The below photo is a snippet from Betsy’s first big press/editorial coverage. She’s come a long way from selling her wares off of her washing machine in her basement!
Here’s a little history on how Betsy got started, and the idea behind her “Friends and Family” sale:
I started my business in 1997—I was 32 and just got my second BA—this time in metals from Massachusetts College of Art. I set up my studio in Jamaica Plain, MA where I was living. My very first show was the New York International Gift Fair and one of my first orders was for 250 bracelets and 275 pairs of earrings! Needless to say, I got right down to business from the get-go.
In Jamaica Plain and all around Boston, I participated in “Open Studios” —in the South End, Somerville, Waltham, Jamaica Plain, Fort Point Channel…it was a great way to sell discontinued items, seconds, and collections that didn’t make the cut with the galleries. After moving to Ipswich, I had not attended an open studio in a long time and had a lot of seconds and one-offs that I wanted to sell.
So I decided to have my own Open Studio in my basement studio in my home in Ipswich. I called it an “Open Studio” and the first year was a complete dud. So I re-named it the next year as the Bargain Basement Studio Sale. I put all the seconds and discontinued items in little boxes, priced them, and spread them all around my basement studio and into my laundry area—with boxes on my washing machine, dryer, folding table, polishing units, and studio benches.
Betsy’s basement studio annual cleaning before the bargain basement sale.
I hired a caterer and also set up a nicer display area in my living room for the “collection” pieces to sell at a discount. I sent out invites and this time around the sale was gangbusters. Word caught on more and more each year and it turned into an annual event. The night of the sale, there would be cars all the way down my street, and guests would race to the bargain basement even before getting a beverage or yummy catered food to get first dibs on the bargains.
Lisa K. with her drink and tray of bargain boxes in our basement studio
Happy shoppers in the bargain basement.
Betsy with sisters Tina and Laura and mom Dotty at one of the sales.
Betsy’s sons Connor and Rowan working the coat check.
My bargain basement sale went for about 10 years until I opened my first shop (a pop-up) at 4 Elm Street in Ipswich. I have kept the same date for the event (which is the Thursday that is a week after Thanksgiving) and have held it in my new shop at 4 Market Street since we opened. I am thrilled that people still get excited for the sale—! We’ve come a long way from selling my jewelry off of my washing machine and polishing units! I am happy that we have kept the date and have kept the tradition of providing some great bargains and a fun time for our Friends and Family who have supported us thought the years. For all of you we say thank you, cheers, and hoping to see you again this year!
Betsy’s first Pop Up Shop on Elm Street, Ipswich
Come by and visit us at 4 Market Street in downtown Ipswich—feel free to sign up for our e-blasts to find out about our next “Friends and Family” Sale and other fun events!