I’m looking forward to selling my beaded bracelets at the Art in the Orchard Festival, July 9-11. The festival is held on the ground of the Way Fruit Farm in Stormstown PA. They are located on Rt. 550 on the north outskirts of State College. I will be in a booth with two other artist. Luckily, we each have our specialty and I will be grateful to have some friends to talk with over the three days of the festival.
I’d like to share what I’ve been making with you but don’t plan to try to sell the bracelets online…yet. The hardest part is figuring out how to set up an actual ‘store front’ to handle the sales. At the moment, all sales will be in CASH at the festival in July. After the festival, I’ll see if there is enough interest to consider selling them online.
I now have a collection of 33 Specialty bracelets with a detailed description of each of the stone beads in the bracelet. Each come in three sizes. You can see that list below. When I say they are Bracelets with Intention, that means I have made the bracelet with intention…my thoughts are focused on the strengths of the individual beads and how they might be helpful in supporting the topic of the bracelet. When you wear the bracelet and consider the strengths of the individual beads, you reinforce the intention of the bracelet.
This disclaimer is on every bracelet package I make:
About your Gemstone Bracelet:
Each of the beads in your bracelet have meaning and together support each other for your well-being. They are described in the insert with your bracelet. You can wear the bracelet or carry it in your pocket. Each time you see it or handle it remember its intention as described on the tag, such as bringing you joy or lowering your stress level. Reminder: This bracelet is not a medical device. Its purpose is to help you focus and send positive energy to your mind and body. I have made your bracelet with love and the best of intentions for your well-being. Mary Kisner
Here is a list of the Specialty Bracelets:
For the festival, I also have an assortment of bracelets that have just one kind of bead, like amethyst or carnelian. While each stone bead has meaning by itself, I know I sometimes like to choose a specific color to match an outfit. Those bracelets are not listed in the catalog because I’m always making something new, however I have about 75 bracelets in three sizes that showcase a specific stone.
Designing my booth has always been difficult for me. My ability to string beads and design bracelets doesn’t seem to carry over to designing a big space. Last year my booth was pretty straight forward…and boring. This year I enticed Bert to make me a kind of rack with clips that could display my bracelets…which in turn required me to redesign my packaging! Luckily, I started that in January and as I make new bracelets, the packaging all matches! The bracelet is visible, and inside the folded label the individual beads are described.
Here is a picture of my booth last year (boring, I know!):
This year, (still under design!) my booth might look like this…I did get a second sign and will expand to a second table:
My problem is I like to keep the bracelets in their packaging but on display they attract attention. The new packaging allows folks to see the bracelet without opening it. I think I’ll hang a few loose, but keep most in their individual bags so folks can paw through the packaged items easily. Once they see something they like, they can open the package to try it on. I also have ‘tester’ bracelets so they know what size they are looking for.
So…that’s how my preparations are going for the Art in the Orchard Festival at Way Fruit Farm, July 9-11, 2026. I’d love to see you there!
For questions and comments, please email me directly at maryjkisner@gmail.com.