Monday, July 27, 2009

The Best Day Ever

First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you who left me sweet comments or sent me kind e-mails wishing me luck at the craft fair. Your thoughtfulness really means alot to me. It is so nice to be encouraged and uplifted by your friends. I feel truly blessed by your friendship!


And because so many of you asked me to post pictures of my booth, I thought I'd share just a few. It really was alot of fun coming up with different ways to showcase my creations. My vision was to create a boutique-like feel...while spending little to no money. The only thing I purchased were the dropcloths and tables. Which I needed anyway for other uses, so I don't feel too bad about that. A necessary expense I guess. Everything else I already had in my house. I just repurposed it for the weekend. (My 3 year old freaked when I took all her toy shelves out of her room!)




Recycled shutters hinged together to hang all of my signs from.






Mini journals.

I love making these...they are just so cute and tiny!



A little tiered tray to hold my business cards. Do y'all remember when I spray painted these ugly rusty garage sale trays?





I've had Christmas on the brain for weeks. I absolutely could not resist making some holiday blocks. Plus, the fair was called "Christmas in July". And ps....I did not see one other Christmas item at the whole fair! What is that all about? It's called "Christmas in July" people!



My back of the toilet basket for holding toilet paper...full of card sets. Is that gross? It's ok, I didn't tell anyone that bit of information.



Ok, I have to be honest here. Apparently craft fairs don't like me 'cause I didn't make a ton of sales. But...like my title says, it was the best day ever. Do you know why? Because I was doing what I love and am passionate about. And the best part of all was being able to spend the entire day with my best friend in the whole wide world. Hubby and I can't even have a 5 minute conversation without being interrupted by those 4 screaming, crying, fighting, adorable kidlets. So being able to have the whole day all to ourselves was priceless. I forgot how funny that man is. He had me laughing so hard at a couple points, I was crying. I could not stop laughing...maybe that's what scared the customers away. I don't know, I'm just sayin. So even though I probably came out in the red, I really don't care.

It was totally worth it.


62 comments:

Unknown said...

HOW DO I ORDER? you shouuld do the swiss days in Santa Clara UT. in sept. and do a booth! LOVE YOUR STUFF!

Unknown said...

Amanda,
Thanks for sharing the photos of your booth. I think everything looked so cute! It would be so fun shopping in your booth; something for everyone. Glad you had a great day with hubby!

Nancy

Unknown said...

I am so glad you had such a great day. I LOVE your display!!! I need to get me one of those Eiffel Towers, and the books, too cute! Great accents.

My last two shows were not that great either. My 1st show, I made several hundred. Since then, not that much at all. But I always enjoy the company and enjoy meeting new people, making friends. That's what it's all about right?

Glenda said...

Your booth looked great!! And how totally fun to get to spend the day with your hubbers -- priceless, right? :).

Ashley said...

Your booth looks so nice!

Gwen said...

Your booth is so happy and inviting! I am sorry that you didn't sell a lot, but it sounds like a wonderful day anyway:)

Rachelle said...

Great booth! And I love your blog! You have an amazing talent! I wish you lived in Utah.

Pam Walter said...

You have the perfect attitude: enjoy the moment and the people in it! www.satisfiedsole.com

Jeanette said...

your booth looks fabulous! wish i could have seen it in person~

Victoria Hayden said...

Amanda, it seriously looked, dare I say..."Perfect"!! lol. So cute! I love the way you put it all together! I find that more people go to craft fairs to get the ideas...which is sad, because you are there for people to buy. I am glad you did have such a great time with your hubby though...I totally understand about trying to have a conversation. It's moments like that, that you do realize how much you still like each other...at least we do! lol. Have a wonderful day!

Hugs to you friend,
~Victoria~

geek details said...

Craft Fairs don't seem to like me either. I figured it must be my area because I do well online. Perhaps this is true in your case as well. I hate to voice it, but the majority of buyers at craft fairs seem to be other crafters that are there to get ideas and not to actually buy.

I've had better luck online and in actual stores. Your stuff is so cute though, can't wait until you list it in your etsy store!

Anonymous said...

Yippie! I am so glad it wasn't a "Crap Fair" this time :) You Rock!

Meg said...

Your booth is beautiful!

Hopefully your internet sales will make up for your lack of sales at the crafts fair.

I also think it is amazing that you got to enjoy quality time with your hubby--how nice!

Anonymous said...

so wish i had been there! you are so creative - love your stuff. thinking of Christmas gifts.......

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Everything looks awesome! I love that your hubs was hanging out with you for the day!
:)

~Kimberly said...

Your set up looks awesome! You have a lot of adorable things!!! Too bad you didn't have much luck in the selling department, but at least you had cards to give out! It's fun either way! Good job!

Anonymous said...

You have some really cute stuff! Sorry you didn't sell as much as you hoped. I used to do craft fairs. Sometimes I would sell tons, other times, hardly anything. I could never really figure out why, I think a lot of it is just luck. Don't give up!

LoriLyn said...

Everything looks so cute and it's displayed so nicely :) Glad it was the best day ever!

Jenn said...

Now you have the SpongeBob song stuck in my head! Sorry, if you're missing out on that piece of kiddo trivia.

Glad you got some time with the hubby. Sorry sales didn't go over well. Next time.

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Your booth looked so great! I loved all of the colors of everything. Your display totally drew me in and if I had been there, shoot, I woulda wanted everything. Having done a craft show, and knowing my taste...and yours...I have to wonder what some people think when they go to craft shows. Must be they are looking for toilet paper cozies and goofy stuff like that. But I'm glad you were in your bliss. That's what it's all about. Loved the shutter idea!!!!

Kristina P. said...

I wish I lived near you! That booth is adorable!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Oh, so proud of you!!! If you lived in Virginia, I'd totally visit your craft booth and buy stuff. :) Everything looked so put together...you could tell you really put a lot of time into it.

I loved (!) the shutters with the signs hanging on them, and I was wondering what you'd do with that remade silver tray. :)

Keep plugging away, my long-lost "twin." One of these days you'll hit the big time and you can mention the other Amanda when you're on Martha Stewart's show. ;)

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

Oh, i wish I couls have come to that fair! Your display looks so wonderful! I think in NY you would have "cleaned up"!
~Nancy

Anonymous said...

How do I order some of your fabulous merchandise? Especially the holiday decorations? I love it all and not all is posted on your Etsy shop?

Adie said...

I am surprised you did not sell more. Your stuff is super cute and the presentation of everything was very boutique. I love the Christmas blocks! Glad you had a nice day with your hubby!

kristal said...

your booth was SO CHIC and showcased your amazing creations beautifully. any price is worth such a special day with your man. so glad you see it that way too!

Jodee said...

Your stuff is just adorable. I am surprised you didn't sell more! I love your Christmas stuff too! Hang in there -- maybe it's just the economy for the time being!

Kimba said...

I am so happy for you. Your booth looked wonderful and your stuff is gorgeous, as always.

Yay you!!!!

Kimba

Made In The South said...

Your booth looked great. I LOVE the mini journals. They are so cute. Your cards look really good on your trays, I do remember you spray painting them. You make me laugh with the TP basket. I would have used it too and never thought twice about it. Don't give up on your shows...and any way it is fun to spend time with your hubby...

Made In The South said...

Hey I just realized you are from MISS. are you going to have a booth in Canton? Susie (my sister at Bienvenue) has a booth every year and I go with a bunch of friends... Susie and I would love to meet you.

Mandi Shandi said...

Make it and they will come. Your stuff is fab and I think it is just the economy right now. Glad you enjoyed a day with your hubby, and I think the booth looked fantastic!

mommy4life said...

Good for you for seeing the silver lining and getting some quality time with hubby even though sales were slow. Your stuff is adorable, as always!

Nancy said...

Don't get discouraged. Your items looked nice and your display was creative. It is always hard to know what will catch on at a craft fair. And remember that people aren't spending much money right now.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Your things are so cute! I love them. And everything looked so pretty. I love those shutters that you used for display, How clever!

XOXO
Jen

Embellished Bayou said...

Thanks for sharing this photos, your booth looked great. I do the same thing with shutters to display my antique tin signs.

Sara said...

Your booth is simply beautiful! I've been wondering how the craft fair went and am so glad you posted pictures. Sorry that you're sales weren't better. Keep your chin up and keep doing what you enjoy!!!

knittingknirvana said...

I'm so glad you had such a great day! Your booth was SUPER cute! Maybe the craft fair wasn't your niche? Around here some craft fairs are very country, some are very vintage, some are very artsy---so it is hard when someone seems out of place. You have great items for sale, so I am sure it is just a matter of finding the right audience to buy them. It is wonderful that you had such a blast with your husband! 4 kids? I had no idea. How do you get so much crafting done??? :)

Anonymous said...

I think your booth looked perfect! I have found that craft sales are down now and have been for a bit. My last show was in the spring and we did "ok". It's so hard when you put your heart into and you try your best. You have a great attitude about it and I think thats' why we keep going... our hearts in it and we love what we do! I would love to see you in Canton. I am on the square by the check in gazebo. We were going back in forth as to go or not to go. Im leaving it up to my sister because I have been doing this for over 7 years and would love a break. WE will see...if we do make it I would love to meet up! That would make the trip worth it right there~

Patricia said...

How wonderful for you!
Your booth looked so cozy and wonderful~
I would have stalked you ~LOL
I love that you had a wonderful day!
You have such a positive attitude!

Delightful Dwelling said...

Your booth looks awesome and all your goods are gorgeous. I'm sure craft sales are tough right now because of the economy and people reigning in spending on fun stuff. I'm sure it will pick up again, you have some great things to sell.

A Southern Rose said...

Your booth looked GREAT! I love how you displayed everything! Maybe closer to the holidays you will sell more. It must be just the bad economy because your stuff looks great and you display it beautifully!

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Richella Parham said...

"The Best Day Ever." My youngest is a big SpongeBob SquarePants fan. Is that where you got the inspiration for your title, or was it somewhere else?

In any event, I'm so glad you had a great day. I find it hard to believe that you didn't sell much; your things are beautiful. But I am so very, very glad that you had a great time.

Now have a great day today!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Your booth looks amazing!! I think it looks so professional to have a great looking set up! I know exactly how you feel... I have done shows with very little sales, but ended up spending the entire day talking with my husband... it's priceless!!

The Phillips Place said...

You did a fabulous job setting up your booth-- great presentation of all of your beautiful creations! When are you coming to a craft show near ME???? :) Seriously, you must be undervalued in Mississippi-- I can't believe you didn't completely sell out! I'm glad you had a great time though-- that is what really matters! Time alone without fighting kids is priceless in itself :). When does school start again???

The Phillips Place said...

Um, that kid comment makes me sound like the worst mom ever... really, I'm just a stressed out summer mommy :). I love 'em, I really do!

Shannon said...

Your booth looked so great! I loved all the white display pieces with your colorful art! I'm so glad you had a fun day with your hubby! ;)

Elaine's Semi-Homemade Life said...

I think your stuff looks amazing! Do you have an etsy shop? Would love to look. :)
And yea for doing what you're passionate about! I'm working on getting to that, myself... whatever that might mean! :)

Sondra said...

~SWOON~ over your booth! OH.WOW. ~drool~

Haven't you shared a pic of your bathroom? I think I remember seeing that basket now that you mention it, because I LOVED the idea and wanted to STEAL IT! ~smile~ I'm totally not grossed out at all....

*THANK YOU!* for your comment! Your laugh made me laugh! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

Unknown said...

I seriously don't know what is WRONG with those people down there! I would have bought at least one of everything. Maybe I just WILL. :) Glad you had a good day inspite of them all.

Pamela said...

Your display looks great! I did my first BIG show back in November and it totally rocked though the money came out even. It is truly so much fun. Don't let the one show deter you. Keep doing um. You will find your nitch and followers! Love your work!

mysteryhistorymom said...

If I had been there I SO would have made MAny purchases from you, Sweets! OH. MY. GOODNESS. CUTE. I am now going to follow you AND check out your shop, Amanda!:) Lori

Stacey said...

I would have been salivating at your booth! Great job...but I don't see the pom poms! Do you have a book of pictures that shows your items in your or your customers houses? That may give them some additional inspiration to see how cute your items actually are in use. Another idea is everyone likes free stuff so perhaps you could up the charge in some of your bigger items and then tell them they get a free mini journal if they purchase.
You are very talented so keep at it and you will succeed!!

Twice as Nice said...

Everything looked so well displayed, was there just not a lot of people shopping?
You can email us some pics but we can't use any with paneling in it.
Twin and I just signed up for a flea market craft show. Thought we'd give it a try since we can't figure out how to put everything on Etsy yet. I know that even if we don't sell a thing we will have a great time because we will be together.

Wes and Dani said...

LOVE all your great signs! So awesome! I'm planning to get good at those. :) Do you mod-podge them? And is it patterned paper or fabric?

Love it, either way!

craftrookie.blogspot.com

Melissa Miller said...

Everything is gorgeous that you have shown! Great job girl! :)

Valerie said...

You are so talented and creative! I love all your cute stuff!
Congrats on being spotlighted @ Whimsy!

Candace said...

Mercy, how did I miss this post? Congrats on such a beautiful display with not much moolah out of pocket. Looks fancy to me.

And I must have those Christmas blocks - too cute!

Lemondrops Simple Stuff said...

Great display and great items for the craft fair! Thanks for the inspiration. Hopefully you will try again.

Amy said...

Your booth looked fantabulous! Your creations are adorable. Love those Christmas blocks!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

UM, I want that Christmas Believe!!! Is it in your shop now??

Andy Porter said...

Thanks for sharing your displays. I may just have to be copying those darling shutters. I'm having a craft market in my home next month and I have been wondering the best way to display things. I had to laugh at your thoughts about the fair because I totally feel like I don't even care if I make any money. It just sounds like so much fun to have the experience and I know I will love it no matter what.

MJ @ 517 Creations said...

I LOVE your business cards!!! Did you design them? Where did you have them printed? So, so cute!!

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin