Holiday Fair 2010 Recap

Here are a few snapshots of the Holiday Fair over the weekend. It was fun to meet some new people and see some returning customers as well!  Last year was a huge success, so I wasn't sure what to expect this year. Somehow, I doubled last years sales!! It feels wonderful to have your hard work paid off and to know your business is working. I had my amazing sister there to help all day. She also took these photos for me (you can see her in the mirror;) ) with her new fabulous camera. She is an incredible support to me and I am so grateful for her! Thank you Maria! There were many other talented vendors, and its always motivating to meet other small business owners!

Now...if only I could zap all of these into my shop. :) 

Top 3 Craft Fair Tips (Things I am learning):

1.) Have everything visibly priced. It helps as a consumer when you are considering your purchase. I also put a mirror in my station so people could try on items and decide how they looked.

2. Make the atmosphere reflect your business. I used paper signs with the same colors, fonts, and logo as my shop. It helps customers to connect if they have seen your products before.

3. Offer incentives. I offered facebook fans a special discount. I also held a gift card raffle for anyone who wanted to write down their name and phone #. 

Do you have any tips you want to share??? I have another craft fair coming up in December:)

DIY Feature: Birthday Bunting Card

(Find the full instructions here.)

You can find the most adorable DIY's over at How About Orange. Who wouldn't love to receive a birthday card like this one? I always save the cards my little brothers and sisters hand make for my birthday. It always seem to mean so much more when you know someone put time and effort.

You have requested more DIY's and Tutorials so I will be bringing them to you! If you have one you would like to submit, please email me.

P.S. 6th Street Design School is having a week devoted to "Good Design with Kids in Mind". Some other momma bloggers and I have given our two cents on how to keep your home decorated while maintaining a kid friendly atmosphere. Stop on over!

DIY Feature: Chevron Tray

This Chevron Tray is a perfect follow up to last week's DIY.  I spotted this some weeks back on Everything LEB. Such a cute, resourceful, and easy DIY. An easy way to add a modern piece to your home! For the full step by step visit here!


*Tomorrow is the last day to enter the 100$ Shopbop gift card giveaway! Don't miss your chance!

DIY Feature: Jamaica's Binding

( via Jamaica Makes)

(via ali edwards)

After seeing these projects (which Jamaica makes them look easy) I have the sudden urge to binder ring my life away....What fun gift ideas!

You will have to see more of Jamaica Edgell's Work!

DIY: Home Decor Letters

Its been a crazy week! My sister hosted a  "Headbands and Happy Hour" event for IHOD which was so much fun! Can't wait to share the details. For now, I wanted to pass along this DIY. Read the full post at Joy Ever After. She has so many creative ideas!

If you have a DIY you would like to be featured, send me an email!

DIY: Create your own Rosette Hair Pins!

I am sharing with you a little DIY today from my shop! You may wonder why I am sharing the secrets of my Rosette Pins when I sell them here, but I love to promote all things handmade if someone is willing to try it:) You can find different versions of rosettes around the web...These pictures are pretty 
self-explanatory...but I will explain just in case. Start from the top left!

What you need:

pre-cut fabric petals or any fabric circles

thread & needle

bobby pins

1) Fold your first petal in quarters, stitch on the bottom side of the folds. 

2) Place the stitching side down into the center of the second petal folded in half. Fold petal around the inner petal and stitch on the sides again.

3) Repeat this step, except add the bobby pin on the inside and stitch around it.

4.) On the last stitch, pull through the center of the rosette, cut the thread, and knot. This way, the know will not show on the outside....Make two or three and wear in your hair to welcome the spring!

            

Thursday DIY's: Valentine Round Up!

I have rounded up some really fun DIY's from some of my favorite blogs for you to enjoy:) 

Here's all you need for last minute Valentine Solutions! 

Clockwise from Top Left:

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies - via Love Ardently 

Valentine's Day Brownie Bags - via Twig and Thistle 

Match Box Valentines - via Inchmark 

Printable Valentine's Day Conversation Wrappers - via Creature Comforts Blog 

Heart Crayon Cards via The Long Thread 

Also,  adorable Printable Children's Valentines via Wandering Nancy 

I am using quite a few of these ideas in the upcoming :) Do you have any fun DIY's I missed? Let me know! I would be happy to link them here!

         

DIY: Playing Card Message Valentines

My hubby's birthday is the day after Valentine's Day, and so I am working on a series of fun handmade Valentine's for him. I am hoping he doesn't see this post..... I wanted to share one of these projects with you. I have seen some cute ideas before with playing cards-so this is my version. These are sooo easy to make and fun to receive! 

What you need: 

deck of cards (with red backs)

hole Punch

marker or stamps

wax paper

tape or glue

ribbon or raffia

cardstock

1) I used the Ace- 4 of hearts and cut out the letters L-O-V-E out of cardstock and glued them to the back of the playing cards. Flip them over.

2) Stamp or write your own message on each card. (I did my first one upside down!-oops.)

3.) Hole punch and string together your cards using ribbon or rafia.

4) Fold up and make it accordion style.

5) Cut some wax paper to make a pocket. 

6) Slide in your card, seal, and tie ribbon or raffia around it:)

Have any fun DIY Valentine's links to share? Let me know!