Last Year Craft Fair

I had not realized that I didn't share my craft fair pictures from October!  It was amazing!  There were many more people than my first craft fair.  I was right in the middle of the main walking path, so I had a lot of people stop and look and ask and buy!  I had more variety in my handmade creations, which did get more attention from different people.  Very glad I decided to do more than just Sock Monkeys.

It was an adventure for sure!  I still don't hate totes, so almost everything was packed into a clean, clear plastic bag ( the bag leftover from the 10 pound box of Poly-fil that I buy), and I have a new table that we re-purposed from a yard sale (bought for a couple of dollars, removed the old wood, and put on a completely new table-top, painted it and awesome!), and some purse racks, also a yard sale find.  Once there and the sun was up, I realized that I had forgotten to get change!  Thankfully, my Mother-in-Law was there to bring me coffee and offered to get me some change.  So sweet!  Although she did think I was silly to continue to fuss over and re-arrange my items in my booth, I was glad she was there to help.  She didn't stay long, but she was very encouraging.   The folks running the craft fair were so organized, and even gave all the vendors a little "goody bag" that was decorated by elementary school kids, and had some little packaged crackers, a bite size candy, bottled water, and a tax form.  Loved it!  As the day went on, the only things I didn't sell were my purses, and my pillows.  Almost all of my Sock Monkeys were gone, I only had 2 Sock Pigs left, and I made my money back from the vendor fee times two!  Even though I was still not feeling better, I am so glad I did it.  The weather was perfect, and the people were really nice.

 From this trip I have learned a few more things.  

1. I do need plastic totes to keep my inventory in for easy packing & unpacking.

2. I should get my change a few days in advance.

3. What sells great on my Etsy, does not sell as well in person.

4. I need to stop being so shy, and greet everyone and smile, and not sit back in hopes they come to me.

5. I need to try to make my booth look more crafty and less "garage sale".

6.  I need to have a money apron. A cash box is great, but a money apron is so much more convenient.

7. Stay hydrated, and know where the available bathrooms are before hand.

I'm sure there is more, but these are the ones that stick out.  How I feel about the craft fair experience isn't just about the money.  If you can make your fees back, and make more or as much money as you would have if you had worked your regular job that day if ideal.  But the most important part is sharing your love of what you make with others.  A lot of people looked over my things and said "You made this by hand?"  "This looks beautiful!"  "You are very talented" and even the ones that didn't purchase anything made my day.  It was all about breaking away from my comfort zone f hiding behind the internet and breathing is the fresh air, smelling all the wonderful foods from the many food vendors, and looking someone else in the eye and see them smile.  Some would reminisces about my Original Sock Monkeys, having had one made by mothers or grandmothers when they were children, and I like to think I gave them a little piece they may have lost, and helped bring a little more joy into their day.  I may be over reaching, but it does make me feel good to inspire another person to smile a real, authentic, heartfelt smile.

Thank you for reading and letting me share my craft experiences with you.

Maing Progress Crafting Sock Monkeys

I have LOT of photos posted on my Sock Monkeys By Cheryl FACEBOOK page!


SOCK MONKEYS FOR SALE

 

 

I also have posted a few of the socks I have on hand to be made into Sock Monkeys, Sock Bears, Sock Bunnies, Sock Cats, Sock Owls, Sock Piggies, Sock Hedgehogs, Sock Dogs, etc!  There is no limit to the Sock Pals I can come up with!!

Future Sock Pals

 

This is only the beginning!  I still have a lot of socks not pictured for the other smaller projects like Owls and Piggies.  I will soon be on more of a regular blogging schedule, but my facebook page will be getting the most attention!

 

 

 

 

 With my first fair coming up at the beginning of next month, look for lots of posts on how it goes!

 

 

New Sock Creations

So I have been trying in my every so minimal spare time to make more Sock Monkeys, stock piling them in fact, in hopes to try my hand at selling some at a craft fair this Summer/Fall.  Still looking for a table, but am not really too worried.  I figure if I can't find one, we can use sawhorses and plywood with a lovely cloth to cover it if needed.
While searching for new ideas on line, as I often do during downtime at work, I discovered how much I LOVE doing Sock Owls, Sock Pigs, and a different style of Sock Kitty!!

These pictured are my prototypes!  I love this pic of my sewing table cause you can see the Sock Monkey Mayhem going on behind! I have made about 5 more Sock piggies and 6 or so Sock owls, perfecting their look more each time.  I will put them up in my Etsy store as soon as I have about 10 or so each ready fro sale.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/SockMonkeysByCheryl

I know it seems odd that I bring my Sock Monkey box with me just about everywhere I go to work on, but last night someone asked if I sold them & wanted my number to possibly buy some!  So even though I do seem a little (a lot) eccentric in my habits, I still think its a good idea.

I do think one reason I've been making more Sock Creations is this week has been a moody sad week for me.  I can't tell you the reason, as I have no idea why, but there are a lot of sad memories that Spring up this time of year.  So I am trying to stay positive, and stay busy, (the latter has been very easy). 

I do put a lot of love in each and everyone.  I am going to have a hard time letting go of a lot of them, but I have sold quite a few before when my daughter was in middle school, and enjoyed the joy it brought those who took them home.  As long as I take lots of pictures of them before they are "adopted"  to remind me just how awesome and cute they are, I will be okay. :)

This weekend is a Fair that I did not have enough Sock Monkeys to try to sell at, but I do think I will be going if the weather holds up!