ready

 

I've felt like an elf at times during this week. I rush home after the 9-5 to design new layouts, setup the screen for the yudu, start production, email photos of my products and/or pay for upcoming fairs. I keep telling myself this will all calm down once "whatever fair is coming up" is over. But that hasn't been the case lately. I've grown so passionate about this hobby/small business. I didn't account for how much time it would consume and how it would affect other aspects of my life. I'm in need of balance. 

The photos above are  new designs. My mother-in-law gave me the idea for the towels. Other new items include the muslin bags I've been producing this week. It won't be until next week that I add these new items to the shop. I'll be showcasing both at my very first three day fair this weekend. Click here for more information about where I'll be this weekend.

still learning

This is what my booth looked like on Saturday at the Odd Duck crafty fair. The event was great; there were lot's of different, unique vendors and a good amount of traffic. There was even a food truck. I did fairly well.

 

However, I over-looked something very important that morning. I forgot my table. As we parked the car and got ready to unload, Mike looked at me and said "You forgot the table". My anxiety level was at a all time high. I rushed to talk to the promoter with my tail between my legs, crossing my fingers I wouldn't be judged, hoping there was an extra table some where. No luck and there was less than an hour before the event started. Lucky, I was able to make a call to friends that came to the rescue 5 mins before the event. I had the table I needed. And the show went on.

I learned that a list is a must for me at this point. There is just no way to remember everything. This way the start of a fair doesn't have to be so rocky. I'm not 100% sure I'm happy with the setup of my booth. There was a man that came by and told me that my booth was very different from what he has seen. I asked him if that was a good thing or a bad thing and he simply said he wasn't sure. I know that my tent is different from every other vendor.  I'm a minimalism. And that is very clear. But I kinda of like that too. This was my second fair with a booth so I'm still learning. It's life in progress. 

a merry indie craft

This is what my table looked like at my last fair of the year. Its been a great learning experience this year being new to the fair world. I've come a long way from my first fair back in October. I now know that I want to grow a business based on screen printed tea/kitchen towels. I started the fairs with 30 towels, three different designs and I sold out at the Indie Craft Bazaar. By far the "tools of the trade" towel is the best seller. I plan on reprinting those for sure and making a series of different ones. I've also been selling handmade and upcycled jewelry made of old mac keyboards and those did very well. I also plan on getting active an etsy shop, which up to now has taken a back seat because of the fairs. I feel the fairs have given me direct interaction with my customers and I now know my target audience. All in all, this fair was a great way to end the year. 

books on my mind

Craft Inc.: This book has been out for a while. (now there is even a revised copy) Either way it was insightful and money well spent considering I am new to this craft/business world. I do think it's more for beginners. I may be referencing it time to time. As far as the revised copy I may pick it up at the library at some point. I wish there were more books like this. I haven't find anything yet. Any suggestions?

The Great Christmas Cookie Swap: I've had this book in my bookshelf for a while, I've made chocolate crinkles and other yummy cookies.  What I've really been wanting to do is to host a cookie swap. So this year I'm doing it. This is the book that gave me that extra push I needed. I already sent out the emails inviting about 11 ladies to join the fun. I'm excited to see how everyone will package their cookies. I'll also be giving out prizes for the most creative cookie, most creative packaging and best liked tasting cookie. Great way to start the holidays.

dada bazaar

Looking forward to tomorrow and being part of this local artist craft fair. Maybe I'll see you there?