Micellany Monday

Random thoughts about my first vendor event...


All of the hours and weeks of hard work preparing for my first craft show paid off! I was very doubtful leading up to the event. I wasn't sure it would be "my thing." But, it was! As with everything I do - I researched everything I could to make sure my first vendor experience was a success. I think I read for hours about booth design and the do's and don'ts of a successful show.

Here is my practice table at home in my office. I changed a few things before the actual event. Bill made me professional looking pricing signs and I ended up hanging some headbands rather than laying them on a plate. But, other than that - it stayed the same. (My sign is 24 X24 stretched canvas - perfect for hanging in my office when it's not in use).

Here is my booth - I had a very small 4X6 spot - it was perfect.

As you can see from my hat that it was a bit chilly. In fact it was about 34 degrees when we were setting up. Thank goodness for the spot in the sunshine against the building and out of the wind. So many of the vendors froze their butts off! Luckily, the weather didn't scare anyone off. It turned out that the line to get into the event went all the way down the block and around the building - it was three times as long as the event this last spring! It turned out to be a beautiful first day of fall.

Just a fraction of the line...

FYI - We used 'Square' to take credit cards and to keep track of cash and checks on the iPad. It was so slick. If you are planning on participating in a vendor event I highly recommend using Square. There are NO hidden fees! It's just 2.75% per swipe and your money is deposited the NEXT day! 

I was so tired after the event - I was asleep by 8:30pm. It was a good day.

Now, I'm gearing myself up to be energized for this coming weekend - It's the state early childhood conference - in which I am the chair of the planning committee. I am trying to psych myself up for another weekend of long days...

Enjoy your Day!

Friday Five

Please be aware of the fact that my first craft show - the junk market - is one week away. I will be writing about it. I will be sharing pictures of my first adventure into the craft show world.  :)

So, here are a couple of the things that made me a little happier this week.

one.
A couple of my favorite things - Harry Potter - Zevia - Creating. Yes, I'm a huge geek!

two.
my favorite combo for the Poppy Blossom Bags - so much so that I decided to keep this one for myself.

three.
Loving all of the Poppy Dot Bobby Pins - great hold too! I use professional bobby pins so they won't slide out!

four.
Boo! Halloween is just around the corner - can you believe it? - I love these little monsters!

five.
my favorite little guy to keep me company while working long hours - as you can see - there are going to be fun Christmas accessories too!

All I know is that the team of teachers I work with are counting down the days until I am sane again! Next weekend is the Junk Market (finally!) and the weekend after that is the State Early Childhood Conference in which I am the chair of the planning committee. Ugh. Did I also mention it's budget time? Yup. I can't wait until Oct. 1st. I'm going to do nothing all day. Wait! Isn't that a Monday? I guess I'll be working...

Enjoy your weekend!

Junk Market - Display

As I shared with you on Monday, I am 8 days away from the Junk Market. I've been busy researching everything anyone would need to know to have a successful show. I've been mildly obsessed with it. I know in my mind what I want my booth to look like. I have a 6' table under an awning. I'm starting small - this way I don't need to invest in a tent. If I don't love it - so be it. I gave it a try... although I hope to love it. I'm very proud of my work and where Poppy and Pippa has come in the past year. Again, that's from being mildly obsessed with researching successful online stores. No wonder I don't have a life. I'm too busy being obsessive.

Moving on.

Here are two of the things I purchased at Hobby Lobby today at 50% off. Woot! Woot!

This first one is a lovely bright pink jewelry holder - as you can see I'm going to use it to display headbands. I believe it was about $6.

I saw this metal bowl from across the store and it was screaming to me! I love it. I almost bought one in each color but, settled on purple. This one was $15. So worth it. 

For the show I'm not putting hair ties in here. I have way too many so they're going into a green basket. I was thinking I could put it upside down and clip clips to the outside... so many possibilities.

Finally, here is one of the headbands that will be for sale. I'm using a stainless steel "vase" with rocks in it to display the hard headbands.

I can't wait to share more with you in the next few days...

Enjoy your day!

xo

Miscellany Monday

Write Random.

This is a picture of my home office on Saturday morning. It actually looked much much worse than this by Saturday afternoon. 

As some of you may know from reading (my not-so-consistant posts) that I am going to participate in my first craft show. It's called The Junk Market.

I have been working like crazy to prepare. I am obsessively reading all I can about craft shows. Yes, craft shows. I never thought I would do that - ever. I used to call them crap shows whenever my mom would drag me to one. I guess I have a whole new outlook. I hope people don't think it's a crap show! Here are a few of the things I've found that I want to incorporate into my booth area or things that have inspired my booth.

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I really like how accessible these bobby pins are - they are easy for customers to see clearly and to remove from the ribbon for purchase. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with my bobby pins yet.

I adore this color scheme. Bright, cheerful, and welcoming. I have big plans for my booth. Huge plans...

I am going to use this idea for my business cards. I love it. It's so personal. I'm not sure how it's going to actually play out because I don't have much space so, I'm still brainstorming about this one.

The clear pricing on these products make it so easy for customers. I'm going to do something similar to this as well.

*all photos via google images

I have so many things to do for this show. I know it will work out but, until then I will frantically be creating.

Throughout the next two weeks (leading up to the show) I'll be sharing some of my products as well as the process of my booth coming together.

Enjoy Your Day!

My Favorite Things Thursday

one.
I DIE.
She's back for a fifth season. Ba-nan-as!
Read about it here.

(via)

two.

a $0.97 dress that's wedding appropriate.

from Old Navy - of course.

three.

a four day week. Yahoo!