Below is a little extra information for artists who are applying or joining the Holiday Shop. I will edit and adjust as time goes on, but it’s a great resource for artists who want to know just a little bit more! (Please let me know if you notice anything I should add, or have questions!)

FAQ’s

• The Historic Shell Holiday Shop started in downtown Issaquah in 2015, and is curated by Alison Lang (of So, There.) It is run as a pop-up boutique with gifty items every holiday season.
• The Call for artists typically goes out at the beginning of October. You can hear about it by watching this feed, the facebook page, instagram, or by joining our mailing list

When Applying for the shop…

• Make sure you look over the payment terms, drop-off and pick-up details and make sure they will work for you.
• Consider the items you’d like to show us. If you have been to the shop before, think about what you make that might fit in. If you haven’t, look through our past photos on Instagram and Facebook. Feel free to send an assortment of options for us to look at.
• Send quality photos of the items you’d like us to consider- they don’t have to be perfect, but should clearly show the items you’d like to feature. You can also include a link to an online shop or gallery if you’d like, but make sure we know exactly the kind of things you’d like to see at the shop. DO NOT send “inspiration” photos of other people’s work.
• Consider your pricing – if you’re new to selling your art in shops, look around and see what other people are charging for similar items.
• Do tell us what’s special about you and your pieces!
• A word on clip-art and premade templates of all kinds: there are a lot of amazing resources out there that share art elements, BUT since we feature so many illustrators, I tend to shy away from products that prominently feature these kinds of images. I would rather your work be the main visual element of the piece. Even if that element or decoration is just a well chosen color!
  The same is true with jewelry elements- such as decorative findings and charms. They are fine to use in moderation, but should not be the main element of your piece.

What I’m looking for…

• Packaging. The Holiday Shop really functions as a gift shop. People are looking for something that reminds them of a friend or loved one, or is a cute thing that anyone can enjoy– so packaging and visual presentation is paramount. I am swayed by great looking packaging tags (even if they are handmade), details on what makes your product special (including location), and anything that gives your items a special pop.
• Items that “work” together. Every year the selection in the shop is a little different, and a lot of my brain space goes to figuring out where things are going to be merchandised. If you have a friend who makes a complementary item (similar category, similar colors, similar style, similar humor) encourage them to apply as well. Sometimes if I can pair two things together it makes for a better presentation.
• Functional items. This is kinda my thing, bringing art into your every day life– whether it’s art applied to something useful, or a perfectly designed tool or object.
• Stocking stuffers and other “add-on” items. Stickers! Keychains! Ornaments!
• Humor.
• Reclaimed Materials in ways that make people happy.

If you aren’t accepted to the shop…

• Don’t worry! There are a lot of factors at play: your work may be very similar to another artists and we had to choose, your work might just not fit in with this year’s collection (we try to pair items of similar styles, color stories), or we might just not have the space needed to properly display your work. We try to keep our artist number in the 30-35 range, and we get more applicants than that.
• There are usually other options for artist pop-ups in town during the winter, so please do let me know if you would like your information forwarded on to the organizations responsible for those events.
• Let me know if you’d like further feedback, but please be nice! The decisions are always difficult, and typically they are mine alone. It’s a lot of work trying to pull together a cohesive collection from so many talented artists.
• DO apply again next year. The shop is always evolving and so are you!