Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Off the subject...



Can you believe I have a little crocus?! Spring IS really coming! This flower is dedicated to Darla at Family & Flowers. She always shares her beautiful flowers and now I finally have one to share with her! (P.S. By the way, if you like this image, I have put it in my nature store on several gifts items. How's that for a plug?! Also, if you want to be on my list for special offers & savings, please email me at shelleyupnorth at gmail dot com. )

Second thing - have any of you ever participated in a craft show? I have signed up for a few this summer and have no idea what I'm doing! I would appreciate your tips and advice. My booth has to be 10x10 - I've been trying to find those white craft tents that have the roll down sides - they seem very expensive. So any places you can suggest would be great. Thank you for your help!

Third Thing - Time for a GIVEAWAY! I just noticed I have 137 followers and am so appreciative! I'm going to have the hubby draw a name or two out of my followers and send them a little prize. Stay tuned! (And yes - it will be from my nature store!) P.S. thanks to April at Straight From the Heart for this fabulous idea!

Have a great morning everyone!

26 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

That photo is beautiful! I have never done a craft show, mainly because of the expense of those tents. So if you find a good deal on one let me know!
Hugs,
Penny

April said...

Wow...GORGEOUS photo, Shelley! Never surprising coming from you! Glad you liked my giveaway idea! I, actually, stole it from another blogger. I think it's a nice way to say THANKS! Have a super day!

Unknown said...

Oh my stars Shellmo! Thank you and it is a beautiful crocus to boot!! My mom did craft shows, my brother and his wife still do craft shows and have a store in Vale, North Carolina. Would love to help you when I return from my trip. One tip, if you do not take enough items to sell make sure you have business cards and order forms. A lot of people will order later once they see your items. Make sure there is moving room, over crowding is a no no. Your display will make you or break you. Once people get used to your items, look out, that's what happened with my brother. They have had to hire help. Find out if the little tax guy will be coming around to get his cut before you leave.......oh, I guess this is more than one tip! my brother's online store is www.splintersandrags.com

Unknown said...

Please visit my brothers site, click on the list of things to the left, especially about me and you will see our precious Brody that we lost at 3 years of age.

Wall-to-wall books said...

Oh yea!!! a giveaway!!!

I have done many craft fairs in the past. I don't really have any advise though. Make your stand look pretty to attract people. Sometimes I did real good and sometimes I didn't sell much.

Good luck and let me know how you did.

John Poole said...

Amazing! I have two that are identical to this one. I will try to get a photo posted later today.

Ginger said...

A craft show sounds like fun. I've never done one, only gone to them.
I think your giveaway is a great idea. I remember when you first started out...you really have gotten a lot of followers, pretty quickly. Congratulations. It must be because of your sweet personality!!!
Pretty flower too.

Wildflowerhouse said...

Thanks for the crocus. Can you believe it is snowing this morning here. Suppost to turn to rain later.
The only tips I can give are yes find out about the tax man, follow the rules,and when the looky lous say"How did you do that?" politely tell them you can"t give away all your secrets and smile!!! By follow the rules here is an example. If they state all items must be your own work, they mean that. I was at a show and the both next to me was selling commercial items and they closed them down. It wasn't pretty. But most of all have fun and wear comfy shoes.LOL Sharon

Pam B said...

What a beautiful photo! Love it!

Cedar ... said...

Nary a bloom here yet,... but I'm hoping it won't be much longer. My flower bed is on the shady side of the house so it's cooler there. What a beautiful blossom that is in your pic!

Michelle said...

I love the photo. I have been to many craft shows but have never participated in one. Sorry I can't help there. Looking forward to the next giveaway.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I think you will enjoy doing Craft Shows, Shelley. I'm not crafty--but I will tell you that there are LOTS of shows here --especially in fall. People can make alot of money that way---and can meet lots of wonderful people.

Love your Crocus... Gorgeous!!! Welcome to Spring.
Hugs,
Betsy

Dawn Fine said...

Oh...That is Loverly!

grammy said...

Pretty flower. We had a few then they were parched...then froze. Spring is a brutal season (o: Good luck with the craft selling. Sounds fun.

The Retired One said...

I LOVED the crocus picture...just what I needed to see today to give me hope (it is snowing here!).
Aren't they so much fun to finally see after a long winter?
I have set up at flea markets.
Display is everything, having prices clearly marked is very important, because some people are just too shy to ask and will leave rather than ask...also, have someone who can watch your booth so you can go to the bathroom!
Also, sometimes it is good to actually make one of your crafts in front of people as a "lesson"...it attracts others to your booth.
If you can personalize any of your crafts with names, etc. for gifts in a matter of less than 15 minutes, it is good to put up a sign that you can do that while they browse at other booths..(just make sure they pay you upfront). With Mother's Day and Easter,graduations and weddings coming, that would be a big hit!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Shelly: What a beautiful Crocus. I so like that varigated purple colored ones.

Just a little something from Judy said...

Shelley, you continually amaze me with your exquisitely beautiful photography! This crocus is breathtaking. As for craft shows, I worked with many of them, but never in a tent. I am thinking that with your creative mind, I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Whatever it is, I know it will be successful.

George said...

What a beautiful crocus and a great photo. It looks as if Spring is arriving at the cabin.

Shelley said...

Penny - I certainly will!

April - you are such a sweetie! And thank you again for the idea!

Darla - Thank you so much for these tips- they are great! I am going to check out your brothers store. (And I'm very sorry about Brody.)

Wendy- thanks. I hope since its photography from the local area I'll get some interest - we'll see!

John - yes - hope you post it!

Ginger - aw - shucks! Thank you!!

Sharon - can't believe it snowed again by you! I'm planning on selling my photography - and putting it on gift items. I just applied for my mich sales tax license so I'll be legal! LOL!

Pam - thank you!

Cedar - I hope you and I have more flowers in the upcoming weeks!

Michelle - I'm looking forward to giving away more stuff!

Betsy - I thought it would be fun to showcase my items in our local arts & crafts bazar where our log cabin is located - especially since most of my photos are from the area. And hopefully I can meet some new people!:0

Dawn - thanks!

Grammy - hope its fun - I signed up for 2 shows in our area!

Retired One - Great advice - thank you, thank you!!! I was debating on whether to label the photos on the gifts items such as what lake it is, etc. - now I"m definitely going to do so!

Fishing Guy - thanks - and nice to see you at my log blog! :-)

Judy - you have given me such a positive boost - thank you so much! Now if I could just sell some log cabins....ha,ha!

George - I'm trying really hard to believe in spring!

Karen said...

Great photo.
Man, I used to do craft fair eons ago when my children were small. My girlfriend and I did painted plastics - then personalized them while they waited. It was fun, it was a lot of work, don't kid yourself. Setting up . . . we had to park away and carry it all. We had 2 ladders with boards running thru them for shelves. And hung a lot of stuff from the top of the awning. Take a comfy chair, shade, sunscreen, water and lots of change and small bills. And have a GOOD hiding place for your cash box. Or wear a fanny pack (am I dating myself?)
And just keep your eyes and ears open. That's about all I can say. If I can think of anything else, I'll let ya know!
HAGE!!!

Dawn Marie said...

that is such a stunning photograph of that flower. Soo beautiful!

Small Pines said...

Good golly! The detail in that photo is amazing!! Your temps must be right about in line with our Adk temps right now, I guess? Aren't we pretty much parallel? Anyhow - I've done some fairs. Biggest piece of advice would be to be sure to have both higher priced and lower priced items. Folks frequently will buy something small just because they like your stuff.

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

What a beautfiul photo, Shelley! I am so ready for Spring!

Another giveaway sounds great! Tell your hubby to feel free to pull my name out again! :)

Have a great evening,
Tammy

Denise said...

That pic is gorgeous! I still haven't found any blooms at my house.

Have a great day, Denise

Dawn said...

i love that crocus... i miss them in florida! thier fragile purple blossoms poking up out of the dark cold ground :) beautiful!

mj said...

Beautiful crocus! Good luck with the craft show. I love go to art fairs and craft shows. Make sure you decorate the entrance to your tent with some of your items. This will draw people in.