Erin Pettit Designs – A show in the life of!
by Erin Pettit.
(San Diego, California, USA)
Coral, shells, and other treasures from the sea can make nice jewelry display elements
I’ve been doing shows for about five years now. These pictures are from one of my favorites, the Mermaid Mercantile, which is a monthly show in Solana Beach in the Design District at a shop called Out of the Blue.
Items like old wooden boxes, biscuit tins, and old rusty coffee cans can make interesting jewelry risers
I have a lot of black wire stands that were super affordable from jewelrysupply.com.
I also bought some cheap felt busts from a display shop in downtown San Diego called Farkas Store Fixtures. They have EVERYTHING!
I use old wooden boxes, biscuit tins, old, rusty coffee cans. . . whatever. . . as risers and to give interest to the booth so it’s not just a flat landscape.
I’m also super big on displaying on shells and especially white shells. They make jewelry stand out and look especially good with sterling silver, which is my fav.
Other interesting props can help convey the mood of your jewelry
The only problem with displaying on shells is that they’re hard to transport safely. . . I wrap mine in bubble wrap and store in a rubbermaid plastic bin if it’s not going back in my house.
Coral is especially hard to to transport and it’s heartbreaking when a piece breaks off! I save and wrap pieces in silver for a pendant, of course, but it’s sad nevertheless!
I try not to buy too much new and would prefer found objects. I did buy a bunch of cheap cotton fabric to make my tablecloths and then used table runners and place mats I already had in my house.
In fact, most everything I display with is something that’s been used in my home one time or another!
Black wire jewelry stands, interspersed with other items
One of my display tables is a giant folding table from the 1950s that was my grandmother’s. I remember she used it for every garage sale she had.
My other tables are given to me or are from around my house.
My husband made risers for them from plastic PVC pipe so they are at a better height for browsing! The pipes just slip on the legs of the tables. Easy and cheap!
The only problem with my booth set up and break down is that my booth is different every single time I do it so I have no set procedure. My set up just depends on my mood and what kind of jewelry I have at that time.
I am just resigned to be there for a while! I make sure to bring my portable iPod player and have a good time while I’m held hostage unpacking or packing up!
Sometimes, I envy those people who pull up, unload a few things, pop open boxes or whatnot and they’re set up.
However, I like to think that my set up has a little more character than that and am totally willing to spend the extra time!
Erin Pettit
Erin Pettit Designs on Etsy
Comments:
Beautiful, unique jewelry display ideas
by: Rena
I love how you’ve sprinkled interesting items in lighter colors around your black jewelry displays. Also your creative ideas for risers.
Your booth space has a lot of character and personality. It evokes a lovely mood that would certainly make me stop and browse!
Thank you so much for sharing your great photos and detailed writeup about your jewelry display – I found it very inspiring.
Organic through and through!
by: Teresa
I love the fact that your set-up is so organic. It definitly adds to the charm of your display. You creta a unique viewing experience for your jewelry with every set-up. Having it reflect your mood and the jewelry available at the time ties in with your presentation of yourself as an artist and a person people want to buy things from. 🙂 I think if you had a display that was set-up in a short period of time without all the bits and pieces that make up your style, it would be, I dunno, not YOU. You make the experience unique throughout and that makes you more approchable and relatable to your customers.
I LOVE Erin’s jewelry
by: Phyllis Hartigan
I have several of Erin’s pieces and love them all. My FAVORITE is my custom silver stamped heart with my daughter’s name engraved on the heart. Dangling from the heart are her, my and my husband’s birth stones. I am wearing it now. So many women who see it ask where me where they can get one. It’s a perfect mother’s day gift. Erin is a wonderful artist and great person, warm and friendly, not to mention hilarious.
Very nice!
by: Scott S.
This Jewelry blows my mind!
Beautiful and unique
by: Chris
Just by looking at the thoughtfulness and creativity that Erin puts into displaying her jewelry tells you a lot about the jewelry and the artist! When I wear one of my pieces of Erin’s jewelry someone ALWAYS compliments me on it and asks where I bought it. Erin’s work is beautiful and unique.
Love your ideas!
by: LeAnne
I’m always looking for interesting ways to display my jewelry at shows and I also use shells as part of my display, although mine are smaller and less interesting than what you are showing! I love the re-use way of showing your product, very impressed with your displays!
LeAnne
http://www.rhealeanne.etsy.com
Beach Theme Display
by: Mermaid’s Purse
I so get why you use this type of set up. My jewelry is made of Sea Glass and I do much the same as you when setting up for fairs. It creates a perfect backdrop for the product and the mood is set as clients come in to look.
Yes it does take a bit more time for set up and tear down but so worth it. Don’t compromise if this is who you are.:)
Much success to you.
Fair Winds and Calm Seas,
Deborah Leon
www.mermaidspurseseaglass.com
Great Display!
by: Tracy
I think that taking the time to change up your display at each show is a much more effective not to mention creative way of marketing your wares. I used to do shows and also and know what you mean about some people setting up in what seems like no time at all. But their booths also tend to look just like everyone else’s. So rock on with your original approach and best of luck with sales!
jewelry display
by: Carol Wilson
I use a 4-panel fireplace screen (50 cents at a garage sale) to hang earrings on.
Erin Pettit display tips
by: Robin Johnson
GREAT info Erin – thanks! Everything I have been reading lately is suggesting DIY displays & found objects because it sends an “inviting” message to potential customers. And if you go w/the ordinary run of the mill, store bought displays customers are more likely to just pass right by because your booth just looks like everybody elses. Looks like you certainly have it figured out!
