As most of you know (because I am on repeat) that I was accepted into the first Unique SF! Since many of you have asked, I wanted to talk a little about events and why I think they are important.
Ok, let's be real. Events are hard work! I am still recovering from my sun burn from Patchwork in May. My dad always taught me to work hard to get where you want to be. Putting in work gives you experience, it helps you meet cool people and get your name out there. There are so many benefits to events and fairs that I can't understand why everyone isn't doing it.
Events cost money. Period. Events and fairs can cost anywhere between 20bucks-10,000 bucks even more maybe! How do you know when you are in a good event ? (meaning worth your money) Well, it's fuzzy. If an event is 20 bucks, it might mean that the other vendors at the event are selling cheap goods. It could also mean that they don't expect too many people coming through. It could also mean that the event isn't in it for the money and they would like a lot of happy vendors at a cheap entry fee, instead of stuck up vendors who paid a ton and expect to make a ton. The point is, cheap vendor booths are a mixed bag. Life is like a box of chocolates.... etc.
Now, Patchwork Festival. Patchwork cost me $80. I had a tiny space with no easy up, hence the sun burn. I had been up for 36 hours straight. Was it worth it??? HECK YES! Long Beach events in general are a gold mine! I made a ton of sales, made lots of new friends and connections, saw the old homies around and ran out of business cards! I had a couple offers from Long Beach business owners wanting my stuff for their stores/events. Best $80 I ever spent. Unique SF is coming up soon and I will give a full report, hopefully with some pictures.
And how does one find these events and how do you get in? Research gives you knowledge. I know, genius huh!! Craigslist offers smaller venues and galleries. Facebook of course. And hardcore spying. You heard me. Spying. When I hear about someone getting into an event I have never heard of before, I google it. I google everything. I'm googling right now (eww sounds gross.) Anyways, what I am trying to say is that I think it's important to keep one eye open for the next thing. Read blogs (like mine :p) read fashion trends and follow other designers, not necessarily jewelers. Designers you keep track of might have awesome jewelry, or awesome business sense. I always consider what other people tell me to do and especially listen to your (true) friends.
I think the most important asset, other than your work, is your website. It was the only thing Unique SF and Patchwork saw to determine if I were to be accepted or not. It needs to be fresh, original and most importantly CURRENT. By current, I mean play by play current. I hate it when you go to a website and the stuff says like 2010 or something. Lame. Honestly, I lose interest in the company no matter how stoked I was about it when I looked them up. Obviously, they were cool enough for me to take the time to google them, but then blah. Always consider your website as it would look to someone else. Ask your friends for help and advice. Get some real constructive criticism about it. Your real friends will be honest.
Conclusion:
Events/Fairs? = YES
Spend Money On Good Events That You Have Researched?= YES
Website?= YES YES YES
Sun Burn?= Yea.... (Unique SF is indoors... whoop whoop!!)
See y'all around!! -Love, Diana
Ok, let's be real. Events are hard work! I am still recovering from my sun burn from Patchwork in May. My dad always taught me to work hard to get where you want to be. Putting in work gives you experience, it helps you meet cool people and get your name out there. There are so many benefits to events and fairs that I can't understand why everyone isn't doing it.
Events cost money. Period. Events and fairs can cost anywhere between 20bucks-10,000 bucks even more maybe! How do you know when you are in a good event ? (meaning worth your money) Well, it's fuzzy. If an event is 20 bucks, it might mean that the other vendors at the event are selling cheap goods. It could also mean that they don't expect too many people coming through. It could also mean that the event isn't in it for the money and they would like a lot of happy vendors at a cheap entry fee, instead of stuck up vendors who paid a ton and expect to make a ton. The point is, cheap vendor booths are a mixed bag. Life is like a box of chocolates.... etc.
Now, Patchwork Festival. Patchwork cost me $80. I had a tiny space with no easy up, hence the sun burn. I had been up for 36 hours straight. Was it worth it??? HECK YES! Long Beach events in general are a gold mine! I made a ton of sales, made lots of new friends and connections, saw the old homies around and ran out of business cards! I had a couple offers from Long Beach business owners wanting my stuff for their stores/events. Best $80 I ever spent. Unique SF is coming up soon and I will give a full report, hopefully with some pictures.
And how does one find these events and how do you get in? Research gives you knowledge. I know, genius huh!! Craigslist offers smaller venues and galleries. Facebook of course. And hardcore spying. You heard me. Spying. When I hear about someone getting into an event I have never heard of before, I google it. I google everything. I'm googling right now (eww sounds gross.) Anyways, what I am trying to say is that I think it's important to keep one eye open for the next thing. Read blogs (like mine :p) read fashion trends and follow other designers, not necessarily jewelers. Designers you keep track of might have awesome jewelry, or awesome business sense. I always consider what other people tell me to do and especially listen to your (true) friends.
I think the most important asset, other than your work, is your website. It was the only thing Unique SF and Patchwork saw to determine if I were to be accepted or not. It needs to be fresh, original and most importantly CURRENT. By current, I mean play by play current. I hate it when you go to a website and the stuff says like 2010 or something. Lame. Honestly, I lose interest in the company no matter how stoked I was about it when I looked them up. Obviously, they were cool enough for me to take the time to google them, but then blah. Always consider your website as it would look to someone else. Ask your friends for help and advice. Get some real constructive criticism about it. Your real friends will be honest.
Conclusion:
Events/Fairs? = YES
Spend Money On Good Events That You Have Researched?= YES
Website?= YES YES YES
Sun Burn?= Yea.... (Unique SF is indoors... whoop whoop!!)
See y'all around!! -Love, Diana
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