Natural Wools and Bamboo
I only managed to get photos of two of the things I’ve been working on lately, it’s been really dark again and we don’t have many hours of daylight anyway at this time of year. Both of these pieces were made using natural wools and bamboo fibres as embellishment. This first piece has a base made with a variety of brown and grey scoured wools and natural wool tops that I carded into a batt. On top of that are twists of grey merino with white bamboo top. When it was almost felted, I cut and rolled and folded, then fulled to get the texture and effect I wanted.
This next piece was made with brown Finnish wool for the base, twists of dark brown Corriedale and black bamboo were positioned on top. This was also folded and fulled to get the shape I wanted.
I’ve been given the chance to do my first craft fair in a couple of weeks. I was wondering if anyone has any advice or tips for doing fairs?
19 thoughts on “Natural Wools and Bamboo”
First find out how much space you will have and if you will be in a booth. Can you hang things on the boot frame or curtain? Will you be given tables and chairs? Set up a mock booth at home to work out your display. Make sure it is easy to walk into your booth. Have a variety of prices if possible. Chat with the shoppers to get them engaged. If you can wear any of your work, do so. Good luck
Thanks, Ellen 🙂
I think it will just be a smallish table. I don’t really have anything to hang up, but that’s a good thing to consider for scarves and birdpods and such. My girlfriend suggested practising a table display, I think that’s a really good idea.
Thanks for your suggestions!
I would like to here more about how you cut, rolled and folded the top piece. It is really interesting.
My advice: Cover your table in a neutral ( black with a white or beige one on part of it) cloth to the floor in the front and ends if they can be seen. this lets you hide your storage boxes purse etc under it and still look nice. Do not to put everything flat on the table. You can use small boxes covered with a cloth to give some height here and there. Be friendly and open to people, engage, smile, say hi. I see to many people sitting quietly, looking shy or unfriendly behind there table. They have nice things but no one is buying. Have confidence you what you have made, it is well made and a good product.
Thanks, Ann 🙂
I laid about 5 twists on the felt, equally spaced, then I cut kind of ‘tabs’ into the top and bottom of the felt, either side of the twists. Then I wrapped the felt inwards, over the twists, and rubbed and rolled. I gathered the felt, concertina style, so the twists were on the tops of the folds and used a bit of thread to keep it secure while I finished fulling.
I can only take what I can fit in a ‘granny trolley’ but if I use shoe boxes, I could use those under the table cloth. Maybe pin it in place, thanks for that, Ann 🙂
the more things that are duel purpose the better. Makes for few things to drag along.
Inspiring work
Thanks, Zahava 🙂
Wonderful textures. You said you wanted these shapes. What will you do with pieces?
If you have space, perhaps you can advertise your ebooks, steer them toward the forum, your etsy store, etc. with a sign with web addresses or put a card with each purchase and some out for people to take for the future. I sometimes take cards because I like the work, but have no use for it at the moment or to tell someone about it that I know would be interested. Good luck!
Thanks, Marilyn 🙂
I wanted to create a series of pieces of wall art, around a loose theme of organic shapes and natural colours. I might mount them onto canvas or something.
I have a printed copy of my Beyond Nuno that I can take with me and can print some little cards with details of how to buy it. I’ll be sure to print lots of other business cards and flyers too, thanks 🙂
Both very intriguing pieces. Do tell what you are planning for them 🙂
You’ve gotten good advice so far on the craft fair. Is it possible to talk to someone who has been in this particular fair before? Make sure your pieces are tagged with information about the piece. As Ann says, having different levels is very important. It gives interest to your booth and makes it look more professional. Do you have someone to help you?
Thanks, Ruth 🙂
I’m not sure how big my series of organic pieces will grow to be, for now I’m just using bamboo, but ideas often pop up when using other fibres too!
I’ll have to think of something to put on a tag, thanks.
No, I don’t have anyone to help me on the day, it’s only for about an hour, but it’s quite scary!
Well if it’s only an hour, I wouldn’t go all out setting up a complicated booth. It isn’t going to be worth all your time. Keep it as simple as possible.
Wonderful texture – any plans for these pieces yet?
I’ve got a sheet of advice that I compiled a couple of years ago for a thread on Etsy. I’ll post it on the forum under ‘business’.
Thanks, Lyn 🙂
I was planning to ask on the forum too, but my internet kept playing up today.
I don’t know how this series will develop, I might end up tweaking it, altering ideas for some final pieces, or it might just keep growing into a large collection of unusually shaped felt objects 🙂
Good luck.
Thanks, Liz 🙂
Hi! Zed! Love where your organic felt is going. It could grow into more surprises and possibilities.
As for the fair,I can’t add much to all the good points mentioned already. Be patient mainly! Have fun and good luck!
Thanks, Fleur 🙂