Local Maker Pop-up Table: in Partnership with Michael’s

Yesterday I hosted a local maker table with Michael’s Arts and Craft Store and it was so fun!

As I mentioned in my Friday peek into the studio post, the manager of my local Michael’s craft store reached out to me recently to host an in-store pop up shop. This is a new-ish program for Michael’s, beginning in 2024, but this was the very first time that my local arts and crafts store in Westport hosted a maker. What an honor!

I didn’t go into the event thinking I’d send anyone home with a large-scale framed fine art oil painting–people don’t go into Michael’s for that. I did want visitors of the craft store to have the opportunity to see my originals up close, so I brought in four paintings I’ve done of local scenes this year. The largest one I brought in was the most Westport, Connecticut-coded one I’ve painted as of late, Compo Jeep.

For my non-Westport or Fairfield, Connecticut friends, Compo is the most popular locals-only beach in Westport. I saw this Jeep driving on the post road a couple of years ago and thought it was an iconic coastal Connecticut subject perfect for pop art. I painted it with Golden acrylics on a 30″ by 40″ canvas I purchased at Michael’s during one of their many buy one get one free canvas sales.

The oil paintings I had on display were Morning at the Mooring:

and Mooring Glow:

How it Went

I emphasized prints for sale at my local Michaels pop up. I felt like those items are more within the price range that someone walking into Michael’s craft store on Labor Day Weekend. I also went into the event considering it as something that could be a marketing-only moment, with no sales made. I’m always looking for ways to market my business in a real, in-person way rather than promoting myself through social media.

But, I did make sales! Friends and subscribers to my newsletter came into the store before I even arrived!

Setting up my table was such a breeze. I’ve gotten used to having to build an entire shelter every time I sell my art through art festivals, but not at Michael’s! They let me use their store display items freely and I brought my mini-print carousel. my set up was front and center when every customer walked into the store.

I ran into acquaintances that didn’t know that I am an artist with a business, I was able to give a hug to a subscriber who I hadn’t met before. I made more sales than expected. AND I met many people interested in my art.

A huge thank you to Michael’s for this opportunity to partner up and for increasing visibility for the local makers that create arts and crafts with the items they sell!