If you read my post from last year, which was the first show I've ever sold Junk mail Gems at, you'll notice there was much improvement weather-wise this year! No freak snowstorms...I think moving it to May helped a lot! Here is the line-up of shoppers just outside the MN State Fairgrounds' Fine Arts building a few minutes before the show opened (the first 100 got a free swag bag of goodies):
Besides more new products, I added a little bit more to my booth this year, including a fabric backdrop, a hand painted banner, and some new fixtures...
This year I displayed the magnets on cookie sheets that I had purchased at my local thrift shops, propped up on some tabletop easels:
I displayed the beads in the basket/candlestick fixtures I blogged about a while back, and they worked great!
I used the same tree branch display from last year for necklaces and earrings, only this year I painted it silver:
I think it gave everything a more consistent feel having all of the display fixtures painted silver. There I go talking about fixture design...I'm mixing my professions here! This morning at the last minute, I decided to bring along a couple of my junk mail TV trays, just in case I needed a little extra display space. They ended up being a hit with shoppers, and I am hoping to offer some for sale next year, if not sooner via my website!
Here is my wonderful hubby, who is still coasting along on the brownie points he earned from last year's ordeal, and our baby boy:
They helped me set up on Friday night and then came up just for a little visit this afternoon which was a fun surprise!
Overall it was a good show! Although, it did not take much to beat last year! I always really enjoy seeing how people react to my products in person at these shows, since I never get to see people's reactions when they shop online. As usual, I left this year's show with a full page of notes on what to improve in my booth the next time around, and even more new product ideas to add to my list!
Since I was manning my booth by myself all day though, I unfortunately did not get a chance to shop around with the other vendors as I would have liked. But, I did get to see a few items while running back and fourth, and on the Craftstravaganza website, that I'd love to share. Be sure to check out these awesome, recycled goodies:
Repurposed vintage necktie accessories from A Boy Named Coy,
Recycled billboard bags by Drive-By Bags & Things,
A variety of fun recycled items from Emily Kircher, Recycling Artist,
Super cool belts made out of tires from Tired Ol' Belts,
...and many, many other creative and talented artists from this year's list of vendors here!
Thanks again, Andy & Jenna, for another fantastic job organizing the show!
1 comment:
Congrats on a successful show! I had fully intended on getting to the show this year but life took over and I wasn't able. I'll look forward to next year and exploring the local craft scene.
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