My first craft fair!

Hello!  So, I finally did it - had my first craft fair today!  Here I am at my table. 

I made a few sales - some to people I know (thanks guys!) but two to others I didn't!  Woo hoo!  Most importantly I learned what people liked, what they didn't, and got some great instant feedback from shoppers which is tough to do online. 

Plus, I got to see some other great crafters and their wares!  This particular fair was held in my work building, outside the cafeteria (so we got some great lunchtime foot traffic) which was convenient for me!  It was very cool to see people who also work for my company (and have day jobs) that are creative in their spare time as well.  Next one is around Valentine's day I believe - can't wait! 

More More More!

 A couple more bags I put together for my craft fair - just a week away now!  Eeks! 

On the left is a little purse, in the same cute bug print I used to make a bag the other day, and next to it a tote.   I'm not sure of how much of anything to make - I wish I had more time of course - but I guess I'll just go with what I've got! 

Pretty flowered lining to the tote. 

And for the little purse!  I got a whole bunch of magnetic snaps on ebay for cheap, so more purses to come!  I think they will be popular...I guess I'll find out!

Whistle While You Work!

I know I haven't had many crafty posts lately.  But I have been a busy bee! 

I have my very first craft fair coming up in a few weeks and I'm hustling to get enough items sewn and ready to go so my table doesn't look too vacant. 

 I finished five wine bags on Sunday - some in fun brights, and some in more autumnal colors. 

(Here is a better pic of a similar one I made in the past, and sold on etsy.)

Last night I whipped up this cute tote bag - the fabrics are so fun!  Berries and flowers on the outside...

Adorable little bugs on the inside!  I hope I find someone who likes it as much as me! 

More to come -  what would you like to see? 

Craft Fair Coming Up!

I've signed up for my very first craft fair!  I have a little over 1 month to prepare and I'm so excited, and a little (a LOT) nervous.  So much to do, I'm not sure where to start!

So, I started small to get the ball rolling.  One of my favorite little trinkets to make - and so simple - lavender eye pillows!

Including the few items I already have in my etsy shop - aprons and tote bags, mostly, I have a decent basis for some good sales.  But I need to make a lot more!  What do you think would be a good seller?  Any tips out there from experienced craft fair ladies and gents?  Do tell!

Ha tricked you! Here is my favorite DC activity! Made you wait a bit, didn't I? Or, not, if you're reading this all at one time. Either way - The Flea Market at Eastern Market was so awesome! They have tons of food, crafts, antiques, art, junk - everything under the sun, plus a farmer's market and the newly renovated Eastern Market which has meats and cheese and produce and all sorts of good stuff. I got some really cute kitchen implements from the 60s, I think? A sifter and some baking molds - and most of the items in all of the booths were very reasonable. (I love Brooklyn Flea but some of that stuff is just ridiculously expensive!!)

Plus, its in a beautiful part of DC with lovely old homes that is just mesmerizing, especially in the summer with all of the greenery! This would be my #1 recommendation for anyone going to DC - which it was, for a friend of mine to me! Magical!

It was just a lovely way to spend a summer day, strolling around. Highly recommended. Did I tell you go enough? GO!

It was a long drive back, with Sunday traffic but overall a fantastic weekend. And made even more so because of my delightful traveling companion :) I like little road trips, and checking out America! Will have to do more. Does anyone have any suggestions?

DC and ME!

Julia Child's kitchen! So warm and welcoming. Not blurry in real life.

Thumbs up America!

A thoughtful dog ponders our nation - where it has been and where we are going. Arf.

WWII nic nacs from the Air & Space museum - it is a business card that says,"I'd like to make a date with you. If your answer is yes, just keep this card. If no, just hand it back." I guess this was how dating worked for the GIs? Pretty ingenious.

Stewardess Apparel in the 60s - H-O-T! I checked though - I'm not eligible, should I come across a time machine. There were very strict specifications for these ladies. With outfits like these, of course!

A weekend away from NYC is refreshing every once in a while - I spent this past one in our nation's capitol, Washington, D.C. It was so fun being a tourist! We went to a billion museums and walked everywhere so I guess its ok that I skipped the gym for a few days.

Highlights: the newseum was so awesome! Although it does cost $20 for admission, while all of the Smithsonian museums are free, it was definitely worth it - and I'm a cheap bastard so that is saying a lot. We spent 4 hours there! And there is a 4-D ride so that is always a bonus - I'm a sucker for multiple dimensions, especially when you are expecting less. There is a whole giant room filled of newspapers dating back hundreds of years - dorky, but its really so cool to see a part of history that might have seemed as ubiquitous as the Metro or AM NY seem to me today - or, maybe not, what with the whole lack of a free press, in some instances.

Crafty-wise, I dragged my very patient companion to the Renwick Gallery which had craft exhibits - a small (but lovely) building/mansion that had some cool stuff! Like knit super hero outfits! And a whole gallery of the super girly type of paintings that I like, of fancy ladies in vintage finery, and fairies, and impressionism and all sorts of romantic stuff that gets might get neglected amidst more Important Art. Well, I am here to give it some love!

The American History museum was good - super crowded of course, which made it difficult to appreciate since you had to wait on line for the more popular exhibits and couldn't really take your time with things without being jostled. I did love seeing Julia Child's kitchen, especially after seeing Julie/Julia last week. It was funny to see a bunch of people sitting on the floor watching episodes of her show playing inside the exhibit - even after so many years, its easy to see her appeal.

But my absolute favorite part of the trip...next post! (That's a cliffhanger, see?)