Lessons Learned from the (First!) Bazaar

Image courtesy: Still Life Images

Image courtesy: Still Life Images

1) I can last a long time on a Grande Peppermint Mocha and a couple servings of cashews.

2) I have AWESOME, supportive, wonderful friends!

3) Sometimes people buy things. Sometimes they don't.

4) The people who loved my booth the most were teenage hipster-types and crocheters.

5) I don't count success by dollars.

6) All the kids (literal and at-heart) loved Olivia Octopus.

7) I'm not as socially awkward as I thought, at least when I'm talking about crochet.

8) When going on an adventure, it's best to go with a friend. =)

Have a Lovely Day!
~Jess
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purplechaircrochet.etsy.com

facebook.com/PurpleChairCrochet

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Here's My Card

Other titles considered for this post:
"It's Business Time"
"Moo Delivered"
"OH MY GOSH! THESE THINGS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!"

 The tiny little One Dollar easels at the craft store were my pick for business card display for my booth.  Add a bit of yarn bombing (and the cards) and they're ready for the big day!

So here's my business card review of Moo.com
~If you're looking for high quality and gorgeous- go with them.
~If you want your logo to upload... uh, maybe try it out and see if it works. Mine just wouldn't work for their template. Bummer. Maybe for the next batch?
~If you want something inexpensive, shop around. I ordered a pack of 100 for $50, but that doesn't include the $7 shipping. It's not cheap, but they're not cheap either. I don't feel dissatisfied with the price for the product that I got from it.

Saturday's the day!! Also, Thanksgiving is next week. How did it creep up on me like this? Ridiculous. I'm supposedly hosting people too. This could be a disaster. :)

Have a Lovely Day!
~Jess
***

purplechaircrochet.etsy.com

facebook.com/PurpleChairCrochet

pinterest.com/purplechair

Imposter Syndrome.

Getting ready for the Bazaar!! Here's a test run I did. Result? I think it works. I'm gonna borrow a bigger table to spread things out a bit more, since I plan to make a few more embroidery hoops and maybe some more bunting or garlands.

Personal critiques: I'm not thrilled about the purple hand drawn pricing signs, but I hate when prices aren't visible and as a consumer you're standing there awkwardly with the item you desire in your hands thinking, "I want this, but I don't want to spend $1,000 on it. If I ask them and it's too much I'll have to put it down and embarrass everyone...". I considered setting up a chalk board with prices, but figured that would give off too much of a Menu feel.

I definitely have Imposter Syndrome right now. I'm not one of those cool people at the craft show - why am I doing this? People are gonna *know* that I don't belong. I feel compelled to wear my glasses to the Bazaar so people will think I'm more hipster-artistic than I am. If I do then I'll then just be painfully self conscious of my stupid glasses all morning.

Despite the purple signs and my glasses, I'm pretty excited about this whole adventure. 7 days to go! My stomach just dropped when I wrote that...

Have a Lovely Day!
~Jess
***

purplechaircrochet.etsy.com

facebook.com/PurpleChairCrochet

pinterest.com/purplechair

Bazaar Prep (WIP)

Gulp. 2 weeks to go until my first ever "craft sale". It's actually just a Bazaar fundraiser in a local elementary school. A great place to begin: no real pressure, half a day, and a friend to team up with.

There's a lot of little things that goes into a sale like this. Things I never would have thought of prior to this project . I needed a sign (above, and it's coming out awesomely), I still need to order business cards, find a cash box, finish inventory, organize my display, and a ton more!

I keep trying to remind myself "Less is More" and I feel like nothing says that more than these "Thank You" bags. I was going to stamp them with a motif design to bring in the crochet element, but after doing one and having a look.... nope. Less is more.

In this shadowbox display will go some fun crochet (of course)! I'm thinking a bunting or garland across the top. It's a party!

And then there's this. Creativity is messy. I don't want to talk about it.

Here, quickly scroll through, past the disaster that is my craft zone and look at some inventory...

First: Earrings!

Motif Earrings- PDF pattern available!

Motif Earrings - PDF pattern available!

Second: Snowflake Garlands!

Also: Snowflake Ornaments

And Of Course: Hats!
Baby....

And toddler...

Tons more to make!

And don't forget: Olivia (and Oliver) Octopus!

More colors coming!

Featuring: Embroidery Hoop Home Decor

And Still in Progress: Hair Clips!

So that's what's in the works over here. In summary: a lot.

Have a Lovely Day!
~Jess
***

purplechaircrochet.etsy.com

facebook.com/PurpleChairCrochet

pinterest.com/purplechair