Craft Fair #2

Hello everyone! I hope this blog posts finds everyone in high spirits and good health. It seems that I've finally kicked the bug that had me down for so long. I'm still amazed at how sick I got this season. I sure hope that's the end of that nonsense.

This past weekend I attended my second (and final) craft fair. This one was a doozie, and not in terms of sales, but in terms of the weather! Oh my goodness was it W-I-N-D-Y. We had gusts from at least 30 mph all the way up to 60 mph. Mixing paper crafts and wind is definitely not a good idea. Set-up was miserable and keeping product on the tables was even worse. We finally packed up our stuff after having been there only an hour. It was way too much to handle.

However, before the wind knocked everything down for the ump-teenth time, I was able to take a few pictures of my set-up. I had quite a few new items this time around that I was super excited about, but sales were dismal. It may look calm in this still photo, but check out the table clothes flapping in the wind:

My mom and my good friend, Ana, helped me set up (and later tear down) my booth.

As I mentioned earlier, I made a few new things for this fair including these fun new ID Badge Necklaces. None of them sold, so if you're interested in purchasing one or two or all of them (LOL), they're $18 each plus $2 for shipping and $0.50 for each additional item. All of these necklaces slip on over your head.

This first necklace is one of my favorites! It measures 15" from the back of the neck after you put it on to the tip of the large gold lobster claw clasp. I used Swarovski glass pearls and gorgeous sparkling red seed beads. I really love the angels on this one!

This next necklace features beautiful white angels and Swarovski glass pearls. It measures 16.5" from the back of the neck after you put it on to the tip of the large silver clasp.

Next up is a lovely white and blue 17" necklace featuring snowmen made with Swarovski glass pears and Swarovski rondelles.

Looking for something fun and funky? Try this pink and black number. It measures 17" and you guessed it - those black bicone beads are genuine Swarovskis!

Last up is a lovely lavender and Swarovski glass pearl necklace that measures 16.5". Those sparkly lavender bicone beads are Swarovskis, too!

For this craft fair, I decided to make some more angel scissor charms and key chains. I used my new jewelry tree that my mom gave me to display them all. I've been making these angels for years now, and they're always a big hit! They make great little gifts for co-workers and teachers. If you're interested in purchasing one, they're $8.

Next up is a first for me! I saw these gorgeous red and green cloisonne beads and knew I had to have them! Cloisonne (pronounced cloy-ze-nay) means enameled metal. Cloisonne beads often resemble mosaics or stained glass. These earrings are a steal at only $12!

After making tons of jewelry, I turned my attention to some paper crafts. A new item I added to my inventory are these lotion/body scrub buckets. I got the bottles at the Target $1 spot for $0.50 each! Talk about a great deal. I wrapped the bottles in patterned paper, put them in some baking baggies and stuck them in the buckets. The tag was made using one of PaperTrey Inks Holiday Tag stamp sets. Fun stuff!

I also made some more paperclip bookmarks using stickers! Forget the stamps and the mess - slap on a sticker and you're good to go!

The only thing that sold pretty well that windy day was the Post It Note holders. This time around I added the matching pen. I'm really pleased with how these turned out!

Another new thing I tried was stamping on candles. I learned this technique from Gina K over on Stamp TV. I got the candles at the Dollar Tree (and they smell wonderful, by the way) and went to town! I ended up wrapping the candles in treat baggies and spruced up the packaging with ribbon and a handmade tag.

Another favorite are the decorated pencils. I added the pixie sticks this time around, but I still have all of them due to the darn wind! The pencils nearly sold out last time.

WHEW! That was a lot of stuff! If you're interested in any of it, please leave me a comment or drop me an e-mail. Now for my final thought of the day - be leery of the what you buy at the Dollar Tree:

There's a reason it's only a buck!

I know the secret to weight loss

Wanna lose six pounds in only five days? Think it's impossible? Guess what?! It's not. Did I discover a new way to shed those unwanted pounds? I sure did, but it's a secret. Come in closer...closer, now lean in just a little...oh, don't hit your nose on your screen. Ready for the answer to your prayers? Here it goes: First, you need to get really stressed out. Second, you need to come in contact with someone who has a highly contagious stomach virus. Lastly, sit back and wait for those mind-numbing abdominal cramps to clean out your system lickety-split! And if that isn't enough to make you go kiss the next sick person you see, get a head cold and bronchitis on top of it all, and the BAM! Instant weight loss.

OK, so I'm being melodramatic, but that is exactly how I've lost six pounds this past week, and it's why I haven't been blogging at all. I was hit HARD with a violent stomach virus last Monday that caused me to camp out on my bathroom floor for six hours praying to the porcelain gods of Toilet and Tub. Ick. That was about the worst I've felt in a really long time. Top that off with the fact that I either relapsed or caught a new head cold, and can we say m-i-s-e-r-a-b-l-e? I'm now hacking up both lungs in what I suspect just might be bronchitis. UGH. To think that I exercise every day and still was susceptible to these bugs is beyond frustrating. Let's hope they go away soon...very soon.

Onto more pleasant topics, right? I thought I'd share some projects I completed for a mini craft fair a few weeks ago. Among them are my Snowman Poop bags and Snowman Soup mugs.

I also completed a special order for a breast cancer awareness necklace. I'm very happy with how it turned out!

I used a really pretty sterling silver heart toggle.

I think the pink Swarovski's add a touch of elegance and just the right amount of bling!

Before I got so sick, I was actually having a pretty good week! First, Sedona had a play date with a new friend named Junior. What a cutie! They played so well together despite their 4.5 year difference (Sedona being older). Don't believe me? Just take a look!

I can't forget my Mr. Man who's been right by side during EVERYTHING. He's such a constant source of comfort, and I'm so glad he's all mine :)

Just a few days before getting ill, I went on a four mile bike ride up to a local cemetery. I know it sounds weird, but I love visiting this site. It's set right against the most beautiful rocks I've ever seen, and it's so peaceful and serene. Plus, I get a killer leg workout! Hello, Mr. Calf Muscle :)

This next picture is one of my favorites! The cemetery I visit is the final resting place of a celebrity couple, and their grave site it just beautiful. They have a lovely pond with a gorgeous eagle statue right in the middle of it. The day I took this picture, there was absolutely no wind, so I was able to capture this fun mirror image pic.

Well, that's about all I have for you! I think that was a mouthful. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I have to go prepare for yet another craft fair this coming weekend. Boy, I hope the weather holds out for me. It's been raining off and on here, and I'm quite positive that water and paper do not mix well. We'll see how it all goes! Ta-ta!

Craft Fair Mania!

Hello bloggers! Sorry it's been so quite here lately. Between losing Keno, getting sick and preparing for a craft fair, I've been busy and a bit out of sorts. Thank you for all your kind words about my little man. I picked up his remains from the vet office this past Friday, so he's home with me now.

The week after saying my goodbyes to Keno, I fell ill with a nasty head cold. Unfortunately, there was no rest for me as I had to prepare for a craft fair. It's been a couple of years since I've been a vendor at a fair, so getting back into the swing of things while feeling like pooh was pretty difficult. I had a few items left over from a craft fair I had done a few years back plus I had been working on some items before Keno got sick. However, I pushed myself to have a variety of items to sell, so I worked non-stop for an entire week. My craft room looked like a tornado had hit it! In the end, I was so pleased with how everything turned out. I didn't take pictures of all of my stuff simply because I ran out of time, but here's a sampling of some of the items I made and sold.

My "Snowman Poop" packages sold like hotcakes and were gone in less than an hour. I forgot to take pictures of them, but I plan on making a few more this week, so I'll be sure to photograph them when I do. I sold them for $1 each. Another popular item was the Post-It note holders that I made using plastic 3.5x5 photo frames that I got at the Dollar Tree. I sold them for $3 each.

My $1 notepads also sold out quickly. I used PaperTrey Ink's new exclusive notepads which are already pre-cut for you. They were a real time saver!

Throughout the show, I found that people were really intrigued by my hot cocoa/apple cider sliders. I had lots of fun making these! You just untie the bow, pull up on the ribbon and the packet slides right up! I priced them at $2 each and sold about half my inventory.

My lovely friend lent me her two-tired basket to house my sliders. It worked out great!

I also made some fun treat holders. I got the wooden boxes at Michael's for $1, spray painted them different colors, then decorated each one with festive tags and bows. I sold half my inventory at $8 each.

My nugget tins were a big hit as well. I wrapped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey Chocolate Nuggets in holiday paper, stuck them in the tin, wrapped the tin and called it good. I sold out at $5 each.

Speaking of candy, I also wrapped some Kit Kats to resemble little purses. I wrapped some Hershey bars as well and sold out of all of them at $1.50 each.

The binder clips weren't as big a seller as I had hoped they'd be. I sold a few, but that's it. I think they're pretty cute! I priced item at $3 each.

These fun $1 paperclip bookmarks were pretty popular...

...as were my laminated bookmarks. I got this idea from Kerry's blog. I sold over half my stock at $2 each.

The most fun item I had on my table had to be the Rudolph's Spares. I got so many laughs out of these, and they sold well, too, at $1.50 each.

These pencils at $0.25 each were a hot seller, too! These are the only ones I have left.

Besides papercrafts, I also made some of my S.A.M. Charms. S.A.M. stands for "Supporting our Animal Menagerie," and the proceeds not only go to my own critters, but also to various shelters. My mom surprised me on Friday by presenting me with this jewelry tree to hang my charms from. Isn't it awesome?

Hanging from the tree are a few of my holiday charms. I sold a few of these at $10 each. I still have the ones I'm about to show you, so if you want one, let me know!!

Now onto my booth! I took pictures the day my friend and I set up, but I was so busy the day of the fair that I didn't get a chance to take any pictures of my full set-up, but you get the idea.

On this side table I have some wall decor items as well as my treat boxes, nugget tins, comp books, Post-It note holders and some ornaments made by my late grandma.

A quick close-up of the table:

In this picture you can see my S.A.M. Charms along with more Post-It note holders, notepads, bookmarks and wrapped candy.

Moving left, you can see the hot cocoa/apple cider sliders, another two-tired wicker basket with my handmade cards inside, the Rudolph's Spares, the Snowman Poop packages (in the blue bucket), some decorated wood frames and another tree with handmade ornaments.

Last up is my display of picture frames. I sold quite a few, so I was happy about that!

I hope you enjoyed my virtual craft fair tour! If you see anything you want or have questions, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me directly. I also want to thank all of my friends who came and showed their support! You all ROCK! Thanks to everyone who came, saw and bought :) You made my time and effort totally worth it. Hugs to all!