ConsumerMatch.com BlogCrafts Across America
Did you know that March is “National Craft Month”? I have to admit that I had no idea until I began researching this blog entry, because for me every month is craft month.
As I’ve written here before, I grew up in a very big family and one of the ways our parents kept us from getting into (too much) trouble was to keep us busy making things. I remember, fondly, the little leather wallets we strung together (it was a ’70s thing), making clocks on big slabs of natural wood and of course, tie-dye.
My first foray into the world of business was a local craft fair. My brother and our across-the-street neighbor and I painted our little hearts out. We’d start with plain ceramic figurines and signs, paint and seal them, and then sell them for a whopping $5 or $15, a fortune for a ten-year-old.
These days I make handmade, all-natural soaps. Everybody likes soap and hey – it’s a dirty world. I make the molds from vintage jewelry, tea tins, kitchen magnets… anything that’s three-dimensional with a solid backing works. Then I mix up the soaps and a few hours later I’ve got gifts for friends and family. The thing is, my friends and family are up to their ears in handmade soaps and I have plenty of supplies on hand.
The solution: I’ve applied to sell my soaps (and handmade cards and jewelry) at a local craft fair. I am so excited about this: a day in the sunshine, no computer, drinking lemonade and meeting new people. If I make some money, too, that’s the icing on the cake.
This is a good time to think about spring and summer craft fairs. Lots of people have a craft specialty – from woodwork to knitting to gluing buttons on picture frames (people buy those!). If you haven’t yet discovered your inner artist, don’t despair. Start at Joann.com’s website and click on the “Project Ideas” tab. You’ll find all sorts of free craft instructions, written like recipes: start with this, add that, and voila! While you’re visiting Joann.com’s website I suggest that you take advantage of the 40% off sale on Ott-Lite® lamps to brighten up your workspace and protect yourself from eye strain (we never worried about that as ten-year-olds).
I’ve found two websites that provide extensive lists of craft fairs across America. The first is EventLister.com. Use this site to apply for craft fairs and also post your online portfolio. I’ve just posted mine, and there’s something about seeing one’s creations “up in lights” (online) that is a real confidence booster.
Next is FestivalNet.com. I like this site because it includes not only arts and crafts shows but also music festivals and even a few food festivals and other types of fairs. Visiting fairs is a great way to get inspired, or just enjoy some tunes and freshly made ice cream.
Happy crafting and I’ll see you at the fairs!
Until next time,
Conna
As I’ve written here before, I grew up in a very big family and one of the ways our parents kept us from getting into (too much) trouble was to keep us busy making things. I remember, fondly, the little leather wallets we strung together (it was a ’70s thing), making clocks on big slabs of natural wood and of course, tie-dye.
My first foray into the world of business was a local craft fair. My brother and our across-the-street neighbor and I painted our little hearts out. We’d start with plain ceramic figurines and signs, paint and seal them, and then sell them for a whopping $5 or $15, a fortune for a ten-year-old.
These days I make handmade, all-natural soaps. Everybody likes soap and hey – it’s a dirty world. I make the molds from vintage jewelry, tea tins, kitchen magnets… anything that’s three-dimensional with a solid backing works. Then I mix up the soaps and a few hours later I’ve got gifts for friends and family. The thing is, my friends and family are up to their ears in handmade soaps and I have plenty of supplies on hand.
The solution: I’ve applied to sell my soaps (and handmade cards and jewelry) at a local craft fair. I am so excited about this: a day in the sunshine, no computer, drinking lemonade and meeting new people. If I make some money, too, that’s the icing on the cake.
This is a good time to think about spring and summer craft fairs. Lots of people have a craft specialty – from woodwork to knitting to gluing buttons on picture frames (people buy those!). If you haven’t yet discovered your inner artist, don’t despair. Start at Joann.com’s website and click on the “Project Ideas” tab. You’ll find all sorts of free craft instructions, written like recipes: start with this, add that, and voila! While you’re visiting Joann.com’s website I suggest that you take advantage of the 40% off sale on Ott-Lite® lamps to brighten up your workspace and protect yourself from eye strain (we never worried about that as ten-year-olds).
I’ve found two websites that provide extensive lists of craft fairs across America. The first is EventLister.com. Use this site to apply for craft fairs and also post your online portfolio. I’ve just posted mine, and there’s something about seeing one’s creations “up in lights” (online) that is a real confidence booster.
Next is FestivalNet.com. I like this site because it includes not only arts and crafts shows but also music festivals and even a few food festivals and other types of fairs. Visiting fairs is a great way to get inspired, or just enjoy some tunes and freshly made ice cream.
Happy crafting and I’ll see you at the fairs!
Until next time,
Conna
Labels: craft fairs, crafts
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