West Elm Chelsea opens its doors to select artists to exhibit their offerings each weekend. My pop-up will be from noon to 5pm on May 14th, Mother’s Day. I’m visualizing families heading out to brunch late morning, then moseying through the store and coming upon me and my work. My experience has been that, even though shoppers may not intend to purchase a pillow, my art will captivate them and be irresistible.
How did this come about, you may be wondering. It was an opportunity I could have missed.
I met with my Visions Group in late March and mentioned the need to take action around sales. My pieces are visible on Etsy, but I’m not proactive about promotion.
“Check with Vanessa,” the woman in my group of three suggested, referring me to a mutual friend. “I know she does something with a local store.” Vanessa’s Vintage, while gorgeous and tasteful, is not handmade, nor is it interior design related.
My immediate impulse was to reject the idea. This sentiment is hereditary. I’ve worked for decades to take opposite action to this relatable, albeit, provocative quote: “The highest form of ignorance is contempt prior to investigation.”
I called Vanessa.
I was surprised by how excited I was to hear about the West Elm opportunity. She gave me the specs of her experiences – she has exhibited repeatedly – and, at the first opportunity, I hopped a train downtown to meet the store’s designer who would say yea or nay.
I brought samples of my work, plus a copy of the spring issue of Where Women Create that features me. Upon seeing the spread, he gave me an enthusiastic yes.
“Would you like to see the samples I brought?” I asked.
“I don’t need to. I can see you do beautiful work.”
Like my excitement with the Subway contest, the quick high was replaced with a terrified, “How will I display my work on a tabletop?” panic. I called V again to see if she might recommend a stylist/merchandiser. She did.
Here’s a sneak preview of how this talented referral will partner my art with West Elm products:

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