Hey friends!
What are you preparing for?
For me, personally, that's a loaded question. I have my regular orders, that I'm trying to complete in a reasonable amount of time. Thankfully, the majority of them are fairly simple and won't take long to make. The longest part of creating my orders is the cutting. The assembling usually goes fairly quickly.
In between my regular orders, I've begun creating new products for the 2014 calendar year. The *real* reason behind creating new cards and tags, is for basically for ME. I am integrating doing my own creating, while at the same time making it available to you. As much as I love making and creating for other people, I still want to create for myself every so often, too! I've learned, through blogging and having my website, that I like change. I don't like things being the same for too long. It goes stale. I guess I like the excitement and pride that goes along with it. That's probably the best explanation for it. You'll see my new products being uploaded here and there both on my website here (under the products tab) and on my Facebook page (under the RTS album).
The second reason I've started creating new product is for an upcoming Craft Show that I'm co-coordinating, as well as participating in. In addition to having my SALE stock, I'd like to have fresh, new products for people to think about. (And buy, of course!!)
In terms of the Craft Show that I'm co-coordinating and participating in, my thoughts have turned to improving my table display and making it more visually appealing and stimulating. Keep in mind that I've only ever done 2 craft shows since starting my business, so making my display something I'm proud of is a work in progress. I've turned to Pinterest for inspiration and ideas, though I have to admit that ideas for a scrapbooker is fairly...scant. Most of the pins there are more geared towards the jewelry and textile makers. Probably because there's a higher percentage of jewelry and textile makers than there is paper makers. Its got me thinking about creating my own treasury, if you will, for other paper crafters to turn to if they're looking for ideas. (For some really great pointers, visit this blog post: http://theprettypickle.com/blog/5-steps-to-a-successful-craft-show-and-a-free-printable). I especially love the last point. Note: This article applies to everyone that's thinking about doing farmers markets, craft shows, trade shows, etc. Good food for thought! To see more, visit my Craft Show Display Ideas board on Pinterest.
Speaking of Trade Shows, a couple large last minute orders have come in, for other vendors that will be attending a huge trade show at the Butterdome in Edmonton in a few weeks. I've been given the noble task of creating items for swag bags, and I have to admit, I feel incredibly honoured that I've been asked to contribute to the swag bags. I am trying to plow through them as quickly as I can, so I can return to creating for my patiently waiting customers. Inside, I'm jumping up and down and doing my own little happy dance celebrating the fact that other, very talented artists, even thought of me in the first place!
You'll notice in the second image, that what I'm sending is fairly elaborate. Its really simple to make, and won't take long to get put together, but I wanted to find something that I could include my business card, without doing the same thing I did in the first image. I thought, at first, of putting them inside little glassine bags- but I don't have enough. Then, I thought of tying my business card and gift tag together with ribbon- but that would use up a ton of ribbon (meaning I'd have to go out and buy a ton just to get this job done). Then, I decided that putting everything inside my brown paper bags (that are just sitting doing nothing) would be perfect. If I include my old product (sale cards), I could thin them out, and make LOTS of room for new product! Win-win.
So. What are you preparing for? I'd love to hear about it! share your adventures here!
Till next week,
Peace