It's a Revolution

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My new die cut machine arrived Friday. I knew it shipped but I really didn't expect it until this week. I was very happy to have a moment over the weekend to try it out. It's wonderful! It uses my old QuicKutz dies and I bought some new ones.

The Revolution by QuicKutz.

I bought a set of 5 ovals. These are the individual ovals stacked up. I made new signs for my pins at The Enchanted Rose Garden using the two largest ones, in blues.

I also bought a set of 6 flowers. I'm not sure if these can be used for spirelli (that string art technique you've seen me do) because the "petals" are so far apart but I know I'll find a use for them in my mandalas for sure. I find the spirelli looks better the closer the threads are together.

One can also use just two dies and cut rings.

Love, love, love the butterfly! This is two dies. This was just my trial run. I see my next one - the orange part will be black and the bottom layer, the black part here, will be shades of purple and teal. I'll slap some Swarovski crystals on it too I think. Can't wait to play with this one!

I love the way this turned out. The flower is the new die - two pieces to this one. The petals are joined so I trimmed them a little and curled them a bit to give them a little umph. (The scanner flattened them a little.)

I punched a black circle to put under the brown center. I was trying this out to be a pin, layering it on a green spirelli base. Then it needed a little something and the bee buttons I've used previously on my sunflower pins are way too big. I know I can buy tiny brass bugs but I have 8000 punches, surely I must have something appropriate. I love the butterfly.

(Yes, I exaggerate about 8000. I've never counted them but I bet I'd be surprised at the number. Someday I'll count them.)

The funny thing about the butterfly is when I've used it before, I've punched one out of a color, then I punched the body out of black. I cut out the body and glued it on top of the wings. It's really hard to do that and make it look decent. This time, without even thinking about it, I punched two butterflies in contrasting colors and glued the wings of one onto the other one, leaving that body color showing. Duh! Much easier and gives it more weight besides.


Since I have found my specialty to be paper embroidery, I really want all of my pieces to have thread on them in some fashion. But you know, those other ladybug and sunflower pins and Sticky Notes are still good sellers so I guess I'm stuck making them for a while. I really don't mind, it just kind of surprises me, though it shouldn't I guess. Just because I love the paper embroidery best doesn't mean that everyone does.



I went to bed at 8:30 last night, I was so tired. I was really struggling at work yesterday, to stay awake - I hate that. I got up and moved around, I drank water, I chewed gum. Nothing helped. I slept so soundly, I didn't hear Steve or the animals come in to bed. I never woke up once until my alarm went off. I definitely feel better today.

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Mosaic Mural

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Town of Cochrane Mural Mosaic

Check out that site. You can click on each mosaic, which is a painting in itself. Be sure to scroll around the site a bit, it shows the assembly of this mural and others. Very cool! (Thanks, Uncle John.)

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I lasted until 3:30 at work yesterday, then a bunch of us left. I was surprisingly productive. I have to admit, in years past I have spent that day being irritated by the fact that the office was open and overly focused on figuring out when I can leave. The only thing I can figure that was different about yesterday was that I've had a bunch of time off lately with the various craft shows, so it felt okay to be at work.

I'll sort of be glad when this Dec 1 craft show is over so I can bear down and get things accomplished at work as well as at home. There are places in our house I am dying to reorganize and declutter, but I just can't take the time yet - namely Simon's old room. Shocking isn't it - he never came back to finish clearing every little piece of left-behind crap? I bugged him about it incessantly when he first moved out, then I gave up. I decided I wanted to do it myself and do it right. Actually it's part of a chain of events I want to make happen.

I want to clean out Simon's room so we can move the den into that room. Then, the den, which had been my studio originally, will be my new gallery. It's a tiny room with no closet where I'll store my Pine Tree Designs work, displayed attractively, so customers can stop in to pick stuff up. It's an idea I had a few months ago that just wouldn't go away. I even spent a little time looking into the zoning laws - not enough to understand them completely, but I didn't read anything to stop me. The Christmas tree farm next to us sells to the public from their property so I think a gallery open to the public might even be okay eventually.

In my mind, it was half gallery for customers and half it was a way for me to eye my inventory and know what I needed to focus on making. But after this museum show I received an email from a woman who bought stuff from me who wanted more stuff and asked if she could come to my studio to discuss what she wanted. So we have an appointment for Dec 9. I won't have the gallery set up by then but it kind of gave me a nudge that the gallery is the right thing to do. I have it pictured in my mind. I can't wait!

The thing about having a "den" kills me - because we never use it. Well I've never used it, I should say. We have other rooms to meet our needs. We have a living room with a fireplace and no TV. We have a family room with a gigantic HD TV. This den is just a room set up with a TV and futon we had no other place for when Simon moved his room downstairs and I moved my studio into his old bedroom. Steve did use it once in a great while when Simon lived here to watch TV if Simon and his friends were using the big TV for video games. I think he also used it just to prove to me it was useful.

It makes me sad to go in there for some reason. I think it's because when it was my studio, I painted the walls a lovely sage green and stamped copper leaves here and there on the walls. I still love those walls. And now it's a "guy's den" with model cars and dinosaur posters on the walls. It's just wrong, I tell you!

Before we set up Simon's old room as a den, I'm going to talk to Steve about it again. If he doesn't use the current den, what makes him think he'll go downstairs and use it? He has this thing about making every area of the house useful. My theory is it's okay to leave stuff empty until a purpose for it becomes clear. I'm always saying, "Let's live with it a while and see what happens," where he's always, "What can we use this for now?" Different strokes.

Time to get to work. I'm so happy to have zero commitments today so I can work on making inventory. I literally had nightmares all night about The Enchanted Rose Garden. That's the store in Penfield where I rent space. I have to work there tomorrow afternoon so I'm trying to get enough Christmas stuff (cards & pins) made to take with me. I've neglected my space there horribly because there are only so many hours in the day. My nightmares were that the owner was mad at me for not attending to my space and updating it with Christmas stuff yet. And when I went there, I only had one Sticky Notes pad left so my space looked horrible and pathetic.

This is my mantra: I'm doing the best I can, I'm doing the best I can.

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Turquoise

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I just love how this turned out! It started out to be a card until it got to be so darn cute that I felt it deserved a frame. I have a wide white frame but it's so delicate, it needs a thin white frame. This is what prompted me to hop online the other night and order a whole new mess of metal frames. I mostly bought black and white since they are the most universal. I can spray paint them other colors if I need to but I've had minor problems with the paint chipping off. I've tried sealing them but overall, I've decided I don't want to take the time to perfect frame painting. I'd rather be stitching.

I have a whole shelf of frames that I've either been given through Freecycle or bought ridiculously cheap - that are rectangular. So I need to work on some rectangular designs. I haven't tried yet, so I sure hope I can get my mind out of square and round. It feels firmly entrenched!

I had a woman ask me at last weekend's craft show if she'd have trouble framing a card she wanted to buy - is it an odd size. "Yes, it is," I said, "It's 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"." But I told her she could frame it in a float frame and I explained to her what that was. So when I was at Michael's the next time I bought a 6" x 8" float frame and an 8" x 10" clip frame to see if I knew what I was talking about. I haven't had a chance to try them out yet. I'm not sure I can live with different margins, for lack of a better word, on the sides than on the top & bottom. But maybe I can.

It doesn't have to be a float frame, one could frame it in any type or size frame, mount it on co-ordinating paper. A float frame came to mind because I once had a customer show me a square float frame she bought at Target. If I ever see those, I'm buying a truckload. Or one can have it custom framed. Custom framing isn't cheap but I truly love a well-framed piece.

That reminds me of a vendor in the same room at the museum craft show that made frames. Two women actually but one in particular bought some stuff from me so we got to talking. They each having a framing shop in their homes so I took both their cards. The one I was talking to sold framed tatted pieces and doilies - just beautiful. And the other woman offered frames with mats that had cut-outs for shells and other objects. They were all very cool. I've thought of upgrading my frames to something special and unique like these women make but I'd have to test the market a little bit to see if people would pay those prices. I think they'd be gorgeous though.

Anyway, I was going to set a couple of framing examples on my table since I hear that a lot, that people are going to frame my cards. Then I thought I could offer frames - but then I'm in the framing business. Oy. See how one thing leads to another in my mind?

Time to get to work. I have to shoo that little Venus cat off my pile of paper snowmen. Eighty-five (cluttered) flat surfaces in this studio and she has to pick this (cluttered) surface on which to sit. I don't think people will mind a little cat hair glued to their snowmen, will they?

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This and That

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I'm such a dork. I made that card for work yesterday morning - and went off and left it on the scanner. The funny thing is that was my 4th attempt at a card that morning. Two turned out to be what I considered sell-worthy and the above card looked so Christmasy it didn't seem appropriate - and it could be a good seller too. Oh well. The guy it's for won't be back to the office until mid-next week so we'll all have time to sign it Friday and next week.

The museum show last weekend was my first big show so I am very proud of my sign, making me totally official. I told Steve I'm going to keep it forever and ever. I'll be 80 years old, have zero photos of grandchildren displayed but I'll have this yellowed & tattered sign, framed on the wall. I'll go all Nora Desmond, "I was once a star, dammit! You can't take that away from me - I was! I have proof!"

Check this out. Remember The Bully I have to deal with once in a while at work? Yesterday he sent an email to everyone he works with at our company (and other related companies) wishing us a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving. He THANKED us for our hard work. I nearly shat myself!

I pretended not to notice the part where it sounded like he said, "Rest up - I'm going to work you like dogs in the coming months." I'm paraphrasing, of course. In fact, when I expressed my shock and awe about the email to my boss, that was the specific part he mentioned too! Cracked me up. I forwarded it to Steve with a note, "Aliens have invaded (company name). I have no idea who this guy is. Good thing I was sitting down when I read it." Steve replied that he must have a female ghostwriter working for him.

Doh! I just remembered - this guy hired a new female admin within the last month. I've only spoken with her on the phone but she seems head and shoulders above the last one. Hmmmm, I wonder if she was behind the email? Poor Mr. Bully, he can't win, can he? He's finally nice and people pick apart his email and/or don't give him credit for writing it. What goes around comes around.

Yesterday at work, I stopped a person from telling me a bit of gossip I could tell she was dying to tell me. I told her not to tell me because she should do the right thing - and I didn't want to know whatever it was. It was about someone I like, which isn't even the point - but I really just didn't want to know. I don't think we have a very gossipy office - just the usual amount, whatever that is. I'm guilty of it myself, even when I pretend it's just "venting". It's human nature, to some degree. Still, I'm going to try harder to not participate at all.

I ordered a bunch of new frames for Pine Tree Designs last night. This company ships pretty quickly but if I don't have them in time for the December 1 show, that's okay too. My craft table is clean. My work space is clean. I punched many circles in a variety of colors and poked the designs in them so I'm ready to stitch every available moment today that I'm not eating turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!

Saturday, December 1

9:00 - 4:00

School #46 Holiday Bazaar

250 Newcastle Road, Rochester, NY'

Between Browncroft & Blossom

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New Equipment

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A sympathy card for a man at work whose dad passed away recently.

Figures. I finally got my craft table cleaned off and now my workspace is cluttered again. Not because I moved clutter from one flat surface to another but because I've started new projects of course.

I think work will be a challenge today because lots of people are off for an extra long weekend and others will be leaving early, as some often due the day before a holiday. Try as I might, I know by mid-afternoon, my focus will have faltered. Especially if I start thinking about the new equipment I purchased online yesterday for Pine Tree Designs. I bought several new circle and scalloped circle punches. And . . . drumroll . . . I bought a new die cut machine that I've been coveting for a couple of months. It's the Revolution by Quickutz.

When I first started looking at it seriously a couple of months ago, I decided to research a bit further by reading some customer reviews. I was half hoping it didn't get good reviews so I could talk myself out of spending the money. Dammit, people love it! So yesterday I bought it and can't wait to give it a spin. (Get it?? Spin? Turn the handle!)

Time to go to work. Hi-ho.

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More Good Things

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Yesterday morning I received an email from a store in Wyoming, NY inquiring about purchasing an array of items. So I worked up wholesale pricing and emailed her an order form with a nice note this morning.

Yesterday my massage therapist ordered a framed wedding theme mandala for her son for Christmas.

This morning I opened my email to find an inquiry from a customer who bought things from me Saturday, asking to meet with me at my studio to discuss ordering a variety of specific items.

I've been asking people who don't need stuff for Christmas to wait until January. I've been telling people who need stuff by Christmas that I can get to it after the December 1 show. I've still taken on too much, but it will all work out just fine.

Even though it took me a couple of stabs at it, between yesterday morning and this morning, I managed to clean off my work space so I can start fresh on preparing for the December 1 show at School 46 and the above orders. It had been reduced to it's usual tiny bit of workable space.

(Yes, Sharon, you can order Christmas pins - I'll get them posted soon, I promise.)

Life is good!

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I Killed!

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I totally killed at the museum craft show this weekend!

I emailed my family last night bragging about my sales, saying I wasn't as tired as I thought I'd be. That was the counting-my-money-euphoria. It's over. Whew! I'm beat. I'm having a lazy morning, stoked on my Dunkin' Donuts strawberry banana smoothie and bagel sandwich. I'm having a massage at 11:00, then off to the day job for the afternoon. Every once in a while I remember it's a short week - and get happy all over again every time.

That post show euphoria thing reminds me of the day of my gall bladder surgery. Steve's sister called to say hi, she's a physician's assistant - and I was telling her great I felt. She told me that's just the first day, anesthesia hasn't worn off yet feeling - wait until tomorrow. I was sure she was wrong. Next day - whammo! Hit by a truck feeling.

This was my first show with two tables and I loved it. I bought the 2nd table on a whim just a couple of weeks ago because it was half price at Target. Unfortunately I couldn't find the exact same tablecloths as I've been using but I think it turned out just fine. I was able to spread out and feature things nicely, I thought. It's a keeper.

Having the 2 tables also allowed me to use the 2 tabletop card spinners instead of one floor spinner. I think it worked much better - people seemed to look at the cards a lot more because they were more eye level.

And I need lights for my booth. I'll be looking at lights I can clamp onto my black screen that will light up my framed pieces and shine down on the notepads. The room lighting isn't bad but having my own lights will be so much better. I'd shied away from them because I never know if I'll have electricity or not - but most times I do - and I'll use the lights whenever I can. That's how the big dogs roll - and I feel like I joined the big dogs this weekend.

I had a great location, one I'll ask for again. I was in the smaller of the two buildings, in one of the few one-big-room areas - and I was right inside the door so people checked me out coming and going. My friend Pam helped me Friday night but it turned out I could have done it myself. But it was fun working with a friend. My friend Linda helped me Saturday morning - and that was a good thing. I could have handled it myself but it was better having her handle the money so I could talk to customers. Sunday I did by myself, no problem. Gretchen stopped by for a while so I got a couple of breaks - one to grab a bowl of chili and a bathroom break before she left.

My big acrylic rack holds 225 Sticky Notes. I didn't start 100% full but almost. I made 20 new notepads Friday night and 20 on Saturday night. I ended up with EIGHT notepads left at the end of show. I offered 3 styles of Christmas pins, sold out of one (the Christmas tree with crystals) early Saturday. I almost sold out of the snowman pins. I thought the angel pins would be more popular, silly me.

So my biggest fear was realized - that I'd sell out of some stuff. I was afraid of looking ill-prepared and pathetic but I think it made me look successful. Still, overall, my preference would be to always have enough inventory, of course.

Of course this means, inventory-wise, I am totally screwed for my last show of the season, December 1. It's a new show for me, one I've badly wanted to get into. I had a stack of cards on the table that people could take, about the show. So many people took the cards that I had to print more for Sunday. It's a one day show, but very popular.

The fact that it's in December lulled me into a false sense of security - that's right around the corner! I have to work the Friday after Thanksgiving (even I'm bored with my usual rant about that) but I'll probably leave work that day no later than 2:00. I have to work at Enchanted Rose Garden Sunday afternoon. So I'm bummed I don't even have a solid 4 day weekend coming up. Steve and I are going to his brother's for Thanksgiving dinner so I'll be able to stitch every moment I'm not eating. ;-)

I'll work hard and do the best I can. That's all there is.

I would never advise anyone to think this way but I couldn't help myself. This was the biggest weekend of my life this year - one that I was so looking forward to. I set a pretty high goal for myself, financially - and overshot it by $200. That's a whole lot of $4 notepads and $3.50 pins!

It was soooo much fun!

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Day 1

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I told Steve this morning that I didn't know this weekend's craft show at the museum was going to be 2 nights and 2 days. That's literally all I dreamed about last night, that freakin' craft show! Stupid things like someone left a hot iron and ironing board in my space and I didn't know what to do with it. Stupid things like I accidentally put on other people's shoes so I had to wear 2 different height high heels all day or go barefoot. (I've never worn high heels a day in my life.)

I also told Steve that I know this is all going to be fine and fun and successful but I can't wait to get my first show in this venue under my belt so next year :-) I'll be so much more relaxed, knowing what to expect.

My assigned time to set up is noon so I've got the morning to finish packing and finish up a few new gift tags I've been working on. Better get moving.

November 16, 5:00-9:00

November 17, 9:30-5:00

November 18, 11:00-4:00

Holiday Bazaar

Rochester Museum & Science Center

657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY

Happy Birthday Simon!

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The boy turns 20 today. This photo is from my nephew's wedding this summer. If only I could get Simon to come out of his shell, poor thing.

He works not far from me so I called him as I left work yesterday, offering to drop off his present. (I thought I might not see him on his birthday because he'd want to hang with friends.) All he ever wants is cash, which he spends 4 times over, in his head in the months leading up to his birthday. Steve and I got him a Visa gift card so when I said gift, he started guessing all sorts of wild things. As if. He's been wanting a motorcycle so I mumbled something about a trailer being attached to my car. Prostitutes & porn, he asked? With a side of heroin, I replied. He almost hung up on me when I told him we were getting mother/son tattoos. (I know, sorry about that visual.)

He's always properly sincerely grateful when he receives gifts but a part of me always feels "less than" because his wants (not needs) are so high. Oh wait, there, I'm over it.

I love that kid to pieces.

November 16, 5:00-9:00

November 17, 9:30-5:00

November 18, 11:00-4:00

Holiday Bazaar

Rochester Museum & Science Center

657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY

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Tree Pin

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I've added to my pin repertoire. My tiny size 5 crystals arrived the other day - they are the perfect size. They are a lovely bright red, even though they scanned on the dark side. The pin is 1-3/4" diameter.

We had a follow-up meeting last night for last weekend's Brighton Show. I learned how much I made and I'm very pleased. We've already picked dates for next year and I'm signing up. It turned out to be a very good experience on a bunch of levels.

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Golden Layers

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(Click image to enlarge.)

Both shows this past weekend felt successful judging by the inventory left. Both were 1 cash register set-ups so I won't know my sales for 7-10 days, once the customer checks clear - then a check will be mailed to me.

I feel on track for this next show - the biggest one I've done, the one I wanted the most. I wish I could take a day off from work but I can't so I'll make the best use of the time that I have. I've already taken some hours off without pay - plus I can't let that workload slide - it's not fair to my co-workers.

The only commitment I have this week is a Brighton Lodge show follow-up meeting Tuesday night. I wish I didn't have to take the time to go, but I feel it's important to attend so we can make things even better for next year. That show turned out much better than I anticipated.

Off I go to work now. I have a conference call with the bully today. I hate letting that man stress me out. Hopefully this will be one of those situations where the anticipation is worse than the event.

November 16, 5:00-9:00

November 17, 9:30-5:00

November 18, 11:00-4:00

Holiday Bazaar

Rochester Museum & Science Center

657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY

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18 New Ones

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I walked into the Brighton show for my shift yesterday afternoon and found I'd just about sold out of the Sticky Notes. I also sold 2 framed pieces! Instead of feeling good about it, I spent most of the time feeling stressed, largely in light of the big museum show next weekend that I so want to excel at. My usual concern - will I have enough inventory?

My 5 hour shift lasted forever. I think they will close at 7:00 next year, instead of 8:00. I came home, watched a Tivoed CSI with Steve and went to bed. I set my alarm for my usual 4:30 this morning and managed to assemble 18 new Sticky Notes to take to the Perinton show with me in a few minutes.

I'll work at Perinton today 10:00-2:00, then go break down the Brighton show which ends at 2:00. Then Steve and I are going to Batavia tonight to see his friend's play, The Pirates of Penzance. We go every year and tonight was the only time I had available. Steve promised that he'll drive and I can stitch in the car. (It's about 45 minutes away.) I might, I might not stitch - maybe some down time is a good thing. I'm feeling much better about things this morning.

And on we go.

November 8, 4:00-8:00

November 9, 10:00-8:00

November 10, 10:00-2:00

Brighton Town Park Lodge

777 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14620

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November 9, 10:00-9:00

November 10, 10:00-6:00

November 11, 10:00-4:00

Perinton Square Mall

6720 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY 14450

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It's Showtime!

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Sticky Note for a Casa Larga customer who is picking it up today at the Brighton Show set-up.

I confessed to Jen & Steve yesterday that booking two shows for the same weekend was a mistake. I had my reasons at the time: I was already committed to the Brighton Show, a new show on another side of town for me when Sharon asked me to be in her Perinton Square show. I do all of Sharon's shows so I wanted to do this one too. I only have to work 1 four hour shift at each one and they overlap enough to make set-up and tear-down do-able. Besides, my glass painting friend, MJ, has done 2 shows at once.

I, sir, am no MJ Cramer.

She does this full-time and her husband works the out of town show for her.

I'm really just worried about having enough product for two shows. I should be doing one show and doing it well. I have to tell myself there is no failure, just varying degrees of success. And as I'm fond of saying, we're not curing cancer here. Life will go on just fine.

November 8, 4:00-8:00

November 9, 10:00-8:00

November 10, 10:00-2:00

Brighton Town Park Lodge

777 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14620

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November 9, 10:00-9:00

November 10, 10:00-6:00

November 11, 10:00-4:00

Perinton Square Mall

6720 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY 14450

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Why Trampolines are Dangerous

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(Click photo to enlarge.)

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Glass Plates

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(Click photo to enlarge.)

I wanted to show you two new things about my booth at this week's show. One is displaying my pins on these glass plates.

Originally I displayed the pins scattered on the table. Then I went to selling them in the little organza bags so I pinned each pin to the outside of the bag and stacked them in a dark wood tray. When I decided to use the organza bags for the gift tags, I knew I had to find an organized way to display the pins. Scattered on the table looks too amateurish.

I talked it over with my advisor, my friend Jen at work. I first thought of wood bowls or something I could paint black, so the pins would stand out. Jen suggested I check out the local dollar store and I found these heavy glass plates. The design is perfect - clear, so less obtrusive than black, circular, flower-like, like a lot of my work! I bought one that day, got Jen's approval and went back the next day and bought all they had. We talked about setting each one on a circle or square of co-ordinating paper but it turns out I like them like this - they pretty much disappear and all you see are the pins. Perfect!

The other thing I wanted to show you is barely visible in the above photo and the other photos I took were a bit out of focus so I ditched them. To the left of the Sticky Notes is a wire spinner that I originally bought because I thought I'd eventually sell the glasses chains I make out of DMC embroidery floss but that's pretty back burner these days. But this two-tier spinner is perfect on which to hang the little organza bags that contain the gift tags. I only had 3 styles but I'll definitely make more, especially in holiday themes. I left one of each style out on the table so people could see them clearly. I raised the price from 60 cents to 75 cents and sold enough that I know it's the way to go. Most people bought one of each style but there were a couple of people who bought just one.

Then at the end of the show, a woman from the women's club that was selling calendars next to me, came into my booth and wanted to buy some of the purple design gift tags. Fifty of them, she said. I know I had that deer in the headlights look as I replayed what she said, to make sure I heard her correctly. I only had 30 so she bought those - actually 29 so I could keep one to replicate in making more. She doesn't need them until April - she'll use them for little thank you cards for an event. I gave her a break on the price for buying so many. She said I didn't have to do that but she appreciated it and in the name of customer service, I think it was the right thing to do. I only gave up a few dollars in the long run and maybe she'll be a repeat customer. Not to mention the 50 people who will turn over that little gift tag and see my name, my company's name and website address. Cha-ching!

I love how at each show, I learn a little something, try something new, meet new people, reconnect with old friends & customers. This is what I was meant to do, y'all.

But now, I need to stop yapping and get myself organized and productive. I have all day and night to make more things, and tomorrow morning. I have to work at The Enchanted Rose Garden tomorrow afternoon 12:00-4:00. I should be able to get some stitching time in during the slow periods, but being busy selling stuff would be a good thing too, of course.

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It's In the Bag

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Oy, the cockamamie problems I have. People are buying my Sticky Notes in such quantities that I'm going to need to buy bigger bags. Go me, go me.

In the beginning of my craft show life (last year) I bought boring ol' brown Kraft bags, flat - perfect for cards, which was the bulk of my business. Time to upgrade to something with a flat bottom and a handle. I absolutely love perusing the Premier Packaging catalog. In fact I already buzzed through it this morning. I'm giddy at the choices.

I'll need to buy more of the little organza bags from them too, which I've switched from packaging my pins in to packaging my gift tags in. Those sales were up big-time. I'll show you more tomorrow because I need to get to work. This morning I slept in until . . . 6:00 am!

But I did take a minute to check last year's sales for the November show at Casa Larga - and yesterday I was up 25% over last year! That would be the good news. The bad news is I don't know how I'm going to create enough new inventory for the next round of shows. I'll do it. I just will.

Off I go to work - better start getting my head back in that game in the next 30 minutes.

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