Craft Fair Prep

As I mentioned in my last post - I have decided to do a craft show in June.  I've done them before over the years but this one is different as it's for two days.  I really don't know what to expect as this is both new to me and at the location (they have been doing an antique show for years but this is the first time they'll be hosting a craft fair to go with it).  They expect about 5000 people to pass through over the two days so that should be exciting. So with all that in mind I went to my all time favourite place - Pinterest - to look for both ideas of what to make and how to prepare for it.  I came across a great blog from stitched in color.  The post is The Craft Fair Series and you can find it under events or try this link (I'm still learning how to do this!)  stitchedincolor.com/2012/09/the-craft-show-series.html

The show is June 13 and 14 (Friday and Saturday) which gives me a total of 7 weeks.  I've broken down everything just as it is in stitched in color, so here goes.

Inventory Planning (what I already have)
3 baby blankets
1 baby quilt
1 twin size quilt
a few bibs, burp cloths, taggie blankets
2 utility aprons
2 covered journals

Categories (and how many I'd like to make)
10 covered journals
15 dolls
10 stuffies
5 flat houses with doll and clothes
5 tents
8 beach bag/tote
8 quilts/blankets
6 bunting
6 pillows

Schedule (how many items I need to make a week)
I've added up how many I'd like and kind of figured out that I need to make about 10 items each week.  I will update this section weekly.

Pricing
I'll look at this a little later and come back to it.

Booth Design
My space is 20x20 so I want to buy a 10x10 white canopy.  I've been looking and have seen one at Kmart but need to check out other stores to get the best deal.
Look at props I already own.
Look at my Pinterest board - Booth Design - for more ideas.
Make my Whimsies bunting for the front of the canopy.

Props
bag pole                                           metal dress form
doll cradle                                        tiered (fruit) baskets
small doll bench                                lazy Susan
wooden wagon                                 small wooden stool
metal potato basket                          rug
ladder                                              trunk
tiered plant stand                              table and table coverings
large baskets
wine crates

The Little Details (everything from business cards,Visa?, packaging etc)
business cards - will double as price tags
                       - how to attach them to the product
                       - put them out for people to take
check to make sure I have enough sew in labels
packaging - bags, tissue, stickers
small checkout station
payment methods - check out square.com
money tin and float
receipt book
any signs for group displays - use wooden picture frames
masking tape (for bunting)

Booth Mock-up
This I will do the week of the show.

So this is it! I think I've covered everything. I will update this each week with pictures and any other info that I think will be useful.  Until then...

Where have I been!!

Ok, so clearly I'm not very good about keeping up with a blog!  I wish I could say I've been really really busy or that I've been travelling or something but I haven't.  I've been working at my part time job, doing a little sewing and crafts and spending lots of time with The Bean.  How can I not spend time with her?  I wasn't lucky enough to have my mum or twin sister living close to me when I had my two kids as we were in the military, so I've decided that spending time with my grandchildren is top priority! Yes I said children.  The Bean is now a big sister to Sissy who arrived in quite a hurry last Thursday night Friday morning.  She was a few days early and entered the world in a short hour and a half of labor!! If only I'd been that lucky with my two....

Naturally I had to make a quilt for Sissy, so chose to do a really simple design.  I went to Joann's and was surprised to find some really cute fabric.  I came straight home and cut my strips and pieced it together in about an hour.  I then went back to Joann's to buy backing and settled on a flannel.  I decided to just quilt in horizontal lines about 2" apart.  I love how it looks and have decided that this will be the baby quilt I make for my up coming craft show - more on that later. Then with my leftover fabrics I put together a banner to hang in her room.

I also made a quilt for The Bean.  I don't have any pics yet as I sent it away to be quilted and I still have to make a matching pillowcase for it but I will post some as soon as I get it back.

So I've decided to do a Craft Show.  It's in the middle of June giving me plenty of time to make some things for it.  As I was looking through Pinterest the other day I came across a great blog about prepping for a show. stitchedincolor.com/2012/09/the-craft-show-series   I'm definitely going to use her plan to get me organized.  Over the next day or so I'll make my list/plan and keep you updated with my progress. Until then...