Craft show tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my last official craft show for this season, though I'm up for a home show if anyone would like to host one for me (great Christmas shopping perks to any host!).

Tomorrow's show is at Hodgson Vo-Tech High School. They have a bi-annual craft show (spring and holiday) that is well-known throughout the region, and not easy to get accepted into. I was honored this year to be accepted; it's my first year showing there. I'm super excited. It's an exclusively hand-crafter show, so not only am I excited to be a vendor, but I can't wait to do some of my own shopping at the numerous vendors who participate. The show spans several of the larger rooms in the school, including the gym and the cafeteria, so you know there will be lots of variety!

The show is from 9am to 4pm and entrance is free. Please come out, say hi, and support myself and other small business owners.

:)

New dates

Just a quick FYI ... selling at the retail space in the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Elsmere earlier this month worked out pretty well. I signed up for two more days this summer: July 17th and August 19th. I'll be set up and ready to sell by 8:30am, and am permitted to remain open until around 3pm.

In July, I'll be unveiling a new item!! It's a secret, but I'll give you a hint... it's a great gift idea for someone who's earth-conscious or anyone who tries to "live simply" to save our earth. Stay tuned... maybe I'll post a picture hint soon.

Smiling coasters and a new retail opportunity

I have created something totally new... A smiling coaster! Recently I wanted to make something for a friend of mine... something that would make her smile even when her day was rotten. And so I picked up a crochet hook and a skein each of yellow and black cotton, and created a smiley!

Thing was, her smiley turned out a little big (kinda a smiley on steroids). Now that I had calculated out the pattern stitches, I wanted something a little easier to fit on a desk... so I shrunk the smiley just a tad, and now I have a smiley, perfectly sized for a coffee mug or glass of iced tea... (this pic, by the way, is a VERY good example of why you should never take important pics with a cell phone!)

Bad pic aside, I will be adding some of these happy little circles of absorbency to my Etsy site soon (just need a day or two to make some more and take better pics), so stay tuned. Also, my mom suggested that I expand my smiley idea to make an "emotional" set of coasters... four coasters, each with a different expression. The variations may take a bit longer to figure out, but I'm working on it. I think we'll have angry, surprised, and sad to the happy smiley, but who knows? Once I'm happy with the emotional lot, I'll post their pics here, too.

And before I say goodnight, an FYI (that explains the other half of my subject line for today) --- The coasters will make their first "show" debut in June at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Elsmere, DE. The VA Hospital has set aside a space on the second floor (outside the canteen) where selected vendors can sell their goods. I have been working with the manager for a while now, and just today got confirmation of 5 selling dates (I'm going to try to add more later). As of now, I will set up "shop" at the VA Hospital on the following dates: June 6, October 23 and 24, November 5, and December 18.

Another show confirmed!

The schedule is growing.... I just received notification today that I've been accepted into Art on the Green, an annual show organized by the New Castle Hundred Lions Club. I will be selling knit toys and wearables, as well as pinecone wreaths (both general and season-specific).

Details:
Location: Battery Park, New Castle, DE
Date/Time: September 27th (it's a Saturday) from 10-5pm. (The rain date is October 4th since it's an all-outdoor show.)
Booth Assignment: I'll be booth # B19.

In other news, I have been hit by the sewing bug. That's right, except for some special-order items (which I will keep knitting until they're completed and delivered), I'm setting aside the knitting needles for awhile to give my sewing machine some love! I think this mood shift was brought on by a spending day with my sister last week, with fabric and notions spread through the house, altering clothing that we no longer wear into fun and funky pieces we WILL wear!

At any rate, keep an eye out, because I've got a couple of cute "quilted" blankets nearly done (that should be appearing on my web site soon), as well as more paperback book covers in new fabrics, and perhaps some new placemat sets for spring......

First craft show scheduled

Happy news for Friday.... I got a phone call from the DuPont Country Club, confirming my space in their annual fall craft fair!

The fair is on Oct 5th, in the DuPont Country Club on Rockland Road. Five-six rooms of the club are used for the fair (it's a big show with lots of vendor variety); I was lucky enough to secure a spot in the Crystal Ballroom and Terrace (the largest room). Look for me in one of the wall spaces.

I will be selling knit toys (pumpkins, bears, and snowpeople), knit clothing (scarves, hats, gloves, shawls), and some seasonal pinecone door wreaths.

Show Schedule 2008

Well, it's that time of year, and I'm starting to apply to art and craft shows in the tri-state area. Based on last year's show successes, I'm focusing on the summer/fall months. Which means once taxes are done (ick!) and my show applications are in, my focus will be on building up inventory to get me through the season.

Of course, as soon as I know which shows I've been accepted into, I'll post them in my show schedule on the right. Hope you'll plan to come out to one, or several, and say hello!

New store!

On Nov 23rd (Black Friday, folks!), a new Christmas shop will open in Bear, DE. And my items will be sold there!!

The Mansion House Farms Christmas Shop is at 2656 Porter Rd in Bear (just off Rte 896). It's at the corner of the Mansion House Farms property in a cute little green and red painted building. The decor inside is very cute and Christmas-y -- with tree lights strung from the ceiling, wreaths on the windows, and iridescent snowflakes hanging in the background.

They will be selling handcrafted items from local artists. Some of my pinecone wreaths, as well as stuffed snowmen and Smileville Bears, will be in the shop. Also a possibility are my scarf/hat sets and some macrame ornaments. I only know one of the other artists so far, but I love the items she makes - fabric covered corn bags (among other things). They are wonderful little "bean bag" like things that you can put in the microwave (they're full of corn that doesn't pop!) and use them to warm your toes in bed, or keep in your coat while you walk the dog.... they are so warm and smell so good!!! Also for sale in the shop will also be homemade fudge and hot chocolate, Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, and other holiday gift items made by local residents.

I hope you'll stop by the Mansion House Farms Christmas Shop, and finish a little of your holiday shopping from the selection they have inside. If you need to call for the hours (I don't know them yet) or directions, call George at (302) 540-1438 or Mike at (302) 528-0051.

Off to show we go!

Just a quick reminder that tonight I'll have a booth at the Olive B Loss Elementary School Craft Fair from 6-10pm. Then tomorrow I'll be at the Holy Angels Craft Fair from 10-4pm. See the links on the left (under show schedule) for more info about each location.

If you're in the area (or bored and looking for something to do), please stop by! I'd love to see you!

It's Monday again...

and thankfully, I can already tell it'll be a better week than last week. I've been up for a few hours, got my yoga practice in before they closed the aerobics room at my gym for a class, and have a definitive list of the stuff that needs to be done in the next few days. And I have energy (which I was sorely and sadly lacking last week!).

Yesterday was the Newark Community Days Festival. I've never been before, but had a booth this year. I was very pleased with the way vendor set-up was handled. There were to be around 1800 vendors (of different sorts --- some public info, some political groups, and several entire sections of hand crafters), so it easily could have turned into a disaster. But there were volunteers posted at designated drop-off points, willing and able to help carry items to your booth. And there was plenty of space for vendor parking (for free -- thanks, Newark!) in any lot along Main St or DE Ave.

There were plenty of people, but not soo many that they couldn't cross a walk to see something that caught their eye. It was a chilly day, but it didn't keep people from shopping! Actually, I think the breeze helped people remember it's the right time of year to buy warm knitted items ... and Christmas gifts! It was a great day.

Now I'm preparing for (and looking forward to) the next show, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. It's October 6th ... just two weeks! Off I go, to make more of all the items I sold yesterday! Also, if you're considering a facelift for your doors for this holiday season, this show will be a must-visit, as I'll have a full selection of fall and winter holiday wreaths available.

Smile Creations Crafts's work for sale in Chesapeake City, MD

Yup, it's very exciting. My work is being displayed/sold at a shop called Vulcan's Rest in Chesapeake City, MD. My husband and I were wandering around in Chesapeake City a few weeks ago, and Dan found it (hooray for wonderful husbands!).

In addition to a huge selection of fiber, the owner likes to feature completed projects by local artists, and has thus turned her shop into a fiber and gifts store. If you happen to be there, look for my work. Some items she currently has for sale are:


Knit purses in several styles (pictured is one of them)

Crochet shawls (one in black/multi; one in shades of blue)
Knit jack-o-lanterns (just in time for the spooky season!)
Crochet flower pins - perfect to dress up a shawl, or to embellish a project of your own
Smileville Bears -- Molly (pictured) and Mac

Vacations and Craft Shows

Hi! Sorry about the long, post-less week. I was blissfully away from all technology deep in the heartland of TN. It was a great vacation. As I said, free from technology and stress, but not free of knitting!!

I worked on two projects, mainly during the drive to TN and back again! One is a knit wrap for fall in soft white Skacel Sofa. The other is the crochet wrap-around cover-up for the teeny yellow green and pink bikini. I finished both and will post pics as soon as I find my camera --- I truly hate the unpacking part of vacations!!!

Also, news on then craft show front -- I have scheduled two more shows for this year:
* The first is the 2nd Annual Pinelands Folk Festival in Estelle Manor, NJ. It will be held on August 4th (that's this coming Saturday) from 10am-5pm at the Atlantic County Park on Rt 50. Admission is free.
* The second is the St. John/Holy Angels Church Craft Show in Newark, DE. It will be held on November 10th from 10am-4pm at Holy Angels Gym and Fremont Hall. Admission is free.

Blueberry Cannolis

You may ask what blueberry cannolis have to do with Smile Creations Crafts, my website, or anything crafty. The answer is: NOTHING!

However, yesterday I had a booth at the Hammonton Red White & Blueberry Festival in Hammonton, NJ (the blueberry capital of the world!). It was a GREAT event -- the weather was sunny and perfect (and not too hot), there were TONS of people in attendance, and they were selling the YUMMIEST blueberry cannolis!! And that's what blueberry cannolis have to do with it. :)

In crafty news, I will also have a booth at Newark, DE's Liberty Day celebration on July 4, and hope to see you there. I also pray for good weather; I am hearing some nasty rumors about increased humidity causing thunderstorms.

I am putting the finishing touches on some new, never been sold at Smile Creations Crafts items for the event, including a cute little teeny-bikini, and some beaded halter tops. Here is an example of the halter tops.

New artist rotation at the Curiosity Shoppe -- and I'm in it!

This post isn't really about a craft show, but it has to do with my schedule just the same.

See, just off South Street (on 4th St) in Philadelphia, PA, there is a cute little shop called the Curiosity Shoppe. Every other month, they select about 30 artists from the local area to feature in the front portion of their store.

And my work will be in that store beginning on May 25th (Friday!) until the end of July. I just met with one of the owners today, and dropped off some of my items. Please, if you are in the area, stop by the shop and look around! Peter and Hannah (the owners) are doing a wonderful thing by giving us artists a place to show our work.

Some of the items I have in the rotation are:
Smileville Bears
Crochet shawls (such as the one in this post that I donated to a benefit auction)
Funky jewelry (kinda like this, with shells and edgy designs)
Crochet flower pins (like the ones I showed in this post)
Paperback book covers

Newark Nite and more crafty shows

Hello, and happy Thursday. It's Thursday already! Yikes!

This Saturday, I will be at the Shoppes at Louviers in Newark, DE for the 3rd Annual Kids Day America celebration from noon until 3pm. It will be a super-fun day.... food, games, fire truck and police car tours, Cinderella and other favorite characters LIVE!, and free giveaways all afternoon long. Join us for the fun!

Also, I have expanded my show schedule with three events here in Newark, DE:
* The first, Saturday June 2, is Newark Nite. From 5-9:30pm there will be music, food, and street vendors on Main Street in Newark.
* Then, as part of the 4th of July celebration, I will be at the University of Delaware Athletic Complex from 4-9pm on July 4. There will of course be food and entertainment, with fireworks at the conclusion of the evening.
* And finally, Newark Community Day, September 16, will take place from 10am-5pm on the University of Delaware's Green.

Please mark your calendars to come out, enjoy the community and entertainment, and of course, to visit my booth!!

Next show.... Kids Day America

Kid's Day America is a national day set aside to celebrate our children.

This year, on May 19th, Delaware Chiropractic will, for the third year in a row, sponsor a large fair to commemorate the day. In their own words: "Kids Day America is dedicated to help educate children on health, safety, and environmental awareness in a family and community fun setting!"

The event, which will take place from noon to 3pm at The Shoppes at Louviers in Newark, DE will have free health screenings for the kids, games, food, prizes, and sellers of great kid-friendly items (toys, books, and more!).

Why am I sharing this? Well, I do think it's a great cause (oh, I nearly forgot, all proceeds will be donated this year to the Make a Wish Foundation). Which is why Smile Creations Crafts will be there! I will be selling paperback book covers, purses, jewelry, stuffed knit balls and fabric blocks, and of course, my line of Smileville Bears.

Trade Publications

I'm still researching which craft shows will be best for me to participate in during the rest of the year. There are soooo many shows out there to choose from, and I really want to match my products to the attendees' taste as much as possible. I promise that I'll have a completed schedule soon.

To help with selection, I've subscribed to two industry magazines, Sunshine Artist, which reviews shows as well as featuring articles with helpful tips and tricks of the trade, and The Crafts Report, which is more focused on reviewing trends and helpful advice for us small craft business people. I also am expecting in the mail a huge Art & Craft Show Yellow Pages, which is a listing of craft shows around the country, with ratings and info about each.

Quite a bit of it will boil down to trial-and-error, I'm sure. After all, it is the attendees who make or break a show. You sent up your displays and your products, and hope that those who attend will be looking for that shawl that you just finished, or the adorable kitty cat towel and trivet set, or a gift for a new baby (enter cross-stitched bibs or a floor blankie).

The good thing about craft shows is that even the trial-and-error is fun. Short breaks from your booth are acceptable, especially when you have someone there with you to watch it while you take a short walk. The show I was at this past weekend at the Aetna Hook and Ladder Co in Newark, DE was not very well attended. But.... what I lacked in customers, I made up for in great contacts. I met some wonderful craft vendors: some veterans of the circuit, and some newbies like me. And that's what I love about this business: crafters are by nature friendly people (and, since no one there makes what I make, also very willing to share tips and other show experiences!).

And now, back to crafting I go! Tonight.... I want to finish two little crochet purses I have started.

NEXT SHOW!!! And fun at sales

First, a quick announcement: I will be at the Aetna Fire Hall Spring Craft Show in Newark, DE this Sunday, April 1 (no, it's no joke, I WILL be there selling my handcrafted items). It was a last-minute registration. Karma, actually, as I had thought the show was already filled, but then got an invitation email from the promoter just the other day. So, please come on out and see me! The show is free to get in, and will be open from 10am to 3pm.

Now, about fun at sales. I had some sad news yesterday that turned into a ton of fun. Backwards, perhaps. But there is a Hancock Fabrics near to my house, and it's closing. Not the entire chain, but that particular store.

And that's where the fun comes in - the closing sale. Everything is on sale! I had a great time and bought lots of supplies to make more fun stuff for my store: fabric, purse handles, ribbon...

Tomorrow I get to shop some more, this time for storage bins. Large ones. After setting up and then packing up displays and products this past weekend, I decided life would be much easier with a set of 4 or 5 large plastic bins, rather than various sized boxes and bags for moving all my stuff. After all, a display is more than just the large furniture; there are the cloths to cover and make everything look uniform and neat, there are decorative cloths/doilies to be, well, decorative, there is my model for the hats, and baskets, and candles and flowers for homey touches. Yes, I really do up my booth right. And I don't want to have to cart all that stuff in multiple boxes and bags ever again!

I have a show schedule!

The biggest news I've had in the past few days is the arrival of my show schedule! This is only the beginning. After all, I hope to participate in more than two. But the first two are now official. My up-to-date show schedule appears to the right.

As I was saying, my first two show signings. The first is March 24-25, and the second is November 17-18. They will both be held at the University of Delaware's Bob Carpenter Center (indoor) and are organized by a group called Handcraft Unlimited. Admission to the show is only $4 (under 12 is free); the admission fee includes free re-admission for the second day, and a chance to win free money to spend at the show!

I have gone to several Handcraft Unlimited shows, both at the Bob Carpenter and in other cities in the area. I have never been disappointed, nor been able to walk away empty-handed. :) There are HUNDREDS of vendors, selling a variety of items.

I hope you'll be able to come out and see me!