Nature's Beauty! (Wisconsin Blizzard Dec. '09)

MMOCA Booth

I am forever tweeking the design of my jewelry booth. But I am lucky in that I find display to be as rewarding as creating the jewelry itself. When you think about it, show artists have a mere matter of seconds to capture the attention of walkers-by. Your set up needs to compliment and enhance your style- whatever that may be. It can be a fine line between showcasing your work and overwhelming it. When people begin commenting on the display instead of my work... it's time to go back to the drawing board!

The set up shown here was recently used for the indoor Madison Museum of Contemporary Art's Holiday Show.

Holiday Window Display

Recently I had the pleasure of helping put together the front holiday window of our local Anthropologie store.

This window was great fun!!!  Would you believe these giant snow balls are made with chicken wire and strips of white garbage bags? Low voltage LCD lights are used to illuminate them from the inside. While giant paper tissue balls fill in the gaps.

More Cool Display....

simple.
shot of color.
bold.

Another great display!

Here are funky industrial lights hanging from an old board with orange haphazard extension cords catching your eye.

Neat Kitchen Display

I love display! Here is one that caught my eye while shopping at a local shop.... it was in a kitchen area selling plates, cups, aprons, etc. There were simple hand brooms strung on string that eventually led to drawn representations. Kind of reminds me of the 80's a-ha video "Take on Me".

http://www.mtv.com/videos/a-ha/7846/take-on-me.jhtml

"Making Lemonade"

When life gives you lemons.... you make lemonade....well not in this case. They had a beautiful home even if it was "Almost on the Lake". What a great sense of humor.

Made me start thinking....what else could we say "Almost...." about?

• "Almost" paid for

• "Almost" retired

• "Almost" in shape

• "Almost" new

•"Almost" happy

• ?

• ?

Fabulous Fresh Fall

How cute is this...

Mums are in burlap bags and stapled to a wooden post.

I love fall!

My Latest Antiquing Quest....

ooooh the thrill of finding just the right piece when you aren't even looking..... and in this case, it was an antique jewelers bench and matching stool.
sturdy (check)
distressed paint (check)
solid wood (check)
character (double check)

On the down side, I'm not able to use the drawer and my bench pin at the same time. darn. So I think I'll just hang the drawer on the wall above and attach some hooks inside to house my wire/tools etc.  Isn't she sweet!

Art Comes in all Forms

Whether it's with canvas, clothing or skin, man can't help but express himself for all the world to see. Here are some of my favorite artistic "expressions".....

Display. Display. Display.

Just as "location, location, location" is the key to real estate sales- having good product display is vital in retail. Case in point, I'm an antique store junkie. Most antique stores.... well... lets just say that display is an afterthought  (if thought of at all).

So I want to introduce you to an exception to the rule. These groupings were found at one of my favorite shops, Madison's Odana Antiques Mall. These vignettes are color coordinated, seasonal, use a variety of heights and have common components. In my opinion, they have mastered the art of display. What do you think?

(click on picts for close-ups)

http://www.odanaantiques.com