To Craft Fair or Not to Craft Fair...That is The Question

I've been making things for sale for about 2 years now.  I have had success on a small scale, but I want to expand.

I know that my stuff is good, because when people order from me they don't order a bow or two, they order crazy numbers -- 15, 20, 32 -- those are actual numbers from orders that I've had.

People tell me that they like my stuff, and with the order sizes that I get, I know that they do.

I'm ready to branch out and start selling to people that I don't know.

I thought that giving donation baskets to local schools would help me branch out.  Sadly, I never got anything from the donations that I gave, and I would donate HUNDREDS of dollars of my products each time I was asked for a donation.

I've contemplated doing an Open House, but again, that would mostly be people that I know.  If someone brought a friend or two, I may get one or two new contacts, but I need to reach farther.

I think the next level of sales is going to have to be a craft fair.  The thought gets me nervous for two reasons.

First, I once did a show.  It was a fundraiser for a shelter for women and children.  I was so excited.  I created and created and created.  I worked like a crazy lady to get things ready.  I had bows, clippies, headbands and beanies with flowers, and bling bead jewelry.  I had a neighbor come with me to keep me company and help with sales.  I did ZERO in sales that day.  How disappointing was it that I worked for WEEKS to get ready for this and didn't sell one thing.

Second, I have not really seen bows on children around here.  Maybe it's because there is not anyone is this area that sells them.  I've seen a few here and there, but they are awful.  They look like they were grabbed off of a hook at Dollar Tree.

My products are not expensive.  I even had a friend help me to price them.  She made me raise my prices because she said that what I was charging was barely covering costs.

So that's it.  In writing this I've talked myself into doing a craft fair, and I know when my first one will be.  I will be reserving a space, under the pavillion, at the Sixth Annual Fox Lake Sping Festival of Crafts in Titusville on April 2.  I have about 9 weeks to work on my doodads to have a good stash to bring with me.

I'll have to do updates, and include pictures, to keep me on track.

Ooh...the butterflies just started.

Monday...That Means No Work for Me

Mondays. Everyone hates them. I understand why...it's because they've just enjoyed their weekend , and they have to head back to work.


Everyone, that is, except for me. I can't work on Mondays, because my kids are home.

On Mondays we are usually slow to start, and it's always been that way.

Today included doing a small food shop at Publix, because we ran out of mini juice boxes, and we need them for snack in school next week.


We were also on the lookout for Fudge Covered Ritz crackers. One word - Stupendous. I found them at Christmastime while I was in Target. They were by the front registers, so I grabbed a box. I figured that I'd give them a try. Ritz crackers...chocolate...salty goodness mixed with sweet -- what's not to like?

The good thing was that they were a "Limited Time Only" item. The bad this is that they were a "Limited Time Only" item.



So I got to thinking...Grimaldi Candies has a new storefront right over on US1. So, after we did our little food shop -- and came up empty-handed for Fudge Covered Ritz -- we headed over there to see if we could find them.



Well, they did not carry them, BUT, the (very cute) guy that I spoke with told me that if I bring a box of Ritz down to him, he'll make them for me in my choice of chocolate -- milk or dark.



For me, who HATES asking questions and inquiring about things, this was a big deal. But, a big deal that really paid off! I'll be heading to Publix tomorrow for their BOGO Ritz Crackers and deliver a box to the very nice man at Grimaldi's. I can't wait to pick them up on Friday.



The remainder of the day included a "sunny snack" in the driveway of cheese and crackers, and some carrot dip chips and broccoli and ranch dressing, some scootering and some bike riding. Then, my neighborhood BFF, Ladena, came over to talk, and she and I passed the time -- about 2.5 hours -- just chatting.

It's now 6:30, supper is finishing, and I have yet to get any work done today.

But hey, it's Monday, and I NEVER get any work done on Mondays!

Hm....What's This Blog Thing?

So I remembered that I have a blog, and that it has been a LONG time since I did anything on it.  So I went back to check, and it's been almost two years!

That's not okay.

So, I have decided that each day I will post something.  It might be what I'm doing that day (well, if I can get productive), or maybe just something that's on my mind.

So here it goes...today begins the rest of my blogging days.