Bookapalooza 2015

Honestly, what in the world was I thinking?

It's obvious I have been busy, since I haven't blogged in some time. But, instead of ackowleding that I have far too many balls to juggle, I signed up to be an exhibitor at Bookapalooza.




This is something I have wanted to do for some time. It is the perfect venue for my bookmarks. Readers. Writers. Who else would appreciate my bookmarks more?

Of course, I have so many other items on my plate, and bits of food keep falling off. For just a moment, I regretted signing up.

Then I submitted my bio for the event. Added at the end of it--in one short sentence--that I am also editing my first novel. Which, by the way, is taking much longer than I wanted. And will take even longer now that I have to spend time sewing at least five hundred bookmarks for this event.

And despite my anxiety, moments of panic and general queasiness, I am having the time of my life!

If you are in the Durham area on Saturday, November 21, 2015, stop by Bookapalooza. It is located at The Durham College, Centre For Food/Bistro 67 at 1604 Champlain Avenue, Whitby. The event runs from 10 am to 4 pm.

Visit the site at http://bookapalooza.ca/event/.

There will be brilliant local authors and you can purchase a bookmark (or two, or several) from me to accompany your new book(s). The holidays are just around the corner and books (with bookmarks) make wonderful gifts.

See you there!

Labels

Craft shows, if nothing else, are great for networking.

One of the wonderful people I've met is Laurie Livingston, the owner of StitchWhich. Laurie recently posted on her Facebook wall that a new shipment of garment labels had come in. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I got when I saw that post! I've been toying with the idea of labels, but hadn't had the chance to investigate the matter. Perfect timing!

I commented on her post, asked her if she'd share her contact. She was generous enough to hook me up with John Laidler of Laidler Labels, who made me these:

They're exactly what I wanted. Now, the question is, how should I use them?

Any thoughts?

The Aftermath

Well, after a weekend packed with craft shows, I managed to sell almost all my placemats (I have two sets left) and most of my bookmarks. I do have about six tote bags left and several tooth fairy pillows.

All in all, I think that's not bad. It's what I had hoped for, so I can't complain.

Now, I need to think about things. Think about what I want to focus on, what my new line will include and perhaps change a few patterns.

In the meantime, I noticed today that I am now the proverbial Shoemaker.

I have spent a lot of time, lately, working on my novel. I take advantage of my time on the train and type during my commute to and from work, so I haven't spent much time reading. But I felt that I needed a bit of break, so I bought a book on Monday.

While eating my lunch and reading, I was mortified (and ashamed) when I noticed that I'm using the store receipt as a bookmark. ACK! I make one-of-a-kind bookmarks, for Pete's sake! Why aren't I using one?!

As the saying goes...the Shoemaker's children have no shoes. Though, in my world, it's more...the Owner's novels have no bookmarks.

Bookmarks for Breakfast

Some of you may know that I wear many hats. I have an understated legal assistant fedora for my (paying) day-time job, a very large flamboyant hat for Urban Contessa and, of course, a jaunty beret for writing.

I am a member of the Writer's Community of Durham Region. As I mentioned in my previous post, I agreed to sell my bookmarks at our next breakfast meeting. That would be next Saturday.

It's been stupid busy at my office lately and I'm working fourteen-hour days. I leave home before seven and I don't get home until after nine. Needless to say, I don't have a lot of time to make bookmarks. And yet, somehow, I always mange to make it work.

So, let's get to started.

I gathered the few bookmarks I had already cut out. To the right is a pile of 'scrap' fabric from tote bags and placemats.  As always, I have my self-healing cutting board, ruler and cutter.

Several hours later, I have a very large pile of cut bookmarks and a very small pile of waste.

That's a 14 1/2 " pile of bookmarks!

Now, I have to find the time to sew them all.

The game plan is to dedicate two hours every night to sewing. No matter how late I work. And despite how insane that sounds, I'm actually having a great time. I mean, who wouldn't? I'm sewing, I'm blogging and I'm making money.

It doesn't get much better than this, my friends.

Writers and Bookmarks

I spent the weekend at a writing retreat hosted by Writescape. I thought I would bring along some Urban Contessa bookmarks, give my fellow writers a present and let them pick one for their very own.

I thought it was a good idea. And it still is. But...

All the writers thought the bookmarks were wonderful. And several of them asked if I sold them. Well, of course I said yes.

Yeah, you see where I'm going with this: I'm sold out.

Well, not really.

I have four left.

What's making me panic is the fact that have two craft shows coming up, and the bookmarks are my biggest seller...especially at Christmas. To make matters worse, one of the participants-slash-organizers convinced me to sell the bookmarks at my next writing circle's next breakfast, on December 8. There are a lot of members that attend these breakfasts, and I have to be prepared for all of them to buy three. After all, they sell for $5 each or three for $10. Why wouldn't you buy three, right?

And then she suggested that I contact a couple of local book stores to enquire about selling them retail.

Now, I know it sounds like I'm complaining. I'm not. I swear I'm not!

This is the equivalent of me pinching myself. What I'm doing is trying to convince myself that this is actually happening. I'm feeling very Sally Fields-y right now.

You like me. You really like me!

Hungarian Club Craft Show

Today I was at my favourite craft show, at the Hungarian Culture Club in Oshawa.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I go for the food. I always have reasonable sales at this show, and I like to see the regular vendors that attend, but I go for the food. Who wouldn't? I mean, we're talking about home-made cabbage rolls, home-made goulash, home-made pastries and squares. Just plain home-made goodness!

But I digress.

This is the only craft show I do that has round tables. I'll admit, I hate it. I can't seem to come up with a workable set up that properly showcases my work.

See what I mean? It's too crowded. But there isn't enough room to bring a second table, so I put up with it. It's worth it for the cabbage rolls. 

The big sellers today were tote bags, tooth fairy pillows and, of course, bookmarks. Maybe I need to do something to better market the bookmarks. They are the biggest sellers. I'll have to put my thinking cap on. Or sew myself one. 

I also came home with a great stash:

Hand made noodles, poppy seed loaf, and a variety of pastries.

While I think about a new marketing plan, I'll be snacking. Snacking very well.

O'Neill Craft Show

The O'Neill Collegiate Craft Show on Saturday was a lot of fun. It was my first time at this show and I was very impressed. There's something to be said about hosting a craft show at a school.

I parked my car and spent a moment gathering my empty Starbucks cup (don't judge!), putting away my GPS (again, don't judge!) and when I stepped out, there were eight burly football players standing behind my car.

"Pop your trunk, ma'am, and we'll help you into the school."

Well aren't you the cutest things?!

Three Rubbermaid bins (fabric is heavy!), four baskets, one hand-made wooden carousel (made for me by my Late Uncle Ken), usually take me three trips back and forth from my car.

Not this time. This time, I just wandered behind them, swinging my purse, whistling Dixie (or some off-key ditty). It was awesome.

It took a while to figure out how to set up my table. It was smaller than the usual craft show table. The entire time, I kept cursing myself for not bringing my portable table.

In the end, I stacked two empty bins, covered them with a sheet and used that for the bookmarks.

Tooth Fairy Pillows were piled up in their basket. Bowl of candies for the men. Yes, the men. They're usually the ones that take one. It's like a treat for them for being such good boys, tagging along with their wives through the craft show.

I've started blowing up balloons and stuffing them in the tote bags for display. So much neater than newspaper and I hand them out to kids at the end of the day. There's always at least one vendor with kids.

I'm looking forward to some down time when I can cut and sew up the fabric I bought for totes and placemats. Not to mention the various kiddy fabrics I bought for Tooth Fairy Pillows.

Not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised with the sales. As usual, the bookmarks were a big hit. I'm seriously considering apply for a booth at the annual writer's conference in the Spring. I can only imagine how many bookmarks I'd have to bring with me. I figure about two thousand bookmarks.

Gee. When I see it in writing, I start to panic a little. I should probably start sewing.

Gotta go...

Buying Spree

We recently made a road trip to Washington, D.C.  My husband made sure that a visit to Joann Fabrics was included in our itinerary. Yeah, I know...I'm spoiled.

A while ago, I was surfing the Net and stumbled upon a pattern for a cute star ornament that uses different fabrics to create a country patchwork look. So I picked up some Christmas-themed fabric.

When I'm done making stars, I'm going Mod Podge the leftover pieces onto Styrofoam balls to make tree ornaments.

I also found some sweet patterns for tooth fairy pillows:

I especially like the animal prints and daisy-like flowers.

Of course, I couldn't walk out without getting several yards of tote fabric. Aren't these fabulous?!

Today, I spent the day with my cousin, Sue.

We have a routine when we get together. Sue lives in Barrie and I live in Ajax. Newmarket is the mid-point for us. So we meet in Newmarket about once a month.

Our routine includes a visit to Fabricland. Sue is awesome to shop with. She carries the bolts of fabric, oohs and aahs over the colours and patterns, gives me her honest opinion and then debriefs with me afterwards.

We picked out some tote fabric today:

Of course, remnants from tote and placemat fabric are used for bookmarks.

So...I'll be spending the next couple of weeks cutting everything up. Then several weeks after that sewing it all together. I can't wait to get started!

Holiday Sales for 2012

Our line-up of shows for this year's holiday season is finalized. We only have three this year. I say 'only' because we turned down a few others. Not because we don't want to participate in them, but because we have other commitments.

Elderly in-laws are taking precedence right now, but we still want to squeeze in a few shows.

Unfortunately, we won't be at the Vaughan Willard School this year. Instead, we decided to attend a different show that day. We'll be at O'Neill Collegiate on November 5. 

Of course, we can't miss the Hungarian Culture Club. After all, we need our cabbage roll fix! We'll be in Oshawa for that on November 17.

And last, but definitely not least, is the Durham Region Crafter's Community sale on December 15. As you know, this is a craft show that I organize with my partner in crime crafting, Shandell Conboy (from Dellzines). 

We hope to see you at one of these shows this season!

More Inventory

I have a craft show on Saturday:



I have enough tote bags, but I need more Tooth Fairy Pillows and bookmarks.

The pillows are sewn and waiting to be stuffed. They look a little sad when they're deflated.



This is what the bookmarks look like before they're turned. What you see is the back, or wrong side, of the fabric. They're sewn right-sides together, with the elastic inside, leaving an opening on one side for turning.



After they're turned, the corners are poked out. They're waiting to be pressed and top-stitched now.



Bookmarks will be top-stiched and Tooth Fairy Pillows will be stuffed and fluffed tomorrow. It's my company Christmas party tonight. It's quite possible the top-stitching on the bookmarks will be a little crooked.

Upcoming Craft Shows

Busy! Busy! Busy!

We have three...count 'em, THREE!...craft shows coming up.

This is your opportunity to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. At each craft show, we'll be carrying our usual line: elegant placemats, oversized napkins, washable tote bags, tooth fairy pillows for the kids and, as always, our one-of-a-kind bookmarks (which, by the way, make great stocking stuffers).

Swing by our Events page for details on dates, times and locations.

Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Bookmarks

My back hurts and my cutting hand is throbbing. Life could not be better!

You'll recall that I had a large stash of remnant fabric when I made a batch of tote bags. Well, I finally found the time to cut some bookmarks for the November 12, 2011 craft show I'm organizing with Shandell.

 

That's a lot of bookmarks!

The frightening thing is, I still have this much fabric to cut:

*sigh*
I should probably stop blogging and get back to cutting.

Craft Show - Saturday, August 27, 2011

This year, for the first time, artisans are invited to participate in the Celebrate Ajax by the Lake Waterfront Festival.

Needless to say, Shandell and I snatched up that opportunity. Not only is it a chance to sell our product, but it's an opportunity to get vendors for our craft sale in November.

Sneaky. I know. But a crafter's gotta do what a crafter's gotta do.

So...if you're in the Durham area on Saturday, August 27, 2011, swing by the lakefront and take a stroll. We will have tote bags, placemats, tooth fairy pillows and our one-of-a-kind bookmarks for purchase. Remember...Christmas is only four months away. And we all know how fast that will go.

If nothing else, it will be a lovely walk. Stop by our booth and say hello. I'm always up for a chat!