Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Diane...your glass beads are wonderful. What size bead are you using? And what kind of magnet do you put on the back?
.
Thank you! I make several sizes but my most popular are approx. 1" glass gems. I also do the mini ones, and the 2" and 3" sizes. I like the large ones but people are really drawn to the 1" size. They are definitely my best sellers.
Hi ladies! I just found this thread. I love to read and participate when I can in the other craft fair threads. I've just recently had a big move and the new area that I'm in doesn't have a whole lot of craft fairs throughout the year. I did join the local craft guild and I'll be doing a big two day show in November so I'm gearing up for that. I did a small show this past weekend that turned out to be more of a flea market type thing, but I still did pretty good with sales. I sold several dry erase boards that were hanging around for a while (I like when I can get rid of some things that have been hanging around in my inventory for a bit), a few altered photo albums, magnets, necklaces and gift packs. The gift packs were a new item for me and I had a lot of really great comments on them.
I used an 8x8 page protector, trimmed the holes off the sides, cut a piece of decorative paper (from my stash that I've had for ages) to slip into the back and scored to create a flap at the top. I put a piece of velcro on that to hold it closed to the front of the protector. Inside I put two cards and envelopes, a small altered notepad, a little pen from the dollar store, three mini altered clothespins on a small piece of paper and a bookmark. I made thirty of them over the span of a weekend and it was a great project that used up a lot of older designer paper. I kept it all very simple. Just covered things with the paper and stamped a sentiment, but they looked really cute all packaged up. A lot of people bought these for teacher gifts. I think they'll do well at Christmas too. I'm going to buy more page protectors so that I can keep going with them.
I also sold a lot of the acrylic post it holders.
Everything on the table was very spring like, very colorful.
Before the big show I'm going to focus on making some new displays and I'm going to purchase a banner for the front of my table. I'm excited for this year!
Cute idea on the page protector gift bag - I assume the designer paper is adhered inside that page protector then? Can I ask how much you sold them for? I think I'm stealing this idea for my sales in the fall!
I'm going to try those glass magnets too. I bought some last year for shows but never got around to doing them. I like the idea (and Diane I probably got this from you too) on how to display them in a bag - using a small washer attached to cardstock so the magnet sticks where its supposed to. Or some type of metal in there so the magnet sticks. Nice way to display them in a bag.
Of course, I haven't started anything yet, other than a handful of little tile magnets that I did one weekend. Nothing since then. Better get crackin!
No, I don't stick the paper to the page protector. Because of the flap it just stays there and the velcro keeps it in place. I sold them for $10 each. Each one cost about $3 to make, not including the designer paper, which really was sitting around collecting dust. I made them all assembly line style, so they didn't take much time. For each one I used one sheet of designer paper, two pieces of cardstock, one sheet of white cardstock made 5 bookmarks and five clothespin holders, 3 little clothespins, a bit of ribbon, a notebook from the dollar store (which came in a pack of 3), the pen from the dollar store (came in a pack of , the tiny bit of velcro, two envelopes and I embellished the cards and notebook with a piece of washi tape. Other than that just a bit of ink!
Mary, regarding your question on how to package magnets, here's 2 ways I've done it. I've used the lid of smallish food containers (think like a paint can, where you prise off the lid with something). I covered those in paper matching the 4 small glass pebble magnets that I put on the metal and then into a bag.
Number 2 is that I punched circles into cardstock and the magnets fitted into the holes eg, all you saw from the front was the glass pebbles and all you saw from the back was the magnets. The cardstock then went into a bag, and they didn't move around. Of course, this is dependent on you having a circle punch the size of your magnet!!
Mary, regarding your question on how to package magnets, here's 2 ways I've done it. I've used the lid of smallish food containers (think like a paint can, where you prise off the lid with something). I covered those in paper matching the 4 small glass pebble magnets that I put on the metal and then into a bag.
Number 2 is that I punched circles into cardstock and the magnets fitted into the holes eg, all you saw from the front was the glass pebbles and all you saw from the back was the magnets. The cardstock then went into a bag, and they didn't move around. Of course, this is dependent on you having a circle punch the size of your magnet!!
I have only done packaging for my mini magnets. The 1" size, I sell individually and display them on a large magnetic board I bought at IKEA. People stand at the table forever oo-ing and ah-ing over which ones to buy. It is too cute.
I use the super strong magnets for the back of those ones, so packaging them together would be difficult as they "fly" towards each other in close proximity.
subbing.....lots of great ideas! I have 3 shows next fall: October, November, December! Since I teach school, Summer is MY time to get ready! Keep the fresh ideas coming!
I did an outdoor show this weekend. It was under a huge tent so no wind, but it rained like crazy the night before and the ground was super soggy. Also, the paper items left overnight for the 2nd day (they ahd security watching the tents overnight) were warped a bit from the morning dew. I put them in the sun and they are ok now.
Anyhow, I am not going to do any more outdoor shows. Didn't have fun..felt like I was camping in the rain.
I did an outdoor show this weekend. It was under a huge tent so no wind, but it rained like crazy the night before and the ground was super soggy. Also, the paper items left overnight for the 2nd day (they ahd security watching the tents overnight) were warped a bit from the morning dew. I put them in the sun and they are ok now.
Anyhow, I am not going to do any more outdoor shows. Didn't have fun..felt like I was camping in the rain.
So sorry to hear about it Diane...yes we had heavy rain all through Friday and from Saturday afternoon. I just couldn't believe there could be so much water in the clouds
I don't think I'd ever do an outdoor sale, just because you never know up here (Northern WI) about rain and stuff (well you never know wherever you are) and papercrafts really don't hold up to moisture. There is an outdoor fair the first week of December here (um, its cold that week!) and I don't do that either. Cause its cold! And snowy! and I do papercraft stuff! I like it inside with a comfy chair if I need it and controlled climate!
So sorry to hear about it Diane...yes we had heavy rain all through Friday and from Saturday afternoon. I just couldn't believe there could be so much water in the clouds
I know. We are usually all dry and sunshine by this time of year.
It definitely reaffirmed my thinking about NOT doing outdoor venues.
Soon, I will start to play with making bookmarks using the embossed metal. I am planning to try the spellbinders 2-layer butterfly that was just discontinued. I bought it recently.
I started a Pinterest board of ideas too. Here I thought I was so clever and one of you did it too! I've even got ideas for a display board too. I saw this flower done with dsp and the petal punch. Then I started thinking of peacock feathers.... and there is an SU peacock stamp, so the dsp 'petals' could be the feathers in the bird's tail. I thought that would be a great way to show off the dsp available.
Then I saw some some adorable bird houses and well yeah, I know peacocks don't go in birdhouses - but these are PAPER peacocks and this species can have bird houses :lol:
Then I saw the most adorable birds made with an su bird punch. Some talented lady used a field guide to alter the bird punch so she could make several types of birds: blue jay, robin, cardinal, etc.
So maybe a bird theme. or we could have more than one display. Ohhhh and clay flower pots with those lollies on dowels stuck in styrofoam. Cute gift and advertise SU stuff.
Cards, card sets, gift card holders, candy holders, gift tags, teabag holders, post it holders, notepad covers,
Ohhhhh and these ADORABLE baskets made with double sided dsp. I made them for gifts for Easter, and they could easily be made with a Magnolia's Place: Paper Easter BasketsChristmas theme.
All finished my spring/summer shows, and spent the day organizing my leftovers, cataloguing the supplies I have pre-bought for xmas, and sending off my cheques for xmas shows.
Next, I have to put together a to-do list for items I plan to make.
Have to increase my inventory of the microbead pens, make some post-it note sets, and definitely need to make more non-xmas cards.
I want to work on my coaster calendars but Cat hasn't posted 2013 version yet. I was looking at a download to buy but can't find a cute one.
I think I am going to play with my Photoshop Elements. It is a very old version that I have never used but I will try to create my own. I am considering taking it to a local printshop and getting my own made up with the glue on the edge for the tearaway calendars. If I can, maybe I will sell them on my Facebook or website?? Who knows. I am thinking ...if I am looking for them, maybe others are too??!!!
I posted a request for Cat's 2013 calendars in the template section also. Please let me know if you find the right sized calendar. What are the dimensions we need for the coaster calendars? Do you have any trouble cutting them so the stack looks neat? When I trim several things, some are always a little off!
I posted a request for Cat's 2013 calendars in the template section also. Please let me know if you find the right sized calendar. What are the dimensions we need for the coaster calendars? Do you have any trouble cutting them so the stack looks neat? When I trim several things, some are always a little off!
That's what we thought, so my stamping partner in crime suggested we just buy them. She found this site: thegallery
50 for $16.95 that's about 34 cents a piece.
I just received confirmation on my first craft fair show for fall....Sept 29. Question: do you think people will buy christmas cards already at this time? What about 2013 calendars?
I surely will make skittles and licorice on 1x8 bags for halloween and the hershey nuggets on the hinged tins.
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
__________________ Tina
- I love someone with autism. -
If I was going to try to sell calendars or christmas cards in September, I would only make a small amount, because I don't think people are planning that far ahead. Having said that, I just sold 60+ xmas cards to someone who IS planning that far ahead. However, in general, I'd do just a few, and then build up more stock for selling later in the year. You could always make them now, but not necessarily take them to sell until later.
Okay, I'm on the Xmas gift tag channel right now. I have plenty of ideas for the tags, but I haven't found a real clever holder for them yet. I was thinking about making some holder for a dozen or so tags.
Got any ideas?
How many would you put in a bunch?
sale price?
For my tags I sold them in packs of 10 or 12 and I put them in the little clear bags with a topper - topper said tags and was stamped somehow. I also used (for gifts) a 6x6 clear scrapbook page protector and made a top for that. I've been saving coffee tins (international coffees) and may decorate them for some tags. I have also seen people using other tins for their packaging, charging more for them than I do. For gifts, my tags are more elaborate. For the sales, they are pretty simple, but I only sell for $1.50 a bag. Not sure I could get more here for tags. I might try some more elaborate ones for sales though, and charge more for them.
For my tags I sold them in packs of 10 or 12 and I put them in the little clear bags with a topper - topper said tags and was stamped somehow. I also used (for gifts) a 6x6 clear scrapbook page protector and made a top for that. I've been saving coffee tins (international coffees) and may decorate them for some tags. I have also seen people using other tins for their packaging, charging more for them than I do. For gifts, my tags are more elaborate. For the sales, they are pretty simple, but I only sell for $1.50 a bag. Not sure I could get more here for tags. I might try some more elaborate ones for sales though, and charge more for them.
You know it's the channel I'm on.. I'm focusing on making gift tags and different holders for them... allllllllllll day
You found some great ones! Thank you
I sewed a couple mini bags last night and thought we could put some tags in them - we could call them 'bag o' tags' lol
You found some great ones! Thank you
I sewed a couple mini bags last night and thought we could put some tags in them - we could call them 'bag o' tags' lol
Okay, I'm on the Xmas gift tag channel right now. I have plenty of ideas for the tags, but I haven't found a real clever holder for them yet. I was thinking about making some holder for a dozen or so tags.
Got any ideas?
How many would you put in a bunch?
sale price?
lol. I love the tag channel!
These are a couple of pics I have in my tag box folder.
Yes, I have a folder! I save pics of ideas I see on blogs into tidy little folders. I started this when I found I would not really re-visit my internet faves cuz there were too many! This way, I can click open the folder and see pics.
Unfortunately, I don't always save where I got the ideas. So, if anyone can give credit where it is due for these items, please do!!
Thank you to those who responded to my previous inquiries and thanks for sharing fantastic ideas.
Here's my question: If I want to really focus on making tons of cards for this year's craft shows, how do you display them? If they are in baskets, do people really go through each bundle to pick what they want? Do you kind of put the "best" looking card in the front?
I'm hoping I can get a tabletop card spinner rack on craigslist but other than that, how do you "show" the cards on the table? Any pics would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.
__________________ Tina
- I love someone with autism. -
These are a couple of pics I have in my tag box folder.
Yes, I have a folder! I save pics of ideas I see on blogs into tidy little folders. I started this when I found I would not really re-visit my internet faves cuz there were too many! This way, I can click open the folder and see pics.
Unfortunately, I don't always save where I got the ideas. So, if anyone can give credit where it is due for these items, please do!!
Thanks so much for the pics Diane! I have folders too, and a binder of printed instructions, ideas lists of Christmas poop poems etc.
I'm not sure about what works well, but I'm inclined to make a variety of different tag holders and candy holders. For thing I think it's fun and also I would tend to get bored if I made too many of any one thing.
I also am putting together a spreadsheet to keep track of materials that I purchase and the profits made in the end. I don't remember the formulas for getting spreadsheets to perform calculations, so I'll have to look them up. I'd like the column of material purchases to add a running total, and then I'd like the column for sales to subtract the materials total to indicate the final profit. I'll so some research and play around with it. If I can get it to work out in real life the way it does in my head, I'll share it with y'all.
I made more cloth bags for card sets this morning and last night I made a carrier for cups of Snowman Soup. Pics are on my blog if you'd like to see. It seems kinda funny to post pics here when I already have them posted somewhere ya know?
A friend in my blogging group just told me about a clever thing she does at craft fairs. She puts up a sign in her booth/table that reads:
"Yes, you can make it, but will you?"
She said, "It gets a lot of people laughing and then those people who whisper to their buddy or sometimes say out loud "I can make that", it gets them thinking this is true."
