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Archive for the ‘Craft Fair’ Category

WANTED: October Craft Fair!

September 3rd, 2010

This is sort of a stab in the dark - but I haven’t signed up for a fair in October this year. The one that I’ve done in the past always had me in an outside spot. I swore that I would never do an outside spot again. (I froze my buns off last year!) - and there is just too much anxiety with the weather, and wondering if it will be windy or rainy.

So…if you are in the MA or Southern NH area, and looking for additional artists for your October Fair - please contact me! I would like to do October so that I can sell some Halloween goodies (which are so fun to make!)Thanks!

Craft Fair

Craft Fair Item: Frankenstein Treat Pale

September 1st, 2010

I was at Target a few weeks ago & spotted some green & purple pales in the Dollar Spot. (don’t you just love the dollar spot?)

I thought it would be great to dress them up for Halloween & make them look like monsters or Frankenstein. Here’s what I’ve come up with. I’ve stuff him full of Halloween goodies like toy spiders, a little coffin that opens up with candy inside, pixy stix & spooky pencils.

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I used circle punches to create his eyes, and just used scissors to trim out some hair & that mouth. I adhered most things down using Tombow Liquid glue as these are tins made of metal. For a finishing touch, I tied some ribbon to the handles on each side.

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so quick!! RUN to Target & find some of these tins for only $1 :)

Altered Stuff, Craft Fair

Craft Fair Items: Candle Gift Boxes (from recycled fruit containers)

August 28th, 2010

I have to thank my Stampin Up Demo Michelle for this WONDERFUL IDEA!! This is not my creation, but I loved it so much when Michelle showed me that I had to make my own (and film a video…!)

SO - let me ask you: how many of these containers do you have in your fridge? Full of strawberries, cherry tomatoes - or other kinds of fruit?

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This project is great way to re-use those containers instead of just throwing them away. Just wash them out when you’re all done & you can create a super cute gift for Teachers, Co-Workers, or Friends! (Gosh, I kind of sound like an info-mercial right now, don’t I??)

Here are some that I created to give as Christmas gifts or sell at a Craft Fair. I decorated the outside & stuffed the inside with scented candles & decorative gift filler. The one on the right is a larger container (was used for strawberries) and the one on the left was from some cherry tomatoes.

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The containers will vary in size depending on where you get them & what type of fruit/veggie is in it - which is great because you can get really creative with what you want to place inside.

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Here is the one I show you how to make in the video. For this one I brought the ribbon around & over the top of the container. Just a different look than the one above. HINT: If you are going to be placing the ribbon around the side of the container, you might want to put some sticky strip down the sides so that the ribbon stays nice & snug on the container.

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OK, on to the video. Click here to watch it over on YouTube. Let me know if you have any questions - thanks for watching!

Altered Stuff, Craft Fair

Craft Fair Item: Halloween Mummy Treat Holders

August 11th, 2010

Hi everyone! It’s that time of year again…Craft Fair prep time!

I know, it’s only August. But Halloween is *not* that far away. So I’m trying to get in gear. As of right now I’m not commited to a fair before Halloween - so I’m not sure where I’m going to sell this stuff, but I might find a fair :)

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I got this idea from the latest Stampin Up Catalog, along with a project that I had done last year. There was a pic in the catalog of a mummy using some ribbon. It was super cute, but I didn’t want to waste all of that ribbon. I was digging through my supplies trying to think of what I could use instead & I found some medical gauze. Perfect! I used some distress ink to give the Mummy an older look. I’ve even included a video on how to put this little guy together.

(doesn’t he look so angry? LOL)

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Here is the video. Click here to watch it on YouTube. Hope you enjoy…!!

Altered Stuff, Craft Fair, Tutorials, Videos

Blog changes & some post-it holders

July 8th, 2010

Just an FYI to some of you - the Blog might be up & down sometime within the next few days. I’m changing over to a new hosting provider who I am sure will prove to be MUCH better than my current one! I’ve had some intermittent issues lately w/ the comments not loading, blog being slow, etc. So I am hoping this clears things up! Thanks for being so patient w/ me!

Not sure if I have shared these here yet - but I made even more of the post-it holders w/ matching pens. Love these things. So easy to make.

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Perfect for Teachers…

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I think these will be a major item at Fall Craft Fairs this year.

Can you believe it’s July? I need to start crackin’ on FALL items soon! ACKKK!! We are *almost* done the kitchen…well, I almost have a sink back - they are installing granite counters next week. After that it’s the finishing touches. But the important thing is that I WILL HAVE A SINK & A DISHWASHER SOON!! I might die of excitement people.

Anyway, more to come soon. Meanwhile, I’m trying to avoid melting. It’s been quite the toasty week here in MA. Stay cool everyone!

Altered Stuff, Craft Fair

more bookmarks to share!

April 28th, 2010

Last weekend I was on the “I NEED to use up some of my scraps” kick.

What do I do to use up scraps? I make bookmarks! They are the perfect way to use strips of paper. These ones here below are 7″x2″. I have LOTS of designer paper scraps. WAY too much. This is my way of using them up & creating something fun.

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Can we discuss how CUTE this robot fella is? He was from a piece of designer paper. ADORABLE.

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More fun boy-themed bookmarks…

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I also tried to use up some colors of cardstock that are not my traditional style. (AKA bright SHOCKING pink). Stampin Up is retiring a bunch of colors so I figured I better make room for the new…! Here are some girly themed bookmarks…

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You can find another post of mine with full video tutorial on making these bookmarks HERE. (I laminate them.) I sell them at my craft fairs for $2 each, and I can tell you they sell VERY well!

Craft Fair

post-it keychains

April 26th, 2010

yes, my obsession with all things post-it continues.

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I’ve been dying to try these for a while now - as I saw the instructional video HERE on Angie’s blog. (she’s got lots of great stuff by the way - and her accent is just adorable.) Anyway, these are super fast & fun to make. You can put any sort of stamped image on these to personalize them. I was totally diggin’ the owls & oranges for this round. Both stamps are Stampin Up.(woodgrain background stamp is from Hero Arts)

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Lots of fun colors in this batch. I found the small post-its at Walmart in all sort of colors.

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Altered Stuff, Craft Fair

don’t judge me…

April 26th, 2010

but I started prepping for Christmas stuff this weekend.

I know, I know. It’s April. But dude, it’s NEVER too soon to start preparing….right!??!! (just go with it)

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Yes, those are acetate pillow boxes stamped with snowflakes. But see, I do lots of craft fair stuff - and I hate being rushed in the Fall. So I’m trying to at least start some of the prep work now. Let’s just hope I remember where the heck I store all of these come November. With my luck, I will put them away & have no idea where they are. HA.

Craft Fair

Teacher Gifts: Post-It Note Holders w/ mini-pens

April 23rd, 2010

As promised, here is another idea for inexpensive Teacher Gifts. These were totally inspired by the lovely Beth & her awesome blog! (If you are looking for Craft Fair ideas & haven’t checked her blog out yet, definitely go there quick! She has awesome ideas!) Beth posted this a few weeks back & I just loved the way she used the Teacher saying. I decided to print it out on some cardstock & use on these post-it holders. You can find a video on how to make these HERE.

Are you sick of post-it note holders yet? HA!

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These are great to give out to either a male or female teacher. Also, if you plan on making these for a Craft Fair, it’s best to follow Beth’s tip for packaging. Wrapping them up in a clear bag with a topper not only looks super cute, it protects the post-it’s from all the lookers & kiddos who stop by the booth to “flip through” your merchandise :)

Measurements for my bag topper: 4.75″ x 3.5″, scored at 1.75″ Insert is 4.5″ x 1.5″

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I used the same cello bags that I put my Greeting Cards in. You can find them HERE. I always buy them through Amber because all of her proceeds go to sending cards to the Troops - isn’t that wonderful?

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Those pens are from Staples. They were on sale at my local Staples for 50% off last week, so I was pysched!! It might be embarrassing if I admitted to you how many different variations of post-it note holders I’ve made over the past few days…I guess I am obsessed. They are just super fun & quick to make.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by & let me know if you have any questions!

EDIT: that designer paper is from October Afternoon…cardstock & stamp are from Stampin Up!

Altered Stuff, Craft Fair

an FYI re: Post-It Note Stands

December 2nd, 2009

EDIT: I’ve added a little Q&A at the end of this post b/c I’ve already got some more questions on these so I wanted to answer them on the posting for all to see. Be sure to scroll down to check ‘em out. Thanks!

I’ve had quite a few inquiries about these. They are a big fave among the Craft Fair attendees by the way! I really think they make a versatile gift that you can give to almost anyone.

I ran into an issue when I first started doing these, where I didn’t have any place to put the pen. I thought about resting it on top of the post-it, in between the post-it & the ribbon/embellishment at top - but when you have 20+ of these at a craft fair booth, and you are trying to keep everything together, it doesn’t really work.

The other issue I run into at fairs is kids who like to touch everything! :) They mean no harm, but kids are kids - and in particular there is something very attractive to walking up to the table and flipping through the whole post-it note pad. It was starting to make them get dingy - and I was cringing & having to rearrange all the time.

So I decided to go & buy some inexpensive sheer ribbon - and simply tie a knot around the post-it pad. I then take the matching pen and insert it underneath the ribbon. Voila! This not only holds the pen in place, but it somewhat protects the post-it pad from the “flippers” :).

Here are some photos so you can get a better look:

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The other question I get a lot is what do you do when the post-it runs out? Well, I say just go ahead & stick another one right on! I tell people that I would add some adhesive to the bottom of the pad, as the adhesive on the post-it notes themselves aren’t always sticky enough.

All in all, this gift is fun, versatile & what I like is that it’s re-usable. If the post-it falls off, all you gotta do is re-stick it. If you run out, just add more. It’s a great gift for teachers or co-workers.

Hope this helps some of you, let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks!! :)

More Q&A’s from your comments (I will add to this as I get more questions):

Q: Where do you get the frames to make these?

A: I get mine at the Christmas Tree Shops. I either buy the 3.5″ x 5″ (pictured above) or the 4″x6″ frames. They are 69 cents & 89 cents a piece. Can’t beat that price!

Q: What adhesive do you use to stick them down?

A: I just use my ATG gun. I run some on the back of the post-it pad. I tell people at my fairs that when it runs out to just use some double sided tape, or a glue runner to tack a new pad down.

Q: How do you get the paper INSIDE the pen?

A: Funny you ask this…I was intimated by this technique too. It’s actually super simple, just takes a bit of practice to get the paper rolled up just right. Once it’s rolled, I actually keep the pen inside the paper & just shove it in there! My Stampin Up Demo Michelle has a great little video about this. It might help you!

Q: Is that big NOTES a stamp?

A: Yep! It sure is. One of my new faves actually. It’s from the “Take Note” stamp set by PaperTrey Ink.

Q: I know that they always sell for you so I was wondering how much you charge for them?

A: I charge $4 for these. They sell very well. I’m sure you could get away with charging $5 even. If you think about it, that is still a very reasonable price for a gift for a Teacher or Co-Worker.

Altered Stuff, Craft Fair, Tutorials