If you’ve been to any of Festival Fete’s art festivals, surely you have seen the unique, hand painted, up-cycled floral jewelry made by Wendy Baker. Wendy has been a loyal Festival Fete artist vendor since it’s beginning, and a visit to her garden (booth) is always a pleasure, both visually and conversationally.
I recently learned that her jewelry was selected to be a part of the prestigious retail venue of Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts gift shop! Festival Fete is so excited about this new opportunity for Wendy, so we asked her to share a little with our readers about her experiences. I’m sure you will enjoy her humor and insight on being an artist and vendor at an art festival.
This is so exciting for you! How did your collaboration with the Museum of Fine Arts Boston come together?
I hired David Riordan of Ready Set Go Consulting, as my wholesale representative, and the buyer from the MFA saw my work and ordered some items through David. It was a dream (I had no idea I had) come true. Many years ago, I took courses at the museum school (School of the Museum of Fine Arts) and so it is a fond memory and honor for me to be affiliated with the MFA.
Which pieces did you select to send to MFA Gift Shop?
They took some of my best sellers, flower necklaces that are suspended from chains made with vintage leucite beads, mixed flower earrings, rings and pins too. The good thing is that I never duplicate anything, so I can be sure that it will be fresh stock.
What are the materials that you use to make your jewelry?
I start my process much like the center of the yellow brick road in Munchkin-land; I start with flowers. They are created using vintage flower pieces from the 1960’s which I hand paint, compose into flower layers one at a time, connect the pieces together and then make into individual jewelry items such as rings, brooches, earrings, etc. It is all highly labor intensive, but ask any gardener and the success of their plot is determined by the amount of time spent tending to it.
Can you tell us a little about your experience and relationship with Festival Fete?
Festival Fete is a favorite show to do… for a variety of reasons:
Firstly, I participated in the first show in garden city (unbelievably only 3 years ago) and while the weather was terrible and I fell down and like a little kid, skinned my knees badly, I had a super experience!
The show is close to home, so traveling to any Festival Fete show is a dream… I am prone to getting lost on my way to every show!
The customers are what I refer to as “my people”. They get my sense of humor and coloring/styling of things… as well as me as an artist. This is really great, when the whole job can sometimes feel isolating and stressful.
And finally, Jennifer, David and the entire group of Festival Fete-rs are so supportive, kind, and interested in us succeeding as artists. It can take those jangly nerves away, that sometimes come with setting up a booth all the way to breaking it down. Many folks who participate in shows, are trying to reach for the next great idea and how to make it happen. It is incredibly great to know that there is always a safety net underneath me. It affords me a great level of comfort when I add all these components together.
Thanks Wendy! We love having Wendy Baker Design at our shows and appreciate you sharing your story with our readers. If you are an artist and haven’t yet applied for a 2013 Festival Fete show, there is still time! Visit Festival Fete’s website for more information about being a vendor at one of our upcoming shows.
Festival Fete would like to thank our sponsor:
Festival Fete 