Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Fulop.
Hi Tracy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began humbly in the antique business as my mother’s assistant at the age of 10. My love for all things vintage and antique AND their history began when I bought my first piece of furniture at the age of 12. A wonderful wood pastry bench with the best patina has sat proudly in my various homes. Today it holds a collection of books and fresh flowers.
I graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1989 with a BFA in Photography. While at RISD, I would go on the hunt for treasures on the weekends with like-minded friends. We never knew where our next inspiration or prop would come from.
After graduation, I worked for noted photographer Henry Horenstein. (I had been his Teaching Assistant at RISD). I worked for Henry at his home studio in Boston, MA for four years as his Stock Editor, Studio Manager, Booking Agent and his Photo Stylist on shoots. I collaborated on many of his books and learned so much from him and his colleagues. During my time with Henry, I was also a freelance photo stylist for a production company in downtown Boston. I loved being handed a list (with sometimes next to impossible items) and money to “go shopping”. The hunt was always so much fun, albeit daunting at times due to time constraints and location shooting. Seeing the final print ad or video was always so rewarding.
A chance encounter with an old friend led me to a Visual Merchandising job at Lord & Taylor on Boylston Street in Boston. I loved dressing the windows, especially at the holidays. There was something magical about it. Another encounter led me to Bloomingdale’s in Chestnut Hill, MA. I became the Home Store Visual Merchandising Manager.
My husband and I got married in September of 1996 at our home in Watertown, MA. While we loved our 2-family home that we had restored from top to bottom, we were ready for a change. We moved to Naples, ME. We bought an 1881 farmhouse with an attached barn. My husband saw the potential to continue his passion for restoring vintage European cars in the basement of the barn. I saw the potential to open my own store in the main section of the barn. A dream of mine ever since I was a little girl. After 11 months of historical restoration to the barn, my store, wild plum opened. It was a seasonal shop (winters are brutal) and I was proud to showcase local artisans alongside all the vintage treasures I hunted to sell.
In 2010 we moved to California with our 5-year-old daughter, Isabella. Having lived in New England all my life, it was time for another change. We settled in San Marcos, CA, and felt right at home. I met fellow vintage enthusiasts and promptly got myself a space in a group shop. One day I happened upon the warehouse showroom for Coast 101 Estate Services. Within a few months, I was working for the owner, Ann Luginbill. I worked for Ann for five years as her showroom manager and estate sale assistant. It was hard work but so rewarding.
Now to Ivy & Squid. I came up with the name when I was 18 and told myself that one day it would be part of my bigger plan. My younger self dreamt big and thought that I would have a storefront on one of Boston’s famed streets. While that didn’t happen, the name sat, I matured and had life experiences and it all worked out.
Ivy & Squid is part of my journey. Ivy & Squid is part of my dream realized (I’m still waiting for my own store again). I have a booth inside Sea Hive Marketplace in Oceanside, CA. I have been there since the store opened four years ago. I go in weekly to restock and freshen up my space. Sea Hive is a wonderful store and is home to over 100 small businesses. I have also sold at many outdoor markets throughout the San Diego and Orange County areas.
This brings me to Artifact Found And Made Market. I have taken my passion for all things vintage and creative and have applied my talents to serving others in an outdoor market setting. I coordinated the Vista Vintage & Makers Market for two years in downtown Vista. In 2018 I took over the market completely and named it Artifact Vista. In 2020, we were to move to a new location, but Covid had other plans for us all. In 2019 I started up Second Saturdays at Sea Hive and ran a successful outdoor market there for three years. We had our last market in December 2020. We had simply outgrown the space and it was time to look again for a new home for Artifact. In 2021, Artifact Found And Made (as it is called now) found two temporary locations in Vista and then San Marcos.
Just a few short weeks ago, Artifact joined forces with Traveling Artisans’ Market! Teresa of TAM and I are likeminded and saw the immense potential to work together to bring fun markets to the people. The second Saturday of every month will be the TAM handmade market featuring over 30 local talents in all mediums. The 4th Saturday of every month will be Artifact Vintage & Makers Market featuring over 40 of the best vintage slingers and makers around. Both markets will take place from 11 am to 4 pm in the lot at 459 S. Coast Hwy in Encinitas, CA. New this year is the introduction of our “Mini Makers at Artifact”. This is an area at the market dedicated to young artisans to give them a space to sell their wares, interact with the public and gain an understanding of market life. We hope to have them start with us this summer.
Having the unique perspective of having been a vendor for most of my life, it is important to me to give my vendors the best, well run and thoughtful events that I can. I love to mentor new members of the market community, giving merchandising and pricing tips when asked. Artifact Found And Made is all about showcasing the very best vintage slingers with their rescued vintage treasures alongside the very talented local artisans and their creations. It is the perfect mix and truly offers something for everyone. I am proud to say that some of my vendors have been with me since 2016. Artifact is truly a family of vendors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being passionate about your dreams and wanting to succeed is a strong motivator.
Like life, the road is never as smooth as we would hope it to be. The only struggles I have had have been trying to secure the right space for my vendors and the market and then COVID.
Hopefully, we are nearing the end of that.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what sets me apart from other market hosts is the personal investment I have with each and every one of my vendors. Their success is my success. I want them to flourish and grow in their creative endeavors and businesses.
I am so proud of my vendors and what they bring to each and every market.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I survived a near fatal hot-air balloon crash in Albuquerque, NM in 1986.
I met Al Pacino several years ago at David Mamet & Rebecca Pigeon’s wedding. I was assisting Henry Horenstein with the wedding photography. Mr. Pacino was hilarious. I was standing off to the side with a long lens in both my hands clasped behind my back. I heard a male voice say, “Is that a long lens in your hands or are you just happy to see me?”. I whipped around and there he was. We shared a laugh. I still have a great black and white candid portrait of him taken by Henry right after that exchange!
Contact Info:
- Email: artifactfoundandmade@yahoo.com and info@travelingartisans.com
- Website: travelingartisans.com
- Instagram: @artifactfoundandmademarket and @travelingartisans
- Facebook: @artifactfoundandmade and @TravelArtisans
Image Credits
Tracy Fulop Isabella Fulop
