Gorgeous!!!

That was the weather this weekend at Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philadelphia, where I spent the weekend with my sweet, generous Mom. She helped me lug my block printed fabrics and home goods and display up the hill at Penns Landing, set the booth up with me, and even manned the iPad while I did way too much shopping at the other vendors’ booths.

Thanks, Mom!!

One of the things that was so exciting about Art Star, besides being my first two-day show and my first show in Philadelphia, was that it was the first opportunity to set up my booth that Dan and I have been working hard on for the past month! I wanted to have a space that was inviting and home-like, while also taming the visual clutter that can result from the many varied patterns and colors in my products.

I think we pulled it off! We started with a small table in the middle of the booth that breaks down for easy transport. We added two chairs on the side and a drum pendant above to create a little breakfast table area. I used coffee mugs as holders for my business cards, and added a simple pot of flowers- they looked pretty and also kept our table runner from blowing away.

On the left is a door that we found at a local flea market. We painted it green, added Bjarnum hooks from Ikea and hung our kitchen towels from doll clothes hangers. To continue our “Home Sweet Home” theme, we found two old windows from a different flea market, which Dan stained grey and finished, and to which I applied my fabric to the back side. Several people asked if we sold finished pieces like this, which surprised me, but definitely gives me something to think about!

I added a gallery on Flickr where you can see more pictures of the booth display, if you’re interested.

We definitely had a good time at the show! I loved so many of the vendors and their goods. I had more time to walk around and talk to people than I usually have at shows, and it was really wonderful. I got to catch up with talented folks that I’d met before, like Rachel of Red Prairie Press and Sara Lee Parker. I got to meet new folks too, like my new block printing kindred spirit (and new Philadelphia resident) Chanee of {me}longings studio, and Noelle from Xenotees.

There’s a funny story there. I’ve been wanting this one damn shirt from Xenotees for a while. Like a year or two. My husband, being a good man, looks on my Etsy favorites list to buy me Christmas and birthday presents. He has bought me at least two shirts from Xenotees, which are well on their way to being worn out, but not the one I had in mind. So… Happy Mother’s Day to me! The shirt is finally mine! I also got awesome shirts for the boys (will share photos before they manage to ruin them) and mother’s day presents for my lovely helper.

There were other things that I saw that I did manage to abstain from, at least for now. I loved this rocking horse from Sawyer Bee for our youngest, who is already a thrill seeker at 18 months old. There was jewelry from Interstellar Love Craft, and someone who was in the booth across from me, who I can’t remember right now, but I’ll make sure to look up and share.

So we had a great time, and loved our Philadelphia weekend at Art Star. Time to take a few days to rest, and then get back to work to get ready for the Delaware By Hand Members Show on May 26th!