Happy Saturday night!
Well, it's been a really busy, fun, exciting couple of weeks for me and my W.H. adventure. Last weekend, I rolled out my first "official" display at the craft fair at Incarnation Lutheran Church. Our lovely sitter and neighbor, "Miss Dawn" is a great seamstress and sells her stuff at the fair. She encouraged me to do it and I thought, "great!" Then I was thinking for a while, no way, I won't be ready. I don't have enough stuff made. I don't have a display. This, that, this, that. Then, it just so happened that I was over at the church to vote and saw the signs again. I thought, I gotta do this!! Too many signs are jumping out at me! So I did a last-minute entry.
My necklaces ready to go!
Stuff, stuff, more stuff to bring.
I ransacked my house looking for fun objects to hang things off of. My favorite find was a "growler" that Craig had bought from Stone Brewery. It looked really cool and worked great. If only I had been able to drink some Stone beers while I hung out...ha!
It was all day Sat, Nov. 10 and Sunday morning. Saturday was a VERY windy day and alternated between hot sun and freezing my butt off in the parking lot. (No canopy, of course!)
My display!
Between buying some stuff from Michael's, using pots and bottles from my house and an awesome loan from Jen Cottrell, the stuff was out. Things started slow, but picked up as the day went on. I had visits from a bunch of friends, which made me so happy! It was awesome seeing their cheery faces and having them check out my stuff. Miss Dawn and I hung out, and I made friends with the other vendors, so it turned out to be lots of fun. Some sweet ladies nearby selling knitted items bought a bunch of earrings! When I wasn't chatting with friends, customers or vendors, I was working hard on more jewelry. By Sunday's end, I had made a tidy sum of cash! It was an amazing feeling having people look at, compliment, and purchase pieces that I had made.
So, I learned a ton from this first experience. Everything is a bit overwhelming, but also very invigorating. Selling is definitely NOT my thing. I have always hated it. I still feel a bit awkward about it, but I LOVE making jewelry and LOVE talking about it! One thing that was cool was that I met another jewelry vendor who make stuff similar to mine. Turns out we both took classes at South Sun, both love wire jewelry, and both used to make stained glass!! A long lost twin??
So, what is the next adventure? I think that having an open house is the best way to introduce my friends and larger circle to W.H. It is going to be December 2, Sunday, from 2-6 pm. I am hoping people bring their kids and just hang, eat some goodies, check out the stuff, and enjoy themselves. I really hope that my friends are too burned out on this yet...it is such a thin line and I really don't want to cross it. But, I guess I gotta start somewhere, right?
Also, my dear friend, Natascha Devries, is hosting a party at her place in Mira Mesa on Saturday, Dec. 1st. in the evening. Yes, it's going to be a busy couple of days!! (Ladies night out, noshing, having some tasty drinks, possibly buying some handmade jewelry ;)
At the suggestion of an old friend from El Cajon, Denise Pietrizack, I signed up for a craft fair at the Jungle Gym, a new kid's indoor play place in Santee, on Friday, Dec. 7th. I will be there from about 1 pm to 6 pm. My super great hubby, Craig is taking half a day off so I can go. I have NO idea how big a crowd or what on earth it is going to be like, but what the hey. Since it is a kids place, I am going to try to bust out some cute girls pieces. The little heart earrings were really a hit at Incarnation and they are perfect. Plus maybe some little necklaces with the charms. I will be working on it! I have had visions of tiaras and hair clips, but I tend to get ahead of myself and bite off more than I can chew. I guess I will see how much I can actually accomplish before then.
Those are the events coming up! I am really excited and have been going crazy trying to find more display stuff. I went to the Queen Bee Market last night with Kaylynne. It was awesome. The displays were amazing! I would LOVE to be accepted into that market!! But I would need to really step up my display. To that end, I bought 3 tables last night off Craig's list and some super cool display stuff at the annual sample sale at Annalease by Devries. Thanks again, Nat!!
I am going to update my photos on this blog ASAP! In addition to the items I put on my Facebook page, I am working on some really cute holiday items. I designed some Christmas tree earrings that are super cute, which I am doing in various colors. I am also working on some new chain maille bracelets and I did a pretty midnight blue necklace tonight. Pictures to come!
Everyone who has given my tips or input, I thank you. It has been so helpful. You never know where the next piece of great info is going to come from. I am having a blast!
All the best,
Sarah
Wire Harmony
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