My newest!

I have been so busy creating because I finally booked my first show! I found it to be more difficult than I expected, because the jewelry category seems to be the most popular,  therefore it fills quickest. Some fairs accept vendors on a first come, first served basis. Others have a deadline and review applications once they are all received. Some of the fairs I inquired about have already filled their jewelry category for November shows. YIKES!

The fair I will be selling at is the Fremd High School Spring Boutique. The school is only a few minutes away from me, and from what I understand their shows have a couple hundred vendors and attract quite a crowd. The bonus for me is that it is not a juried show (meaning they don't have to "accept" you, as long as you pay them for your spot, you're in!) so I didn't have to worry about whether or not their jewelry category was full. It should be a good first show, and I will get to take photos of my display to submit with applications to other fairs.

For this show I have been trying to create jewelry and accessories in a variety of styles so that there are items that will appeal to both young and old. Here are some of the newest things I've come up with...

Puff flower necklaces

Bow bracelets

Fabric covered bead necklaces

Woven bracelets

I am also making lots of pins, hair accessories, and tiny rosette earrings. I hope to at least have a colorful, attention grabbing display... and to make back my table fee!

Any feedback on my new items is appreciated!!

It's been a while!

I didn't even realize it had been over 2 weeks since I posted last! Well, I've been busy.. not only with the holidays and all, but also with Heavy Petals! I'm trying to create as much as possible in preparation for possible shows that I want to sign up for - most importantly the Renegade Craft Fair. They haven't even released their 2012 dates yet but it will most likely be in September so I've got a while but it's been a dream of mine since I went years ago. I think my work would fit (and sell) really well. One downfall: it costs $400 for a table and you have to bring your own full setup. But if my best friend Laura comes up with some brilliant crafts (which I'm sure she will!) then we will split a table which is much more reasonable, and she has everything for the setup. Perfect!

I scored an AMAZING lot of vintage buttons from Ebay for waaaaaay less than I should've paid. All colors including gold and silver, some were even bakelite which are rare and have a higher resale value. I'm just making use of them along with some great vintage feedsack fabric I got off of Etsy to make these..

Vintage yoyo button
pendant necklaces

Also something I'm very proud of is my new spinning earring rack to use for shows. I was planning on building one with pieces of wood on a lazy susan, but in a very fun and productive trip to resale and antique shops with Laura, my plan changed direction. At the Brown Elephant in Andersonville, two metal wine racks were calling my name. I decided to tie them together using picture hanging wire and then string the wire across in order to hang my tags from. I don't have a before photo, but here's the after...

 

I wanted it to feel a bit vintage, rustic, I don't care if the wire isn't perfect. Once all the tags are on it will be awesome. I also plan to collage the base with some old photos and text from old encyclopedias that I have so it will blend in a bit better.

Last thing I've revamped is my tags! Eli bought me an awesome die cut machine which I love - the Sizzix Big Shot. Only bad thing is that you have to buy dies for each project, and they can run you anywhere from $17-$50. But I suppose you build up a collection over time. So I only have one set right now, (Spellbinders Labels 11) which has 6 dies of the same shape but different sizes so I can use them for all of my different types of jewelry. You can see above the earring tags cut from "vintage theme" solid color pack of cardstock. I also have created a pocket type of holder for the yoyo necklaces in which the chain tucks neatly inside..

Previously I was using business cards cut or punched to accommodate the jewelry. I enjoy the more handmade feel of these, though. Plus they're fun to make.

Now off to enjoy a day to myself, planning to make some more earrings and I think some pins too!