Under Construction

I think the readers should win a prize

Yes, I survived NaBloPoMo. I must say, it was somewhat more challenging than I expected. The posts got pretty lame. I did get a nice pep talk from Becky around the 25th when I was starting to give up so I know a (very) few readers stuck with me on the journey of every day posting.  You deserve an award!

I also survived another craft show. This one was actually really fun and well attended (and I sold stuff!) I focused just on my kids stuff-very limited product offering-but it seemed to work. In addition to sales I feel like it was a good networking opportunity and a lot of folks took cards.  I also wrote (very) detailed descriptions about each product and noticed quite a few folks stopping and reading. I know some people are too shy to ask so I thought this might be a nice way to get across that, yes, I did make the doll bed and the trucks from actual wood. And yes, the bibs are small but they are for newborns. I can also use these descriptions to list the items on etsy.  Speaking of etsy, when I sat down at the computer 10 minutes ago an email popped up and it was an etsy sale. That's a nice end to the evening!

Anyway, at the very last minute I decided I wanted to make clothespin dolls and kits. I ended up changing the sign and selling them for a dollar. Probably sold only 4 or 5 but I had a darn good time assembling the kits and then creating samples. Addictive.  I'm saving some for little gifts for my nieces but I have several kits left. 

If you actually read all those posts in November (scouts honor) leave a comment. I'm not sure how many people actually read and how many of those would even want a clothespin doll kit but I'll do at least 5 kits and have a drawing (if there are indeed more 5 of you) My dad's a reader but I don't think he's in the market for a clothespin doll.

Even if you didn't make it through the crush of November posts, thank you for reading and commenting. I have a lot of fun with this little blog and you readers make it way more fun. Even if I'm a complete idiot at responding to comments with any consistency!!

Happy December!

Kids' stuff

This fall, through the Sacramento Craft Mafia, I've had the opportunity to participate in three craft shows. Had I used my brain back in September I would have realized that I completely over committed by signing up for all three.  Then the first one was a bit of a bummer sales-wise. Then the second one was decent, not great. With #3 approaching on Saturday I thought that maybe my "strategy" of throwing everything I've ever made on the table and crossing my fingers just might not be working.  I know, I'm quick.

In thinking about it, I'm chalking up my lack of success to 1. lack of organization/table display skills 2. some lack of traffic on the part of the show 3. some pricing issues. If I consider 4. my stuff all totally sucks I'll get too depressed.

Amy tells me they're expecting good traffic for Saturday so I'm going to focus on 1 and 3.

If you've been reading here long, you'll recognize that I like to make a lot of different types of things.  My tendency at shows has been to cram every type of product I have on the table. It becomes such a hodge podge that (potential) customers really have to work to figure out what I'm even offering.  It looks sort of like a garage sale. 

I personally find tables like this fun to browse but at a crowded craft fair it's a lot easier if you can glance at a table and have a sense of what the person sells and if you would be interested in the products.

As for pricing, I'm going to lower my prices on a few items. I really hate to see craft people underselling their work and undervaluing their time so my tendency is to go high. But, I don't think my stuff is unique enough (and I have built up reputation enough) to sell at the slightly high prices. So I've been trying to figure out exactly how long it takes to make an item and then turn that into a reasonable hourly wage of $20ish/hour.  That may seem high but I really value my very limited time so it's important (to me).  I've basically ignored the cost of supplies as I use a lot of scrap material and inexpensive bits and pieces.

SO...all that to say that I will be focusing entirely on children's items for this show. I *think* there should be some interest in handmade, American made toys given all the recalls and lead paint scares so I'll have a fleet of cars and trucks. I'll also have a few doll bed sets hopefully a few children-oriented book clocks and then a stack of baby drool bibs and a few toddler bibs.  I may even narrow it down to 3 types of items: bibs, beds, cars. 

Who knows, this plan may totally suck but at least I'm trying something different. I'll also have the back stock 'o everything under the table just in case ;)

Fabric swap and stew

You can tell from my (very long) blogroll I love me some crafty blogs but I do have a few peeves. One of which is when famous crafty bloggers show photos of themselves hanging out with other famous crafty bloggers having an apparently fabulous time swapping and eating fancy food and drinking wine and taking photos of each others feet.

If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em.  Tonight fellow Sacramento Craft Mafia members Claire and Lauren came over for stew. And wine. And fabric swapping. And then I made them some homemade straight from the box instant chocolate pudding. Classy!

All in all the evening was a perfect end to a wonderful three day weekend. 

No more sleeping in; real life resumes tomorrow.

Moving on

So Handmade Parade (the show I did yesterday) was lots of fun in the "seeing nice people, good weather, fun stuff to buy and free coffee" sense but not so good in the "actual selling of stuff I made" sense. In fact, it was a total bust (except that I got to trade a scarf for some really awesome placemats and a luggage tag by Sarah.  I also bought several goodies from Lauren because she's got the cutest stuff and the best fabric around (and totally reasonable prices!)

I got home last night sort of frustrated but my mom was babysitting (Mr. H was backpacking all weekend) and mom did not allow time for wallowing. We started cleaning the house top to bottom and putting everything back in the kitchen.

At some point I need to think through what I should do differently next time. But, for now, moving on...

The house is getting sparkly (slowly....). It's hard to put things back together after a major remodel and we had a freaky bug infestation in the pantry (gross!) and heaps of laundry etc.  But I need to get the place clean in time for next Saturday and a very special second birthday party.

I'm back in the sewing saddle making party favors.  Still perfecting the pattern.

If anyone is interested in a doll bed or doll quilt or scarf or wood buttons, they'll be in my etsy shop next week after the party.

DIY and eco friendly business cards

I had this business card stamp made ages ago at iPrint.com but never actually made the business cards.

Going to BlogHer finally got me into gear and I cut up outdated brochures from work and made a colorful little stack of cards.

I like them.
But I don't always have very high expectations.
Well, sometimes I do.
But not in this case.
My crooked little cards are just fine.
And I like that I am recycling.
And that each one is a bit unique.
So there you go.

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I think my recent mood can be quickly summarized: busy and blah.  I won't bore you with the details but I will leave you with a laugh.

Remember my t-shirt re-fashion attempt? Well, I think there's a Halloween costume in there somewhere ;)

Blogher?

So I came into some money recently. My usual response to unexpected money is to deposit it in savings or the IRA (yes, I am seriously that boring). This time I decided to go crazy and spend it ALL on stuff I wouldn't otherwise buy. And all on things for me.

I had an idea that I wanted to use my money to treat myself and to support artists and crafters out there who are doing amazing work. So, the weeks before the money arrived, I scoured Etsy and started a mental tabulation of all the wonderful things I could buy.

But then once the money showed up, I froze. I did spend about $20 on a long coveted Black Apple print and then...nothing.  Days went by. Weeks. The money was burning a hole in my Paypal pocket.

That is until I took a break from kitchen demo on Saturday and went to Stop, Shop and Stroll, a Sacramento Craft Mafia event where I splurged on this great bear from Missy Ballance of Mohair Circus. I saw this bear back at Bazaar Bizarre and loved her but couldn't quite justify the perfectly reasonable yet outside my comfort zone price tag. But at Stop, Shop and Stroll she had a little bunny rabbit friend and that put me over the top.  Mr. H thinks I'm crazy (a bear is the last thing we need). But I really like bears.

So that purchase put a dent in my Paypal stash but there was more to be spent.  When my camera looked to be on death's door I started investigating a new digital camera but the camera seems to have recovered so today I spent another $200* on a ticket to BlogHer.

I don't know anyone who's going. I don't know if it'll be fun or interesting or useful but I have to be in Chicago anyway for work so I moved my plane ticket and took the plunge.  If you're going to BlogHer or know someone who's going or know anything at all, let me know. And just in case it sucks, suggestions of fun things to do by yourself in Chicago are more than welcome. I'll be there for 4.5 days. I should at least be able to fit in some pizza.

*I'm saving some spending money for Chicago but still have a bit more cash. Etsy ideas or digital camera insights are welcome...

ETA: I heard about this free podcast/walking tour the other day and, hey, they have Chicago!

Handmade Parade goodies

My mom and I went to Handmade Parade on Saturday featuring many Sacramento Craft Mafia members. I was really impressed with the talent and beautiful items for sale.  Since I lost my debit card last week and was out of cash, I had to borrow money from my mom so my purchasing was (a little) restrained by that.

The photo above shows what I got (for only $30 total!!): hand quilted potholders by Laughing Duck. Her handwork is incredible. The tissue holder and memo book holder are from P Dot. I'm having buyer's regret but from what I didn't buy, not what I did! Lucky she has and Etsy store.  The fabulous bird patch is from Mukibubb. Her patches are amazing (my photography is not). I'm going to put this on a jumper-style dress for Biscuit.  The yo-yo hair clip is from Bitter Betty and my mom was right, Biscuit won't wear it.

I'm already looking forward to Handmade Parade in the fall!

Handmade Parade

Hope to see you at the Handmade Parade.  Brainchild of some fellow Sacramento Craft Mafia members.
TODAY! (Saturday, May 5)
10-3
more details

Official member of the famiglia

I survived Sellout Buyout. And it was actually pretty fun.  I didn't sell a ton of stuff but I covered my fees and got some good feedback and really enjoyed talking to many of the folks who stopped by.

According to the Craft Mafia rules you have to actually sell your stuff to be a member so I guess now I'm official. All I need is a name.

Go here to see photos of all the items that were for sale. All the items have the tag "sellout buyout"

More later, I have to use this naptime to clean the craft room!