so, this might sound funny coming on the heels of a post with a rather traditional checklist for craft show necessities, but hear me out... i don't mean for anyone to follow this post to the letter, of course, but i do hope it inspires you to at least consider mixing it up a bit.
so earlier this week, my lovely studio mates, kate and dana (i suspect you'll only hear more about them in the next year or so... brace yourselves) and i went to see objectified, the new film by gary hustwit (of helvetica fame) and watching in awe these great designers speak frankly about why design is essential and the culture of marketing and selling goods commercially, a little light bulb went off in my head.
it was probably, more specifically, comments from fiona raby (of dunne&raby, london, a firm that designs primarily to promote thought and discussion rather than to create manufactured items) about how we all walk through showrooms and insert ourselves into these settings and imagine the objects as part of our daily lives. this is obviously quite intentional on the part of the display designers, and it got me thinking about how this could possibly not have already been translated into display for an art market or craft fair.
instead of having a table, with or without risers and a generic table cloth to set your items out on, and the typical earring stands, spinny racks and other display mechanisms jewelers all use pretty standardly, why don't you take me as a shopper into a bedroom or dressing room and display your jewelry in a way i'd want to go home and store it. why isn't a gorgeous vanity table or antique useful bureau the standard in displaying jewelry at a craft show? or why not have a bevy of friends come to actively model the jewelry all day long at your table instead of leaving your pieces lifelessly lying there?
or, for what those who make housewares (like me!), why do i set merely up folding tables and line my products up on them in little rows and dangle things from pegboard, completely unlike how anyone would actually use the items? why don't i display a full dining table or mock kitchen to display tea towels, placemats, and oven mitts among real dishes? why don't i set a stage for a dinner party in my tent? what's stopped me from bringing a comfortable chair and coordinating end table complete with a dripping cold iced tea to sell my coasters?
basically, for a moment, toss your logistic or practical or the size of your car constraints aside, think of the absolute most ideal display for your goods. be outrageous. think bigger. for most of us, 10x10 craft show booths are the closest we come to having a whole boutique dedicated to our wares, and one of the few times we have complete control over how what we make is presented to our audience. how do you want people to use or treat or wear what you make? what world are you striving to create with your work? (have you seen my previous post on making a whole universe with your brand?)
now, reduce this ideal situation down into feasible terms. what could substitute for a heavy, large dresser? how can i represent a full kitchen in my booth and have it be portable and attractive? what decoys can be made or what real items can be modified to suit my needs realistically? think in terms of symbolism and suggesting more than you're actually presenting. turn what you know about craft show displays inside out then trim it up to make it work.
if you're loving all the ideas this is churning in your mind, consider taking these principles and applying them to how you photograph your work. (more on that soon!)
i have another big show this weekend (the trenton avenue arts festival, here in philadelphia!) and i'm considering how far i'd like to take these ideas, or if i'll just do what i know is safe and set things up as i normally do. i'll be sure to take photos and share my results if i do break out of my norm.
