Craft Show Wish List 2016

With the hint of warm and sunny weather just around the corner, my thoughts are eagerly anticipating Art Walks and summer weather fun.  Like everyone else, I'm ready to soak up some warm sun rays and refresh my whole life.  Or maybe that last part is just the spring fever.  

Either way it's time to start thinking about what spring and summer craft shows to apply for and begin building my list of deadlines so I don't miss any favorites.

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Merchants Landing Arts & Craft Show

I'm so excited that I have another show on the calendar!


These ladies participated with me at the Make It Indie fair back in November and reached out to me to join them in their first annual show this April.  I have to say I was definitely honored that they reached out to me and were patient as I searched my mind for an answer.  Of course I wanted to scream yes right away, but knowing that the show weekend (April 12 & 13) is the weekend after my due date, I had to consider newborn care first.  After talking with my midwife, husband (who was supportively pushing me in this direction), and a few other friends with kids, I decided to go with the "ambitious" decision to commit.  And now I'm so excited & ecstatic that I did!

So if everyone will just send positive, slightly early-labor thoughts my way, I'd really appreciate it! hehe.  :)

2014 Goals

I know it may seem a little late to be posting goals for the new year, but these have been swirling in my head since the end of January and I think they are finally ready to be listed and documented.  Not to mention by publishing them I can hold myself accountable and keep myself on track for the year.

  1. Finally get my Tax/ Incorporation in order.  Aka, am I a sole proprietor or LLC?  I meet with my uncle who does taxes for a living to figure this out next week.  :)
  2. Commit to at least one show/fair/market per month.  Obviously I missed the first three months this year but so far I'm on track to start in April with the Merchant's Landing Show April 12 & 13.
  3. Post to this blog once a week.  If more is happening that's worth posting about, I'll be sure to post it as well, though it may be less wordy.  Who is ok with just a picture post once in a while?
  4. Get my wares into a physical brick & mortar store.  More to come on this once things are settled.  I'm currently talking with two different shops and it just makes me super excited for new possibilities!
I've also started reading this great book that has some nice exercises (I'm not usually a fan of "exercises" in a book) that really spoke to me after I met my goal of doing 1-3 physical shows in 2013.  I felt so empowered and excited I couldn't wait to make more goals for this year & feel an even bigger empowerment at the end of this year.  Thus my mind has really started opening to the possibilities because of this book & it has really inspired some energy in me for this year's success.


So far my favorite passage is on goals & goal setting (thus inspiring this organized post instead of just a note to self on a scrap piece of paper):

Goals are really amazing things.  They give you focus and set your course.  [...]  Goals support Intentions.  By actively working on these goals, the end result will be accomplished.  You can use your intentions to make sure you keep your business on track. [...]  Your goals should be your friends; they should excite you, and you should look forward to working toward them.  Goals are not chores.
Exercise: Make a list of all the goals you've had since you decided to be a creative business owner.  Now circle all the goals that you've already accomplished.
Quote from Jolie Guillebeau: "Take small steps consistently.  Do something every single day to make a little progress toward your goal." 
Grow Your Handmade Business - Kari Chapin

Anyone read anything inspiring lately?

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Goals for 2013 - New Items

Continuing my goals for 2013, I have a few new items I'd love to add to the shop:


Longies & short-leg soakers (What do you think about these?  Do you think they would sell well?  Do you know someone looking for these?)


More Baby Blankets/ Lap Blankets.  Maybe even some Chevron that's been taking off on Pinterest and in Etsy shops.


Socks - this would be the first made-to-order item in the shop.  

Baby clothes (booties, hats, sweaters) & toys - these are still on the back burner.

And then there's this crocheted flower bouquet that has me scratching my head...

Is there something else you'd like to see?  Please post it in the comments :)

Goals for 2013 - Physical Markets

Last year I started writing out goals for 2012 and accomplished one.  Maybe two (one sale per month; I didn't reach this goal specifically, but I did if you average my sales over 12 months).  


So this year, I'm taking that list and updating it for 2013.  Not much has changed, other than dreaming with a little more daring.  I've started talking to people at the Farmer's Market and friends about the craft shows they attend (if I couldn't go myself) and I've even hooked up with a fellow crafter, whom I met through my mother(!).  I intend to make her my mentor + go-to Crafter in my quest to make a small, steady income from Etsy.  But I'll save that for another post.

With these^ in mind, I've started thinking about physical markets to try in 2013.  

Farmer's Market

Thinking about my attempt last year, I'm willing to bet that my craft is limited to the cold weather season.  So with that in mind, I'm guessing I should only apply to physical markets that are held in September or later; assuming that people are starting to think about bundling up for the coming winter that early.  

Perrysburg Farmer's Market - A large, fun environment in quaint downtown Perrysburg along their main street.  I've only come across one or two handicraft booths (one being knit dishcloths, but different from my style).  Runs April to October, Thursday afternoons.

Downtown Toledo Farmer's Market - Open year-round, and with only little heaters mounted on the ceiling in the winter, I think I could make Jack Frost nipping at your nose work in my best interest.  A large, established following attend every week.  I've only seen one other knitter with her dishcloths here in the summer (different design from mine).  Other handicrafts are soap (which is my favorite), candles, and a handful of jewelry-makers.  I asked one jewelry-maker if she thought items like mine would be out of place here but she was quite confident they would be a perfect fit (thus my confidence to try this market is growing).  Saturday mornings.

Craft Shows

Maker's Mart - November 16, 2013 (I'm guessing; based on last year's date).

Baltimore Methodist Church Craft Show - October

If you have any suggestions or shows you would like to see me in, please drop me a line or leave it in the comment section below.  I'd love to hear any and all advice, too! :) 
Are you planning to do any shows this year?

Read about my goals for Etsy shop offerings here.