Introduction to AFI

I hope I am posting correctly. After being on the AFI site for several months I thought I would introduce myself as I have gained a lot of very helpful information from the folks here, used the discussion boards, webcasts and links. All great stuff for someone new to Art Fairs.

While I've always had a craftiness (needlepoint, knitting, crocheting, painting, papercraft etc.) I developed an interest in metalsmithing a few years ago. I realized I love playing with fire and corrosive chemicals! Last year had an opportunity to stop working in Human Resources after 40 or so years and work on jewelry-making fulltime.

I felt like I had been "getting ready" for some main event for so long that it was time to quit stalling and do it (art shows). I participated in two indoor shows last year. The first was definitely a learning experience - I'd never heard of risers and had no good way to display my jewelry other than laying it out or handing it from something. Not a good look.

I feel like I studied everything I could find (another method of stalling I suppose) and it helped! I think my second show was a vast improvement. Then I decided it was time to tackle outdoor Art Festivals. Another learning curve. Who knew you had to apply almost a year in advance to some shows? Or that the value of a great photographer can not be underestimated.

So now I know a lot more than I did a year ago but still learning. And my jewelry line keeps changing. I'm working on silver and resin necklaces, bibs and pendants, bracelets and more while developing another line that I hope to sell soon. I sell online through Etsy (www.BrimstoneStudioAtl.Etsy.com), at Art Festivals and at a local store that features handmade items. I look forward to getting up early every morning and getting started on new projects - so little time to get everything that I'd like to do done. But that's not a bad problem to have! Thanks to everyone at AFI for all the great advice. I appreciate the opportunity to share with others on this website.

Key West Bracelet right.jpg

Painted Desert2.jpg

Key West Necklace3.jpg

Hi Susan. Great story and I do get it. Research, research, oh, let's do some more (in fact I am replying to you right now instead of doing a job I'm not looking forward to), stalling works, sort of. But it looks like you are ready to go now.

I just saw this cute quote:

One of the best billboards I've ever seen was in a London tube station several years ago. It featured an elderly couple sitting on a front porch in rocking chairs, and the caption was, "Remember that time we almost went to Istanbul?"

Right? But you are doing it now. Looks like nice work too.

Hope you don't mind, but since I have power over everything on this site, I clicked on one of your "attachments" and then added it into your post so we could see your work. For your next post, and maybe even for this one, how about learning to add a photo to the site, not as an attachment, but as an "image."

Here is a good tutorial to help you do that: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/page/start-discussion-or-post

And welcome. We're glad to meet you and look forward to meeting in person at a show one of these days.

Replies

Christina L. Towell August 25, 2014 at 8:42am

Hi Susan, welcome to AFI! I checked out your Etsy page and your work is stunning! I'm a fiber artist but I can really appreciate your use of color and the arrangement...I love the statement necklace look! Thanks for joining us here, it looks like you're on the right track, so, best of luck to you!
Connie Mettler August 22, 2014 at 10:57am

Hi Susan. Great story and I do get it. Research, research, oh, let's do some more (in fact I am replying to you right now instead of doing a job I'm not looking forward to), stalling works, sort of. But it looks like you are ready to go now.

I just saw this cute quote:

One of the best billboards I've ever seen was in a London tube station several years ago. It featured an elderly couple sitting on a front porch in rocking chairs, and the caption was, "Remember that time we almost went to Istanbul?"

Right? But you are doing it now. Looks like nice work too.

Hope you don't mind, but since I have power over everything on this site, I clicked on one of your "attachments" and then added it into your post so we could see your work. For your next post, and maybe even for this one, how about learning to add a photo to the site, not as an attachment, but as an "image."

Here is a good tutorial to help you do that: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/page/start-discussion-or-post

And welcome. We're glad to meet you and look forward to meeting in person at a show one of these days.
- Susan Toole > Connie Mettler August 22, 2014 at 2:44pm
  
  Thanks Connie, I will do that. One thing I learned is that I can't use IE to do anything here!
Barrie Lynn Bryant August 21, 2014 at 11:23pm

Welcome to AFI, Susan. Seems some of your titles are based upon Florida places. We like to show at Florida and will be there starting in October for a five week show tour. I'm a picture frame maker, carver, and gilder and do them for my wife's paintings. Maybe we'll see you at one of the shows if you are at Florida. Whatever the case, I look forward to seeing you in the forums here on AFI. WOOHOO!
- Susan Toole > Barrie Lynn Bryant August 22, 2014 at 2:42pm
  
  Thanks Barrie and yes my husband and I adore Key West. ( don't know who wouldn't ) ANC that cloud scheme has been particularly popular with clients. In fact I have a number of pieces I need to get finished with those colors....fast!
Karole Bowlds August 21, 2014 at 7:48am

Hi Welcome to the site! Yes you are posting correctly!! Took a peek at the pics you uploaded... gorgeous work!! Hope you are enjoying the site! I'm Karole, and a fellow Jewelry creator. I work more in beads and beadweaving!! Not full time yet, but gearing towards that. This site has been a great help to me with booth, set up, display, etc. Hope you find all you need here!
- Susan Toole > Karole Bowlds August 22, 2014 at 2:39pm
  
  Thanks Karole! Are you also doing art festivals? I just started selling at a second local handcraft cooperative so between those, shows and Etsy it's kept me busy
  - Karole Bowlds > Susan Toole August 23, 2014 at 8:08am
    
    Hi Susan! I haven't done a show since the holidays.....been having "reliable vehicle" issues....which will hopefully be over with in the coming week.I used my time wisely though and got my stock & inventory built up for the fall & Holiday shows!!

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