Craft Fair 2016 Round Up

So this is Craft Fair 2016 packed away into two boxes and a bag probably never to be seen again.  The last few months have been intense crafting so that I had enough items to sell at the fair. I now feel all crafted out and don't think I ever want to see another craft/jewellery item again!!!

Once I had taken out £25.00 for the stall itself I just about broke even.  I shared the meagre 'profit' with my son who kept me company on the day and gave me support and encouragement.

Here is a round up of how my items fared:

• mini cards the most popular items
• wish bracelets sold well at only £1.00 each
• Stretch bracelets with high quality beads brought in most money per item at £7.50 each
• no sales of angel charms, general cards, necklaces, earrings, decorations, pendants, tote bags, wooden key rings, bag charms
• Two rings stolen

The day itself was a confidence booster as I really got into my stride talking to people and it was another example of how I can function capably outside of my comfort zone.

Would I do another craft fair?  Never!  What next?  I am going to let things sink in over the next couple of weeks and see how I am going to move forward.  I do tend to be an all or nothing person and as I have given the crafting game my all I now feel like I want to give it nothing!

Time to pack up the boxes and all the crafting paraphernalia and return to less manic creativity such as painting or drawing (or even picking up a sketchbook Anne!) 

I feel such a sense of relief that it is over.  *Sigh*.

Desktop Calendars

A couple of months back I bought some pocket calendars on impulse.  I really didn't know what to do with them but thought they might come in handy.

Yesterday I put my thinking cap on and made them into desktop calendars using up some very pretty Graphic 45 paper that I had in my crafty stash.

 This style of card is called an easel card.

The best thing of all is that it folds totally flat for posting!

Recycled Wooden Card Display Box

I've been experimenting to find the best way to show off my mini cards.  Space is premium at the craft fair with just a tiny 4 x 1½ foot table.  I was so delighted to find this display case (among the junk that I hoard) which originally contained two bottles of wine.  I think it look really classy - better than showing off the cards in a plastic basket.

I hung up a piece of bakers twine and used mini pegs to make 3 cards the focal point on the lid of the box.  I could take time at a later date to paint the box but I rather like the teak colour.

It has been so busy at home recently that I have found it difficult to comment on your blogs as I usually do.  Hopefully when Saturday is over normality will be restored and I will be back to visiting and commenting on your blogs once more.

Craft Table Mock Up

I have been trying out some craft table displays in my living room.  This is just a little glimpse of one of the layouts.  By having my merchandise all out on show I have been able to see what I need to make more of and what not to include.  I am sure that there will be lots of mock ups until I am finally decided.  As I get nearer to the fair my productivity has slowed right down.  It is so difficult to preempt what people want to buy and I will just have to take the experience as a learning curve.

In other news: I had a personal singing lesson. I was pleased to hear that I have a good tone and range but disappointed to hear that my singing voice won't make me into a star!!!  (I already knew that!)  The singing teacher said that he thought my voice was 'alto' but changed it to soprano when I hit a top 'G' note with ease!  I don't know if I will have any more lessons or even take up the invite of joining the choir.  I am glad though,  that I went out of my comfort zone and performed the first verse of Amazing Grace in front of a total stranger with just a tape recorder playing the music.  Karaoke here I come!!!

Bracelet Display Holder in Three Easy Steps

I don't have the time or the budget for fancy display stands for my craft stall just now, so I have scoured the house to see what I items I can use/recycle etc.  I had an idea in my mind of what I wanted to achieve so gathered up the materials, in particular, to make a bracelet display stand.

Firstly, I used an off cut of fleece material and wrapped it around a cardboard tube that was left over when I had finished with a roll of cling film.  I didn't use glue,  I just wrapped it around the tube making sure there was an overlap and tucking the ends in each end of the tube.

In the kitchen drawer I found an old cork that fitted snugly into the candlestick that was on the mantelpiece.  I used a hot glue gun to stick the cork into the middle of the tube making sure plenty of glue was used all around the cork to keep it stable.

I then cut a small piece of fabric to pull over the cork to hide the messy glue residue, sticking down with a few drops from the glue gun.

I don't think  my display stand would win a prize, but it just goes to show what you can achieve when under time pressure,with few resources.  The creative thinking cap has to come on!

Freshwater Pearl and Seed Bead Bracelets

These bracelets are so delicate and pretty.  I have been using up the seed beads from another project and using freshwater pearls as the feature bead.

I am making the bracelets adjustable but I think I may make some into necklaces that can be adjusted from choker length to just below the collar bone.

As much as I like bold and chunky I think I have a disposition to make small and delicate just like me!!! (Joke!)

Beaded Pretties

I made these items a while back.  The rings are stretchy so one size fits many!  The pendants are woven with fine thread and the photo doesn't do them justice as they are really sparkly.

At the moment I feel like I am on a factory production line.  I had some bad news at the dental surgery yesterday so I need to make as much as I can before next Monday when I am being subject to a deep clean and tooth and bone removal!!!

It is fun making things for the craft fair but I am looking forward to making things for pleasure rather than profit once the day is over.  I really want to draw, paint and maybe make a doll or two.  I also want to take my jewellery making skills up several notches.

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog.  I hope some of my posts inspire you as much as your comments encourage me to keep on doing what I love.

Glorious Angels

I've been making lots of angel charms.  They are a bit difficult to see here as I have packaged them up into clear bags to protect them.  I hope they fly to good homes come November.

Knowing When to Stop Making for the Craft Fair

I am having a bit of a crisis of confidence.  I am panicking that I won't have enough of anything for the craft fair so I am looking for quick and easy makes.  I think this is probably unwise.   The bracelet above was made from a kit.  I am quite pleased how it turned out (it matches the necklace in a previous post) but the jump rings do not close perfectly. I pay a lot of  attention to detail and things like this really annoy me and so the bracelet may not make the fair. 

I found a great tutorial on YouTube about craft fair makes that showed how to turn paper clips into something more interesting by adding pom poms.  I had the materials handy so I had a go.  When I showed my son he said they look like they come from Pound Land!  He has a point.  I don't suppose these will be coming to the event either!

I like these.  I think there will always be room for tiny cards.

More Tiny Cards

Apologies for the dark picture but it was a bit gloomy when I took the photo.  These tiny cards are such fun to make and will hopefully be a best seller at the upcoming craft fair. 

Earrings on Display Cards

Here are the earrings from the previous post attached to their display/presentation cards.  I am not sure if I will keep them like this or put them into cello bags.  Decisions decisions!

Three Ingredient Earrings

Three Ingredient Earrings

Sequins

Jump Rings

Ear Wires

Quick and fun to make and jolly to look at!  Earrings for Christmas or the party season.  I am on a crafting roll at the moment and can't seem to stop! 

Quick and Easy Wooden Key Fobs

 It has been such a pleasure to turn blank wooden discs into things of beauty!

I used small polymer stamps with a Stazon ink pad and stamped different images on each side of the wooden blank. When the ink had dried I coated the entire piece with Mod Podge glitter sealant.

I am so happy (as it says on the back of the fairy key fob!) with how these turned out. 

Bigger Bolder Baubles

 Following on from my last post, I made some more baubles - larger this time with more 'bling'.

Here they are shown with the originals lined up underneath them.  I have no idea what people will be looking for so I guess I have to cover all bases!

Festive Decorations

I've taken on board the comments left for me as to what to make for the craft fair.  I've been watching lots of YouTube tutorials to hone my skills and was delighted to find a video which explains how to make these gorgeous hanging decorations.

They are wonderfully tactile and would be great to send through the post as they are fairly flat (apart from the embellished bit of course.)

This blue one has a fabric embellishment whereas the other two have metal connectors added for dimension.

Do you have a favourite?

You can find the YouTube video I followed here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR1-b2anUXY&list=LLe5T7S5IABkPm2xiuAPiDTw&index=34

More Crafty Makes

I am dreaming craft at the moment.  I am suddenly panicking that I won't have enough stock or enough variety.  I know what I want to make but in the process there is much trial and error!  I have time to make simple gift tags and lace trimmed note books but other things need much more planning such as the caged baked marble pendants that I want to try out!

If I only knew ahead what sort of things people wanted to buy I could concentrate on doing those.  I have been told that there will be other jewellery makers and card makers at the fair.  I am quickly looking for a USP* and I think it is going to be quality goods with a few quirky makes thrown in for good measure! So quality/quirky!

When (or if) you go to craft fairs, what things catch your eye?  Are you looking to buy for others or to buy for yourself?  Is there anything you want to buy but can't find?  I would love to know what you think.

*unique selling point

Ombre Necklace

I had a break from paper crafting and made this ombre necklace for the November craft fair.  I'm in two minds to undo it and make something else but my son approves so it stays for now!  It is 16 inches in length but hangs down on me because I have a 12 inch neck!  If I was to keep it for myself I think I would shorten it to be worn higher on the neckline.

I'm making steady progress creating items to be sold at the fair.  Keeping busy is helping to take my mind off it!  It is one thing being shy and another to put yourself out there among strangers.  I really wish I had someone to take with me for moral support but I'm a big girl now! 

Have a great weekend!

Body in September Mind in November

It seems ridiculous that on one of the hottest September's on record I am making cards with Christmas in mind for the November craft fair!  The thought of snow is cooling me down but we rarely get snow in the South East of England. 

I am making some cards with wintry messages but they are not overtly 'Christmas'.  I love my wooden block hare stamp and have stamped it with black paint and used iridescent glitter over the top.  The card is only small; about 4 x 4 inches, and I am hoping to offer a wide range of tiny cards!

The fabric behind the card is cream velour.  It is beautifully soft and I am hoping it will add a decadent touch to my table. 

Thank you for all the suggestions of what I could sell at the fair.  I have heard that Downton Abbey inspired jewellery is popular as are chokers and tiaras! 

Oops I Did it Again!

The last time I did a craft fair was September 2014.  You can see some pictures of the event here.  I thought I would never do another craft fair but have decided to, after being offered an opportunity to do so.

This time the event is going to be held in a hospice.  I am happy to pay the £25.00 table fee as I see it being a donation to a good cause.  The event is being held in November so I will be able to take Christmas themed items and more importantly I am allowed to sell items of jewellery that I have made whereas I wasn't allowed to at the other craft fair.

I am excited and nervous all rolled into one!  I really do hope that we have enough  buying visitors that make it all worthwhile.  This time round my stall will look completely different to the more rustic one I did before.  I am looking at using a cream table covering and using lots of lights and mirrors to give it a magical feel.  I should have enough weeks to practise!

Being that it is a hospice I am trying to be mindful of what sort of things to sell.  I want to sell joyous and uplifting things.  So far I have only made the bubble aurora bracelets using a variety of different coloured beads.  They are so pretty and full of rainbows.

Any ideas of what I could make to sell?  I look forward to your suggestions.