Sunday 2 June 2013

Time, eh? Where does it go? I actually started this post last week but ran out of time. So here I am finishing it off - I thought I'd have more to add but I seem to not have done anything all week! I have been doing some little bits of cross stitch to use at a later date and I have nearly finished a sunglasses case as featured in this months Craftseller Magazine but nothing finished to show off with. But it has been half term so I guess I was probably being overly optimistic that I could get much done.
What I have been doing is spending time in the evenings working on little projects to build up my craft stall stock. Love Stitching Magazine has some great little patterns for small projects so I worked up a few heart motifs that could be used on all manner of things. So here are the finished items so far:


And I also finished some keyring coin purses that were made using one of Wendy Massey's patterns:


Thinking that I ought to have some bigger items on my stall as well, I cut out the materials to make some more Duck Doorstops yesterday so I shall do some work on those during the week. And I'm having a great debate with myself about cushions for the stall - I really love decorating plain cushion covers or upcycling old fabrics into cushion covers. If I do this for the stall, should I sell them as replacement cushion covers or buy cushion pads and sell them as the finished item? Having not had a stall at a fair before, I'm mindful of the fact that sales aren't always high and I don't really want to end up with 10 cushions to store in the house! Thankfully I've still got a few weeks to decide.

Join me for Handmade Monday here http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/.

Have a great week!

Love Natalie

17 comments:

  1. I'm looking forward to hearing how your sale goes. I guess you've got a higher chance of selling smaller products too as people are more likely to impulse buy smaller things...just a guess...

    I absolutely love the key rings - were they made with felt?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, they are based on a pattern in an old Craftseller magazine (but you get the idea of the shape from the photo), and then I've added cross stitch or small fabric embellishments. They are quick and fun to make - although they keep getting added to my childrens key ring collections, and I spotted the skull and cross bones one attached to my husbands keys yesterday....

      Delete
    2. It's a good sign if you husband likes them! My fiance is not so easily impressed with handmade items! Thank you for following me.

      Delete
  2. Good luck with your sale - I think cushion covers are a great idea and always very popular at craft events. Hope you have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really like the little key rings - real fun and cheerful. How about having a cushion so people can see what they look like if they want? I have no experience of craft markets so cannot really give you that much advice. I really hope it goes well for you though.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Go for the replacement covers - in case they wont sell, you would be able to buy an insert and give the whole cusions to someone as a gift.
    good luck with your sewing and building the craft stock :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. You have some nice stock building up! As craft fairs can be very hit and miss I would have 2 or 3 cushions made up as an advertisement and sell the rest as just covers - it will be cheaper for customers and less waste for you if it's a slow day. x

    ReplyDelete
  6. I often sew/embroider small bits to use on other projects too. Your little bits of cross-stitch on the keyrings are lovely as are the little coin purses. I'm sure you will sell quite a few at the fair.
    Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Those little keyrings are super cute and such a good way to use a smaller pieces of fabric. I hope you have a good time at the fair.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your key rings are really cute, I'm sure lots of people would like to buy them. You could probably take some bits and pieces to make some more during your craft fair if you find you're not busy at times.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What about having a few cushions with pads (just cos they look nicer) but offering them for sale with or without the pad at different prices? Good luck with the craft fair! Make the most of networking and advertising yourself while you're there, too.
    Teresa x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Time is definitely something I could do with a whole lot more of! Looks like you've been productive with yours though.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sometimes I think I have a faulty clock as there's no way that can be the time !!!!

    I love your little key rings. They are just so sweet. I've never had a craft stall so can't really give much advice. However I think one or two cushions in their pads to show customers what they look like and the rest without xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. your key rings and purses are all adorable! perfect for a craft stall, i'm sure they'll sell well :)

    maybe you could buy pads for a couple of cushions, then if someone wants a different cover you could just swap them over... hope this helps! x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Really love your little keyrings. Hard to know about the cushion dilemma, as cushion pads can be quite expensive and bulky. Probably the idea to just have one or two to showcase your covers would be good.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What lovely key ring purses! I always intend to make something bigger for craft sales, but then wimp out and stick to small safe stuff, but I'm sure I'm making a big mistake and ought to have more confidence and go for bigger items.. Go for the cushions - you could have a couple of cushions made up as others have suggested, with loose covers for sale and some photos of them with the pads in perhaps?! Sue

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ahhh I love the felty key rings :-) (what a surprise ;-)) and the purses are fab - love the materials you've used. I think I'd take one or two cushions with covers on and then you can have the pile of other covers with them, so people can see what they look like on, but you don't have to store the unsold ones! Good luck with the ducks! Simmi x

    ReplyDelete