Back to School 2012

Here we are one full year later.  Grandkids went back to school today.  They are very excited to meet their teachers and hope to see friends from last year.  Grandma Cat hopes to get back on track.  Haven't 'blogged' for a full year because the connection from the Captive Illusions domain name wouldn't connect to the blog, which made the blog next to impossible to find.  My daughter, De'Anna, visited from Colorado a couple of weeks ago and straightened everything out for me.  Let's hear it for daughters...Hip Hip Hooray!

I've been helping said daughter, De'Anna, build inventory for a craft fair she will be doing in October in Colorado.  I used Simplicity pattern 1957 (shown below) to make these sweet miniature aprons.  I intended to make them for decorative purposes like it shows on the pattern below; however, the aprons fit Barbie dolls perfectly.



I've made 36 of the full aprons and intend to make a dozen or so out of Christmas fabric.  If I do not run out of time, I'll make a couple dozen or so of the 1/2 aprons as well.  These are fun and quick.  The first apron took about 30 minutes, but after tweaking the pattern a bit, I can now make them in 10 minutes.  They are fully lined and didn't cost a thing as I've got drawers of scrap fabric that I've saved for quilting.

Time to get this blog posted, get shipping done, finish the laundry, make some zucchini bread before the grandkids get home from school, get some accounting done, make a grocery list.....and so on and so forth!
 
Until next time, Happy Crafting!
              
   Captive Illusions            Captive Embroidery
              &                                  &
Grandma Cat's Attic            Crafty Family

Fairs and Festivals and Bazaars, Oh My!

Back and recovered from the First Annual September Outpost Festival at the Chapel Hills Mall in Colorado Springs, CO. It's been a while since I've done a fair, and I had forgotten much of what it was like. I do find them a great way to connect with other crafters, make some business connections, and in general have a good time.

We spent 2 days in the mall, which is great because they is no worrying about the weather. While there, we launched our new Halloween line, which I'll be adding to our ArtFire store shortly. In my downtime, I crocheted some ponchos, and thought up some new products for Christmas and beyond. Now if only I had enough time in the day to do all the projects I keep thinking up...

Here's some of my fair take aways:

1) Signage - Very important! You want the people walking by to see your name/logo somewhere, preferably big enough to remember later (when they go searching the internet for you).

2) Food - Unless you want to spend all your profits on food, come prepared. We brought a couple cases of soda and water, some sandwiches and snacks. Only thing we bought was a caramel apple from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and that's just because they are SOOOO good!

3) Change - Luckily I remembered this one, but have plenty of change! Nothing worse than someone not being able to buy something from you because you can't break a $20.

4) Receipts - If you don't want to splurge on printed receipts with your info on them, either write it on or print up some stickers to put on them. Be sure to include your phone number and website, so they can find you when they want to buy more later. This is also a good place to put a coupon code or special, to lure them back.

5) Product - Have a selection of everything you do, but don't overwhelm the tables with 50 of the same thing. Put out a couple of each, if someone shows interest in something you can let them know you have more to choose from that they can look through. And when you sell one, pull out another and replace it.

6) Business Cards - Have plenty, and when someone asks for one, give them two. Why two? Simple, if you only give them one, they won't have one to give to a friend later. Even if they just dump it somewhere, there's a chance an interested person will find it.

7) Marketing Materials - Brocures, flyers etc., are good to have, but not necessary. If you do have them, remember less is more. As someone walks around they don't want some huge magazine that they'll have to carry, instead a nice tri-fold or half size catalog would be a good choice. And, if you have bags you can give out to carry all those flyers in, you'll be the hero - make sure your logo and website/phone number are on there.

9) Set-up - Do a practice set up before you go, know how big your space is, where your neighbors are, and if there is a wall on any side of you. Set up your tables, display units, chairs, whatever then load in your product. figure out what you can fit, and if you have gaps in your display you need to make more product to fill. It's also a good idea to know how long it will take you to set up, and how much room it will take in your vehicle - make sure it will all fit!

10) Have Fun!!!!! - If you're having fun, you will draw in more people - customers and other vendors alike. If you aren't having fun, why are you there in the first place? These should be a fun way for you to get out there, meet people, and make a few bucks.

How about you? What takeaways and tips do you have for making fair life a little better for your fellow crafters?

Until next time, Happy Crafting!
De'Anna

Craft Tip: Craft Fair Info for the Newbie

Craft Fair season is upon us.  For many crafters preparations for holiday fairs begins right after the Christmas decorations are put away.  If you are new to craft fairs, don't despair.  There is still time to prepare and there may be a booth or table at a craft fair near you.   Try calling your local Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, Senior Centers, Community Centers, Churches, etc.  Start small and work you way up to the bigger fairs.

Here are a few quick tips for your first fair:

Cash Box: Make sure to have plenty of change...$1, $5 and $10 bills and an assortment of loose change. Remember most people will draw out of their ATM which dispenses twenty dollar bills.  If you don't have change, another booth will.

Cell Phone: Bring it in case of an emergency, but turn it off. A customer does not want to be interrupted in the middle of a transaction while you answer a call from hubby who has lost the remote control...again.
Apron: With your company name neatly embroidered or silk screened on the front. And preferably with lots of pockets. One for the cell phone that will be turned off. One for business cards that you'll need to hand out as you walk around to the other booths. Another for a couple of pens. And a couple for...well, you never know until you stuff something into it.
Business Cards: Don't leave home without them...ever! Place them prominently on the table. Be sure to hand one to every customer or potential customer. Put one in the bag with every purchase.
Network: Visit with as many other crafters as possible. You'll find out about the latest trends, upcoming fairs, successes and failures. Exchange business cards and utilize other crafters whenever you can.

Pet Bed Pillowcase

Doesn't puppy deserve a cozy, comfy place to rest his/her weary body after chasing his/her tail all day? Here's a great boutique item that is sure to please. Flannel pillowcase with a zipper at one end for easy access. Make a bunch in fun flannels, denim, home decorator fabrics, or canvas. Pillowcases don't take up much room on your boutique table and can be made by the dozen. Everyone loves their pets and these couldn't be easier. Your customer shakes a new pillow into one of your flannel covers, zips it up and tosses it into puppy's favorite napping place. Pillowcase can be laundered as necessary. Sell in twos...one can be in the wash while puppy is sitting pretty on the other.

All you need is some fun flannel fabric, a 20" zipper, and matching thread.

Click here to view full project details

Corn Bags

Whip up a bunch of corn bags for your next craft fair. You can easily sew up 4 dozen in one day if you've pre-gathered all your materials. The cost of materials for 4 dozen corn bags should be around $75. If you sell them for $8.00 each your profit after deducting your expenses would be over $300. Use novelty cotton fabric and/or cotton flannel for some real fun corn bags.

You can make as many covers as you have time and material to complete for a craft fair. Don't worry about making and filling the corn bag inserts for every cover. Bring a bunch of corn bags without covers on them, let the customers pick their cover and insert a fresh corn bag. I

f you have electricity to your booth bring a small microwave. Keep a couple of small corn bags warm so that customers can ohhh and ahhh over them. In the summer, freeze a dozen or so bags overnight. Bring them in a cooler to the craft fair and put one or two on the table at a time. People will flock to your booth for the cooling sensation of these bags.

Click here to view full project detials