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The Trials of a New Booth Design

1/19/2016

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New work, new booth...
Since I'm trying something new this year, I also need a whole new craft fair display.
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Here's what my MinneBites display looked like this past December at the No Coast Craft-o-Rama. It's fun and cute and I love it, but it's not quite what is expected for a show like the American Craft Council Show. 

What I need this year is an actual BOOTH. Walls, lights, signage, display -- everything!

There is so much that goes into these big capital-A Art show booths, as I'm learning. I can't believe how much time I've already spent researching booth options. It makes me nervous that I'm not spending enough time  making the items that will actually go into the booth! But, without a booth I will have no way to display my new work. It must be done.
My Booth Design Requirements
  1. easy to assemble and disassemble on my own
  2. needs to fit in my car
  3. display my work in the best way possible
  4. needs to be cost effective
  5. must be flexible, so I can use it at different sorts of shows in the future
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An initial sketch of what my booth might look like and a list of all the components.

​Decisions, decisions...​

So, do I spend loads of time scouring the internet and local fixture stores to find the best deals for used display options? Or do I drop some money and just get new? It's tempting to buy new and be done with it and focus on the creating of my work. But, how much money do I want to sink into a booth? There is already the booth fee to attend the show in the first place. And part of the equation must also include the question: what if I decide I don't like doing this kind of show after all? I don't want to waste money on a display I'll never use again!

Ahh, so this is a journey, isn't it? Putting myself out there, trying something new; it can be a balancing act! Of course, for all the difficult decisions I need to make for my business, I wouldn't trade it for anything! I really do enjoy being a working artist. I'm even enjoying designing this booth ... though I wouldn't mind having a little more time. April's never seemed so close to January before!
​

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MinneBites is turning 5

1/15/2016

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Anniversary plans...
I've been thinking about how I should celebrate MinneBites' 5 year anniversary at the end of this month. It's a big milestone and I shouldn't let it slip by unnoticed (though it'd be easy to do with my current schedule!). 

I think I've come up with a great plan! It includes the most popular item I've ever had --  my "Rainbow Leopard" Shark Bite pencil case.
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Rainbow Leopard Shark Bite Stats
​

  • Viewed on Etsy 25,894 times to date!
  • Received 3,400 favorites on Etsy!
  • ​Featured on Buzzfeed!
  • ​Was in German magazine Himbeer and NJ Family Magazine!
  • Sold over 70 times -- and a dozen times in the baby version!

​I've been holding onto TWO more of these popular guys, waiting for the right time to do something fun with them. I think now is the time!
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Let's celebrate with a giveaway - and more!

I've decided that one of the Rainbow Leopard Shark Bite pencil cases will be given away along with a $25 MinneBites gift card to a lucky fan! Yay!
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
Giveaway is now closed

​And the other will be 
sold and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to OCEANA to help conserve and protect the world's sharks and oceans for our children's future!
BUY THE LAST ONE!
SOLD
 ​
MinneBites' 5-year anniversary is January 29, 2016!
I'm looking forward to popping open a bottle of bubbly and taking a moment to look back on all that I've done for the past 5 years! I'm so glad you're here to celebrate with me!
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Believing in Myself

1/13/2016

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I believe I can do something new...
 I'm on a journey. And this year I'm trying something new.

It's tricky to try something new. You have to veer onto a new path and just believe that it'll be a good one.

Troublesome thoughts like to creep in ...
"What if it's a bad idea?" ... "What if nobody likes it?" ...  "What if it is all a waste of time and money?" ... "What if it is too hard?" ... "What if it's too much work and I can't do it all?"

Stop.

​I tell myself that I can't think like that. Those kinds of thoughts are the rocks in my new path. I have to jump over them and keep going. If I don't, I'll be stuck in the path and I won't be able to move forward. 

And so...
​
Here it is.
I am trying something new. 
(Deep breath. Smile.)
​​
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This is my new logo for my new work.
I've decided that I should release my new work under my own name. It feels odd to step out from behind the MinneBites name. But, MinneBites will still be around. I love working on my MinneBites designs and I will continue to do so.
​
However, as I learn and grow and work as an artist, I feel that I should sign it as my own, so to speak.

My plan is to debut my new work at the American Craft Council Show in St. Paul this April. It's a very large, very well-regarded show that I am extremely honored to have been accepted into.

​And yes, it's freaking me out a little bit, too. 

I would love to have you follow along with me on my journey!
Join my mailing list so you can be kept up to date.  
​
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Note: This post was transferred from my old website. Unfortunately, comments were not able to be transferred.

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    Mary Pow

    I am an artist and designer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My specialties are textiles and pastels.

    I also enjoy reflecting on the human condition.

    In my blog, I write about my musings and my art.

    Find my bio 
    here.


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  • Textiles
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