A Time for Change

Some people do it in the spring, some in the summer, but I find cleaning and organizing my home and life feels better in the late fall and winter.  Perhaps it is because of my busy season in the fall and I feel I have neglected my home, business, family and friends, or perhaps it is the fact I am trapped inside and have little else to distract me.  Regardless, the process has begun.

Business has been challenging this year. The last few years has brought concern, but this seemed to be the cresting of the battle.  My crafter friends and associates all sing the same song of how their sales are down,  and in most cases, there is one thing to blame, the economy.  So it is time to review the process, the product and the business' direction. If you are like me, I love the creating process of this life, so I am going to scrutinize everything to continue to do what I love.  Change my show schedule, change the product and mostly change the way I market my line of products.

This brings me to my 'change.'   Effective immediately I am directing my online business to my Etsy store.   Etsy does  a great job of marketing, and networking and has provided me with a excellent venue to sell.  This will allow me to concentrate on one site that is bringing the most traffic.  I can add more new products, from my handmade items to my line of vintage.

I thank you for your support over the years, and hope you will continue to visit my shop.  www.kpdreams.com which will take you to my Etsy store and my e-mail address will remain the same;  karen@kpdreams.com.

Karen

Monday, Monday - New Projects

Good Monday Morning. I hope that everyone had a great weekend and everything is good in your world. Mine is one of anticipation. Anticipation of all the work that I have let slide and now I must get done.

I have a wholesale order that must get done this week, photos and inventory to do for Etsy , and product to make for my show schedule. For my show schedule, I must process photos of my newest products and complete paperwork; a must to get into the good shows.

The jurying process is very time consuming for me; but, juried shows, for the most part, are the purest of shows for handmade product. There are occasions where a wooden rose or a made in China sign will get in, but the majority of the vendors are true crafters. People that have put their hearts and soul in their products and want to share their enthusiasm for their projects with you.

For those of you that do shows or those of you that are contemplating doing shows, here are a few tips I have learned along the way.

Request the paperwork well in advance of the deadline. Many times you might get it off of the internet.

Read the instructions thoroughly. Too often I get to shows and see someone that wasn't prepared and often it is because they failed to read the paperwork. Be sure to note the deadline, what is to be included with the application, and if a SASE is expected. The rules will also note any unsual needs such as long extension cords or a dolly to get your product from your parking spot to your booth.

Product pictures. I use my 35MM camera to take my photos. Sometimes I use my photo box, but many times I try and show the product in the way it is meant to be used. For example, if I am selling slate welcome signs, I will photograph it hanging on the front of the house. Also, be certain that the colors and clarity of the photo come through. The better the pictures the better chance you have of jurying in. And pick the best products you have to get into the best shows. Oh, and be certain to put your identity on the back of the photo; the same one that you are using to jury into the show.

Be Neat Imagine that the people jurying have hundreds if not thousands of applications to go through. Yours is not special to the committee in anyway so you must do something to make it stand out and be easier for the jurying committee. So be neat. Be certain to print clearly and do everything as they requested in a nice format. This will go a long way in the process.

I hope this information has helped some of you and that the ones that haven't applied to juryied shows will do so. We need some new blood, and there is a wealth of talented people out there and I would welcome their participation.

Monday, Monday 2/22

Whew! Finally back in the studio. The weather has taken a turn for the better down here in Florida and the sunshine just makes me want to get out and do something creative.

I just created a nice slate with a primitive crow design. I think you will like it. As well, I took an old dingy candle holder (I think you might recognize it from my thrifting post) and made it into a lovely chamber candle holder. Complete with a battery operated flicker candle. I love it.

Today, I will work on some primitive checker boards as well as some new dog and cat items. I am doing a show this weekend in Branson, Fl for a friend. It is a benefit for the local animal shelter. It should be fun and I expect to sell a lot of dog bones. Who knows, I might find a new friend along the way. Not that I can replace my old buddy Bear, but it is time I found a new dog. I will try not to compare, but it will be hard.

Well, here are some pics and hope you have a wonderful day. Until we meet again....