It's the first class of the new year! We'll be making 8 Birthday cards, 2 each of the 4 designs shown above. The cost is $20 per person and includes all supplies except adhesive. Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, January 5th. Payment is required to hold your spot.
WHEN: Friday, January 7th
TIME: 7:00 PM
WHERE: The Stamp Shack, 118 S. Buckeye Street, Kokomo, IN
Birthday Bash Stamp-a-Stack
Class kits are available and will ship within 10-14 days after payment is received. Cost is $25 and includes shipping. You'll receive pre-cut cardstock, envelopes, and embellishments plus a pdf file with the instructions for completing each card. You will need the following items to complete the cards as shown.
Bring On The Cake stamp set
Black Staz-on ink pad
Stampin' Write markers: Blush Blossom, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Pear Pizzaz, Real Red, Bashful Blue
Adhesives: mini glue dots, SNAIL, and dimensionals recommended
Scissors
I'll be sharing each of these cards in more detail this week.
The new year signifies a fresh start for many of us. I've had to take some time away from my blogging and stamping to bring balance into my life. People have often asked me how I am able to do all the things that I do......wife, mother, chiropractor, and stamper. And the answer is that I've always had a lot of help. My husband is very supportive and is wonderful about helping around the house and with the children. He is truly my partner in life. I've been blessed with excellent staff at my office, a fabulous housekeeper, and a childcare provider that is amazing.
However, the demands of my real job have increased dramatically within the last year and I've realized that my priorities would have to change. I hit the wall in October and it took me almost 6 weeks to recover from bronchitis. I often tell my patients that if you don't listen to the signals your body sends, then your body will eventually fail you.
I seriously considered giving up my stamping business. Don't worry! I only considered it for a short time before my husband talked some sense into me. I will simply have to budget my stamping time more this year. This should be a good thing for my blog readers, too. I am sure that many of you have busy lives and I am going to focus on providing you with quick, easy projects throughout the year.
And today's project is FAST!!!! I wanted to create a calendar for my office. My patients always ask about my kids and I thought this would be a great way to showcase some family pictures. I purchased the 2011 Notable Desktop Calendar Digital Kit which features templates for all 12 months plus a cover page for a 5-1/2" x 6-1/2" destktop calendar. The cover page is at the top of this post. I simply inserted a family photo from our recent Disney World trip and the page was done!
The pages for January are below and they were just as easy. All the formatting is there and you can always change the elements if you prefer a different look. I just kept all the templates as is, added my photos, and was completely finished in 30 minutes. It only cost $19.95 to have the calendar printed and I can't wait to see the finished product. I'll share it with you when it arrives.
I will be hosting a series of classes on My Digital Studio in January & February. You can find complete details about this and other upcoming events on my Stampin' Up! website.
The holidays are just around the corner, and I have a wonderful opportunity for you! I am going to be sending out 12 Days of Holiday Helper Projects that will put you in the holiday mood and help you enjoy a handcrafted holiday season. With each mailing, you will receive a picture of the finished project, plus a complete supply list with a step-by-step tutorial that shows you exactly how to do the project.
My current newsletter subscribers will begin receiving the Holiday Helper on Wednesday, November 17th. If you are not a subscriber, you can receive the Holiday Helper by simply signing up in the box to the right. Your Holiday Helper subscription will begin immediately.
I think it can be a little difficult to return to the real world after a vacation at Walt Disney World. We had a great time, but I was glad to be home. You'll probably get bombarded with scrapbook pages of our trip in the coming months, but for now, I'm just going to indulge by showing one of my favorite pictures of the kids.
As you can see, my little punkin was smiling away most of the time, while my big kid just tried not to look bored. I wasn't able to get too many pictures of the two of them together, so this one is special.
Now it's back to the real world of stamping and can you believe it? My hands haven't held a stamp in almost 3 weeks! I'm hoping to get in a little creative time this weekend. Lucky for you, though.....I still have my October stamp club projects to share.
Last month, I focused on using the Stampin' Up fabric on cards. I was a little intimidated at first to use the fabric adhesive, but it was so easy that I can't wait to order more!
I'm going to try to put together a video this weekend and show you how simple it really is.
The snowflake was die-cut with the Snowflake #2 Originals die and the Big Shot. The scallop border was created with the new Tasteful Trim die---so much fun to use!
I'll share the other 2 fabric cards we made last month with you real soon.....one of them definitely requires a video! But I'm pretty sure you'll love it!
getting ready to leave for a vacation. I've been under the weather for 2+ weeks. I thought it was getting better on Monday (hooray!), but I started running a low fever that evening. This is getting really old!
I wasn't able to do Stampin' Up at my last craft fair.....too much to carry and not enough strength or lung capacity. I have another direct sales business that doesn't require much set up, so I did that instead. I was approached several times about having a booth at other craft fairs, so that was good.
My family and I are going to Disney World. My 4-year old daughter is so excited to see the princesses, and my 13-year old son is......well, a teenager. If you are the praying type, I would ask that you pray that I am feeling better during our trip.
I do have some projects to share, but most of them will have to wait until I return. This is a card we made at a recent Stamp-a-Stack.
and here is a close-up view:
I actually cut this stamp into 2 separate stamps: the outer snowglobe by itself and the inner circle. I kept the outer snowglobe on the wood mount and I use the inner circle on a clear mount block. With the stamp separated like this, it becomes a lot more versatile. Just think of all the things you could put inside an empty snowglobe!
If you have emailed me in the last 2-3 weeks and haven't received a response, please try again. My email account was hijacked while I've been sick and I know I've lost some emails. I should be able to check my email at least once per day while we are away.
At stamp club last month, members made these three projects.
The first project was the anti-bacterial soap holder inspired by Erica Cerwin. She has great instructions on her blog on how to make the box. I used the Owl and Bitty Bat punches to create the vampire bat. The fangs were cut free-hand and I used a red marker on the tips.
The 12" x 12" scrapbook page also features the Owl punch....I used it to create the spooky ghosts. The pumpkins were created with the Ovals die and the big shot with Pumpkin Pie card stock. I sponged the edges to make them stand out a little better.
The final project was this adorable test tube holder. The test tubes have been collecting dust in my closet for a couple of years. I know I'll probably get questions regarding where to purchase them....I got them in a bulk buy from another demonstrator, but if I find a new source, I'll let you know.
Lisa Somerville has several patterns for test tube holders on her blog. I used the Wicked Cool stamp set, the Spider Web embossing folder, Raven lace trim, and Nite Owl Designer Series paper to really make this project pop!
Be sure to check out the Clearance Rack on my Stampin' Up! website. There are many items for sale at drastically reduced prices. It's a great time to get your hands on some fun stamping supplies.
Since I posted my series on craft fairs, I've received a lot of comments and questions looking for more information. I'm going to answer the most frequently asked questions here, but be sure to read the entire series. I've received quite a few questions that have been covered fully in previous posts.
How much are you charging for _____________?
This is by far the question that I get the most! I covered pricing in Part 3 and my prices reflect the amount of time it took me to make an item and the cost of the supplies to make the item. I purposely did not list my prices because your "costs" may vary quite a bit from mine. However, because it has been asked over and over (and over), here are my prices for the items I featured in my craft fair series:
Mini Muffin Tin Advent Calendar: $15 as shown. I will probably embellish it more and sell it for $20.
Covered Legal Pads: $4-$5, depending on embellishments
Snowman Soup: $3-$4
Pumpkin Poop: $1-$2
Holiday Planner: $5-$6
Jiffy Pop Snowman: $3
Where did you find the muffin tin and white folders?
The mini muffin tin was at a discount superstore (starts with a "W") and sells for $5. My store doesn't have them all the time, but when they do, I certainly pick up a few. The magnets on the back are the new magnet sheets from Stampin' Up! I just cut them into small pieces.
The white folders are a little trickier to find. I've only found them in early August at an office supply store. They were about 10 cents each. Don't worry! If you can't find them in white, you can always use other colors. Look for red, green, or even blue. Take swatches of Designer Paper with you to the store and see which colored folders will coordinate. Then, be ready to shop next year at the back-to-school sales!
Do I have examples of more expensive items that I've sold?
Items in the $15 and up category have only sold well for me at select craft fairs. I usually have more luck with items in the $10 or less range.
This year, I'll be selling the muffin tin advent calendars, a few mini scrapbooks, and some simple home decor items. These are usually one-of-a-kind, "took me awhile to make" items, so I don't have very many at each fair.
How well do cards and scrapbook pages sell? How do you price them?
I haven't had a ton of luck with selling cards or scrapbook pages at craft fairs. Most of my cards are extras from classes, and I price them at $2-$3 each. Scrapbook layouts are priced at $10-$20, depending on the embellishments.
I don't want to discourage you from trying to sell these items. You should always try a little bit of everything because you may find it to be a completely different situation in your area. With that said, you may even want to price your cards a little higher.
How do I handle payments?
I accept cash and checks. I have done credit cards in the past, but I no longer have a merchant account. What I found is that as the recession took hold, fewer of my customers were using their credit cards. Therefore, it no longer made sense for me to pay for a credit card service that I was not using.
If you are doing a lot of shows, it might be worth it to you to look into credit card processing. If you do accept credit cards, be aware that there are merchant fees and that will increase your expenses.....but it may increase the amount that some customers are willing to spend.
How should I split leads with another demonstrator if we are sharing a booth?
There are several ways to do this: take turns, keep the leads you personally talk to, dividing them up by location, splitting 50/50. Any of these methods will work. THE IMPORTANT THING is to make sure that you are perfectly clear on both of your expectations BEFORE the fair even begins.
I've worked with other demonstrators at events and it can be a pleasant experience that benefits everyone. You just have to set up a fair system and stick with it.
How do I package my items?
I don't tend to add packaging to my items. It just adds to the overall cost and is often not necessary. If you take a look at some of my craft fair photos, you'll see that I place similar items in baskets, then add a price card to the front.
Well, I think I got most of the burning questions answered. I'll be back next week with some fun Halloween projects. I'm going to be very busy making items for a craft fair next weekend. I'll try to take some photos and share a little info with you about the day soon.
It's Wednesday! My plan for today is to tackle my rag quilt purse orders and prepare the tutorial. If you ordered a kit at the beginning of the month, I have received your fabric and (keep your fingers crossed) hope to have your kit in the mail by the end of this week. Woo! Hoo!
I will only be offering the kits until Wednesday, September 29th. I'll place the final order for fabric next Thursday, so be sure to order soon if you want a kit.
UPDATE: The tutorial only option has been removed. There are several online videos and tutorials by other demonstrators that you should be able to find by doing a google search. My specific tutorial is only available in the class kits and can only be sold in the U.S.
A downside to being a Doctor of Chiropractic is that you know when something is really wrong with your own body. A few weeks ago, I started having trouble with my right elbow. I've had minor problems with it in the past and have jokingly called it "stamper's elbow." However, this time it was bad and I knew that I had an ulnar nerve entrapment. I also had a Stamp-a-Stack coming up and was worried that I would not be able to cut card stock for my guests.
With some rest and therapy, I was able to help my elbow pain. However, I didn't want to irritate it more by cutting tons of paper. You'll see that the cards I designed for this class are super simple. Almost all of my guests were finished within 1 hour. We made 2 each of 4 designs. The other card was featured in this previous post.
The picture above may give you some indication of why my elbow was hurting.....so, the first card was a simplified version of one of my recent swap cards.
Stamp Set: Christmas Postcard
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Kraft (sponged around edges)
Paper: Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
The finished size of this card is 3" x 6". The main question everyone asked is if we have envelopes to fit this size of card. The answer is "yes!". Item # 107286 Small Open-End Envelopes.
Stamp Set: Word Play
Ink: Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive markers
Paper: Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Big Shot, Ovals Originals die, Dimensionals
And I just had to throw one Halloween card in the mix. My customers LOVED the Spider Web embossing folder, but are wanting ideas for using it at other times of the year. We decided it would be good for an "Over the Hill" birthday. If you've got a creative idea, share it by adding a comment at the end of this post.
Stamp Set: Wicked Cool
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Wicked Fun Specialty, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Spider Web Embossing Folder, Raven Lace Trim
What a fabulous day! Not only do I get to announce the winner of my craft fair project contest, but I also found out that I won a contest myself!
First, the winner of the craft fair project contest is Erica Cerwin for her adorable antibacterial soap boxes. When a project inspires me to stalk several Bath & Body works stores, spending way too much money.....then you've definitely got a winner. She has almost convinced me that I need the Fang-tastic stamp set as well!
If you haven't done so already, be sure to check out her blog. She even has a tutorial available!
Erica, contact me with your choice of bling and your address. I'll be ordering for you this weekend.
And I really want to thank all of the other people that entered the contest. In fact, if you send me your address, I would love to send you a hand-made thank you!
Now, for my exciting news.....I won on Mojo Monday!!! I try to play every week, because the sketches really get me out of my comfort zone. I won for this card and you can get all the details here.
I've been a very busy girl. I just finished making 43 of these cards for a Mega Christmas Swap that I participate in each year.....in addition to preparing for a fast-approaching craft fair.
I always like to design a few cards for the holidays with non-traditional colors. I loved the stripe in the Candy Cane Christmas Specialty Designer Paper, so I used Blushing Bride, Real Red, and Whisper White on this card. The scallop squares were cut with the new scallop square duo Bigz die and the Big Shot. The images were stamped and punched out with the 1-1/4" square punch, then popped up with dimensionals. I did very simple coloring with markers....remember, I did 43!!!!
I'll be announcing the winner of the Craft Fair Project contest on Wednesday evening. There were some great entries and I appreciate everyone taking the time to enter and sharing your wonderful projects with us.
Also, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has left such kind comments on my blog in the past few weeks. It's always nice to feel appreciated and you've definitely made me feel that way. I certainly appreciate all of my loyal blog readers!
Well, I obviously like the sketch from Mojo Monday this week, because I used it again....this time on a holiday card for my first Holiday Stamp-a-Stack tonight. (You can see my wicked Halloween card here)
The card features A Cute Christmas stamp set and the Candy Cane Specialty Designer Series Paper.....check out the red glitter stripes!
A Cute Christmas (Set of 9)
120825 Wood Mount $25.95
121133 Clear Mount $18.95
I also used the Big Shot to cut the circles: Scallop Circle #2 for the large scallop and Circles #2 for the large white and small white circles.
One of the reasons this sketch is so great is that you can use up small scraps of coordinating papers to create a beautiful card. Here are the measurements I used for the Candy Cane paper:
Blue Snowflakes: 1-1/4" x 3-1/4"
Dots: 1-1/2" x 3-1/4"
Green Mittens: 1" x 3-1/4"
Glitter Stripes: 2" x 4"
There is a contest on Mojo Monday this week, so if you use this sketch, be sure to enter before 8PM MT on Sunday.
As I stated earlier, this is one of the cards for tonight's Stamp-a-Stack. We'll be making 8 cards, 2 each of 4 designs. (I'll be sharing the other cards with you soon!) If you live near Kokomo, Indiana, I'd love to have you join us at an upcoming class. You can view all my events here.
The Holiday Mini catalog is here and I have been having so much fun with my new goodies. This card features the Christmas Postcard single stamp (only $9.95!) and the Deck the Halls designer series paper. But the real show-stopper is the Champagne Glass Glitter.
How cool is that?
I just love the shimmer and texture that the glass glitter adds to this card. After I stamped and colored the main image, I adhered everything to the front of the card. I thought it need something extra, so I grabbed some sticky strip and placed it around the edges of the card stock. I sprinkled the glitter onto the sticky strip, pressed it into place, and shook off the excess.
Be sure to add the glass glitter to your next order! It comes in 2 colors--champagne and silver--and it's only $3.95 for a generous container of bling-y goodness.
This is my card for the Mojo Monday sketch this week. I used the Wicked Cool stamp set....one of my new favorites....plus, some of the fun accessories from the Holiday Mini catalog.
Stamp Set: Wicked Cool
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Nite & Day Designer Series Paper, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Big Shot, Circles #2 die, Scallop Circles #2 die, 1/2" Raven Lace Trim, Black Flourish designer jewels, crystal effects, markers (Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive), Dimensionals
I added Crystal Effects to the black portions of the hat and shoes to make them shiny.
Scroll down for craft fair tips & projects. Newest posts are below. This post will remain at the top until September 12, 2010.
I have added some additional photos & videos to the posts to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. Be sure to check out the Holiday Planner video.
Over the last 2 weeks, I have shared tips & projects for craft shows. Now it's your turn.
Many of you have told me that you are preparing for upcoming shows, so share your craft fair project ideas using the Mr. Linky tool below between now and midnight on September 12th. As a bonus, I will select up to 5 creative winners (1 winner for every 20 ideas submitted). Each winner will receive her choice of Holiday Mini bling: black flourish designer jewels, glass glitter, or glimmer brads.
Winners will be announced on my blog on Wednesday, September 15th and the projects will be featured on my blog. This is your opportunity to share with other demonstrators, just as I have with you.
The show has started....now what? I find that shows start off one of two ways: a slow & steady trickle of customers or a mad rush. I prefer the mad rush because you are busy right out of the gate, but what if you experience the slow & steady trickle?
Keep in mind how you like to be treated when you are shopping. Most of us don't enjoy being pounced upon by an overly-eager salesperson when we enter a store, right? Now I know you are excited, but do try to contain yourself just a bit. My strategy is always to give off the appearance of being busy, but accessible. I'll often take Christmas cards to work on. Many customers will stop to see what I am doing, and that is the perfect conversation starter. One year, I took my Big Shot and cut out dies all day. I actually had a couple of new people sign up for a Big Shot class because of it.
Now, don't get so busy that you fail to acknowledge your customers. Greet EVERYONE that enters your booth area with eye contact and a smile, plus a simple "hello", "good morning", etc. This probably sounds like common sense to you, and I haven't met too many Stampin' Up demonstrators that are unfriendly. However, I have seen some pretty poor customer service at craft fairs.
At one show, I experienced a crazy mad rush of customers the first hour of the show. I think I sold almost $300 in that one hour, and most items were priced around $15-$20....it was busy. When it finally slowed down and I was able to catch my breath, I noticed that the three women working at the booth across from me were "shooting daggers" in my direction. They were sitting at the back of their booth, arms folded, frowns on their faces, and not acknowledging anyone that went near their booth. At the end of the show, they complained to the show's organizer that they did not make any money. They chewed her out pretty good, and she came up to me after that to see if I had done alright. I told her that I had done very well throughout the day and had no complaints whatsoever. Your attitude is everything! Be pleasant, no matter what.
At some point during the day, you are going to want to take a break. If you didn't "hire" someone to work with you for the entire day, you might just want to have someone give you a break at lunchtime. Potty breaks throughout the day can probably be covered by asking the vendor next to you to keep an eye on your booth for a few minutes. They can let customers know that you are going to be right back.
I highly recommend that you get out of your booth for a short time during the day.....for lunch and marketing. You are amongst fellow crafters, so don't let this opportunity pass you by. I will take packets filled with a mini catalog, door prize entry form, business card, hand-stamped card, my class schedule, and any specials with me when I leave my booth. As I visit other booths, I will introduce myself and give the vendor a packet. The conversation goes something like this:
"I love your ________(sincerely compliment their craft/something specific in the booth). My name is Melissa Stout and I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. My booth is right over there. You probably haven't had a chance to get out of your booth today, so I wanted to bring you some goodies. (hand them a packet) There is a door prize form inside, so just drop it by at the end of the day and I'll get you entered to win."
Now what usually happens is that they will look through your materials whenever the show slows down and many of them will visit you at the end of the day with questions, orders, and sometimes an interest in hosting a show or the business opportunity. How great is that?
Hopefully, you have been collecting customer contact information throughout the day. You must contact these people within a few days of the show to establish a good relationship with them. Now, I hate making phone calls, but if you want to grow your business, it is a necessary task. I schedule a free introduction to stamping class within 2 weeks of the show and invite them to attend. Everyone likes to be extended an invitation, so this is a wonderful reason to contact them. If they are not interested, okay. You probably will get a few that are interested and that can really grow your business.
One final note.....I always have some items leftover from my holiday craft fairs. In early December, I will hold a Holiday Open House for my customers and make these items available for sale, sometimes at a discount. You can also put your items on ebay or Etsy, give them as gifts, donate them to charity, or store them for the following year.
SNOWMAN JIFFY POP GIFT CARD HOLDER
I posted this project on my blog several years ago and I always get emails asking for the directions. I'm a little embarrassed because he is so simple to make, you may lose all creative confidence in me. LOL!
This is a great gift to give to a teacher. You can add a gift card to her favorite store or restaurant.
This would also be a nice gift to give a family or your neighbors....add some cans of soda, boxes of movie candy, a gift certificate for a DVD rental.....and you've got "A Night at the Movies".
Here are the card stock measurements and a quick video to help you make your own snowman:
Nose: Pumpkin Pie card stock 1-1/2" x 3", cut diagonally
Brim: Basic Black card stock 2" x 6"
Hat/Gift Card Holder: Basic Black 4-1/4" x 8", scored at 2-1/2" and 5-1/4"
So you've made up a lot of great items to sell, and now it's time for the craft fair. Before you go, you will want to make sure that you have everything priced and stamped with an Angel Policy stamp, if applicable. It will be easy to stamp some of your items directly with an Angel Policy stamp. I try to stamp it in an inconspicuous place and I will usually use Versamark ink. For those items that you cannot or should not stamp directly, I use price tags that I can tie onto the item. I'll stamp one side of the tag and place the price on the other side. You can purchase a nice supply of price tags with strings from office supply stores.
I pack the majority of my items into rubbermaid-stye totes. You will want to make sure that your items will be protected from the elements as you transport them from your home to the craft show. The totes are easy to carry or transport on a dolly. Speaking of a dolly.....if you don't have one, I would recommend that you try to borrow one or purchase an inexpensive one. You can expect to be on your own for unloading and re-loading all of your stuff at the show. I can only think of one show that someone offered me assistance of any kind......and I was 7 months pregnant.
Most shows will have specific times that they will allow you to set up your booth....usually the night before and/or the morning of the show. I prefer to set up the day before, if possible. If there is anything that I feel is missing from my booth, I will then have time to take care of it before the show starts. Make sure you are comfortable leaving your booth unattended overnight. I will often set up the inexpensive items first, then set up the more expensive items last. Your ultimate goal should be to have everything ready to go at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the show.
There are a few other items that you will want to take with you:
Cash box/bag with plenty of change
Receipt book
Order forms
Calculator
Pens
Shopping bags
Business cards
Catalogs
Upcoming class information
Hostess & recruit packets
More price tags
Table coverings
Signage (if allowed)
One more consideration for you is how you would like to collect contact information from the customers visiting your booth. Offering a door prize is a great way to gather this information. I will put together a simple gift basket with some stamping items, and have door prize entry forms available for people to fill out. This helps me add a lot of people to my mailing list and I can follow up with them after the show to tell them more about the services I have to offer them. Another method I have used is to have a simple newsletter sign-up sheet. I always get good contacts from this because all of them are interested in Stampin' Up....they aren't just trying to win something for FREE. You'll have to decide which method you prefer, but either should help you build your Stampin' Up! business. As I mentioned in Part 1, you will want to check with the show's organizers to make sure that they will allow you to promote your business.
Holiday Planner
Here is another super easy project that is a great seller at craft fairs. It is a holiday organizer/planner made from a simple white school folder. I was able to score a bunch of these at Back-to School time for just 10 cents each!!!
One of the great things about this project is that you can easily use up your scraps of designer series paper, even the retired papers, to create an eclectic look.
You can find several forms & lists to insert into your planner at Organized Christmas. Print them out on Whisper White card stock and place in the pockets.
In the last pocket, I decorate envelopes for receipts and coupons.
I've had a lot of questions about how to put this planner together, so I created a short video to explain it a little better. Hope this helps!
My final article on craft fairs will be posted on Friday. I'll also be announcing a fun contest to challenge you to come up with more creative craft fair ideas.
If you have any questions that I have not answered yet, leave a comment or use the chat box. I am working on answering emails, so if you have sent one, you should hear from me in the next 24 hours.
