Family, Crafting and Fun in the Sun

My Grandmother is in rown from Indiana- we are having more than unusal weather for our town. Usually we get no rain, all warm to hot and lot's of sunshine. Throughout this weather so much has happened in just a few days.  My sweet Owen has graduated from Pre-K! I was so proud of him, all the family's had a picninc after and it was wonderful.  We have hade special dinners and breakfast with my Mama Jan, which I always think how it seems that you always gather over food with those that you love.  Then today felt like a very accomplished day.  I woke up early, got my grocery shopping done and then went with the lady who gave me the passion so long ago in the artsy world- my Mama Jan! We went to two craft stores and she helped me coordinate darling cherry ribbon with polka dots and other wonderful colors, I am attempting to start taking up little girl bows as well as hair flowers!  It was so nice to have her there with me putting groupings together, just to have her there with me to enjoy such a simple moment that becomes magical when done with someone you love. It was a bit blissful my day today, we then headed to get jewelry making supplies for a few necklaces I am making for her. Also matching earrimgs! I am looking so very forward to making lovely pieces for such a special person! Then tomorrow come in my sweet cousin and her husband- then late June my Aunt and Uncle! How Blessed I feel to get to see so many of my family members this year.  Now I am off to cuddle up with a cup of tea and a wonderful movie at home on my comfy couch. Wishing you all a blissful day tomorrow and all week long! I can't wait to fill you in on my fun activities this week with Family!

Last Post on craft events

A few simple things to remember-

~Be kind to your neighbor, she or he will be a great person to give your business card to, they may give you the heads up on the next show!
~Find out how much advertising they will be doing before you commit! The show I have just signed on for is doing advertising for the newspaper, radio, all kinds of publications, provides the table and table cloth for the wonderful price of $35!  So just make sure you don't spend all the time getting everything ready for a show that is not going to have anyone their! I have been to those too- I've learned my lesson!
~Check your local craigslist for craft fairs looking for vendors.
~Take change! I no this seems like a no brainer, but it is a biggie- decide if you want to take checks- remember they may bounce and this person still has their lovely hat that you made! I always prefer cash, on items of 20 or less I will accept a check anything larger I need cash in hand- you may want to make a attractive sign that says this so you don't have to- set it right beside you that way you know they have seen it.
~ Last but not least do not look bored! Do not take a magazine or more projects to work on! What you do want to take is a bag of snacks, a few drinks, and possibly a change of shoes- if you wear heels, you will be standing at your table a lot, you may want flats to throw on after, while your getting everything back to your car!

One book I loved an really think you would like to read is
Crafty Superstar
by:Grace Dobush

I got this on Amazon- I don't think you'll have trouble finding it- you may have trouble searching through all the other craft books- I am obsessed with craft and design books!

So- I hope these few posts were helpful! Any questions feel free to contact me in the comment section.

Table space

This is something you may not think of. Do they provide the table or do you?  Do they provide a table cloth or do you?  Do they have an electrical outlet if that is something you want to use for maybe background noise or not.(Be kind to your neighbors on this one) they are usually very close by and don't want the music the coordinates with your handmade spa candles going along with their punk rock tee's and dog collar necklaces- get my drift on this one?  Also ask for permission for music.

#1 tip on your table- if they provide a table cloth for you, find out the color. If it doesn't coordinate with your items find some pretty sheer scarves or vintage fabrics to give your table your taste. Now you should ask for permission prior to this but most people running the vendor fairs do not care.

#2 if they provide a 6 ft. table space for you for $35 dollars practice at home, even if it is on the floor. Measure out 6 ft. and think of how you my lay out your display. So when you get there it is a snap to put it all together.

#3 last pointer for the day- think about how you will lug your stuff to the table. Make sure to use plastic tubs with lids for breakables- wrapped in tissue (as if you were moving there:) Also open boxes work well for rolls of ribbon, bags, cards, any wrapping supplies, set them up ahead, put those ready to be filled bags or boxes under your table so if you get a rush of people at once you can get an item prepared for the client quickly, but still looking the way you wanted- not like a mess walking around the show with your name on it. If people see gorgeous bags running around on peoples arms it may get them curious about what is in there, so I always wrap a box up put it on my table and make a very pretty framed paper that says free gift wrap for you or a gift. Then I ask each person if it is for someone else so I know to take the price tag off.

wrapping box should include
- ribbons
- boxes or bags
-business cards
-tape
-calculator (don't use your phone!)
-scissors
-extra price tags- just incase when you get there one is missing.
- Also if you can manage a flat card of some type or something pretty and small that they can fill out to the person they are giving it too. If you make some simple cards for a dollar with matching tags they usually buy them to dress their gift up.

That is all for today- it truly is not all that hard once you've done 1 or 2 but getting it all together the first time is a little overwhelming! Hope this helps- more to come! Leave me a little note let me know how you are liking these postings!

I am including a pre- set up I did before my first show.

Tips on craft shows

I thought of this post based on a comment I got after the last posting about my craft show.  It got me thinking back to my nerves I had of doing my very first, very small show.  So I thought I would give you a few pointers for the next few days and if I can some pictures so that you can see some of those pointers as well.

#1 Fantastic business cards- 50 minimum. I ordered new cards this time that I felt truly expressed me- remember you say a lot with those little pieces of card stock- I used a great lady on Etsy- Posh Girl Boutique. Even if someone doesn't buy from you today, they may want to contact you later for whatever you expertise is. Do not forget to put all contact info on the card that you would like you customer to know! No matter if it is jewelry or home made sugar scrubs ( they have an article on making sugar scrubs in somerset life this month!)

#2 Decide if you will offer gift wrapping and what type- I love to use bags and bows(the company) for this.  Think about coordinating your business cards to your tissue- you can always pick up tissue at walmart and order your boxes our bags through a company in bulk (that is a cheaper route!) I promise making your pkg's look pretty will pay off. Think about going into a fancy store- the way the gently wrap your clothing in tissue and place it in a pretty coordinating bag.  This doesn't have to cost you a lot of money ( your first purchase of bulk bags or boxes may be, but other than that, buy tissue at walmart, or target, go to a craft store that sells tulle on those little rolls, and use that as your bows- not only does it look fancy it is priced well.  Unless say you are a more earthy business, you could always add to your pkg a dried flower or that string (blanking on the name of it) twine I believe? But do what feels right - spread the message about how you want them to feel when they buy their product.  When ordering my business cards I also ordered little stickers to accent my craft paper boxes that say "a touch of bliss" I want them to be blissfully happy with every purchase- I also added that to my business cards this time also, which I have uploaded a picture of both.

I know this post was a bit long, but I want to help you not have those awful nerves I had with my first craft show and maybe give you pointers of things you haven't yet thought of. Hope you like the next few pointers I will be posting throughout the next few days.

Delayed- but here are my craft show pictures

So, for those of you interested in my show I did recently I now have pictures to show you of a glimpse of the products I had- not near all of them, but it will give you an idea.  If any of you are curious what sells the best for a crafty lady at a show my answer to you would be- there is no way to know. Make what comes from the heart, display the best way and most original way possible and then you will succeed in your heart. Do not make things just to make them- make the things you love!  For instance as far as original display's you will see how I had my jewelry and pins displayed and I had even more jewelry I have on a glass cake stand. And brooches in a white ornate bowl. I had my cards Decoratively wrapped in plastic bags to protect them and tied with a sweet tie and a jeweled tag.  Some of you may not want to go to that much work for a craft show- but I promise with each show I have upped the last with both display and customer service & it pays off! (this year I gift wrapped all purchased gifts for free with a personalized sticker). Also get to know the other vendors who's items you like- but aren't your type of product and who's personality you click with. Then you can throw a vendor fair at one of your homes with private friends and family in a much more relaxed setting.  2 of the vendor's there and myself are already cooking something up- hope to tell you soon all about it!  From the fun foods we will serve to the fun drinks and the success or lack there of- but I am thinking positively on this one! Hope you enjoyed this long post- and the pics!

So In Love!

I am always amazed by the blog world. There are a few blogs I usually frequent, dreamy whites is one  of them- she did a article on Jeanne Oliver/ jeanneoliverdesigns.com/blog/ Oh my- she has a line of gorgeous clothes, bags and amazing style sort of vintage, but new. I had to share this exciting find with all of you- visit her- she is giving away 500.00 gift card to her shop of fab finds. Hope you take a peak it is truly worth your time. Love her header on her blog, love her style and I think you will too!

A precious package

Today I am hoping to add bliss to someone else's day, a hand written note. A sweetly wrapped gift, hopefully a cherished item or two. I want to put together a love box for a very special person in my life. Do you do things for people just because? If you did what would it be and would you take the time to sweetly wrap it up elegantly, would you send something via email gift wrapped, or buy something unique from a local shop and send it miles away- or maybe something from the crafty folks on etsy. However you would send your love gift, let me know. Here is to hoping you have a blissful day.

Somerset Life

Have you ever read Somerset Life? Oh how I could get lost in the glorious pages.  Filled with ideas of making your life a bit more well..... blissful if I may. It truly gives you such lovely ideas and wonderful articles to get lost in with a good cup of tea.  It has a fairly high price tag for a magazine of 14.99, but well worth every penny if you ask me. It is one of those I buy to save for a plane ride or for a quiet night when my husband is away with friends.  It gives me that bit of bliss. They also have other glorious versions if you are into jewelry making- I get that one as well, also they do have versions for people who love to stamp or make aprons, which I love all of the above.  Some day I wish to have every magazine they make every month, I adore them that much.  So I highly recommend them for anyone who longs for a crafty life.
Goodbye for now my friends- until next time- grab yourself a blissful magazine and carve out some time for yourself- go on, you deserve it!

Merci!

To all of you who visited with me at my table at the vendor fair at the hospital. It is always fun meeting new faces, seeing how people take in my work. You all were wonderful. I love what I do, I hope that you left with that blissful feeling, even if it meant walking by my table and enjoying the view or enjoying a sample from Gypsy girl Granola- with my dear friend Suzi! Or my wonderful neighbor selling the fab salt city candles, I have two warmers and loads of bricks to burn my favorite blissful blend of lavender vanilla! I hope you enjoyed your day, I hope it made your work day a bit more well- blissful:)  Please feel free to contact me with any questions! I hope you love your purchase or if you bought a gift that they loved theirs! Merci to you all! ~Jessica

Craft show week!

I can not believe when I looked my planner over for the week that this is my big craft show week!  I am excited and feeling a tad unprepared- I always do until they table is set and ready to go.  I do still have pricing to do and such.  I try to use a lot of old silver platers and pretty pie plates to put my things on. I am amping it up a bit this year so I hope it turns out as I have planned in my head! I will take pictures, and post them lots to do this week! Enjoy your week!

Bienvenue ~ Welcome!

Spring always bring to me a since of welcoming.  Everyone decorating the outdoors of their homes and spring cleaning the indoors! I thought about what I was doing around my house to welcome others.  What I needed to do to host what I hope is a tea party for some friends, which of course has to be the creme de la crem. I am thinking of favor bags maybe tied in a vintage hanky. In my opinion I think of French and I think of such welcoming things- for instance my last posting of my love of lavender. Not to mention their fabulous linens and well extraordinare way they have of making things feel extra fancy.  Some day let me take a trip to paris- I will say "oh la la " as soon as I set eyes on it I am sure!