Courtesy of: SnapKnot
17 November 2012
Yokota Craft Fair 2012
Please note that I am in the process of transferring blogs, ownership, and files to different email addresses based on the content of the blog. For my family life blog, please visit us at www.daveandkayladoescher.blogspot.com, and for my art blog please visit me here. I will attempt to make the transition as easy as possible, though there will probably be a few temporarily broken links until everything is smoothed out. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
Bright and early yesterday morning after staying up until nearly 1AM to make tags and last minute adjustments...
About an hour into the fair, it got very windy and it started to drizzle, but it didn't deter some shoppers! I managed to sell quite a few pieces, and now I know which ones are more popular than others. I think I might need to start making smaller items, since they were more popular, though the necklaces were a huge hit! Some people were asking if I was sourcing some of my beads from here in Japan, so I've started looking into getting more items from here. People seem to be looking for more Japanese-themed items, thought they still want to support the small crafters and artists. I got a recommendation from one gal to get on Yokota Talk and promote my polymer clay items; she took a business card and seemed very excited, so I think I'll follow that advice :)
The craft fair was a huge success for me. Dave helped manage the money, and even sold two items when I ran to the bathroom for two seconds. I learned how to be outgoing for my customers and how to make a sale, and what NOT to do when looking for sales. This was a huge learning experience, and I'm definitely not aiming to make a profit; however it is nice to have money to put back into crafting so that I can make more items for people that simply enjoy wearing what I make. I can't wait to participate in the May craft fair, so keep your ears tuned!
Bright and early yesterday morning after staying up until nearly 1AM to make tags and last minute adjustments...
Dave & I packed all of my freshly branded jewelry items and a bunch of display items into the back of our tiny Honda Fit and drove over to the Yokota Arts & Crafts Center. It was freezing cold and windy, but I was so excited! Dave was much less so, but he was very supportive and helped me set up my 6-foot craft display for the fall craft fair.
About an hour into the fair, it got very windy and it started to drizzle, but it didn't deter some shoppers! I managed to sell quite a few pieces, and now I know which ones are more popular than others. I think I might need to start making smaller items, since they were more popular, though the necklaces were a huge hit! Some people were asking if I was sourcing some of my beads from here in Japan, so I've started looking into getting more items from here. People seem to be looking for more Japanese-themed items, thought they still want to support the small crafters and artists. I got a recommendation from one gal to get on Yokota Talk and promote my polymer clay items; she took a business card and seemed very excited, so I think I'll follow that advice :)
The craft fair was a huge success for me. Dave helped manage the money, and even sold two items when I ran to the bathroom for two seconds. I learned how to be outgoing for my customers and how to make a sale, and what NOT to do when looking for sales. This was a huge learning experience, and I'm definitely not aiming to make a profit; however it is nice to have money to put back into crafting so that I can make more items for people that simply enjoy wearing what I make. I can't wait to participate in the May craft fair, so keep your ears tuned!
16 November 2012
Yokota Craft Fair
Hi everyone!
I know it's been a while since I posted, but I finally have an excuse: the Air Force moved me to Japan! I am now stationed at Yokota AB, Japan, just east of Tokyo. My husband and I are LOVING it here, and it has provided new inspiration (and new materials!) for my crafting passion.
I finally signed up for my first craft fair this year, and I'll be selling at the Yokota Craft Fair near the Arts & Crafts center. If you live in Japan, I would love to see you there; if you're not...well, I'll be posting pictures!
I know it's been a while since I posted, but I finally have an excuse: the Air Force moved me to Japan! I am now stationed at Yokota AB, Japan, just east of Tokyo. My husband and I are LOVING it here, and it has provided new inspiration (and new materials!) for my crafting passion.
I finally signed up for my first craft fair this year, and I'll be selling at the Yokota Craft Fair near the Arts & Crafts center. If you live in Japan, I would love to see you there; if you're not...well, I'll be posting pictures!
01 December 2011
Those Blasted Condensed Books
My grandmother was famous for collecting things: good, bad, collectible, pretty, weird and awful alike. Among the things she collected were the two my mother disliked getting sent in the mail the most: egg cartons for dad's eventual soundproof room in the basement, and Reader's Digest Condensed Books.
Did you know that about 500 Reader's Digest items, whether in book, atlas or mini-digest paperback form, are published every second? Yeah, they're that ubiquitous, and annoying, and so damn addictive. They are everywhere but you can't stop reading them...particularly the mini-digests. My favorite stories are always the "Drama in Real Life" ones--though of recent they have changed the name I believe. You just can't put it down; it's like a blog in which you just can't stop hitting the "Older Posts" link. They pile up everywhere, in bookstores, in libraries, on Amazon and eBay...you get the point. However, one place my mom did NOT want them piling up was in her bookshelves.
I just came across a blog post that discovers new ways to recycle, reuse and repurpose these old Reader's Digest books. Who knows....one day, these snippets of history might be all we have left of physical books with all the eReaders coming out; but now maybe we can see them in a new light. Visit Sharon's blog post to check out what ideas she has for culling those old pieces of history and putting them to better use.
Did you know that about 500 Reader's Digest items, whether in book, atlas or mini-digest paperback form, are published every second? Yeah, they're that ubiquitous, and annoying, and so damn addictive. They are everywhere but you can't stop reading them...particularly the mini-digests. My favorite stories are always the "Drama in Real Life" ones--though of recent they have changed the name I believe. You just can't put it down; it's like a blog in which you just can't stop hitting the "Older Posts" link. They pile up everywhere, in bookstores, in libraries, on Amazon and eBay...you get the point. However, one place my mom did NOT want them piling up was in her bookshelves.
I just came across a blog post that discovers new ways to recycle, reuse and repurpose these old Reader's Digest books. Who knows....one day, these snippets of history might be all we have left of physical books with all the eReaders coming out; but now maybe we can see them in a new light. Visit Sharon's blog post to check out what ideas she has for culling those old pieces of history and putting them to better use.
29 November 2011
DIY and Project Inspiration
I've come across Pinterest on many occasions and heard of it when it came out last year. I never had any inclination to browse too much or join, as I felt it was just one more account to add to my online identity, which is already extensive enough. Recently though it's become more popular and EVERYONE is talking about it. I decided to head over and see if I could find some inspiration for some home decor or jewelry. I was pleasantly surprised!
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| Homemade twine lamps. Could see these spray painted black and hung in our living room. |
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| Bracelet idea. Now where to get the giant chain from.... |
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| Possible ornamentation for jewelry--might try this with fabric! |
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| Finally, something I can do with all those extra keys lying around the house :) |
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| Pretty neat idea for some leftover costume jewelry |
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| Actually "pinned" from Urban Outfitters, but there might actually be a neat design right here! |
Just a few little bits and pieces. Not bad for my first trawl. I don't think I'll be back on a regular basis, but maybe whenever my muse decides she's on strike!
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