Tips and Tricks for Displaying Your Crafts

Deciding on the best way to display your handmade crafts doesn't have to be stressful at all. There are a lot of tips and tricks you can use to enhance your display so that your beautiful creations can really catch the eye of buyers. Here are just a few to get you thinking 'outside the box'...

Table Coverings

• tablecloths make a perfect 'floor' for your tablescape
• use complimentary colors and patterns that highlight your crafts rather than detract
• use what you already have on hand or pick up something at a thrift store
• the more it covers the table and legs, the better
  

Height

• use shoe boxes and the like to add elevation and interest to your tablescape
  
• just tuck them under the tablecloths (usually along the back edge) to make a 'stage' for some of your more interesting pieces
• be sure to allow enough slack and drape in the cloth to tuck around the boxes
  

Table Decor

• pull from holiday decorations you already have on hand
• ornaments, garland, even small wrapped boxes sprinkled throughout your display will look great

These are just a few ideas that I've used and seen. What about you? What have you done in the past? What have you seen at fairs that you thought looked attractive and really showcased the artists' work?

Feel free to add photos, too!!!

Happy crafting!

Lisa

Haven't Turned in Your Application Yet?

Procrastination. We all do it.

When it comes to the holiday craft fair, maybe you've been thinking:

- "The deadline isn't until October. I've got plenty of time!"

- "I want to but I'm not sure if I'll have enough made in time."

- "$25 seems like a lot!"

- "I'm just going to shop it this year and see if it's really worth my time for next year."


Those are all very valid considerations. Please consider these, as well:

- Waiting until the last minute to submit your application might mean you don't get a spot at all.

- If you do a little every day or every week, you'll have plenty made by mid-November.
(see our blog from 8/14/09 about this very subject!)

- The $25 application fee for this craft fair is exceptionally low for these types of events. That is primarily due to the kindness of our mutual landlord, MIE Properties, who is donating the space and utilities for free.

- This is the first year of this particular craft fair. If there isn't a good level of participation, there won't be a second year.


Whether you just started doing a specific craft or have been at it for years, it's pretty likely that you have a viable product, in addition to a great hobby. Why not let your hobby be a money maker for you, too?

We really hope lots of people -- maybe even more than we have room for -- will want to participate. It would be a great event for the Golden area to have every year, but we need to get the first one off the ground and make it a success.

Just click on the application link, fill it out and send it in along with photos of your work and your fee. You'll have fun, make some money, meet some of your fellow office complex workers and maybe even make some new friends! You'll love it!!

2009 Holiday Craft Fair Application

Happy crafting!!

Lisa

Will I have time to make enough product to sell?

You might be thinking that you'd love to participate but just aren't sure if you'll have the time to make enough product so that having a booth at the craft fair would be worthwhile. Believe me, I know the feeling! To be honest, I panicked a little last weekend thinking about it.

Then I realized something! It's just the middle of August and the fair isn't until the middle of November. Even if I can't commit a lot of time until after my last summer trip next week, I'll still have plenty of time to work on things between the first of September and early November. I can do this. Yay! I can do this and I'll sell lots and I'll make some extra Christmas money! Alright!!! (I'm very pumped now, can you tell!?)

As you've read, I make greeting cards. They aren't fancy but they definitely fill a niche. I find it very relaxing picking card stock and matching it to the embellishments I want to use. And I absolutely LOVE seeing my finished product. For me, it is very easy to work on my card creations while I'm watching tv or a movie.

I'm guessing that's the case if you do needlework, too. You can probably knit or crochet while watching the news or your favorite show. Embroidery might be a little tougher to do but, having done some in the past, I found it gave me something to be doing instead of just sitting there.

Now, if you're a sculptor, I'm pretty darn sure you aren't sculpting while watching ANYthing!

Nonetheless, I hope you feel that making the time to produce a good quantity of any or all of your favorite arts and crafts will be worth it to participate in this holiday craft fair.

I can't be the only person around here that is wanting, if not needing, an outlet for selling my crafts. You know you want to. It will be great!!

Aw, go one. Sign up today and just schedule time to bake or knit or photograph or make jewelry or whatever. You'll have fun working on your hobby, you'll be creative and you'll end up making some money, and maybe even some new friends!

Craft Fair Application

Just click the link, fill out the application and start crafting! You'll be glad you did! In fact, LOTS of people will be glad you did when they Christmas shop at your booth!

Happy crafting!

Lisa

Where Do You Buy Your Craft Supplies?

I got really into making handmade greeting cards about 3-4 years ago now. I've gone from medium fancy to plain and simple, and somewhere in between.

I did a lot of research early on to be sure that the supplies I bought could be used on items I sold. I didn't want to risk getting in trouble with manufacturers. I'm glad I did that because now I have documentation for all the brands that I have permission to use.

I buy my supplies from a lot of places. I shop at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Archiver's - even Target has a scrapbook section! I also shop online a lot. Joann's frequently has some really good sales online! Plus, if you sign up for email from most of these places, you can get coupons online so you can save even more money. And who doesn't like saving money - I mean really!

What about you? What do you craft and where do you buy your supplies?

Additional Email for Contacting Me

I just wanted to let everyone know that you can reach me 3 ways now ...

lisa_s@page1solutions.com (my work email)

p1sholidayfair@gmail.com (holiday fair email)

303-233-3886 (work phone)


So, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments or just want to say hi!

Happy crafting!!!

Lisa

Getting Caught Up

Hi, everyone!

As you can see, we now have a blog to help keep everyone informed on the progress of our first community holiday craft fair!

Here's 'where we at' so far ...

• Participant invitations were distributed in early July
• We have 2 confirmed participants, but it's still early
• Participant invitations will be mailed later this week

We will be doing the bulk of our communicating via email, but wanted to be sure everyone in these two business parks - 6th Avenue Place and Corporate Center - was aware that this isn't a scam or anything. So, we'll be mailing invitations later this week to all the businesses we have on our list.

Remember, the application deadline isn't until mid-October BUT if you want to be sure you get a space, you should sign up sooner.

Happy crafting!!!

Lisa

Welcome to our Holiday Craft Fair blog

Welcome. Please come back soon to read more about our Holiday Craft Fair.