Motivation & Time

Where have I been?? You can see, I haven't blogged in over a month and I don't have a good excuse! Everyday I tell myself, "I HAVE to blog today!" and then the next day comes...
Yes, motivation & time are partly to blame - I'm not too motivated lately and I have no time!
I don't have any excuse for taking so long to post something; for me, the trouble is deciding what's interesting enough that you'd want to read it! As always, I'm open for suggestions.

Something that has kept me busy over the last few weeks is organizing my craft room! After BANG!, it was a disaster and I didn't know where to start. There was no room to walk without stepping on or around something, and no place to work because my craft table was covered with brads, ribbon scraps, paper and other debris! It took a lot for me to show this, (I'm only able to after my mother sent me these pictures), but here's a before picture...

That's just one view; you're unable to see the floor....trust me, you don't want to!!

At first, I was just moving stuff around & creating organized piles. Then, after a few late-night, several hour-long cleaning sessions (the only time I get anything done), I started to have some hope....

And here is a during picture....

Once I got the desk cleaned off, it began to look like a place to create, rather than just a storage room. Note all the piles on the right! Someone saw these pictures and described it as "a nice juxtaposition of super-organization with real-life piles"! I thought that was a nice way to put what my husband sometimes refers to as my "crap" room.

And then I FINALLY got most things put away & in the places I want them. I added an old dresser that we were going to get rid of, as well as taking advantage of the space under my work table. By the way, the dresser is full already! What did I ever do without it??

I still have several "piles", but at least they're not on the floor. I can't describe how good it feels to walk through my craft room freely, without watching where I step!

Like my life, my craft room is a work in progress. There are still things I need to go through, condense and organize further. Now I'm able to work, walk & find things easily.....until my next project or craft show!!



                 (**Pictures are from Mel Stampz**)

BANG! Craft Fest

I did it! I am happy to report that I completed my first craft show on Saturday. Though it was really cold, I think BANG! was a success & fun too! I got a lot of positive feedback about most of my products from customers and other vendors.

This is my table after we finished setting everything up. Overall, I was happy with it, though I made a few changes as the day went on. (If the picture seems a little confusing, its because there is a mirror on the wall behind it.)

I displayed my handmade ornaments on a small Christmas tree.

The ornaments were pretty large so the tree is hard to see - but that was the point.   

I used my "Clip-it-Up" to display my handmade cards & some ready-made stationery products. It worked out well as customers were able to turn it to look at everything that was available.

Here are some of  the holiday cards I offered.

             This was the most popular -
                 (Frayed Ribbon Christmas Tree)     

And some others...

I displayed handmade note card sets around the table. (Each set comes with 4 matching note cards, 4 coordinating envelopes & envelope seals.)

The ribbon bookmarks were also good sellers...

I made a few sets of coasters as well -

                

                        

Other offerings....

Cookie Cutter Gift Sets (includes 3 graduated cookie cutters, 2 recipes, meringue powder, skewer, icing bag & a cookie ornament for inspiration - or for your tree!)

Mini Clipboard/Desk Set (includes mini post-it pad, tear-off calendar, pen holder, 3 mini clothespin "clips" and bulletin board strip with 2 push pins.) You can use dry erase markers on the board as well.

All in all, I think it was a great experience. I met so many talented and kind people, who were more than willing to share their experience & ideas with me. I especially want to thank Liz, of Its All in the Bag. Her table was next to mine and she makes the cutest aprons, bags & crayon holders! I enjoyed talking with her so much. She gave me lots of ideas; too bad she lives in Rhode Island! I know we'll be in touch though.

And I really enjoyed meeting Lou, of Lou's Upcycles. She does amazing things with used plastic snack bags and anything else that food comes in! I can't thank her enough for sharing a little bit of her oodles of experience with me. I definitely plan to talk with her again soon.

I can't forget Julie, of Voma for telling me about Bang! in the first place. I never would have gotten anything made if she hadn't lent me the use of her craft room. I'm also lucky she's not charging me her consultant's fee!

How NOT to Prepare for a Craft Show...

Good Morning! Today is the day - my first craft show! I planned to get a good night's rest, but then I started remembering one thing, and then another, and then...its 5am. Oh, well. I know I'll be running on adrenaline anyway. I finished most of the items I wanted to make, but I still wish I had made more. I'll be sure to post some pictures from the show when I get home. Two lessons learned: Don't wait until two weeks before a show to start making anything; and Don't do a craft show one week before Christmas! Ask me how much shopping I've done, goodies I've baked, or holiday cards I've sent....you can guess what I'm doing this week. At least our Christmas tree is up & decorated.