Craft Fairs

So I decided to try a couple of craft fairs this season. My first one is next weekend (Nov 8 and 9) and the larger of the two. It all seemed like a great idea at first but now I am having second thoughts. Mostly because I forgot how much work they are.

Since I make the items myself at my home I have a very quick turn around time. Very often I have a couple packaged items of one style but most items are only partially completed until I get an order for that item. This saves me both money and time by not packaging items that dont end up selling.

This system doesnt work for craft fairs. Everything needs to be completed and ready to sell. And you need a lot of everything-about four times what you'd like to sell. People like to see a big variety and more than one of an item. Everyone wants to feel that they 'chose' their item. (I won't get into the entire psychology of purchasing but a customer that wants a black sweater and already knows they want the black sweater will still look at the sweater in red and blue only to buy the black sweater. That way they 'choose' the black sweater.)

So here I am trying to get a great stock of items to fill my tables and offer variety and choice. I am also feeling flustered about table layout and presentation. Just planning the set-up is taking hours.

My second craft fair is two weeks after the first (Nov 22). I dont know if I'm hoping I have lots of stock left from the first one so I dont have to work like a sweatshop worker for two weeks. No I am not hoping that. I would like to sell lots at the first one (of course) and hopefully the boost in spirit of sales will make the extra work those two weeks seem easier.

If you'd like to visit me and see how it all works out (and get great deals) here's the info:

Carney Stars Craft Fair
Arch Bishop Carney HighSchool
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
(behind costco)-good signage on streets already

Sat Nov 8 and Sun Nov 10
9-4 10-3


Riverside Craft Fair
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Pitt River Road (west of shaugnessy)

Sat Nov 22
10-4

Hope to see you there!

A Soothing Idea

I was waiting and waiting for my snap order to arrive so I could complete the piles of projects that are overtaking my sewing studio. They finally arrived yesterday and I ran upstairs to start attaching them to all that needed them.

I was working on some of the pacifier clips when I started to think that maybe I didnt need snaps on them. I know there are a lot of parents that don't like snaps on baby products and won't buy items with snaps. I started to think about this. (I always take extra care when putting on my snaps and feel they are safe and use all my products with my own baby). But I do understand the fear of small items around babies and toddlers.

So I thought 'why don't I make a loop at top just like my happy straps?' So I tried it on a few and it works great. No small pieces at top end that attaches to soother and just a clip at other end that is double stitched on. My problem is this-will others know how to use a pacifier clip like this? Does the general public know how to use a loop when they want to attach things? I will have to write instructions on packaging and I am thinking an online visual demonstration might be usefull-actually an online visual for the happy strap might be a good idea as well.


I am still going to keep my other style with the snaps but perhaps offer both kinds and see what sells better. What's your opinion?

(I will post some pics later today so you can have a better idea of what I mean)

It's Getting Cold Out Here

There's been a major shift in weather here the past few weeks. It wasnt long ago that we were all still wearing our shorts and leaving the house with short sleeve shirts on. Not anymore. It is officially cold out.

The heat has been on in the house for a week now and the vehicles are all frosty in the morning. I hate the mornings now (okay I never really like mornings). I never want to get out of my nice warm covers and I really never want to go out and warm the truck up before we head to school.

Did I say that I hate the mornings now?

But the colder weather has sparked a few new ideas for projects. I made some winter warmer bandanas yesterday-a cozy fleece version of the dribble bandana. It's great for little ones to wear under or over their jackets in place of a scarf. I always loved (and still do) scarves on kids but I am always fearful of them getting caught on something. They run a risk of strangulation and that I dont like. So the Winter Warmer Bandana is a great alternative. Unfortunately I havent found a 'boy' fabric that I like yet so I only have a girls version. It is 100% polyester fleece and will fit 0-5 year olds.

I also am working on some other seasonal products. I hope to have them up in the next week or so but my kids are hounding me to finish their Halloween costumes so I will be doing those first.

The Blog World

I will admit I am relatively new to this whole blog world. I know friends who have had them for years but I never followed anyone till recently. I thought it was a bunch of garble and not worth reading.

Then I actually started reading some blogs this past year. And I was amazed at how much I learned about the people that surround me on a regular basis. I could see someone every week and talk on the phone with them for hours a day and still learn new stuff via their blog. It was then that I realized that its sort of like looking into someone's diary. Personal thoughts that you can't/might not say but can write.

So I joined the blog world. I must admit I have not been all that committed as of yet. Yes, I have the excuse of three kids but so do a lot of other people. I started a personal blog and then a business blog trying to keep both separate. Then I realized a business blog without a personal side is, well, boring. Who wants to just see my products and nothing else? A big part of small business today is buying the business owner. Why would someone want to buy a $7 bib when they can go to Walmart and get 10 for $8??? Well hopefully the quality is one aspect and the originality another, but I know that people buy things from those they like/ feel a similarity to. you can't feel a closeness to someone that doesnt show you any of their personal side.

So I am going to try and do both here. I started my company because I wanted to make products that both parents and babies will love. I wanted to have items that you cant find at the big stores and I wanted to have items that made others ask you where you found it. I hope to always be improving my products and to always find ways to make parenting more stylish and more functional. I am that person that loves a challenge and if you tell me you want an item that is waterproof, folds up, is machine washable and tolerates your child's torment-I will try to make it!

I hope to write something of interest to others and hope that you keep on reading.

No Peek-a-Boobies

Nursing Covers
$28

Made of a lightweight fabric that keeps yourself and little one cool when its nursing time. There is plenty of coverage and the neckline has a sit-away feature that allows you to view baby while they are feeding. Neck strap is adjustable and secures with double d-rings.

Small pocket on the front is handy for soothers, breast pads, keys etc.

My Thumb is Numb

Okay so I've learned one thing form my latest project-your thumb gets pretty sore after pressing on metal for hours.

Anyways, here are some pictures of the hair clips that I've been making. They are all on a double prong clip that will hold the tiniest piece of hair. They hold on in my daughter's hair (not much of it) but do look a little bit big on her head still.

They are sold as either singles or doubles starting at $1.50 ea up to $5.00 set.