Unique LA Dec 2015

Attended my first Unique LA show...
http://www.uniquemarkets.com/markets-la

This show was held indoors at the designer-focused California Market Center (CMC)... the show occupied the entire Penthouse floor of the building. Flat rate parking was available in the underground structure. After a short trip to the lobby, the main building elevators carried the crowd to the top floor for the ticket area and entrance to the show. A colored wristband served as your ticket, and allowed you easy access to the large exhibit space.

The CMC is home for designer wholesale showrooms, cafes, design schools, etc. so the building has a hip vibe, reflected by the urban crowd.
http://www.californiamarketcenter.com/faq/aboutus.php Here are some images from the lobby:

I enjoyed the fashion show in the lobby ... and the contemporary urban LA wear in action on the busy exhibit are floor...

Wandering the aisles of the large space. You got a map with your entry...

 The flip side had a directory...

Here's a sample of some of the artists at the show...

Glad to see our pals at Cheltenham Road with a gang of happy patrons...http://www.cheltenhamroad.com/

A bit of a retro vibe around the corner at the booth for Emmiebean.
Send a photograph .. pets, people, places... to Emmiebean Custom Portraits...
http://www.emmiebean.com/

and get a unique work of art from your image...

STAR WARS!. super popular right now, and a great gift idea for the Star Wars fan in your circle....Prints from Mattson Creative... http://mattsoncreative.com/work/star-wars

Their bright booth and cheerful staff were a standout... and a great landmark to re-orient by while wandering around the show (set up more like a maze than a grid)

Here's a closer shot of the display item on easel above....

more views of the prints on display... 

And they had the most nifty metallic business card! 

I'm batty about bats!

 So the bright bat print at this booth lured me in....  http://cactusclubpaper.com/

Colorful Cactus Club prints were quite popular... 

I picked up these cheery cards....

One of the main reasons I attended this particular show..  I'm on the email list for Yes and Yes Designs. http://madefrombooks.org/

When they announced they would be exhibiting at this show.. I put it on my calendar!

It was love at first sight when I discovered these charming accessory items -- all re-purposed from redundant books -- at a 2014 Santa Ana Patchwork show.
http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2014/12/get-inspired-patchwork-show-santa-ana_1.html

Her clever display includes hands-on example of how she uses the book covers to make the accessories. My photo didn't turn out.. so here's one from their website:

The colorful, large print price signs next to the items on their table were helpful. Also note how they use a simple rubber stamp on the bag to brand them... and they include details about the story behind their art on the large, post-card sized business card...

 Here are the Yes and Yes items I added to my collection...

A little cat image showed up on my internet radar recently.. an adorable kitten pillow (image below from this link)  http://www.thelittleredhouse.co/shop/siamese-cat-cushion

 then I saw the same little Siamese cat here...

I got to meet the artist.. and pick up these cards ....by Aggie at The Little Red House...http://www.thelittleredhouse.co/

 Here's her business card...

 See how she does a great job using the back of the greeting card to share all her contact info. So important!!!

An array of felted fun at this booth for Vals Art Studio..http://www.valsartstudio.com/

Sweaters... felted plush pals... paintings and cards too!

 This card set is images from paintings Val did of historical homes...

 A detailed view of one of the cards....

Another busy booth at Unique LA... this is Rock, Scissors, Paper...http://www.rockscissorpaper.com/

Where I found a book-themed mug....

and some magnets..Look at the bright, big and useful postcard that came with my purchase... highlighting the artists and all the ways to reach them!

Many tables were along the windows of the room.. some artists, like Paper Wilderness http://www.paperwilderness.com/below, made use of the posts and pillars to add directional signage for their space..

Christmas Moose... and love bird...

 And making good use of branding with cards, stickers and a stamp on every bag!

I got to the show right after it opened.. and the crowd only got busier as the day progressed..

My new card artist find from Nov Santa Ana Patchwork show ...Le Trango http://letrango.com/ was also at the Unique LA show....

 Audience participation Yeti card was brand new!

So many fashion and jewelry options!!! Lots to see at this show... also candles, bags, lamps, planters. This Booth for Fluent Flyers had travel themed designs... http://www.fluentflyers.com/

Snowy Squirrel card from Clap Clap Design...http://clapclapdesign.com/

No time to eat at this trip.. too much to see. But there were lots of food booths.. and drinks too.. even beer. Here's a different s'mores vendor...

And all around.. amazing city views...

I started going to local artist fairs with photographer pal Sarah about a year ago. These excursions began as a fun day out with friends....and they still are, but have also branched out in interesting ways.

As a fan of indie artists... I started taking more photos and talking with more of the artist vendors.

Of course I enjoy seeing the venues and all the creativity at the booths and tables. And of course I usually find some fun items to purchase. But more and more, I've been observing how these artists market themselves and their art with the patrons at the event.

It's always challenging for artists to find just the right shows to exhibit at. Factors include: recommendations from peers; proximity and travel/exhibit expenses; seasonal/holiday tie-ins.

If you're considering exhibiting at shows or conventions, there are many benefits to exploring the show in person as an attendee first. Websites for the organizers give lots of tips on the amenities and types of vendors. When it come to exhibiting... first timers often partner up with a friend or colleague.

Shows are expensive to exhibit at... beyond the exhibitor fees for the table or booth space.. there is time, labor and material costs to get your art to the venue and to display it in a way to make it stand out in the crowd.

Be respectful of your own time and resources. If you're an indie artist doing all the booth work yourself... don't work for free. You can't afford to!!

Art isn't anonymous... or free. More on this ... here on the blog in 2016 :)