Happy Birthday

Yesterday, I turned an age that sounds old. So do I proclaim and embrace it or shun and avoid it? Just recently there was a news blurb that stated, if you state you are younger then you act younger and live longer. Well of course we all want to act younger. Live longer? Well the state of the world may influence that one. I have quite a lot of things I need to get done first.

My feeling is that age has changed a lot at least since I was a child. There are people who are age phobic and those who are older than their actual age. I just want to state that I feel like I am old enough now.   I was too young  at one point then I became too old at another so now I'm old enough.

I can do what ever I want cause I'm still young enough and even if some one says anything (of course they can judge) I'm too old to care.

By the way I turned sixty yesterday.

Leaf girl

#frosty voxbox

My first influenster box #frosty voxbox: http://youtu.be/D0CF0atDdCg

Nyc lipstick rimmel scandaleyes

Candy cane celestials green tea

Not bad candy cane green tea

my first influenster box #frosty voxbox

whew, this is more like work. 

Yes, I received my first influenster box and it is fun to open and get all the free stuff to try. Then you have to post everything, BUT that's fun too! Still you have to take it seriously when you giving your opinion and doesn't everyone want your opinion? NO???

Well here is mine take it or leave it this is the fun stuff and I really look at it from the perspective of a woman with a good opinion. 

first the box is filled with some pretty good stuff. I've posted pictures of the the details and how you can get them. Just a note the No7 protect and perfect intense I got a sample not a full product I did get coupons for  2$ off 1oz at target which is pretty good. also coupons for 55 cents for celestial tea which I will use for my sleeptime herbal love that tea, 

I loved the lipstick only 1.99 and the eyeliner 4.49 not bad and the eco brush is really nice been looking for one like that would have liked it a little smaller but hey can't get everything it is light though and that helps. 

Inside4

Inside 2

Whats inside?

My influenster box

craft fair table 2014

Bracelets and earrings

December Craft Fair

OK so I did the craft fair at the Library and although there were some really nice people at the fair working it wasn't the awesomeness I was hoping for. Yes, I think most of the time the ones that are really inexpensive are in fact the least attended. The fairs raising funds by the crafters renting of space but it seems that most of the people, not all but most of them were new to the fair like me. Which means that there weren't very many repeat crafters.

Tons of people with beaded jewelry, fabric crafts like quilts, handmade grocery bags and purses. Knitted items, I got a beautiful quilt that is for when I am chilled at my craft table and fingerless gloves. Very nice but not enough foot traffic.

Oh I had grand hopes as I quickly had a 3 item sale for my first buyer but then I would not see anyone stop for an hour then maybe a 2 item sale after that. the first person wanted to purchase my items I think to copy them she said so actually. Which is really fine with me but she said I was giving them away. I was selling the earrings for 10$ and the bracelets for 15$. Well, I can increase my price or just not worry about it. I know I could charge more because of where I live you can command more but the fact is I have had most of my supplies for a long time and really I don't think I spend more than a few dollars on a pair of earrings. I do think my bracelets are pretty cheap for 15$ again I don't mind that because if I do sell something I want to send the money to a rescue organization.

I have been asking all the new people I have met and know on Facebook where I could donate. I want it to be a rescue organization. Well I have $90 to give them, there is a bracelet going out of town so that may be some more but will see. I did get a check from someone and I am concerned about it cashing with no problem. I have faith it will be fine.

Craft fair

Craft fair

My table wares

December 2014 or HEY How did this month creep up on me?

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HEY How did this month creep up on me?

Oh it's what?

My husband always says that and I'm usually counting down from JULY!. Well if you are a crafter or make anything your probably thinking the same as I do. How many days do I have to get ready for my craft fair! Well, that's exactly what I do. Sometimes I'm not always in a craft fair and sometimes I'm just doing a last minute oh here's a fair let me go to this one.

When my sone was not even 2 months old I had gone to my first event. It was located at a community association building in a small town. Loved it! I was very young, how young,  my baby is now 37! Enough said? Anyway, the people around me were so nice they gave the baby his first ornament and although I probably didn't get more than my entrance fee covered. I was addicted.

one of my babies

My socialization at the time wasn't filled with parent and baby groups. That didn't start until well years later. Since meetups were not organized on the web and invitations weren't sent through email I had to scour ads in newspapers, penny savers, and check local church and organizations regarding up coming craft fairs.




First, I went to these fairs and realized hey I can do better! (Don't we all say that?) My specialty at the time was making Gingerbread Houses. NOW stop right there remember this is during the time when pre-made Gingerbread Houses didn't exist. There were no patterns or recipes or boxes with pre-formed ginger bread. AHHA no.My recipe came from years as a teenager trying to figure out how to accomplish the task of making a gingerbread house. I failed miserably with real gingerbread. Although I did have fans of the base made of ginger. Eventually at the tender age of 17 I figured out from a recipe, my grandmothers cook book had, to use a ginger cookie recipe and eventually that worked. I must admit it was quite a big thing back in the day because no one did that themselves. I would buy my add on, things like fuzzy Santas, angels, or reindeer during the end of the Holiday sales. I would have them for the next year.

Eventually, I decided that fairs don't really work if your selling Gingerbread houses. People look once and move on, so I tried several different things. My second attempt at finding my niche was selling miniatures. After attending the miniature enthusiasts conference in NY I was hooked on all things tiny. I made things out of balsa wood and bread dough and lamps out of beads. Here is were it gets to become a problem. I found that I was enamored by anything crafty. I tried to make, jewelry, embroider, stitch, clay, stamp or fold paper. I was hooked on creating, yes, I did hook a pillow. Moving on.

While living in New York state I figured out how to get into the fairs during Holiday season. Actually that was the only time I was available during that part of my life. In Arizona, it took a little more hunting by then the computer was showing it's usefulness. Instead of going through every local paper and hunting down signs around town. (A good way to note places that do have craft fairs and ask when they plan their event so you can get on their list for the next year.) Check out websites in churches, local charity organizations, farmers markets depending on your locale. Just be open and ask especially now.

At one point I was invited to shows while I was showing at one and you have to judge it based on your needs. Some of these places are just starting and typically are not huge. However, if they have the potential of becoming huge you'll be in just be aware the first year is typically a low volume on new fairs.

There are sites that promote fairs and you can join them for a fee or just look to see what's coming up and then go check it out as a customer.

 http://sf.funcheap.com/category/event/event-types/fairs-festivals/
http://www.artfaircalendar.com/art_fair

There are plenty of organizers who work with local areas and they bring craft fairs in on a rotating basis.Type in fairs, art shows, whatever it is you do probably has a website that tells you about locations of fairs.  This is great if you want to do something monthly. Remember to have your items ready before the Holiday. So like any good crafter we're making valentines products now.

Was that my husband who just sighed?