Bari J.

SURTEX Re-Cap Part Two

 Surtex re-cap, Part Two: What I've learned

Now, that I've decompressed a bit, I've had a chance to think a bit about the show... what I did well, what I might improve upon. If you are planning on doing Surtex, these are my first-timer tips.

1. PLAN SHIPPING WISELY. The first thing that I can improve upon is my shipping to Surtex planning. If I could do it over (and hopefully I will next year), I would ship to the advance warehouse instead of trying to ship directly to the show. You see, if you choose to ship directly to the show, you have to get your boxes there the day of move-in or the second day of move-in. If they arrive before, they'll be sent back to the shipper's nearest center. I decided to go that route, but when I got to the UPS store with my labeled boxes, I was warned that if I don't send 3day, I risk not having my boxes at all for the show. A one day delay between AZ and NY would have meant they'd arrive on a Saturday and UPS wouldn't deliver. I thus, decided to send the boxes 3day to my hotel. But the issue then was how in the world was I going to get my boxes from the hotel to the convention center? CABS?? OMG. No. I could have. And I understand people do, but OMG. No. Thank goodness for my friend Liz. She and her husband, Doug saved my butt! Not only did she bring furniture from IKEA, but they DROVE into NYC and helped us get our boxes from hotel to convention center. I was also really grateful Super Husband was with me. I could have done it myself, I'm sure. I've been there done that with Quilt Market, but was so happy to have his help.

2. SEND PROMO POSTCARDS TO POTENTIAL CLIENTS IN ADVANCE. I did this. It was a great success. Many of the people I sent cards to stopped by, and I likely have some great new business because of this. Remember to put your booth number on your card. Also... if you are making oversized cards, do check the USPS website for the regulations that show you where addresses, stamps and return addresses should go. They put a sticker on every post card at the bottom as it comes through, so you'll need to not put content in the bottom 1/4". But check out the their site for all the details.

3. ARRIVAL DAY. I did not need to get there Thursday night to set up on Friday. I could have arrived Friday afternoon and set up Saturday. It doesn't take as long to set up as Quilt Market does.

4. BOOTH DESIGN. I personally think this was something that I did really well. The booth really stood out. I knew I'd have that peacock low on the banner, and that it would need to really pop. So getting an IKEA coffee table, though it was a little more expensive (I spent $100 on furniture) really worked for what I was trying to acheive. I needed to have a good site line to that peacock as it was really central to the design. AND, having the booth look like a living room made people turn and stop to see all the details closer. Additionally, I made sure to have a good variety of art displayed. I even hung original paintings which I was actually advised not to do, but I ignored. But I'll tell you what... they got a lot of attention and I will likely have some great new contracts because of that... I MIGHT however make prints on canvas of them next time as I was a little worried about  shipping originals. 

5. PORTFOLIOS. This time I did portfolio books printed by BLURB. I liked them even though the color was a bit off. Next time I might do large printed sheets instead though. I think the larger format might work better for what I do. Think about what kind of art you are presenting. Mine might have been better larger.

6. PRESS KIT/LOOKBOOK. I think this was really really important. I had lots of info about my company and it gives a really good feel for who I am. I printed 50 of them, and I wish I had given more away at the show. I could have. I'm glad I didn't write SURTEX or my booth number anywhere on them because I am shipping leftovers to other potential clients. You can see my lookbook here. 

 

 

 

Surtex Re-Cap

SURTEX 2014 Re-Cap

I'm back! What a whirlwind! I had a great time at SURTEX, many connections were made, and there's now lots and lots of follow-up work to be done, but I believe I can call it all a great success. The bonus was meeting lots of wonderful people I've wanted to meet for years and many new friends as well! Below lots of photos of my booth. 

We aren't allowed to take photos of other people's booths like at quilt market, but if you google surtex you'll find many more.

The Truth is, I like Crazy Town.

The Truth is, I like Crazy Town.

My mom used to say, "I thrive on chaos". It was her explanation for having four children, I think. All these years, I've thought she was slightly nutty in that regard, but I have to admit... the excitement of having lots going on at one time, I think I do thrive on that. Maybe not chaos exactly, but having lots to do. Never a dull moment. That kind of living.

Right now, I may just be right in my element. As you know, I'm preparing for both Surtex and Quilt Market (photo above, a bag I just finished for quilt market from Emmy Grace fabric, and the photo below, brochures/lookbook for Surtex). They happen simultaneously in two weeks, and everything must ship by Thursday. I'll be going to Surtex, but I still have a partial booth that I'm sewing for and will be shipping items to Pittsburg. Meanwhile, we are throwing a big birthday party for my mom next weekend and my siblings are all going to be in town. The party is at our house. The night before mother's day. No worries. I got this. (cringes)

But there's also been other big excitement here... This past week, I was very happy to welcome a photographer for Where Women Create into my home to take photos for the November issue. While this was loads of fun, I couldn't be more excited for the issue, and I feel really really lucky to be part of it ... the timing? Well? It was slightly not fantastic for me. I'd have preferred June maybe? But when Where Women Creates wants to take photos for an issue, you just don't say no to that! It's something I've wanted to do for years. The original Where Women Creates book was published in 2005. I bought a copy, and have dreamed about it since then. This was big for me. I got the studio all cleaned up and Super Husband was nagged into doing a little light painting in here. 

There was lots I wanted to do to the house, but at some point, I just finally ran out of time. I did manage to make slipcovers for the chairs in the living room which we didn't really take many photos of in the end. But I really had to make the slipcovers anyways because prior to knowing about the photoshoot, I'd taken apart one of two of the covers to make a pattern for new ones and so I had two mis-matched chairs. The process of creating the covers needs to be a post all on it's own, but I can tell you that I'd have been better off creating covers from scratch rather than trying to use the old cover as a pattern. That was a total pain in the butt. Now I have to make new gray linen pillows for the sofa to pull the room together, but let's do that in June, shall we?

 

In other news, my 18 year old daughter, Anna, graduates high school the day after we get back from New York, so please pray for no flight delays on the way home! I'm doubting I'll post until we get back, so I'll see you after this is all over! Cross your fingers for me!!!