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My Art Blog

Wonderful Experience Selling at the American Folk Art Museum in NYC at their Fab Folk Fest 2, Dec 12-13, 2015

12/14/2015

2 Comments

 
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Me with Stefanie Levinson in Front of American Folk Art Museum
I just returned home from an incredible weekend in NYC where I was privileged to be one of only 8 vendors invited to sell inside the American Folk Art Museum in NYC, across from Lincoln Center.  My connection with the museum goes back one year when I walked in while visiting the city with my cousin, hoping to meet the buyer for the gift shop, Stefanie Levinson.  It was Columbus Day Weekend, 2014, and when I spoke with the sales staff, they indicated I had just missed her and she wouldn't be back to the shop until Tuesday (and, of course, I was leaving to return to Massachusetts on Monday).  I sent her an e-mail that night on my new ipad which I had just purchased and was very unaccustomed to using, so it literally took me an hour to hunt and peck a text e-mail and attach a couple of photos to send off to her, hoping to entice her to include me in her shop.  Alas, I never heard back and life got busy, so I didn't follow it up with any more correspondence at the time. 

​Fast forward one year later, I had just completed my website and had a slew of new assemblage inventory and decided to send Ms. Levinson a much more extensive e-mail with links to specific pages of my website.  She responded with enthusiasm!  YAY!  She ultimately purchased 6 of my pieces for her shop in October and several of them sold.  So, I was very pleased when I was chosen to be included in her Fab Folk Fest 2 this past weekend.  How often does an artist have the opportunity to sell their wares inside an actual museum that is all about the type of art about which she feels the most passionate???  I cannot thank Stefanie and her wonderful staff enough for giving me an opportunity to meet such interesting art lovers and collectors and to enjoy some great sales!  I also want to extend a special thank you to all the customers who expressed enthusiasm about my creative work both through words and through purchases of my one-of-a-kind whimsical dogs, cats, horses and elephants.  I am especially grateful to B. B. who was my most avid fan and bought 8 of my most elaborate pieces! 

​I have learned from this experience that one must persevere in marketing their wares.  While the creative and artistic design part is clearly the most fun part of being an artist, self-promotion and marketing is half the battle if one is to become successful in disseminating their art and transforming it from a hobby to a business.  Believe in yourself and keep pounding the pavement!  You never know what good news is just around the corner. . .
​
My large doll, "Coffee Pot Camilla" for sale in the gift shop
My steampunk dog, "The Aristocrat" for sale in the gift shop.
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Standing beside my booth on Saturday
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A view of my larger booth on Sunday with the exhibit, "Art Brut in America" in the background.
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Below are photos of some my assemblage pieces that sold at the fair.  Hover over the photo and you can see the name of the piece.  I will miss each piece as I pour my heart and soul into them, but am pleased that they've each been adopted into good homes!
Masami Rides Hiro
Lassie, Phone Home!
Off to School
Prodigious Pachyderm
Wound Up Willie
Whiskey
Pagliacci e Biscotti
The Greatest Show on Earth
Bozo's Trick Monkey
Sherry
Miss Kitty
Tumeric
Regal Lord Chevalier
Bessie Loves Kitties and Birds
The Crown and the Cross
2 Comments
Val S link
12/19/2015 08:29:08 am

Serendipity strikes! Congratulations on the opportunity to get your wonderful work out to a larger audience.

Reply
Shenna Shepard
12/19/2015 11:04:16 am

Thanks so much, Val!

Reply



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    Etsy Shop:  ShenVintageCreations

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    I am 61 years old, a wife of 30 years, a mother of a wonderful and independent 23-year-old daughter, a clinical psychologist who treats adults in private practice, and last, but definitely not least, an artist.  Whew!  That was a mouth full.  My passion is creating one-of-a-kind whimsical sculptural animals, dolls, and cake toppers (with a little multi-media collage thrown in for good measure).  I hope you enjoy my creations as much as I enjoy making them!

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  • Home
  • About Me
  • My Products
    • New Pieces
    • Assemblage Animals >
      • Tin and Steampunk Dogs
      • Crystal Dogs
      • Elephants
      • Donkeys
      • Cats
      • Horses and Ponies
      • Miscellaneous Animals
    • Circus Assemblage
    • China Assemblage Dolls
    • Steampunk Dolls
    • Day of the Dead
    • Patriotic Assemblages
    • Southwestern Creations
    • Special Occasion Cake Toppers
    • Cotton Batting Santas
    • Tabletop Angels
    • Christmas Tabletop Decor
    • Christmas Hanging Baskets
    • Christmas Ornaments
    • Mixed Media Wall Art
    • Baby Memory Shadowboxes
  • Publications, Shows, Galleries
  • Contact Me
  • My Art Blog
  • My Piano Arrangements & Original Compositions Blog
  • Customer Reviews