Necklaces?

Yep, I know.  I started sewing Sock Monkeys and have evolved into doing something completely different!  My son had purchased a necklace for his girlfriend and I loved how cool it looked so me being me, I researched on how it was done.  I bought a "kit" from an Etsy shop and made a few before deciding that I wanted to add these cute fandom-related necklaces to my inventory!  At first I was thinking I would just sell them at craft fairs, kind of another thing to catch someone's eye & get them to looking at everything, but I added a few to my Etsy shop anyway.

Not to worry!  I am still a Sock Monkey maker. Even when I stop selling, I will always be making Sock Monkeys as gifts or just to keep me busy.  For now, however, I am enjoying my journey and already getting excited about the oncoming craft fair season.  I will be posting more tutorials on my YouTube when I get some other projects done that I am doing for other people.  But for now my gaols are to raise up my inventory for Craft Fairs as Christmas sales from Etsy about wiped me out!  And yes, that is a GOOD thing!

First Sale Doctrine

I have been reading on some Etsy forums and seeing the back-and-forth bickering of people who are not 100% informed telling everyone else they are wrong and how they know best.  What's funny is most of these opinionated folks don't even sew things, but re-sale vintage items.  I've done a lot of research because I sew purses and lanyards, and a few other things from licensed fabric and I do sell them.  Looking at this logically, why would anyone buy licensed fabric to begin with, unless they were only making it for friends and family?  And if that was, in fact, the only reason to buy this fabric, Millions less would be sold, and the companies making the fabric would severely lose out.  All you have to do is Google any sort of licensed fabric and you will see a lot of items, handmade, not mass produced, for sale.

My favorite resource to explain how it is LEGAL to sell an item made from a fabric that is licensed, is Whatthecraft She basically points out what the First Sale Doctrine means, especially when it comes to buying a pattern and selling what you made from that pattern.  Fabric is the same, even though some companies would rather have you believe that when you try to sell that cute child dress from their licensed Minnie Mouse fabric is violating some law, it isn't.  But she does warn that is you list these items on Etsy, they will more often than not take your store or items down if there is a complaint, even if it is unfounded

Direct and simple quote from another Blog  called "DearRichBlog" that tell sit like it is to those naysayers:
"Thanks to the first sale doctrine, if you bought copyrighted fabric, you're free to make it into a product and resell that product. You're also free to photograph that product and reproduce that photo as part of an ad when selling the item. A disclaimer won't hurt but it's not required.
What about the statement on the fabric? The statement -- for personal use only -- is wishful thinking on the manufacturer's part. Unless you affirmatively agreed (signed something, clicked "I Agree" or made some other indication of assent) at the time you purchased the fabric, such a statement would not be binding on you.
What you can't do ... If the fabric is an infringement, that is, an imitation made without permission of the manufacturer, you'll run into problems. In that case, the copyright owner can stop your uses whether you knew or should have known it was infringing. You may also run into problems if you create fabric from found imagery that is still protected under copyright. In that case you're infringing the image owner's right to create derivatives."
And the best site I have found with extensive information is Tabberone.  They even openly call out those same opinionated Etsy posters.  To quote their site:
"First Sale Doctrine:  When someone releases fabric into the stream of commerce they effectively have relinquished control over the uses of that fabric. What we find disturbing is that there are so many people who want to believe that a pattern manufacturer or a fabric manufacturer has the right to tell you what you can and cannot do after you buy their product. It just isn't so. Imagine if General Motors tried to tell you where and when to drive a vehicle you purchased from them. Would you listen to them? Of course not!"

So, yeah, if anyone give you a hard time, and they just may, but likely won't remind them that the First Sale Doctrine gives you legal permission to sell an item made from a pattern or licensed fabric. Some say you should post or make it clear by having a disclaimer, but legally, you are not required to, so you can if it makes you feel better about selling your item.

I posted this info mostly for me so I could keep an easy way to pull up these resources if anyone asks, but I also felt in necessary to share since I keep seeing so much wrong information out there.  If after reading all these resources you are still not sure and are concerned about this, you should talk to a lawyer.


I am in no way a lawyer or giving anyone legal advice!  I am just citing some sources to try to raise awareness in the ever growing world of selling handmade goods.  Do not take my word for law, and do your own research, and if all else fails, consult a lawyer.

Sock Bat

Halloween is just around the corner! I have been wanting to try making a Sock Bat for my Sister-In-Law for a while now.  I am hoping to attend a craft fair in the middle of October so I figure why not give it a try?  The results are so amazingly cute I can't wait to see ho many people take one home!

I was having a hard time finding plain black socks, believe it or not, so I'm hoping I can get a hold of more to make a BUNCH of these cute Bats!  I'm also going to make more Sock Owls because I think they are just as adorable, but having the same problem finding socks that fit the "Owl Look".  Trying to get all stocked up for this Fair coming up has been a little challenging since I'm having a few health problems, but I'm not going to let that stop me. I have way too much fun sewing and creating new things to share with the world so I do hope I start feeling better.  Even if I didn't sell a single thing, I would still be sewing for fun.

What Have I Been Working On

I have been getting busy in my sewing room! Even though I haven' not been feeling well for about a month, I am trying to get up enough stuff to be able to go to a craft fair in the middle of October.  I am so excited since I haven't felt well enough to go to any of the fairs over the summer.  BUT this one should be awesome!

While I am still most definitely making Sock Monkeys, Sock Owls, Sock Cats, Sock Bunny, Sock Bears, and have an all out Sock Zoo going on, I love making purses and expanding my inventory.  While I know it seems like I am focusing on the geeky side of fandom, I do have many other types of purses and accessories that I want to share!  Here are a few photos of what I have been working on.

Keep a look out at my ETSY store & follow me on Twitter & Facebook to see when and where I will be selling my handmade double stitched Sock Monkeys & more!

Work Work Work

So far this has been a very interesting year! My job has been bouncing me back and forth with hours, and although I do work at home, it drives me crazy when they call me at 3am asking me to work more!  One of the perks of self employment.  Living in Georgia, the weather has been chaotic at best, and my kids have spent more time at home than at school (it seems).  We had a few setback because of the weather & had to fix somethings around the house, and so more chaos.  I am still trying to get my sewing room in order, still trying to put away Christmas decorations (yes, in February, did I mention the chaos?), and I continue to feel disappointed in myself when I don't get things done when & how I wanted to.  I have a lot of plans of making more varieties of items to sell at both the craft fairs and my Etsy store, and now I have all the materials I need, but am just lacking the time.  One thing I know is that I need to set aside a specific time every day, or every week to devote to sewing. 

My goal for this year is to sell at least 2 craft fairs, add purses, totes, coin purses and fandom related things to my inventory, and find a good way to organize all of my fabric in my sewing room.  That may not sound like a lot, but I seem to be having difficulty balancing work, kids, life, and my sewing.  I thought that after band season was over, things would calm down a little, but we can never plan for all the unexpected things in life.  And that is what makes life so wonderful.  Despite the setbacks, despite the plans that fall through, all of it is what makes life more interesting.  you wake up every morning ready to see what challenges, if any, you will face.  I admit, I have not felt that positive about all the chaos and all the setbacks, but I realized that those are the things that make up all of our lives.  Sometimes we do not meet our goals, sometimes we do.  If everything, always, went according to our plans, I would be bored.

So my plans for the next month or so are:

1. Have more Sock Pals stocked up
2. Make several purses, & bags
3. Start "Story Time With Sock Monkey" YouTube videos
4. Keep my Sewing Room as organized as possible
5. Decide Which Craft Fairs I want to have a booth at
6. Blog more!

I swear I have lists of lists to keep as reminders and as motivators, but I am allowing myself to not dwell on the goals not achieved, but instead be more positive about the future, because the future is always unexpected.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

What a year it was!  After the Craft Fair. Sock Monkeys By Cheryl took a back seat to work & family.  I didn't stop making in my spare time, but I was unable to get to do any more craft shows because of certain school events.  Even though I loved my first Craft Fair, the family always takes precedence.   Around the holidays, I did squeeze in time to try some new things for gifts.  I posted pictures of most of them already (the ones that have already been opened) on my Twitter & my Facebook so feel free to check them out.  I made fandom related things from Adventure Time, Doctor Who, Mario Bros., Dora the Explorer, & (sports related) UGA.  So I have been having fun learning how to make new things.  Sock Monkeys will always be my number one passion, but I think exploring other sewing crafts is helping me realize that I can make just about anything with a needle thread.

I will be expanding into coin purses, and purses and tote bags, I just have to organize a bit after the Christmas rush (my sewing room was also my gift wrapping room) before I can really focus on moving forward.  The new year looks bright and I am NOT going to let anything hold me back. 

Wishing you love and soft Sock Monkey hugs!

Cheryl

My First Craft Fair

Many apologies for taking tis long to share my first craft fair with everyone.  I have been a crazy person since the kids went back to school.

Preparing for the Craft fair, We packed the suburban full and arrived hours early, and in the heat of mid day, which was my downfall.  Thinking ahead, and not wanting to spend too much money at the event itself, we had a cooler with Gatorade, water, and snacks.  I had read other blogs and articles on what you should bring and even made a complete checklist, so I was ready!

Starting after 4pm, I had a LOT of lookers, and I also noticed less than half of the other vendors set up for the night before.  I did sell a bit on that evening, and enjoyed the company of my family.  Unfortunately, I got over heated and went home very sick at the end of the day.  The good news is, after a cold washcloth and sleeping under a fan, I was fine the next morning, and ready to take on a new day.  We tried to get there early, but had to wait in a tiny bit of traffic for the runners in the early morning race.  There were many more vendors there already, and we set up quickly, having had a little bit of experience.  I did take home just about everything I had brought except for my canopy and my Sock Monkey Stand since the table I brought on the first day was way too small, so we had to set everything back up all over again.  Sock Monkeys are light, so that wasn't a big deal.

Most people came through after the parade at 10am.  During the parade, no one walked around at all.  The parade was the MAIN EVENT going on there.  I wish I hadn't missed it, I saw a bit of it, but where the vendor booths were set up, we were behind buildings and had no view of the parade.  There were a fair amount of people, but not as many as I had hoped.  I was too shy, and it took a few hours for me to break out of my comfort zone to talk to more people.  I did not want to seem too pushy, but I think I may have ended up seeming more unapproachable even though I said hello to everyone that stopped.  At the end of the day, it was a success! I had made my vendor fee back and a bit more, but mostly I had accomplished my first event and learned a lot.

1. Always make a checklist
2. Set up your booth in your yard a few days before the event so spend less time setting up at the event and you know if you have everything you need.
3. Bring a cooler with (at least) cold water if it is going to be hot.
4. Have business cards/flyers ready ahead of time and a good place to display them.
5. If you bring kids, give them money to spend BEFORE leaving the house (seriously)!
6. Have a sign with your name, or product, made at least a week before, not the day before.
7. Allow yourself to be seen, be friendly, and socialize.
8. Hide your personal belongings under a table cloth or leave them in the car (it just looks neater).
9. Don't let the lack of sales or interest hurt your feelings.
10. Have enough variety in your inventory, and always have more than you will need.

Just a few of my personal tips, but there are lots more!!

I got a lot of helpful tips from the following links:
http://creativeincomeblog.com/crafters-etiquette-the-10-commandments-for-craft-shows/
http://creativeincomeblog.com/craft-fair-checklist-sales-tips/
http://creativeincomeblog.com/craft-show-conversation-starters/
http://creativeincomeblog.com/best-tips-for-selling-at-arts-and-craft-fairs-free-ebook/

I am looking forward to my next craft fair in about a month.  It's time for me to take every spare moment I have to build up my inventory, especially now that I have my own desiccated sewing space!
If you can't wait for the next craft fair, there is always Etsy! 

Click===>   Sock Monkeys By Cheryl