cherishables: September 2012

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Hanging Around

As I try to take my business to the next level of professionalism, I've been struggling with things like labels and signage. I've made myself a new "Cherishables" sign in the ever-popular pennant format. I stenciled my name onto burlap pennants which I will sew to larger fabric pennants, once I buy the fat quarters. I'll post a pic when it's done.

I've also been struggling with product tags. Last year I tried making my own and even bought a punch in a "traditional" tag shape. It worked pretty well but was a lot of work. I had to figure out the logo and wording for the label, figure out how to fit it on paper, print it, punch it out & then punch in a hole for hanging. When all was said and done, the tags were fine but the printing was less than stellar. I just couldn't get a nice, saturated, color from my printer.

This year I decided to splurge a little and buy tags. I searched around & around and then, either thru Pinterest or a blog (I wish I could remember!) I can across Moo. They print all kinds of great things, but the one thing I was really interested in is their MiniCard. They're about half the size of a business card and (here's the important part) perfect as a hang tag!

Another blog gave me the idea of giving customers the option of using the tags as gift tags, so I ordered my MiniCards with my logo on one side and "To: / From:" on the other. I love how they came out!

These cards make me feel like a pro!

They're really beautiful and the turn-around time was so fast. Here's what they look like attached to one of my bracelets:

Opting to make tags that double as gift tags means I can't put pricing on these like I planned, but I'm okay with that. I'm planning on chalkboard signs with pricing. I'm happy to give the option of using these beautiful tags as gift tags.

I give Moo my highest recommendation* and will be ordering from them again.

Do you use tags on your items? Do you make them yourself or order them? I would love to hear what you're doing to get ready for the fall craft show season.

Happy Crafting!
Cherish

*Moo did not pay me for this endorsement. I paid retail for these tags and the opinion expressed is 100% my own

Friday, September 14, 2012

I Felt

I checked the calendar the other day and realized craft show season is right around the corner. That means, I need to felt all those bags that are sitting in my unfinished project basket. I took the last two out of the magic felting machine (my washer) this morning and I just had to share. I love them so much!!

The fun thing about felting is that you don't quite know what the item will look like until it's completely felted. Of course, this can also be frustrating -- but usually it's really fun! I mean, you have an idea because you have the item in front of you, but will it really turn out the way you picture? Who knows?!? I'm so happy to say these came out exactly as I pictured them.

First up is a rainbow purse:

Roy G. Biv in purse form.

I made this purse on a whim and I'm really happy with the way it came out. Can't wait to pick out a button and lining!

Here's another striped purse that is drying. I like to make these because they are a good way to use up any leftover yarn. Since I'm pulling yarn from my stash, the colors are a surprise to me and each one is completely different.

I'm also adding eReader covers to my lineup. The one on the right will fit most eReaders (Kindle, iPad, Android Tablets, etc) the one on the left was made specifically for my Asus Eee Pad, which is one of the bigger ones out there.

I'm working on more of these and should have a bunch ready for the first craft show on Oct. 13th.

Lastly, just a quick (blurry, sorry) shot of more stuff drying.

Key chain wristlets, flower pins, and mini flower necklaces.

The flower pins are really popular, so I've been making lots in many different colors.

I'm jumping in to craft show season with both feet this year. I did only one show last fall, just to see what it's all about. This year I have 8 shows scheduled and will be in shows every weekend beginning October 13th. I'm also considering adding one show in December for a total of 9. I'm so excited!!

What are you working on? Any of you participating in craft shows this fall?

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Sunday, September 9, 2012

ArtFire

I've been hearing a lot about ArtFire. I see their ads on Facebook and I've heard about them in the Etsy forums. I decided to take the plunge. I now have a store on ArtFire.

Right now I have some of the same items that you can find on Etsy. I'm still feeling my way around to see if there are items that would do better on one site or the other. I'm also considering making one site the place to go for custom orders and the other for items that are in-stock, but it's all too new to decide anything right now.

For now, I'm working on creating more items for the upcoming craft shows (I have 8 lined up!) and keeping my stores (plural -- woot!) in stock. Once I get a little more time in both places, I'll be able to decide if one is better for a particular item (purses vs. jewelry, for instance) or if one is better for custom work (which is what I'm leaning towards.)

Do any of you use both ArtFire and Etsy? Have you chooses one over the other? I would love to get your thoughts on this and get a discussion going in the comments. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Craft Show Season

I can't help thinking about Bugs Bunny every time I read the title of this post.

Rabbit Season.
Duck Season.
Rabbit Season.
Duck Season.

Craft Show Season.
Duck Season?

As I mentioned yesterday, I've been busy getting ready for Craft Show Season. It's not like I attend lots of craft shows, but it's only me crafting and I get easily distracted, so I need to focus. :-)

Here's a list of shows I will plan on attending this fall. One every weekend in October & November. Not too shabby. If you're in the area and you end up at any of these shows, please be sure to stop by and say hello!

10/13 Branchburg Woman’s Club Craft Show, Branchburg, NJ

10/20 Homestead-at-Mansfield Craft Fair, Columbus, NJ

10/27 Rancocas Woods Craft Fair, Rancocas Woods, NJ

11/03 Steinert HS Craft Fair, Hamilton, NJ

11/10 St. Gregory the Great Academy Craft Fair, Hamilton, NJ

11/17 Falls Twp. Winter Craft Fair, Falls Twp Senior Center, PA

11/24 Rancocas Woods Craft Fair, Rancocas Woods, NJ

12/15 5^th Annual Holiday Craft Show, East Brunswick HS, NJ

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Making Jewelry

I've been a bad blogger. I know & I'm sorry. Craft show time is coming up soon and I've been so busy making, making, making.

I'll post more pics later, promise! In the mean time, here's a little something I've been working on:

I've been calling it the Infinity Bracelet. It's made from 100% cotton, so I've been playing with the idea of dying it. I like the bracelet like this -- with big, open, links. Unfortunately, they don't stay open that long when wearing. I'm working on that too and should have a solution to show you very shortly.

Here's a peek at another item I've been making:

Bird's Nest Earrings!! I make these with wool and freshwater pearls. This blue pair was given to my niece, but I have other in taupe, brown, bright pink and soft pink. I'm making them with every color of wool in the house & soon I'll have lots to share!

More coming soon....

Happy crafting!
Cherish