Crafty Grab Boxes Now Available

*just a quick update, yes you can specify what sort of items you want in your boxes,  with the only exception being an all clothing (ie: hats, scarfs, cowls, etc) will be limited to the 2 large sized boxes)

So all the vendor events I was scheduled to do this spring have cancelled due to Covid-19.  As a result, I have no income coming in, and major bills to pay (think mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc.)  Because I am self-employed, unemployment insurance is not an option.  So in an effort to generate some sort of income I had to think outside the box. 

I have tons of inventory for the events I was scheduled to do (no refund policies in effect for all of them, so no booth fees back).  I have decided to offer “grab boxes of goodies”.  You know you loved buying those grab bags when you were kids, never knowing what kind of treasures were inside.  In this case I am offering 3 different price points  $15.95,   $29.95,  and $39.95.  These all include shipping to anywhere in the USA.  (no international shipping available at this time).  You will get at a minimum 3 different items (maximum of 5 different items), valued at a minimum of the cost of the box (based on the retail prices I normally sell the items for).  For example, say you would like to order a $15.95 box.  You might get the following, A small mini whale stuffy (5.95 value), a kitchen scrubbie (5.95 value), and a coffee cup cozy (5.95 value).  This is just a general idea.    Each box will also include a price sheet of the items I sell, as well as other items available for sell should you decide to buy more items (I will also ship to friends and relatives for you, provided they live in the USA.  (see gifts are covered).

Some of the items you might get include, cup cozies, key chains, hats, scarfs, small lap afghans, small baby blankets, stuffed toys, crocheted potted plants, fingerless gloves, utility cloths (think dish and wash cloths), potholders, kitchen towels, coasters, home décor (think plant hangers, pillow cases,) cell phone bags, water bottle bags, head bands, etc.  Granted most of my items are geared toward women, or children (just not a lot of great crochet items for guys out there, although I am always looking for patterns that would be good for the guys).  I am including some photos of my booth set up and some close ups of a few of the items I sell.

Hopefully this will at least bring in enough money to cover the utilities I am behind on, and cover part of my mortgage.  And before anyone says it, yes I had savings, but they were wiped out when the last of the events was cancelled.  I usually sell enough in the spring to carry me through the spring and summer, and enough in the fall to carry me through the fall into the first couple of months of the following year, before the spring events start. 

All items are crocheted (there may be a few knitted or sewn items in there, but 99% of what I do is crochet).

If you are interested in a grab box email me, let me know what size box you would like and I will invoice you through square (if you prefer to be invoiced via venmo or paypal please include the id used with the preferred account and let let know which you prefer.)  I will pack and ship your box out the next business day after receiving your payment

   

First Fall Craft Show of the Season

So the first craft show of the fall season has come and gone.  Not the best, but not the worst show I have ever done.  I actually did better than expected.  As always my jellyfish, and seahorse plushies were among my best sellers.  The mini pumpkins (these were a first time making them craft for me) flew off the shelf.  Had requests for other veggies and fruits, so those will be on my to do list for the next show coming up in October.  Sold several of the do-rag headbands I make and sell  (the pattern is available here).  I will definitely be making more of those. 

Lots of compliments on the few hats and scarfs I took.  I did not expect to sell any of these and took them only to get the responses as to what people thought of them.  I did get a couple of baby blanket orders so those need to be completed in the next week or so. 

And just for those who say they can't do a craft show because they don't have room in their vehicle for tables, displays, canopies, and finished crafts, I have a small 4-door Hyundai Elantra.  granted my back seats do lay down (either right, or left, or both at the same time as needed),  but the pictures below are of my packed car, and my booth set up on the day of the sale.  So don't say never.  Just practice loading your car,  and if you can get the plastic crates that Walmart and Target sell this time of year for back to school/college,  pack your merchandise in them, and use the empty crates to display merchandise on or in. 

                                            booth after set up

                                          view of back seat of car

                                          view from front of packed car

                                          view from back of packed car.

So even if you have a small vehicle you can still do craft shows.   The things I took were 5 small 20 inch x 40 inch folding tables (they fold in half, and the legs extend), a 10 x 10 canopy, a 6 foot ladder shelf (purchased at Tuesday Mornings and painted with a coral color stain), a folding metal table type shelf (purchased at Tuesday Mornings)  a banner (purchased from vista print, and framed in a cheap plastic poster frame purchased at Jo Ann's, and embellished with patterned duct tape from Dollar Tree), 12 crates of product, 1 crate of bags, tape, tissue paper, price stickers,) A small ice chest with water and snacks, a folding wood laundry rack (purchased at an antique show years ago), 8 mannequin heads (I look for them at yard sales and swap meets because they are cheaper there than buying new),  and some cheap 48 inch curtain rods and large 3 - 4 inch S-hooks (I got the curtain rods at Walmart, but you can probably get them cheaper at thrift shops and the S-hooks I got at Home Depot),  and a folding plant stand the kind that folds out with 2 stands on each end that stand from 8 - 12 inches tall with one in the center that stands about 18 inches to 24 inches tall (for a total of 5)  (I set my mannequin heads on these with one sitting on the table just in front of the plant stand.) And a garment rack that is quick and easy to put together (also purchased at Walmart)

There are some good you tube videos on setting up spaces and thinking outside the box as far as displays go.

I hope to check in later this week or next to give you a preview of some of the items I am making for the next show.