So, what have I been up to this week? Well, apart from sorting out my computer issues I have been completing orders from last week and building up stock for a new 2-day show coming up this weekend at the Kent County Showground, Detling called Tots '2' Teens. Planned as a show for all parents and soon-to-be parents, the show boasts a real mix of stalls and activities from crafts to financial advice to family-friendly vehicles.
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| Noah's Ark Available at www.studiocrafts.net |
What is difficult is knowing whether to focus on the range of children's designs such as the really popular Noah's Ark or whether visitors are just as likely to purchase classic floral and animal desigs.
Hmm... Anyone got a crystal ball I can borrow for a week or so?
New shows are always pretty scary ventures for a few simple reasons:
- Will the organisers do their job and promote, advertise and market the event? (So far, the answer does seem to be yes on this one)
- Will the people come out and visit? (Will let you know...)
- Will we cover our costs and make enough sales to make it a worthwhile weekend? (Again, will let you know...)
If you or anyone you know fancy a trip to what is set to be a really great show, please do come along and say hello. I am located in the Craft Section in the John Hendry Pavilion.
More details on the show can be found here Admission is free and there is plenty of free parking. Oh, and don't worry if the weather decides to take a turn - it is fully indoors!
Back to what I have been up to this week - I have three special orders which I am completing - none of which are straightforward!
The first is a second dog portrait for a customer (I did another portrait of the same dog a couple of weeks ago) which fortunately is now almost complete and ready to be posted.
However, my major challenge has been two large designs of Hindu Gods - Ganesh and Hanuman. In some ways, these are easier than the portraits as the lines are simpler and more in line with my normal work but the colouring of them is a different matter! These are really colourful and sooooo detailed with all their jewels and elaborate decorations. I will post a pic of them next week once they are finished and you will see what I mean!
I have Ganesh complete so far (apart from a little touching up here and there) and am really pleased with how it has come out. Hanuman is next and is likely to prove to be a little more complicated as I have to work out the colours from a set of different images and each one seems to be different!! I can see a bit of Artistic Licence coming into play here... I also need to come up with designs for two Buddhas for the same person ready for when I deliver the completed items and I can't believe how many different images there are out there.
Who said this was going to be easy??? Have a great week - I'm off to start stage one of colouring jewels on a Monkey-God...
As a short footnote, today would have been my Dad's 81st Birthday so Happy Birthday Dad we miss you and are all thinking of you today (and every day) xxx
the show sounds exciting - I'll look forward to hearing all about it. It's so hard to know what to take to some shows. Sounds like children's designs might be popular though. The Hindu gods sounds like a really interesting project too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking part in HM x
Thanks Wendy.
ReplyDeleteI think I will just make new stock as I would for any show with perhaps a few more of the Noah's Ark & other kiddies designs than I may have normally done.
The Hindu Gods are really stretching my abilities to do tiny detail but hopefully they will be worth it in the end. I may go completely la-la if I end up with orders for a lot of them though!
Thanks for organising HM again.
Good luck with the show Ali - the fickle public - who knows what they want or like or will actually buy...! Nancy
ReplyDeleteThe Buddhas sound complicated, I've done a few paintings of Buddhas for a local gift emporium but they have always been just the face and quite stylised. Good luck on your detailing, I'm looking forward to seeing your finished pieces.
ReplyDeleteToTs 2 teens covers a large age range, the Ark is great, I think your butterflies from your previous post will go down well.
Good luck on it all going well.
Jan x
The shows always sound fun. I wish I lived close enough to pop over and see what everyone was doing in real life! And I would love to see the dog portrait of course. Also, a shout out to your Dad, Happy Birthday! My own Dad is 86 now, hard to imagine! :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing all these commissions!!
ReplyDeleteThinking about you and your Dad x
Thanks CJ
ReplyDeleteMy Mum & Brother went to the crematorium today and laid a rose on Dad's plaque - it is nice to still remember the day.
Love the Noah's Ark design, I'm sure these will be in demand, they immediately lead to a 'story' and are so bright and welcoming as well. Interesting commission for the Gods' - look forward to seeing them.
ReplyDeleteEvery fair is always different, no one can ever tell what will be the big seller of the day. Good luck tho Ali, i'm sure you will do well.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing photos of your commissions.
Good luck with the fair, you should do well, all your designs are gorgeous. I look forward to seeing your commision pieces.
ReplyDeleteHugs Sue x
Good luck with the show, I bet you do really well :)
ReplyDeleteHope the Hindu Gods aren't proving to be too stressful, looking forward to seeing them.
LH
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Good Luck for this weekend Ali, I am sure you will do well, unfortunately paying customers may be another issue as we all know hard times atm.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with you project
I love the idea of the show. As a parent of young children, it is always nice when you can get lots of answers in one place. I'd be there (if I didn't live 7 hours away!!)
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