I just completed one big project. I went with another woman and did a craft show last weekend. We didn't sell much, and I lost money on the deal. However, other crafters said that it is always less busy at the spring show, that the fall show is typically very busy, so I paid to reserve a table for that event. Now I need to figure out a better, more profitable product to make. I should probably also improve my displays, and make other changes. My crafting buddy (Tara) and I asked for a table that is not in the back corner this time.

(See what Tara has for sale and visit her site, Click Here)

 

The things that I sold were made by my kids. My son (middle child, but not a child now!) made a bunch of hemp necklaces, and most of those sold. My youngest (daughter, only minor left) made friendship bracelets, and two of those sold. My oldest (daughter) made beaded necklaces, some with charms, some without. A few of those sold, mostly ones with cross charms. It seems that unisex jewelry is what most appeals. None of my own things moved at all. However, I think my various Christmas ornaments will do well in the fall show, and I hope to develop a variety of stocking stuffer gifts. Better presentation should help, and so should having a way to package things, particularly the items buyers want to give as gifts. For instance, the smaller necklaces can be put into little zipper bags. Maybe the bulky ones made from hemp cord can go into snack or sandwich size zipper bags. If I can find little gold or silver labels that say "Handmade Original," to stick on or tuck inside the bags, that may help also.

 

If readers have any suggestions for gag gifts, presentation, etc, I'd be delighted to receive the input.

 

My partner Tara sold several jars of "cow seeds." These were baby food jars with the lids painted white with black spots, white beans with small black spots marked on them, and a printed label explaining how to "Start Your Own Herd." A few of her gel candles sold. She also sold several items that cater to the many military families and wooden plaques with mottoes like the following:

        I only have a kitchen because it came with the house.

        You have two choices for dinner; take it or leave it.

 

The plaques saying "Home is where the Marine Corps sends you" sold out. Likewise all but one saying "Home is where the Navy sends you" and most of the chalkboards for counting down the days until Daddy gets home.

 

We have a major military installation here, and it is the town's chief industry. This is one that is not going to show up soon on the lists of bases to be closed. A majority of the Marines deploying to Europe and the Mideast are stationed here. One out of four people is either a military member, dependent, or retiree. In addition, the big craft shows are sponsored by the Officer's Wives Club, and the craft store on base, and held in a big meeting space on base. Predictably, many of the shoppers at the craft shows are military families. Products designed to appeal to this demographic will sell, as we discovered.

 

Among the things I want to offer for sale in the fall are a variety of fridgies, tissue box covers, mostly in Americana themes to coordinate with Tara's wooden items. Apples, the flag, cows, pigs, and things like that. I know I have to offer some pig items; over the years, several people have told me it is hard to find items for pig collectors.

 

We are also thinking of putting together kits for the people who prefer to make their own crafts. We think we could buy components in bulk, so we can make a profit on the kits. Has anyone tried this, and do people buy them?

 

The materials I work in are plastic canvas, thread and yarn crochet, chenille stems, fabric. I also have paints I can use on wooden or other objects, and I have a supply of canning jars. I have oodles of ribbon, mostly narrow satin ribbon, and wider kinds that would look great as bows on a Christmas tree. I can obtain wild vines, thinner than grapevine, to make into dainty wreaths, and ornament them with dainty dried flowers, dried herbs, seed heads, gum balls, etc.

 

Now that the show is over, I have to resume the spring cleaning. The things that I don't need anymore will be offered for sale, or given away on Freecycle. Have you heard of Freecycle?

 

It was started by two women. They had just redecorated their business office, and had a bunch of useful items that weren't particularly pretty, but were too good to dump in the landfill. They had desks, file cabinets, carpet, and other items they were sure someone could use. So they set up a website to offer the things to anyone who would want them enough to haul them away. The idea caught on, and now there are Freecycle groups in communities all over the country, and probably around the world.

 

My local Freecycle groups tend to pass along mostly baby items, children's items, clothing of all sorts, decorator items that have been replaced by new things, and things of that sort. There are occasionally surplus food items offered, and coupons for food and diapers and formula. Very rarely, there will be something more unusual, something you would never expect to see at a tag sale.

 

I found my local Freecycle groups on Yahoo groups. At the bottom of any email from a Yahoo group, there is a link to Yahoo groups. From that web page, you can search for groups by interest, geographic area, name, or other criteria. Here's one link that can get you to Yahoo groups to find a Freecycle group near you:

    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

From this page, you can sign up for Yahoo services, including Yahoo groups, if you haven't already. You can even start your own group, Freecycle or otherwise, if you so desire.

 

(If more information is needed, it will probably have to come from someone with more technical aptitude than I have.)

 

Rose B, mother of three, in NC