Photo Essay: Buyers Market of American Craft

Here are a few photos from the Buyers Market in Philadelphia, February 16-18, 2013. There was good merchandising going on, with many of the exhibitors showing their work in a manner so the buyer could imagine how it would look in their gallery or gift store.

Starting with some of my favorites:

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1. A large corner booth painted to garner attention and to showcase brightly-colored glass

6a00e54fba8a738833017c37086716970b-pi?width=4502. Such a clean and simple booth which really showed off the mosaic work.


6a00e54fba8a738833017c37086741970b-pi?width=4503. I liked the way this potter showed a large variety of work and used the vertical space so well.


6a00e54fba8a738833017c37086711970b-pi?width=4504. These jewelers were using many recycled elements and their booth was very cool, suited their work well and quite a contrast to the very slick booths that many jewelers had.

6a00e54fba8a738833017c3708672e970b-pi?width=4505. Clearly a pro in the business, many price points, groupings of objects and the lighting drew you in.

6a00e54fba8a738833017ee8c6a455970d-pi?width=4506. I like how this monochromatic booth really showcases the work.

6a00e54fba8a738833017c3723aada970b-pi?width=4507. This is an example of high contrast to showcase the work.

6a00e54fba8a738833017c3708671b970b-pi?width=4508. Lots of small pieces, but a great way to display and light to draw those wholesale buyers in closer.

 6a00e54fba8a738833017c37086746970b-pi?width=4509. This was a small booth, perhaps 6 x 10, yet each piece was distinct and well lit making you want to come closer.

6a00e54fba8a738833017d4152e932970c-pi?width=45010. A view down one of the center aisles.

6a00e54fba8a738833017c37086728970b-pi?width=45011. Frequent visitors to AFI will recognize this work.

And a few booths that need some work (to my eye). Any suggestions for these exhibitors?

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People you need to meet:

6a00e54fba8a738833017ee8aba30d970d-pi?width=30015. Jeweler Jennifer Merchant

6a00e54fba8a738833017ee8aba2fa970d-pi?width=30016. Glassblower Andrew Madvin

6a00e54fba8a738833017ee8aba300970d-pi?width=30017. Potters Justin & Melanie McKenney

6a00e54fba8a738833017ee8aba2ee970d-pi?width=30018. Jeweler Susan Crow

6a00e54fba8a738833017ee8aba2e8970d-pi?width=35019. Potter Laurie Eskenazi

6a00e54fba8a738833017ee8aba2f4970d-pi?width=40020. Beaded jeweler Kathy King

6a00e54fba8a738833017ee8aba305970d-pi?width=40021. Buyers Richard and Joanna Rothbard from the American Craftsman Galleries in NYC.

Learn more about the show and watch a video: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/what-i-did-on-my-winter-vacation

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Comments

  • This was really fun to look at, Connie.  Thanks to AFI I even have a more discerning eye re: booth designs.  I could actually think of a few ways to improve the booths you included.

  • Great post, Connie.  I always wondered what that show was about and how the artists presented their works.  Love Laurie's work too!  We're great friends and people always tell us how our work is similar in composition yet two completely different mediums.  

    Thanks Connie!

  • Fantastic - thanks Connie!

  • Yeah -- actually that is my friend holding the sign, he is Jewish and neither of us could figure out why Monday, February 25 was a religious holiday. Any ideas?

  • Wow, Connie that is a nice photo essay.  I like the lady with the hearts, and Andrew's glass looks really cool.  Neat work.  The guy with the sign might be observing Jewish Sabbath?  Thanks for all the photos!!

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