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Oh, dear friends (and Friends), the Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting Craft Fair approaches. (Oct. 18th) I should be planning the arrangements of all the tables, setting out yard signs, contacting the crafters and making sure they all show up, sending emails to all the bake sale donors and volunteers. But instead I want to:
- read
- play the accordion, or the piano, or the kazoo
- bake muffins for me and mine and NOT for strangers
- write another adventure of the Advent Avenger, or the Halloween Hero, or the Thanksgiving Titan; (Titan?? where did that come from?)
- doodle
- do 6 or 10 or 15 sudoku puzzles and a few crosswords
- take down the wash
- make supper
ANYTHING!!! ANYTHING but what I should be doing. It is an affliction - this tendency of mine to ignore my responsibilities and just fritter. Puttering is guilt-free. Frittering is fraught...just totally fraught.
Anyway, if you are in Bethlehem, PA on October 18th - stop by the Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting and spend money. I will be the heavyset flustered woman in the weird hat. You will have fun.
10 am to 3 pm. 4116 Bath Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18017 And there will be homemade soup and bread, fresh pressed cider and music, sweet, sweet music.
I LOVE planning events. I do!! Until the event is right around the corner and then ...AAAAAAAAUUUUGGGHHH!!
And the Quaker Meeting Craft Fair is right around the corner. Say it with me!!! AAAAAUUUUGGHH!
So tonight I made my Special Chocolate-dipped Orange Sticks to sell at the "Bake" Sale table. My craft this year is Paper Bead Stars. I hoped to be able to make more but the planned-but-never-realized cruise and its destroyer, the-mother's-hospitalization sort of stole my crafty time and inclination.
 |
| One of our earlier craft fairs - beeswax ornaments!! |
The Chocolate-dipped Orange Sticks are - need I say? - awesome. And I priced them accordingly - as in not too cheap.
So, what are Orange sticks? They are old fashioned candied orange peels. But, when you dip them into a mixture of quality chocolate chips and candy melts - dark, of course - they become something so much more.
I truly hope they all sell because I do not need them hanging around my house. And my father, God rest his soul, is no longer here to help me eat them. Hub is not a big sweets eater.
So, this event is October 26th from 10 am to 3 pm at Lehigh Valley Quaker Meeting - 4116 Bath Pike, Bethlehem, PA 1/2 mile north of Rte. 22 on Rte. 512.
Jewelry, pottery, glassware, miniatures, ornaments, knitted goods, soups and bread and baked stuff, delicious honey from our resident beekeepers, some vendor-y types like 31 Gifts and Tastefully Simple and a rather impressive used book sale - AND live music from 11:45 to???
Please come if you are in the area. I will be there - thinking wistfully of Florence - but only if I have the time.
It's been a strange goal of mine to do two craft fairs in the same weekend and this Saturday and Sunday, my dreams are coming true. I'll be vending in person at Bazaar Bizarre in San Francisco, while Kevin (with my former intern Jackie on Saturday, and partner-in-calendar-crime,
Victoria of Paper & Type on Sunday) will taking care of business at Unique LA in downtown Los Angeles. It's been utter mayhem preparing for two simultaneous fairs and planning booth set ups but I'm excited it's finally here. Come say hello!
New for the SF fair: narwhal & elephant chalkboard ornaments,
5x7 Holiday Clink print, framed prints, and yes, they're back... plush muffs! I'll be bringing the full range of goodies next weekend to Renegade Craft Fair LA, so don't stress if you miss this weekend. Kevin will be happy to see you though :)
Craft Fair was lovely with fresh pressed cider and soup and bread and many wonderful crafts including candle ornaments made of pasta!!! I will post pictures.
I will be not be here for the few days. Reader's Theatre prep and family stuff will keep me away form the computer. Don't forget me while I'm off doing other things.
Anyone who has coordinated anything big or small that involves more than 4 people knows how I feel right now. Say it with me! AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
I feel better.
Craft Fair. October 13th, 2012. 4116 Bath Pike (Rte. 512) Bethlehem, PA 10 am to 3 pm. Please, please come. It's so much fun. And here is that lovely graphic once again.
We have glass items, needle felted wool, crocheted and knit things, pottery, clay figurines, ornaments, fine jewelry, honey and beeswax products and more and more and more.
Tell you all about it when it's done.
So the Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting is holding their Annual Craft, Book and Bake Sale on Saturday, October 13th from 10 am to 3 pm. Guess who is the Coordinator of this event?? Three guesses. Nope.
Nah-uh.
RIGHT!! ME! And the amazing Connections Committee, whose charge is to make sure all the Lehigh Valley Friends (Quakers) and Attenders stay connected, is helping out big time. May The Light be with each and every one of them.
October 13th from 10 am to 3 pm
4116 Bath Pike/ Rte. 512, Bethlehem, PA
Lunch and Used Books and Baked Goods and Cool Crafts.
That lovely artwork was done by Joey Hartmann-Dow. She'll be at Craft Fair with more of her artwork. Get yourself and everyone you know over there on Saturday.
I'll be vending this Saturday from 12pm-5pm in San Francisco for the 9th Annual Roadworks: A Steamroller Printing Festival. It's unlike anything I've ever seen (and have yet to see because this is my first time attending the event), but there will be a three-ton construction steamroller making large-scale prints on the actual street. Pretty nutty!! So if you're a printing geek, this should be right up your alley.
I'll be there with the usual printed goods, and debuting my chalkboards & the brand new
2013 Calendar. Come by and celebrate the Autumnal Equinox!
RoadworksSaturday, September 22
12pm - 5pm
Rhode Island St. between 16th & 17th
San Francisco
Hitting the road one more time. This time, I'm Portland-bound. I haven't back been since I before I left for Asia. I also haven't stepped into a BK in years (only to use the bathroom) and look at this gem I found sitting in his straw hat & overalls:
Anyway! I'll be at Last Thursday Art Walk on Alberta St. vending from 6-10pm tonight. Swing by & say hello :) I've never been before, so I'm really nervous/excited to see how it goes. I've heard nothing but good things so here goes nothing! It's also the the last stop on my craft fair summer tour so here's to the end and the beginning!
Last Thursday
1476 Northeast Alberta Street Portland
6-10pm
more info
here
Oh, SF, it's always a pleasure to visit you with a business intent.
I was able to post up next to
Little Honey Vee, who I met at Maker Faire. Her stuff is wonderfully sweet & silly. She's one of those hard working artists who makes the time to pursue her craft while working a 9-5. Much respect. She's also an enthusiastic zumba-er.
I didn't take many photos because the light was just never in my favor. And I had to stand by in case things blew away (which happened A LOT. Why so windy, SF?!?). I also saw many wonderful folk, old friends & digital ones, so it was a sweet time. The little prints, and vintage-y frames were well received so I'm happy! Now, on to LA for the next one :)
Heyoooo!! The craft fair tour continues tomorrow in San Francisco! You can find me in two places on Filmore St. First, I'll be in the flesh vending my goods, debuting the Teddy Bear Saver series in print form! And second, you can find my artwork in an art gallery!! WHAAAAT?!? :) I'll be there setting up around 3pm but the party gets started around 6pm and ends around midnight. We'll see how long I can keep my eyes open :).
Come out & play! There will be live music, DJs, performances, happy hour specials throughout the neighborhood... I'd love to see you!
Here's all the info in jpg format:
I promised I'd post more pictures. A little late but better late than never! :)
(all photos by my little sister bina)
My new mini radio flyer. It's so cute!
Mr. & Mrs. Biggers. Hands-down the sweetest couple I know.
He's soo cuuute. He looked at each plush & handled them so gingerly.
He found a friend!!
Breakfast: blood orange & hibiscus flower doughnuts. YUM! But wayyy sweet after a while.
0 Comments on BK Flea!! as of 1/1/1900
Packed & ready. It all fits! But it's SUPER HEAVY! Ugh, so many stairs in NYC... well, at least I'll have sweet biceps when I'm done with NYC!
Amidst the preparation and such, I churned out a new card:
Oh I'm beyond anxious. I've never flown a plane with all my craft fair stuff before. So interesting. Here's to something new! & to New York! I already have my heart set on SHAKE SHACK as my first meal. Just keeping with tradition :)
I'm trying to understand what made this fair 130849230842081309482048 times better than any other fair. I think it has everything to do with the people--the attendees & fellow makers, crafters, and innovators. Every participant and attendee came with a pre-existing appreciation and respect for DIY, and came because of this appreciation. It wasn't to find a cool gift for their friend, or a sweet handmade t-shirt. And every vendor was of the highest skill, quality and caliber. It was definitely an honor to be amongst the hundreds of makers & vendors. Really. An honor :)
I knew they expected 80,000 in attendance but honestly, I didn't know what that meant until it was 12:30pm and people were squeezing their way through the aisles. It was awesome!
I think I should rename the series to something else because we've moved past preparation and onto THE REAL DEAL! I completely failed to blog about what happens during a fair while the actual fair was happening because I was so dang tired. But! Here it is!
9. Vending like it ain't no thang
I look terrified but don't be! It's all gravy! :)There are a few things to remember while vending:
- Greet your customers. A lot of stores & boutiques even have 'greeter' as a duty & there's a reason for it. It's important to make them feel acknowledged & welcomed to do more than just a glance-and-a-walk-away. And if they do pull that move, don't be discouraged--there's always someone new to talk to!
- If they decide to hang around, engage! Chat 'em up by asking a question as simple as 'how are you?' or tell them a fun fact about what they're eying. Make it interesting & don't be shy! If they ask how much it is, don't just say the price. Give the product a story so it's personal.
- Accessibility. When I say accessibility, I mean it to describe your products and YOU! You are the face of your business so make sure you're visible, smiling, and able to easily engage with your customers. You can do this while standing next to your booth, sitting behind, whatever. Just make sure you can be seen. Regarding product, I usually keep display copies in the front and the purchasable items in the back for safe keeping. And when I organize everything, I make sure everything I'll need urgently is immediately close by.
- Your supportive, visiting friends are important & of course you want to show your appreciation. I learned from experience that it's good to let them in behind the booth and talk to them while keeping an eye on the front of the booth. Friendship crowds are good but not so much if they're blocking access to your booth. Don't worry--your friends will understand.
- Making the sale. Congratulations! You did it!!! I think it's good to develop a rhythm--deliver the price, package the item, $ transaction, change, thank you & hand off, inventory log. If you have a helper--even better! I tend to handle the verbal/face action while my helper is backstage prepping it all.
here's my helper :)- Stay hydrated, sit, take breaks, and eat. It'll be hard to find a moment to eat a complete meal without being interrupted so plan on lots of snacking. Bring fruit, granola, nuts, cookies and chocolate for a lovely pick-me-up. Oh & mints for that after-snacking breath :)
- Keep a notebook at your post in the event of artist suggestio
Aha! It's the day before the day before the big day. Although the day before the big day is actually a pretty big deal because in the case of Maker Faire, as also Unique LA, Friday (tomorrow) is set up day. So I treat tomorrow like the BIG DAY because it's all outta my hands after that.
So:
7. Getting Everything Ready for Move-In
I usually use this day to stay calm & add the finishing touches on things. I go through my check list and make sure everything is in order.
Extra business cards... check.
Double check inventory numbers & print my inventory sheet, which doubles as my sales log.
Dress up the extras like stamping craft bags & adding tags to all my plush. I print tickets/directions/information if there are any to be printed. In the case of Maker Faire, I bought a ticket for my weekend helper, Kevin (yay see you soooon!).
& I neatly pack away the goods (top left clockwise):
- packaging: plastic bags for the big prints, newsprint if they want it to be rolled instead, craft bags for prints & cards, and paper bags. My clipboards are also in there with the inventory sheets & extra sheets of scrap paper for my hand-drawn sign up sheets. Pen is also already tied!
- 8x10 prints already packaged and taped in individual plastic sleeves, divided in their own section. Extra plastic sleeves & tape are also included.
- all things SQUISHY & sewn very carefully squeezed into the green chest I put in front of the booth for you to 'sift through & find a friend!'
- framed prints & cards: you can see a glimmer of the new print in the white square frame ;)
The furniture, like the table, shelf, chairs and all that stuff is either in the garage or in my car so that will be taken care of tomorrow when I load up the car.
I learned from previous fairs that the less time I spend preparing a sold item for a customer at the fair the better. I used to have my prints loose and in a big pile, all mixed up. Now I take the time to sign each print & place it in a sleeve well before the fair. I don't know why but my brain goes crazy whenever I make a sale and I suddenly feel all this pressure like, oh my god this customer just bought something. What do I do?!? What do I do!? So I don't know. It helps to have it all ready & good to go.
Okay, time to do yoga & hit Trader Joes. I need my
Ah, hello! Let's continue this craft fair demystifying shall we! (btw, if you're just joining us now, here's the previous post!)
6. Setting Intentions
One thing that I always make sure to do before any fair, big or small, is set my intentions.
My early craft fair intentions used to go a little like this:
- make a profit, any profit!
- have people sign up for the mailing list
- don't be shy
- stay hydrated & don't forget to pee!
- learn a lot! make mistakes!
All very general, but very good to have. I remember on the first day of my first fair, I intentionally didn't put prices on anything to force me to talk to customers. Then as the fairs continued, the intentions became more specific and it became clear the areas I wanted to work on. Now my intentions are more like this (for maker faire, from the photo above):
- actually venture outside the booth & explore! that requires trust, letting go & energy!
- tweet & post pictures throughout the day--requires discipline, and it'll be great promotion
- do not get so tired that it affects your mood and demeanor. remember to drink, take breaks, get rest before & after the show days
- of course meet new people, make friends, inspire, get press, move beyond just an email/etsy username--make it personal! tell your story and learn theirs.
- take good inventory throughout the day. you're great at organizing the space under the table, but make it so it contributes to a rhythm and habit of prep, log, change and give.
- really utilize your helpers! become a better manager and let go of tasks so that you can effectively talk and greet and make sales.
I think writing out intentions is sooooo important. It gives me a focus/foci that isn't merely 'sales.' It's about how to be a better businesswoman, crafter, artist, communicator, manager, etc. You gotta think big picture! which is so important because you have to believe there's a big picture for your craft if it's to successfully become your bread & butter.
I love craft fairs because I get to meet so many people and not only see that they liked something enough to pick it up or buy it, but see WHY. Little known fact: I thought I was going into the plush business. Then I had my first craft fair and to my surprise, my artwork and prints stole all the glory! If I didn't learn that, I probably wouldn't be around. Probably would have been discouraged because no one was buying elephants, and I wouldn't know exactly why.
Craft fairs can be expensive, laborious affairs but I believe they're well worth the effort, stress, everything. So cheers to this weekend! I can't wait!
Stay tuned for the next post about what happens the DAY BEFORE THE FAIR! Dun dun DUNNNN!
I recently became a member of the SF etsy street team (yeah!) which has been incredible. It's opened me up to a wonderful community and lovely opportunities I didn't know existed! And on a regular basis too! A recent post was about preparing for one's first craft fair. That paired with meeting a couple new vendors to the craft fair scene at Unique LA got me thinking about how one prepares for a craft fair. So, I thought I'd share to help demystify the scary process. At least for me it's scary. Leading up to last year's Renegade Craft Fair, there were definitely many moments where Victoria and I would look up from our work and just barbarically yawp with anxiety!
So, process revealed! Keep in mind everyone works differently. This is just what works for me!
dawww... my first fair!For about a solid month, I researched for every craft fair & artist flea market in every state I wanted to vend. I did this months before they requested applications (which is typically 2-3 months before the show). If I didn't see information about this year's schedule, I made sure to join their mailing list. I emailed people, asked questions about the shows, and what they thought about it. I made a list of target craft fairs, organizing them by date. As the application deadlines neared, I started to narrow it down. Rejection & acceptance narrowed it down even more & then I knew where I was headed. A bit of advice: have lots of money saved to apply to the fairs! $400 for this fair, $250 for that one... it starts to add up like WHOA! Or plan to share a booth :)
2. Inventory preparation
For me, the post-holiday months are the slowest months but I make sure to use the time well! I made a list of what I wanted to carry at the summer fairs, from prints, cards, plush and new items. I set target numbers and due dates, down to which week in which month I'd have all my dinosaurs done. For me, my plush inventory takes time. I sew every piece by hand, and it's just me. So from mid-Feb to mid-March, I sewed non-stop, reaching nearly 100 plush. Once the tough stuff was done, I worked on printing goodies, integrating a new painting or item every month or so. It was tough trying to blindly produce, with no one really buying after such an solid holiday season. But you gotta get over the discouragement because you'll be happy you did it later! (& I am :)
Hey look it's me!
Photos by Tsz Chan Oh my I'm still on a Unique LA high, really happy & grateful for all the new friends and sweet messages. Two blog posts in particular by
Craft in the City &
Nikki have me blushing quite a bit.
Last day & very few pictures to show for it. Oops. It was so busy! But in a good way of course :) I had a lot of entertaining visitors who came up with creative ways to interact with the giant HELLO. Fortunately! I happened to capture my favorite:
This little man was running around the table, picking letters & tossing them in the air. THEN! He started busting out wrestling moves on the O! He threw it down on the ground & pounced it, getting the letter in a headlock of sorts.
Then his mommy took over hehe:
This one was taken by Dabito of
Old Brand New:
Overall, I really loved Unique LA! It was fun to put etsy usernames with faces, recognize returning friends & customers, meet & make new friends... I especially loved my neighbors
I Heart Pies, Heather & her lovely crew at
The Scootabaker for the sweets & happy hour cheer:
Unicorn Crafts for the
necklace:
& a special shout & thank you to Margaret of
Paper Pastries for making her way to my booth to help me vend despite her injury!
Nothing like a morning bike ride to start the day. After paying $18 for parking yesterday, I REFUSED to pay again! I got to the fair early & waited for the doors to open along with all the other eager vendors.
Good morning table #85 in the corner next to the yummy food booths.
Yes, being next to
Scootabaker does make me hungry.
Caught after slyly walking away with my giant plush O. Without it, it would just say HELL. That just can't be!
Dawww, she's so cute!
After the fair, I took a look at my inventory & realized the Rawr cards were doing really well aaaaand I had run out! I hastily traveled to Pasadena via Gold Line & bicycle to visit paper source before they closed. Phew I made it! So I printed more rawr cards & whipped up a new batch of business cards because I too had run out of my
moo business cards. Take a peak!
The fair starts tomorrow but I had a busy BUSY day of running around the city making sure everything was in order. Best part? I did it on my own!! Yeaaaahh!
organized the inventory
loaded up the car
drove to jo-ann's fabric for polyfil & stuffed the remaining letters. for whatever reason, this batch of polyfil is particularly soft & squishy... a la:
headed to flock shop for inventory drop off, then AT LAST... to Unique LA!
slowly putting it together...
i'd show you the finished table buuuut, you'll just have to see it tomorrow :)
then AFTER that, I biked 11 miles to yoga. whuttup! :)
The tags have been punched.
The plushies have been tucked away.
& it's time for YOU to throw on your springtime shoes & make your way to the
California Market Center for handmade crafts, delicious foods, a free photo booth, DIY workshops, music, & FREE DRINKS. It also happens to be Mother's Day weekend so treat your mom to a bit of handmade goodness (& FREE DRINKS!).
You can find me along the southside wall, perfectly located on your walk from the free drinks booth to the cafe ;). Just keep going past the FREE DRINKS & look for the plush letters greeting you! I'll be debuting my NEW narwhal tote bags & narwhal plush, & vending alongside over 300 talented artists, designers & crafters.
The 3rd Annual Unique LA Spring ShowMay 7th + 8th, 2011 (11am – 6pm both days)
California Market Center’s Penthouse (110 E 9th St –
Map It)
$10 at the door or in advance (kids 12 and under are free)
I can't tell you enough how thrilled I am to see & meet you this weekend :)
An idea conceived by Albert & shared by Victoria, I too thought it'd be good to invest in an apron for craft fairs. I considered making one myself and found patterns & such for this:
MUSTARD & GRAY! OMG!!!!
So, after about two months of pining, I finally went in to Anthropologie with an intent to buy. I had a rude encounter though. I tell the cashier that I want to return these two belts I bought last year & use the store credit on the apron. An employee slides behind the cash wrap and says rather curtly, 'next time bring your return items to the register before you shop' then leaves. So, while the cashier is ringing me up, I tell her, 'wow, she was quite abrasive.' She apologizes on her behalf and explains the abrasive woman is their store manager (whaaaat?!?). And she says it with a splash of fear & intimidation. Anyway, I leave but not before realizing no one will probably say anything to the manager, and hell if she ruins anyone else's day with that attitude. So I find her, interrupt her folding & say, 'Hi. I wasn't aware of policy but I know now to bring my return items to the register before shopping. Having said that, you were rude & abrasive.' She apologized a few times & thanked me for my honesty. I told her it was okay but I just wanted her to be aware, and I left. BAM!
Since then, I've taken power into my own hands and am working toward a more 'le petit elefant' apron.
<
our intern
{p&t} & lpe
veggie chips. mandatory craft fair snack
nom nom nom-ing on deliveries from ravi
victo preps for tomorrow. last minute additions to the team!
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4 Comments on Maker Faire 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, last added: 5/25/2011
Big success! Best craft fair, so far.