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Handmade at Kew will showcase
Emerging Talents in collaboration with
ARTS THREAD for the third time. In advance of Handmade at Kew and Handmade Edinburgh 2017, ARTS THREAD interviews past exhibitors on their skills, their success stories and the best insider tips on how to apply and make the most of showing your work.
ARTS THREAD: Please tell us about yourself
Judit: I am a ceramicist making wheel-thrown and press-moulded tableware and other functional pieces. I studied at Kensington and Chelsea College and hold a BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design. I graduated in 2016, and in the same year I started my own business; since then I took part in shows such as Ceramics in the City, Handmade at Kew, Made Brighton at St. Bartholomews and Made Bloomsbury, the Royal Bath and West Show. I also supply work for various galleries and do commissions.
AT: What Handmade in Britain show/s have you exhibited at?
Judit: I exhibited at Handmade at Kew 2016 and will also exhibit in Handmade in Britain Chelsea 2017.
AT: How were the shows – was it successful for you?
Judit: Although financially I did not make a profit at Kew, I consider the fair a big success in numerous aspects. I met and got to know a lot of other artists and makers, and especially fellow graduates, and the fair gave a brilliant opportunity for social networking; also, I met and chatted with a lot of visitors and got very valuable feedback from them considering my products or the display, and they gave an excellent insight into the general public taste – hence the market. I got an opportunity to improve my social and small-talk skills as well and learnt how to present myself best when I am at my stand or when to engage with customers. Kew was also great in terms of marketing: a lot of people took business cards and postcards or joined my mailing list.
AT: What tips would you give a designer/maker applying for Arts Thread Selects at Handmade at Kew or Handmade Edinburgh for the first time:
A: Tips on the application – text and images?
Judit: As I am making pots, I can give advice on practices connected to them.
Text and pictures – keep it short and simple! In the artist statement, emphasise what is distinctive or special of you and your work; what is your main material, colour or production method and give an insight into your inspirations or philosophy. Picture-wise, keep them plain and clutter-free: white and ‘natural’ backgrounds (wood, concrete, brick etc.) work best, and some props can help the piece to come alive (e.g. vase with flowers, plate with food). You can also create a group shot (with tableware, it could be a table set for dinner or a mug with its saucer etc.), try to set aside a day and just play around with your pieces, creating various arrangements, using different backgrounds and props and photographing them from different angles, including macro. Light is everything – shadows can be brilliant but in general I found that a not sunny but still not too cloudy day is ideal for most pieces.
B: Deciding how their stand should look – how to make the most of your stand?
Judit: Stand rule #1 – less is more! Don’t put too many pieces out, let each have its own personal space and if you have less on the table, it will look and feel more elegant and exclusive just like in a gallery (think jumble sale as the opposite). Organisation can help – if you have more collections or different colour palettes, it is better to separate them. Use the wall space as well, if you have a larger or very eye-catching piece, it can work well there, as well as photos of you working/designing/inspirations and –very important- your logo and company name that customers can familiarise with and remember later! Be careful with colours, just like with photographs, whites and naturals are good because they don’t supress your pieces; greys can be a good choice as well.
C: marketing material and promotion?
Judit: Lots of business cards (with the design, the same applies as for the photographs; always have a picture of your work on it, otherwise people will not remember), and placed into more spots not just one if possible. Postcards I find unpractical as they need a lot of space and are also expensive to order. Have a small notebook opened, with a pen for those who would like to join your mailing list. If you participate in other shows, put some leaflets about them out as well. Post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc. regularly, especially in the two weeks before the fair.
