On Saturday, Funnelcloud Studio was a vendor at Art Market 316 at The Soundry in Vienna, Virginia. This was my first art market (which is also #126 crossed off my Life List), and despite the fact that it was a small market and the customers were few, I'm really glad I participated. Art Market 316 is a once-a-month market that is still in its infancy, and I think it is going to grow into a really great event once a little word of mouth and publicity help it expand. I got to meet the owner of The Soundry, Jennifer Crawford, who is super friendly, funny, and has such great ideas about the arts and the future of The Soundry!
The best thing about the whole day was chatting with the other vendors and meeting all sorts of artsy people. I was lucky enough to set up my table next to the extremely talented Ned of Maneating Flower. Ned is a printmaker who prints on upcycled leather and makes gorgeous leather-wrapped flasks, and she was so sweet to give me some amazing tips about art fairs, etsy, and where to buy supplies.
I also chatted with the super nice Susan of Ocean Sea, who shares my love of traveling through the National Parks. And I met Jon of Jon Fleming Photography, who is still in high school, but is already selling his photography!
The second best part of the art market? Bubba the Boston Terrier!
I have to admit, before I was invited to participate in the art market, I had never even heard of The Soundry - which is a shame because this place is right up my alley - it has an art studio, coffee (or in my case, smoothie and hot chocolate) shop, and stage for bands to play. Plus, the architect in me loves that it was built in a reclaimed auto garage - I love the roll-up door to the coffee shop, and I've always been a sucker for industrial spaces.
I took a few breaks from my table to check out The Soundry facilities, with my camera in tow:
How great is this piece by Lisa Wagner made of bicycle tire inner tubes?!
I'm so glad I went to this thing - having a deadline really lit a fire under my ass to get business cards and a banner made, and to think about how to display and package my work for selling in real life (as opposed to selling on the internet). I'm excited now to apply to some of the larger art markets - hopefully in time for the holiday season. And I'll definitely stop by The Soundry again the next time I'm in Vienna - nothing makes me happier than a mango smoothie, a garage door, and some art!
2 comments:
Congrats! I've done a few shows and have been a nervous wreck... something about being around people when they look at my stuff. It makes me want to hide under the table, lol. It looks like you did great!
Jen
PS- LOVE your new stamp! I've been toying with the idea but can't come up with a good enough logo yet. Need to noodle it a bit more. ;o)
Thanks, Jen - it is nervewracking to have people look at your stuff right in front of you - so much easier when people can look at your stuff on the internet anonymously! But everyone was really nice (would've been nicer if they had bought stuff, but still, it actually ended up giving me the confidence to try for a bigger event!)
If I hadn't had the deadline, I would probably never have been able to make a decision on the stamp design - but I'm so glad I got it done. I got it from Simon Stamp, and it was cheap, so not a big deal if I ever change my mind and want to make a new one!
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