store displays... or it's good to be green!

It is always a challenge to find new ways to show off merchandise in my store. I try to keep it an interesting store visually with unusual displays - I hate the ordinary "retail" looking things, though they are also necessary. Another qualification... cheap. Cheap is really good! I am creative, but sometimes even creative people need a jolt of inspiration now and then... and I got some back in July from a cool artist in Texas.

While at market and looking for something cool, unusual, not too pricey and just fun to add to my little shop, I met Sandy Parker. She's the artist behind a cool line of pendants made from Dominoes called (of course) Phenominoes! I had to have these - they are remarkable and oh so hip and beautiful. So I'm asking her whether she has any recommendations on displaying them and she mentions that she thinks they would be cute hanging on some old vinyl records! Fun idea!!!

I decided to make the display to hold all of the pendant lines I carry (I also carry Pick Up Sticks and my own line of crazy pieces). My husband, Lee, the studly "Mr. Sparkle" and genius idea guy, added to the idea by suggesting that I use the 45RPM records in my collection as the holders for the suede and silk cords I sell alongside all my pendant lines. Perfect!

So here is what I came up with...

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I used a heavy duty puncher called a Crop-a-dile purchased at Hobby Lobby to put the holes in. Works great but it is TEDIOUS! Used craft wire to connect everything and then create the hooks to hang the pendants on.

And because I know you want to know... here is a list of the albums and 45's contained in the display... (don't judge... you probably had some of these too!)

The Albums:
The Grease movie soundtrack
The Xanadu movie soundtrack
Styx - Cornerstone
The Police - Synchronicity
The Sugar Hill Gang - Rappers Delight
Funky Favorite from Ronco
The Stray Cats - Built for Speed
Abba - Greatest Hits
The Stray Cats - Rant 'n Rave
The Story of Star Wars (yes, really...)
Olivia Newton John - Physical
Air Supply - The One that you Love
The Partridge Family - The Partridge Family Album
Walt Disney's Merriest Songs

the 45's

Grand Funk Railroad - the Locomotion
The Village People - In the Navy
Charlie Daniels - The Devil went down to Georgia
Yo-yo - The Osmonds
Babe - Styx
My Sharona - The Knack
Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
Maniac - Michael Sembella

I have had a few people take issue with the fact that I put holes in vinyl, but you know, they aren't taking up space in a landfill and I am finally getting some use out of them. The display is also a great conversation piece which I love!

Nice when you can do something that is cool, cheap and also good for the planet!

~m