Whenever I go to a craft or art show, I always stop to watch the artists who are making things in their booths. There's just something fascinating about watching other people create.
As a bonus, I find that I always remember those artists: the man cracking open geodes for a group of delighted kids at an art show in the Colorado mountains, a woman at an urban Denver show sitting at her booth confidently demonstrating Viking knit, and the young girl at a local bead show drawing pictures for fifty cents at her dad's booth.
For a couple of hours at the show tomorrow (Northern Colorado Writers Holiday Mart in Fort Collins), I'm going to make customized beaded bookmarks. Since this is a show geared towards readers and writers, bookmarks seem like a natural fit.
I've filled up a little bead box with enticing beads and charms sorted by color. I'm packing eye pins, jump rings, my tools, and a sample bookmark with a few beads and a single charm. I'm going to charge a flat rate for the bookmarks to make accounting easy.
I'm using a metal bookmark with a loop and jump ring for my beaded bookmarks, but you could try making bookmarks with ribbons and ribbon clamps (also called ribbon ends or ribbon bars) or knotted cords. Or you could try offering something else that's easily customizable such as a beaded pen, key chain, or simple pendant.
I have no idea whether I'll sell any customized bookmarks or not, but I have a feeling the activity will at least encourage people to stop and look for a few minutes. And that's valuable just by itself.
Do you offer customized pieces or do demonstrations at shows? Have you ever bought a customized piece?