The Artport Festival in Portishead brought together art, connection, and community. From sea glass jewellery to vibrant photography, this event was more than just a market for us—it was an opportunity to connect with people, meet fellow artists, and share stories. Read on to discover the inspiration behind our display and some exciting new additions to Breena Jewellery’s collection!
Art, Connection and Community | ARTPORT FESTIVAL PORTISHEAD
On the weekend of September 28-29, I had the pleasure of being part of the Artport Festival with our sea glass jewellery and some of my photography prints. This was an event that truly brought together creativity and community. I set up our stall with my heart full of excitement, for what turned out to be the most successful weekend I’ve ever had. /Read more about another successful event here from last year/
Whether you’re familiar with Breena Jewellery or this is your first introduction, I’m excited to share our setup, new creations, and the stories behind them.
Designing a Unique Stall with Coastal Inspiration
Earthy Tones and Coastal Decor
If you’ve visited our stall at a few markets, you’ll know one thing for sure—no two of our setups are ever the same! I’m always experimenting with new designs and elements, figuring out what captures attention and best reflects our brand.
Each event is a learning experience, and I love refining and reimagining the display for the next one.
COLOURS, PATTERNS, DECORATIONS
HOW I SET UP OUR STALL
The display was carefully planned the day before to ensure a smooth and efficient setup. This preparation allowed me to focus on the finer details on the morning of the event and ensure everything was arranged just right.
For this event, I wanted our stall to reflect the natural beauty of the sea, so I chose a colour palette inspired by the coast—earthy tones like brown, white, black, and grey, all accented with our signature turquoise green. These tones provided a calm, grounding feel, while our signature turquoise green added a fresh, vibrant pop that truly brought the display to life.
I incorporated natural elements, found by the sea: like driftwood, wood bark, shells, dried flowers, and I already had some nice stones which was perfect for displaying the Sea Glass jewelleries. I used different textures and table cloths to emphasise the smooth nature of the jewellery. I wanted to create a warm, inviting atmosphere with this coastal-inspired setup, drawing people in to explore the jewellery more closely.
Exclusive Festival Finds
Highlighting New Creations and Mystery Bags
One of the most exciting aspects of this festival was the chance to unveil new pieces, including stunning 14k gold-filled/ 925 Sterling Silver sea glass earrings and necklaces. I also introduced our new mystery bags, which contained two or more pieces of jewellery amongst many surprise things in the bag at a fraction of the usual price.
Furthermore, each necklace had a new printed price tag I made in the morning, and for the first time, we offered our handmade greeting cards for sale, available to purchase individually and in sets of three. These cards feature my photographs, with motivational quotes on the front.
About an hour later the table was ready and I loved seeing how it all came together, blending natural textures and colours to reflect the essence of the sea and the stories behind the jewellery.
Check out this video about our final design:
See the original post on Facebook
THE EVENT
After opening the gates, the air started to be filled with the chatter of stallholders and customers. The festival buzzed with a lovely energy. I was blown away by the number of lovely individuals who stopped by our stall during the weekend. Each interaction felt so personal, as people took the time to ask about the story behind every piece of sea glass: where they were found, and how they were transformed into unique jewellery. From the frosted whites to the deep ocean blues and forest greens, each piece of sea glass carries its own history, a journey that’s completely unique and I loved chatting about these to the people.
Portishead, Beacon Hub
2024, Artport Festival
Some of our popular sea glass pieces that found new homes over the weekend.
CONNECTING THROUGH SORYTELLING
Many customer fell in love with a beautiful dark blue pendant. As I explained that it was crafted from a piece of sea glass I found on a beach after a storm, some of them told me it reminded them of childhood summers spent by the sea. Another customer was drawn to a soft, sea-foam green necklace, mesmerized by its smooth edges. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do—each piece isn’t just jewellery; it’s a story, a memory waiting to find its next chapter with its new owner.
When I was speaking with people, it felt like every conversation led to a connection. It was such a fulfilling feeling, to see people fall in love with the work I pour my heart into. We sold many jewelleries and prints on both days which made me incredible grateful.
A Photo of our Popular Jewellery Pieces
THE ARTISTS
But it wasn’t just the lovely customers who made this weekend so special—it was also the wonderful Artists I’ve met. During the festival, I had the chance to talk to many talented artists, each as passionate about their craft as I am about mine. From ceramicists to painters and jewellery makers, it was inspiring to get to know their story during the day/weekend . There’s something magical about being surrounded by this kind of creativity.
Anna Warsop
Annie Bennett
Beverley Dale
Breena Jewellery
Carla James
Carolina Limia
Clive Birnie
Gabbie Gardner
Ian Price
List from the Artport Festival Portishead ‘s website
Discover SOME OF the Artists of Artport Festival
PHOTO: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BERNADETTE PHOTOGRAPHY
Magdalena Edwards
PAINTER
So many artist stood out to me. One of them was Magdalena Edwards, a painter. Her work is not only visually stunning but carries a depth that reflects years of dedication and personal expression.
Colour Pop Kate
MIXED MEDIA
Kate Birnie specializes in hand painting, stencilling and fluid art. Their stall was filled with colourful vibrant energy. She up-cycle each pieces, giving pre-loved items a new lease of life, which gives their work an emotional resonance I can deeply relate to.
Rose felt inspired
DISCIPLINE
Rose creates felted pictures inspired by nature, the sea, and animals. Her intricate work with felted pictures absolutely captivated me. Listening to her describe how each piece was created (using both wet-felting and needle felting techniques) gave me a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind it all.
Jane Will
ENAMEL ART & JEWELLERY
Jane is a skilled artist specializing in enamel, primarily on copper, though she occasionally works with pure silver. Her pieces are a stunning display of vibrant colours and intricate textures.
Olwyn KW
CERAMICIST
This talented artist crafts exquisitely carved and glazed porcelain vessels. Olwyn draws her inspiration from a variety of sources, including floral forms, the countryside, and architectural elements.
Carol Limia
MIXED MEDIA
Carol is a very talented Ceramist and mixed media artist who uses her skills to show you a new version of nature. She creates beautiful products, handbuilt one by one.
Gabbie Gardener
JEWELLERY
Gabbie is a talented jewellery designer who works with precious metals. Her jewelleries are carefully crafted to showcase the natural beauty of the metals she works with. Her attention to detail and commitment to creating timeless jewellery resonated with me.
Clive Birnie
PRINTMAKER
Clive Birnie is a poet and printmaker from Portishead. He uses a mix of screen print techniques to highlight the absurd in the contemporary world.
Why Was the Artport Festival a Success for My Creative Journey?
The Artport Festival was more than just an opportunity to showcase my work—it was a weekend of personal and creative growth. The connections I made with fellow artists, the joy of sharing the stories behind each piece of jewellery – all came together in the most perfect way creating huge success for us this weekend. I’m so grateful to everyone who stopped by our stall, shared a conversation, and took home a piece of Breena Jewellery.
I hope you’ve gained insight into what goes on behind the scenes at Breena Jewellery and how events like this are an integral part of our journey. Whether it’s the introduction of new pieces, like our mystery bags or greeting cards, or the stories shared with each customer, it’s these details that make each event special. What made this event so successful for Breena Jewellery went beyond just sales; it was the ability to tell stories, share the passion behind the jewellery, and create a memorable experience for every person who visited our stall.
If you missed the Artport Festival, don’t worry! You can still explore the magic of sea glass jewellery through our webshop. Keep an eye out for new releases and exciting announcements coming soon.
Thank you to everyone who made this weekend so unforgettable. Here’s to more creative adventures ahead.
This weekend will hold a special place in my heart for another reason too—I entered a photography competition that was held during the festival and my image was awarded runner-up! This photograph about the Red Robin holds a special place in my heart and I’m excited to announce that it will soon be available for purchase in our webshop.
If you’re planning your own market stall or creative event, here are a few tips based on what worked well for me at the Artport Festival. While every event is unique and outcomes can vary depending on a number of factors, these steps can help you make the most of your event and set you up for success.
TOP 6 TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR STALL
1.Plan Your Display in Advance: Your setup is your first impression, so make it count! Design your display to reflect your brand. Use colours, textures, and props that connect with your products, and make them visually appealing.
2. Offer Something New and Exciting: Whether it’s a new product line or a limited-time offer like mystery bags, give customers a reason to visit your stall. Exclusive event-only items create excitement and encourage people to engage.
3. Share the Story Behind Your Products: Don’t just sell—share. Explain the process, inspiration, and story behind each item. Whether you create jewellery, art, or crafts, let your customers in on the journey.
4. Create a Warm, Inviting Atmosphere: Your stall should be where people feel welcomed. Use natural elements or personal touches that reflect the core of your brand, and make sure your display feels cohesive.
5. Engage with Everyone Who Stops By : Every visitor is an opportunity for connection. Ask questions and be genuine in your conversations. Even if someone doesn’t buy something immediately, the positive interaction could lead to future sales or referrals.
6. Social Media During the Event: Share live updates, behind-the-scenes content, or stories from the event on your social channels. This helps you connect with both attendees and those who couldn’t make it, keeping your audience engaged even after the event ends.
By focusing on these elements, you can turn an event into a success, creating a memorable experience for your customers while building a stronger connection to your brand.
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