Sumptuosity (articles) - sumptuous handcrafted silk gifts and accessories

Design Edge 2008 - September 7th & 8th

We knew this craft trade show was going to be different; I had had some ideas that the display needed radical change; I had decided this month's ago but was taking my time getting around to doing anything about it. I always leave things to the very last minute!

One week to go, I had decided on the display cabinets I wanted to use and been to the store to buy them; I had sketched some plan details and was happy with the plan proportions. But we still needed so much; and I had to be in Sweden for the week before the fair!

the (new) Sumptuosity stand designed on CAD

One evening, whilst in Sweden, I created the stand layout on CAD. I recreated the cabinets and the panels and I had designed and created some 'fab' artwork posters and I could lay these out in the CAD model for best proportion. I was even able to add light positions and perspective so I could view the stand as if I was walking up to it from either side. I didn't go so far as to put the brooches on the shelves, what I had done was enough and I was convinced I was satisfied with my design.

I was 'firing' emails off to the rest of the team all week, every time I thought of something it was emailed back to Sumptuosity Towers to be added to the Quartermaster's (Barbara's) procurement list.

our poster detailing the Craft Gallery stockists we already supply

It was two days to go, I still needed a new promotional brochure - it was getting very late; we only had one day for print! I was woken at 4 a.m. in my apartment in Sweden with an 'epiphany' dream. The brochure design was in my head. The design, the sell, the image - it was all created (front and back) by 8 a.m. that morning. I had mailed it to Ruth a couple of times for her input and after a couple of minor changes it was done! Sumptuosity - the 'midget gems' of craft!

I arrived back in the UK on Friday before the trade fair; I was back in York for 8:30p.m.

Very early next morning we drove to the studio, I had to trust that everything had been packed for me as I only had time to carefully pack the cabinet displays and all the stock in the vehicle; and we still had to make up notebooks! It was a four-hour drive to Surrey from York plus the stops; the weather wasn't very good. Only one thing was forgotten - socket board.

We arrived at Sandown Park around 3:30p.m; we had until 7:00p.m for set-up. By that time we were satisfied with the display and all the (untried) new lighting was working well.

On the Sunday (7th), the day started slowly but soon picked-up and at the end of the day we had seven new stockists and a number of good enquiries too. The new display was a hit; many of the exhibitors commented how much it was improved. We had also created a poster listing the Craft Galleries Guide we are already stockists with and, again, many of the exhibitors commented on the 'good idea'. There was a low moment (like Cash-in-the-Attic), when I personally 'killed' an order with a stockist I had invited; I'd lost concentration for a moment and suggested they take a 'pack' when they wanted to make an order there and then. It was busy, as we were close to the entrance, most visitors took a quick look and said they would look around then come back. I just expected everyone to do the same and wasn't expecting someone to just make an order straight away!

Apart from that, it was a great day.

the Sumptuosity stand - open for business

Ruth and I had run a book on the total amount of new stockists we would acquire at the trade fair; at the end of day one Ruth was closest.

Day two started badly, Surrey is a beautiful county but very busy; it took us an hour to drive the last mile-and-a-half. In the end, Ruth walked the last half-mile and was there just slightly late. I guess the traffic problems also affected the visitors. Monday was much slower than Sunday and we only acquired two firm new stockist orders that day; but very excitingly, we met the Buying Manager for the National Portrait Gallery who showed great interest in our wares and took many samples to show to colleagues. Then immediately after, we met buyers from the British Museum who also showed a strong interest.

The last hour passed very slowly and at four o'clock we were mentally preparing to pack-up. The trade fair finished at 5p.m, we were on the road at 6:30.

For a quiet trade fair we had done reasonably well, we seemed to be busier than most of the 'crafters' around us. We rounded the trade fair with ten orders, 9 of which were new stockists, so Ruth was pretty much 'spot-on' with her prediction.

This will be our busiest month yet, we've matched April's, and August's order takings already and we're only on the 9th of the month. Now it's time to send out the pro-forma's, carry-on making, make the orders up for the Christmas shows... 'No rest for the wicked' as Ruth would say.

Previously 'penned' articles are avaialable as pdf downloads, just click any of the links below:

Oliver Goldsmith - EBAY, Goldsmith and the Dodo

John Gillow - My Love Affair with Textiles

Jeanette Farrier - If not now, when? - Calcutta, Kantha and a New Career

Michelle Edwards - False teeth, Tai chi and Two Tattoos

Jane Hamlyn - For Use or Ornament

Creating Selvedge - Polly Leonard

Mariano Fortuny - designer/artist/inventor/genius all-round 'renaissance man' that was...

Serena Partridge - inspired by a passion for six centuries of European costume...

Naseem Darbey - bringing new life to the humble sewing machine...

email: studio@sheer-sumptuosity.co.uk | phone: +44(0)1904 675550


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Design Edge 2008 - September 7th & 8th
We knew this craft trade show was going to be different; I had had some ideas that the display needed radical change; I had decided this month's ago but was taking my time getting around to doing anything about it. I always leave things to the very last minute! One week to go, I had decided on the display cabinets I wanted to use and been to the store to buy them; I had sketched some plan details and was happy with the plan proportions. But we still needed so much; and I had to be in Sweden for the week before the fair!
	One evening, whilst in Sweden, I created the stand layout on CAD. I recreated the cabinets and the panels and I had designed and created some 'fab' artwork posters and I could lay these out in the CAD model for best proportion. I was even able to add light positions and perspective so I could view the stand as if I was walking up to it from either side. I didn't go so far as to put the brooches on the shelves, what I had done was enough and I was convinced I was satisfied with my design. I was 'firing' emails off to the rest of the team all week, every time I thought of something it was emailed back to Sumptuosity Towers to be added to the Quartermaster's (Barbara's) procurement list.

	It was two days to go, I still needed a new promotional brochure - it was getting very late; we only had one day for print! I was woken at 4 a.m. in my apartment in Sweden with an 'epiphany' dream. The brochure design was in my head. The design, the sell, the image - it was all created (front and back) by 8 a.m. that morning. I had mailed it to Ruth a couple of times for her input and after a couple of minor changes it was done! Sumptuosity - the 'midget gems' of craft! I arrived back in the UK on Friday before the trade fair; I was back in York for 8:30p.m.
	Very early next morning we drove to the studio, I had to trust that everything had been packed for me as I only had time to carefully pack the cabinet displays and all the stock in the vehicle; and we still had to make up notebooks! It was a four-hour drive to Surrey from York plus the stops; the weather wasn't very good. Only one thing was forgotten - socket board. We arrived at Sandown Park around 3:30p.m; we had until 7:00p.m for set-up. By that time we were satisfied with the display and all the (untried) new lighting was working well.
On the Sunday (7th), the day started slowly but soon picked-up and at the end of the day we had seven new stockists and a number of good enquiries too. The new display was a hit; many of the exhibitors commented how much it was improved. We had also created a poster listing the Craft Galleries Guide we are already stockists with and, again, many of the exhibitors commented on the 'good idea'. There was a low moment (like Cash-in-the-Attic), when I personally 'killed' an order with a stockist I had invited; I'd lost concentration for a moment and suggested they take a 'pack' when they wanted to make an order there and then. It was busy, as we were close to the entrance, most visitors took a quick look and said they would look around then come back. I just expected everyone to do the same and wasn't expecting someone to just make an order straight away! Apart from that, it was a great day.
	Ruth and I had run a book on the total amount of new stockists we would acquire at the trade fair; at the end of day one Ruth was closest. Day two started badly, Surrey is a beautiful county but very busy; it took us an hour to drive the last mile-and-a-half. In the end, Ruth walked the last half-mile and was there just slightly late. I guess the traffic problems also affected the visitors. Monday was much slower than Sunday and we only acquired two firm new stockist orders that day; but very excitingly, we met the Buying Manager for the National Portrait Gallery who showed great interest in our wares and took many samples to show to colleagues. Then immediately after, we met buyers from the British Museum who also showed a strong interest.
The last hour passed very slowly and at four o'clock we were mentally preparing to pack-up. The trade fair finished at 5p.m, we were on the road at 6:30. For a quiet trade fair we had done reasonably well, we seemed to be busier than most of the 'crafters' around us. We rounded the trade fair with ten orders, 9 of which were new stockists, so Ruth was pretty much 'spot-on' with her prediction. This will be our busiest month yet, we've matched April's, and August's order takings already and we're only on the 9th of the month. Now it's time to send out the pro-forma's, carry-on making, make the orders up for the Christmas shows... 'No rest for the wicked' as Ruth would say.

Previously 'penned' articles are avaialable as pdf downloads, just click any of the links below: Oliver Goldsmith - EBAY, Goldsmith and the Dodo John Gillow - My Love Affair with Textiles Jeanette Farrier - If not now, when? - Calcutta, Kantha and a New Career Michelle Edwards - False teeth, Tai chi and Two Tattoos Jane Hamlyn - For Use or Ornament Creating Selvedge - Polly Leonard Mariano Fortuny - designer/artist/inventor/genius all-round 'renaissance man' that was... Serena Partridge - inspired by a passion for six centuries of European costume... Naseem Darbey - bringing new life to the humble sewing machine...

copyright © Sumptuosity (2008)	email: studio@sheer-sumptuosity.co.uk \| phone: +44(0)1904 675550