Surtex Show in NYC

 I knew what to expect at Surtex this time as a second year exhibitor.  The booth set up went smoothly on Saturday afternoon with my new art banners and I rented a shelf to show off some product mock-ups.  I brought samples of my fabric designs, a pillow using my Pomegranate illustration, a purse sewn by a Minneapolis artist using my fabric, mugs printed with my designs thru Zazzle, notebooks and journals, as well as my Ginkgo box with the St. Croix Company chocolates.  I bought some fresh flowers Saturday night on Broadway to put on my table and had a porfolio and iPad slideshow of my work.  

 

New Yorker Hotel lobby

This year we stayed at The New Yorker Hotel, a classic Art Deco landmark within walking distance of Javits where Surtex is held.  The Lobby is gorgeous with its streamlined features and huge chandelier.  Everywhere were touches of sleek graphics of the era.  The rooms were small by today's standards but contained the elegant charm of past lighting fixtures, reproduction prints and decor from the 20's.

Art Deco detail at hotel

Surtex opened on Sunday, May 20th with getting to know our booth neighbors.  Scott Church, Weller Wishes, Breyer were back and I got to know Linadona Botanica better and met KG Art Studio. There were some other Minnesota connections on our aisle.  K&K Design Studio from St. Paul, Two Town Studios and MHS Licensing were there representing artists.  We all wear badges with our names and whether we are exhibitors, manufacturers, press, students, guests, or retailers and from what country. Artist Sandra Jacobs from Holland was back so it was fun to reconnect with her again.  She shows her work in Germany and Paris besides New York.  At lunch, I sat briefly with my retail reps from Square One who were busy with clients from The National Stationery Show which runs at the same time as Surtex.  You have to have very comfortable walking shoes to get thru that show but it's worth it.  All the major players are there as well as independent card companies.  I had entered the Louie Awards as a rising star category as a new company but didn't make it in.  The champagne cupcake reception was a nice consolation for those of us who didn't go to the awards dinner.

Times Square on Saturday night

Monday started off with a huge rain storm that caused the roof to leak at Javits.  There was some quick adjustments by the crew to move a booth or two and rig up a system to stop the rain from disrupting the show. My booth wasn't in danger but I was very wet from trying to get a cab to the show from our hotel.  We ended up sharing a cab with two designers from Ampersand, also from our aisle exhibiting at Surtex who were just as wet.  You never know how you're going to meet people.

I met some Minneapolis friends walking the show- Lindsay Nohl from Paper Bicycle brought a group, and Keith Moore who took a class I attended on working with manufacturers.  Over the three days I met an interesting assortment of people from the Press covering home decor, some fabric companies who checked out my collections, home decor manufacturers, card companies and people in the business who offered their expertise to me as a newbie. I got to meet designer Kate Spain, a card rep from the San Francisco area I wanted to meet and the founder of Motawi Tile to name a few.  Sometimes contacts don't wish to be named so I'll name more as time goes on and deals are made.

I observed that many manufacturers made quick glances and didn't take the time to check portfolios to meet new exhibitors.  I'm going to make a better effort to reach out during the rest of the year to manufacturers I want to attract to my booth next year. But again, I feel I did make some connections that will further my career and am following up with them this week.

Thanks to all of you who stopped by my booth and made my show enjoyable.

Suitcase Full of Dreams Ready for Reality

 I fly out with Mitch on Saturday to New York City with my suitcase full of art ready for manufacturers to view for the second year.  Surtex is a trade show where artists, agents and licensors meet with manufacturers and retail buyers from around the world. Some 6,000 people from 49 countries come to see art work for surface designs like wall coverings, bedding, stationery, dinnerware, and many more.  I purchased a mailing list of attendees to invite particular fabric, home decor, and rug companies to stop by my booth #453- the same booth as last year.

This time I spent more time drawing my designs on home decor items.  Above is a sample page of how my lotus art may be applied to dishes, pillows, totes, bedding, place mats and rugs.  I hope this makes it easier for them to visualize my art on their products.  I even had some actual 3-D products mocked up, like the two mugs in the photo.  I'm bringing my fabric samples to show fabric companies and even my ginkgo art on chocolate to show the Godiva rep who may stop by.

All this work is speculative but I have to believe something good is going to come out of this. I want to thank all of you who have been so supportive this past year.  It's always a confidence boost knowing I have you rooting for me.  I'll post details of my trip on Facebook.

Art in Bloom

My favorite combination of art and flowers together for 4 days at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Over 150 floral designers create unique flower arrangements inspired by fine art in the Galleries.  My friend Marlene and I took a quick stroll through this morning to enjoy the sights and smells.  We love seeing how the compositions mimic the art and what flowers are used to create palettes and textures.  Here's a few pictures I took.

Getting Ready for Surtex

Drawing, designing, applying, ordering... it's prep time for Surtex tradeshow.  I'll be exhibiting my art for the second time May 20-22nd at the Javits Center in New York City and will be at my same booth #453.  Last year was a great experience and I'm applying what I learned to make this year even better.

My new collections include blueberries, acorn and oak, lotus and cherries among others.  These evolved into patterns with coordinates for product applications showing ideas for manufacturers attending the show.    I'm also mixing collections for a fresh look in category themes like Lodge.  

My earthy nature based designs are very flexible for many product categories, so I'm showing them on

products like tote bags, as well as dishes, pillows, bedding and rugs in my portfolio this year. It's amazing how a few shadows bring these line drawing to life!

I'm very excited by the progress I've made and look forward to meeting manufacturers at Surtex.

The Linden Tree Shop

My section

 The Linden Tree in Minneapolis has been consigning my work for over a year and a half.  Melissa, the owner and seamstress, has been so supportive of my work and fun to work with.  I have met so many wonderful artists and customers during my visits to drop off my art work.

This Spring Melissa shifted the store layout around and I have my own section to display my cards, art prints, and custom fabric.  Yes, even my own card rack.  We just finished up arranging everything and hanging price tags.  It is so fun to have a retail place to have people buy my work besides online at my Etsy shop and at Art Events spread out thru the year.

The work will be presented seasonally so right now everything is for Spring with Lily of the Valley, Jack in the Pulpit, Lady Slippers along with local landmarks. I'll be bringing in new designs throughout the year.

Trolley art and trolley applique

Melissa is encouraging me to sell more of my fabric and to show what can be made with my fabric.  One thing we've done is made fabric appliques of my Trolley art and sewn them on children's t-shirts.  Those are only available at the Linden Tree and are so cute.

Another project we did together was a vendor apron for me to wear at Art Events.  I gave her two of my ginkgo fabrics and zig zag fabric and Melissa made a wonderful apron with pockets to hold my receipt book and iPhone.  I wore it already at the Gabbert's Event a couple weeks ago and it worked great.

In the works, is a pillow using my Pomegranate image blown up to 18".  It's going to have some piping around the edges and a solid fabric on the flip side. The Linden Tree has a fantastic supply of wonderful fabric and a wonderful group of women who love fabric and sewing.  I've learned a lot from them and look forward to creating new projects with them.  We're thinking about table runners, napkins, more fun pillows, a skirt out of my dandelion fabric and a little girl's dress out of my firefly fabric.

vendor apron

Be sure to stop in at The Linden Tree at 4404 Beard Avenue South in     Minneapolis. Besides my creations, you'll find lots of designer fabric and other items by local handmade artists. Ask them about sewing classes, too. It's very inspiring!

Sneak Peek Project

 I've been working on a special project and wanted to share a peek with you.  It's a handmade box I constructed and covered with my Spoonflower custom fabric.  The top and bottom use my Ginkgo Twist pattern and the small box uses my Zig Zag coordinate.

The box board is from the Minnesota Center for Book Arts as well as the glues and brushes I used to construct the form.  The binding for the spine is a lovely brown cloth and the inside papers match the coordinating fabric.

It's very small....3 inches square and will have something sweet inside when the project is done. It will be a limited edition and will debut at an upcoming show in March.

I can't wait to show you the finished project!

Twin Cities Bungalow Club

You don't have to own a bungalow to belong to the Twin Cities Bungalow Club.  Thank goodness because I don't.  But if you enjoy learning more about bungalows and the Arts and Crafts Movement, this is a great club to belong to.  And no, I'm not on the membership committee or anything like that, just a fan sharing one of my favorite groups.

Besides the informational newsletter that goes out quarterly, there are group events that happen throughout the year. There are talks about antiques I've attended, home tours in May and workshops like a stencil class I took last year.

 This month's event on January 29th is presented on "Five Outrageous Women of the Arts & Crafts Movement" by Anne Stewart O'Donnell.  She is the former magazine editor for Style 1900.  Well, she got my attention.  If you're interested in learning more about the event and the Bungalow Club, please click this link.

It's a valuable resource for all things Bungalow.  Check them out!