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Stop by and see EtsyMetal members if they are in your area!
Only one this coming weekend:
September 5
Maggiejs - Labor Day Art and Craft Fair - Oak Island, NC
Next weekend there are a bunch, so I wanted to go ahead and post them as well:
KerinRose - September 11-12 Burlington Vermont Art Hop
KathrynRichert - September 10-11, 2009 @Home Trunk Show - Savannah, GA
and September 12, 2009 Riverside Arts Market - Jacksonville, FL
AshleyJewelry - September 12th-13th Texas Metal Arts
AlisaMiller
MikeandMary
jemmetals
will at be at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago on September 12th - 13th
Friday, September 4, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Gallery of the Month : Gallery Fifty
Gallery of the Month posts are back! And I am happy to introduce you to Christie Minervini, the creative owner of Gallery Fifty, located in Traverse City, MI. Please enjoy this first half f my interview with Christie...
About the Store...
Q: Why did you decide to open a gallery? How long have you been open?
A: I have a B.A. in Art (Design) from the University of Iowa and spent fifteen years in sales and marketing -- mostly print media -- before finally moving into the gallery business. I have always loved art and it was a life-long goal to open Gallery Fifty. What I hadn't realized during this time is what an asset that a background in sales and marketing would be to my new profession. I'm sure I would have failed miserably if I tried to do this right out of college.
My interest in craft has developed -- mainly as a collector -- over the past twenty years. It started with glass and grew to include ceramics, fiber and then finally paintings and assemblages. Of course, my first love has always been studio jewelry.
Q: Describe your gallery, the work you carry, etc...
A: Our reputation has always been for contemporary or abstract art, but because we're housed in a 125 year-old former insane asylum, I also gravitate toward work that honors or complements the history of the building. Themes of antiquity and mystery, work created with aged materials, "found art" and recycled or repurposed pieces are given special prominence.
I'm opening a new gallery downtown in September and will be offering more refined work there. All of our fine jewelry will be featured there, in addition to higher-end glass, ceramics and fine art.
Q: Are your products exclusively handmade?
A: Yes, I'd say 95% of our work is handcrafted or produced in the artist's studio. The other 5% are items produced by American designers.
Q: Do you represent local or international artist/designers?
A: We named our gallery, "Gallery Fifty" because we represent artists and designers from all fifty states. That being said, we feature mainly local or regional artists with the wall art in the gallery. I also present an exhibition series showcasing local talent bi-monthly.
Q: What is your price range of the products you sell?
We have products starting at $12 all the way up to $10,000. For fine art, our best-selling price range is $300 - $700. For studio jewelry it is $150 - $500. We offer a great selection of gifts in the $45 - $125 range.
Q: Do you have special events? ie: First Friday? Exhibitions/openings? Trunk shows?
A: Like I already mentioned, we present a bi-monthly exhibition series in the show space adjacent to the gallery. With approximately 500 linear feet of wall, it's the biggest exhibition space in northern Michigan. We also host about 5-8 jewelry trunk shows a year.
-What's happening now?
Alex Sepkus Jewelry Trunk Show, August 14 - 15, 2009
"Winds of Change" Fiber Artists Coalition Show from September 1- October 31, 2009
Q: Do you offer special services? ie: wedding/baby/gift registries, shipping, gift wrapping
A: We always offer complimentary gift wrapping and have a "Wish List" gift registry available. We also offer "no hassle" shipping services.
Q: Do you sell online?
A: We don't currently offer a shopping card check out system, but we offer on-line buying through the blog portion of our website. Just call or email to order.
About the Business...
Q: Who is your customer base...Tourists? Locals? Repeat Customers? Collectors?
A: Our business is fairly seasonal, with the majority of sales happening between July and December. We love tourists because they are three times more likely to make a purchase than our year-round "regular" customers. However, over the past five years our local base has really grown. Especially men shopping for their wives or girlfriends. We've also experience an increase of area art collectors.
Q: How do you promote your artists / store?
A: We do a lot of advertising -- spending approximately 8 - 10% of our gross on marketing the gallery. Regular postcard mailings to our customer database, print advertising in regional publications, and underwriting our local National Pubic Radio station. We also spend on our web site, and an occasional ad in American Style or other NICHE magazines of the like.
Q: Where do you find your artists/product?
A: We do a lot of travel -- Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago SOFA and One-of-a-Kind shows. I also travel to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show every year. Even attended an ACRE show in Las Vegas this spring. I spend a lot of time curating for the "50 States" concept. A lot of our artists are now coming to us through word-of-mouth-- especially jewelry. I love the "pick box" idea... often seeing what's the latest and greatest without traveling to a show.
Q: What inspires you to buy a product?
A: Design is always going to be what inspires me to buy. A great design -- even without complex techniques or rare materials -- is what grabs me. A bonus is working with an artist or designer who knows how to self-promote (art statement cards, photography, nice web site, etc.).
Q: What is HOT right now?
A: Small original paintings (4" x 4" or 6" x 6"), inspirational works incorporating text, and our best-selling line of "Fordite" jewelry created from layers of vintage car paint.
Q: What do you think the next "wave or trend" is?
A: For us, it is definitely our move toward offering fine studio jewelry in high-karat gold and gemstones. We're really promoting the designs of Alex Sepkus, Todd Reed and Anne Sportun now and the results starting to pick up.
Q: What changes have been made from when you first opened the business?
A: We've quadrupled the amount of jewelry and the range that we're representing -- currently showing work by 25 designers. It's a huge percentage of our business. We've also continued to offer more "upscale" work in terms of quality and price.
About You...
Q: Are you, yourself an artist?
A: I've been making beaded jewelry for over ten years, but I've been getting more into metalworking lately. I've had workshops with Thomas Mann and James Binnion and continue my education when I can.
Q: What is your favorite/least favorite part of your business?
A: My favorite part of the business is curating and merchandising the gallery. My least favorite part is managing the 150+ artists that we represent; the bookwork associated with consignment; and following up on orders/ deliveries/ promised ship date, etc.
Q: What is your favorite item you have kept for yourself from your store?
A: Too many to count! I like to own at least one piece from each of the jewelry designers that we represent, and I love getting "first pick" when our fine artists come in with new work.
Q: What do you feel makes you successful / what makes you most proud?
A: I'm especially proud that I've grown the gallery from a $15,000 investment five years ago into two 1,500 sq. ft. locations with a combined value of almost $200,000. I did it by taking 75% of our profits and reinvesting in the gallery, year after year.
Q: List your likes and interests, using only one word each or short phrases...
A: Fine art and original design
Ethnic food
Music performed by singer/ songwriters
Independent and foreign film
Travel
Time spent with my ten-year-old daughter
Wise words from Christie: "If running a gallery were a science, everyone would be doing it. It's an art and you have to be a creative person to succeed at it."
If you find yourself in Traverse City, Michigan, stop by Gallery Fifity. And no matter where you are, you can visit the website and blog.
About the Store...Q: Why did you decide to open a gallery? How long have you been open?
A: I have a B.A. in Art (Design) from the University of Iowa and spent fifteen years in sales and marketing -- mostly print media -- before finally moving into the gallery business. I have always loved art and it was a life-long goal to open Gallery Fifty. What I hadn't realized during this time is what an asset that a background in sales and marketing would be to my new profession. I'm sure I would have failed miserably if I tried to do this right out of college.
My interest in craft has developed -- mainly as a collector -- over the past twenty years. It started with glass and grew to include ceramics, fiber and then finally paintings and assemblages. Of course, my first love has always been studio jewelry.
Q: Describe your gallery, the work you carry, etc...
A: Our reputation has always been for contemporary or abstract art, but because we're housed in a 125 year-old former insane asylum, I also gravitate toward work that honors or complements the history of the building. Themes of antiquity and mystery, work created with aged materials, "found art" and recycled or repurposed pieces are given special prominence.
I'm opening a new gallery downtown in September and will be offering more refined work there. All of our fine jewelry will be featured there, in addition to higher-end glass, ceramics and fine art.
Q: Are your products exclusively handmade?
A: Yes, I'd say 95% of our work is handcrafted or produced in the artist's studio. The other 5% are items produced by American designers.
Q: Do you represent local or international artist/designers?
A: We named our gallery, "Gallery Fifty" because we represent artists and designers from all fifty states. That being said, we feature mainly local or regional artists with the wall art in the gallery. I also present an exhibition series showcasing local talent bi-monthly.
Q: What is your price range of the products you sell?
We have products starting at $12 all the way up to $10,000. For fine art, our best-selling price range is $300 - $700. For studio jewelry it is $150 - $500. We offer a great selection of gifts in the $45 - $125 range.
Q: Do you have special events? ie: First Friday? Exhibitions/openings? Trunk shows?A: Like I already mentioned, we present a bi-monthly exhibition series in the show space adjacent to the gallery. With approximately 500 linear feet of wall, it's the biggest exhibition space in northern Michigan. We also host about 5-8 jewelry trunk shows a year.
-What's happening now?
Alex Sepkus Jewelry Trunk Show, August 14 - 15, 2009
"Winds of Change" Fiber Artists Coalition Show from September 1- October 31, 2009
Q: Do you offer special services? ie: wedding/baby/gift registries, shipping, gift wrapping
A: We always offer complimentary gift wrapping and have a "Wish List" gift registry available. We also offer "no hassle" shipping services.
Q: Do you sell online?
A: We don't currently offer a shopping card check out system, but we offer on-line buying through the blog portion of our website. Just call or email to order.
About the Business...
Q: Who is your customer base...Tourists? Locals? Repeat Customers? Collectors?
A: Our business is fairly seasonal, with the majority of sales happening between July and December. We love tourists because they are three times more likely to make a purchase than our year-round "regular" customers. However, over the past five years our local base has really grown. Especially men shopping for their wives or girlfriends. We've also experience an increase of area art collectors.
Q: How do you promote your artists / store?
A: We do a lot of advertising -- spending approximately 8 - 10% of our gross on marketing the gallery. Regular postcard mailings to our customer database, print advertising in regional publications, and underwriting our local National Pubic Radio station. We also spend on our web site, and an occasional ad in American Style or other NICHE magazines of the like.
Q: Where do you find your artists/product?A: We do a lot of travel -- Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago SOFA and One-of-a-Kind shows. I also travel to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show every year. Even attended an ACRE show in Las Vegas this spring. I spend a lot of time curating for the "50 States" concept. A lot of our artists are now coming to us through word-of-mouth-- especially jewelry. I love the "pick box" idea... often seeing what's the latest and greatest without traveling to a show.
Q: What inspires you to buy a product?
A: Design is always going to be what inspires me to buy. A great design -- even without complex techniques or rare materials -- is what grabs me. A bonus is working with an artist or designer who knows how to self-promote (art statement cards, photography, nice web site, etc.).
Q: What is HOT right now?
A: Small original paintings (4" x 4" or 6" x 6"), inspirational works incorporating text, and our best-selling line of "Fordite" jewelry created from layers of vintage car paint.
Q: What do you think the next "wave or trend" is?
A: For us, it is definitely our move toward offering fine studio jewelry in high-karat gold and gemstones. We're really promoting the designs of Alex Sepkus, Todd Reed and Anne Sportun now and the results starting to pick up.
Q: What changes have been made from when you first opened the business?
A: We've quadrupled the amount of jewelry and the range that we're representing -- currently showing work by 25 designers. It's a huge percentage of our business. We've also continued to offer more "upscale" work in terms of quality and price.
About You...
Q: Are you, yourself an artist?
A: I've been making beaded jewelry for over ten years, but I've been getting more into metalworking lately. I've had workshops with Thomas Mann and James Binnion and continue my education when I can.
Q: What is your favorite/least favorite part of your business?A: My favorite part of the business is curating and merchandising the gallery. My least favorite part is managing the 150+ artists that we represent; the bookwork associated with consignment; and following up on orders/ deliveries/ promised ship date, etc.
Q: What is your favorite item you have kept for yourself from your store?
A: Too many to count! I like to own at least one piece from each of the jewelry designers that we represent, and I love getting "first pick" when our fine artists come in with new work.
Q: What do you feel makes you successful / what makes you most proud?
A: I'm especially proud that I've grown the gallery from a $15,000 investment five years ago into two 1,500 sq. ft. locations with a combined value of almost $200,000. I did it by taking 75% of our profits and reinvesting in the gallery, year after year.
Q: List your likes and interests, using only one word each or short phrases...
A: Fine art and original design
Ethnic food
Music performed by singer/ songwriters
Independent and foreign film
Travel
Time spent with my ten-year-old daughter
Wise words from Christie: "If running a gallery were a science, everyone would be doing it. It's an art and you have to be a creative person to succeed at it."
If you find yourself in Traverse City, Michigan, stop by Gallery Fifity. And no matter where you are, you can visit the website and blog.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Weekly Review - Pepe Ring Former
One of our members, Kathryn Riechert, posted these videos for another member who was interested in buying one. She graciously allowed us to post them here for everyone to see. I think everyone on the team wants one now! Combined with great reviews and an amazing video - I'm not sure how I will manage without one of these for too much longer!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
CHARM SWAP 4 Work in Progress 2
Istanbul Designs etched sterling charms with her pen and ink anvil. To see more of her in progress pictures go to her flickr.
Here's the skinny---Charm Swap 4 participants make 22 charms for the swap with 20 to trade with fellow members. The two extra charms from each of the twenty participants will be available for sale at our etsymetal store. Fifty percent of all sale proceeds go towards a charity designated by members of the charm swap. Everyone has been working very hard on this and it has been a pleasure to curate this event. I must say that Meg from simplymega wins the "speedy" award for jumping in with only ten days to complete 22 charms! Thanks for your hard work!
Simplymega busted a move and completed her charms, joining with only 10 days to due date!
Metal Riots's charms are already here at my house! Check out her flickr for more pics!
Andes Cruz shows us her progression with her enameled charms.
Rubygirl did honey comb sand cast charms from a vintage button! You can see more of her sand casting on flickr.
Tuizui is making weathered enameled rings in bright colors. Reminds me of kicking back with some chips and salsa! More on her flickr.
Howlin Doggie has done a beautiful cast long sterling leaf. She has blogged on her progress here.
Experimetal is making a jointed copper and brass charm.To purchase charms from earlier swaps, or the entire bracelet--visit the etsymetal team store.
Thanks to Kathryn Riechert for making the tag and thanks to Nina Gibson for making the base link charm bracelet. Another hearty thanks to Vic from Experimetal for her continued mentoring! CS4 ROCKS!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
EtsyMetal News 8.29.09
Ride With Us! from Russ Roca on Vimeo.
Our lovely Laura of Tangerine Treehouse is on an amazing adventure! You can follow her and Ross Roca's progress on their blog. If you feel so inspired, you can make a donation by clicking on the paypal link to support them on their way!
Nina Dinoff hit 400 sales! woohooo! Go Nina!
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Next Etsy Metal Jewelry Challenge: Project Runway Season 6-Episode 2: "Pregnancy"
Here are our "seven" participants entries from last weeks'
"Red Carpet Theme"
For those of you who are just stopping in for a peek, EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes.
Every Friday we will post the video snippet (at the bottom of this post) of the new PR show here and also post all the submissions from the previous weeks challenge. Anyone is welcome to play along with us. Just post your link of your piece in the comment box so we can see your pieces!
Our first designer above to submit her piece was Shannon Conrad. It is a fabulouso super chunky Sterling Silver cocktail ring sand cast from a vintage button.I know from experience that these pieces are very substantial and have a wonderful weightiness to them and are luxurious to wear.
Our second entry is a fabricated pendant necklace by Maggie Joynt. It has a gorgeous luminescent Prehnite cabachon set in Sterling Silver with Copper embellishments. Maggie always has wonderful textural yummy details in her pieces.
This third entry is a very eye popping giant enamelled Red Poppy pendant. Its blazing color really reminds me of the real thing that I love so much. This piece was made by Kathryn Reichert. Kathryn says "It is meant for some young starlet to wear to a fun, happy, non boring event!" She also mentions that she is keeping this beauty all for herself.
This next entry is our fourth piece to come in and it is a beautiful handcrafted very large faceted Topaz ring. Sara named this her "Smoky Topaz Organic Tower Ring". Wow this is a really fun one and to be worn as a statement piece for sure! It was made by our lovely multi-talented Sara Westermark. And she also blogged here.
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Ok moving along to our fifth entry now, {tee-hee} that would be me, Victoria Takahashi. This piece was intended for a Video Music award Red Carpet event. I was envisioning a heavy metal female rock icon to want to wear this ring. I hand carved a set of bone fangs then I set them in special formed Sterling Silver settings with a nice heavy band. I like Kathryn am keeping this one for myself as well :)
For our sixth super elegant entry. ...This one is a dramatic and super fun piece by Beth Cyr. It is a neck piece but it has such a wonderful essence like a fabric scarflette. I love the delicacy of the Argentium Sterling Silver fused wire. "Bravo Bravo Beth!"
*here is Beth's Blog post.
And last but not least number seven, our final entry! Presenting Nina Gibson! These fun long post earrings have a wonderful retro feel to me. They are fabricated out of Sterling Silver and Faceted Blue Topaz. To read more Nina has blogged about these pretty little earrings.
9.04.09: Nina Dinoff slides her piece in a week late but it is so beautiful I had to slip it in.
OK now for Episode 2: Jewelry Challenge-Video snippet: "Pregnancy!"
"OK Designers" this weeks challenge is a little tricky is it not? The actual challenge is: "to create something chic for a pregnant lady to wear that will show off her curves".
so, here are some ideas that were thrown out to help design a piece around this weeks episode.
"a mothers piece, something symbolic of mother and child, pregnancy, growth, symbolism, birthstones, how pregnant women cannot always wear their normal rings, comfort, curvy shapes...." But as always, these challenges will be purely for fun, there will be no winner or losers. They are simply our own interpretations on the weeks subject. So ultimately do whatever you feel is appropriate.
"Carry on designers"
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