I’m ahead of what I have calendared so I will have plenty of time to tend to all the little details that seem to spring up at the last minute.  Things happen fast!

thought for the day:  In an era where mass-produced, cheaply made goods are more plentiful than ever, conventional wisdom holds that more costly hand-produced works would find dwindling interest…

‘We find there is a growing market for the hand-produced piece,’ said Susie Lowe-Stockwell…executive director of the League [of New Hampshire Craftsmen]. ‘Our audience appreciates work that was hand made, especially when they learn what’s behind it.  We’re finding that people want to slow down and have something meaningful in their lives.  They want to surround themselves with beauty and integrity.‘ Spirit of the Maker, by Linda Harbrecht, "The Crafts Report" February 2008