Had so much fun at a great church craft fair. We were there Friday eve and it was hopping busy! There was a little bit of something for everyone. We ate a pasta dinner, checked out the Lego build and of course admired the creativity of local talent.

We picked up the cutest doll bed from Angocrafts -- complete with bedding -- we'll have a very cozy teddy bear tonight. What a great deal it was and we enjoyed chatting while we were picking it out!

Also very impressed with the succulent planters from Simply Neglectable. 
These pictures just don't do them justice!

 

I also picked up a little something for my Mom for Christmas -- so Mom -- no reading past here.

Made by Barb Hunter of Forget-Me-Not Creations these are so pretty. Had a really hard time choosing just one colour!

Hi all,

I need your help!

I have had quite a few requests from interested vendors looking for events to participate in in the next few months.

If your event is still accepting vendors or you know of an event that is still accepting vendors and if you'd be so kind as to send me the info (tamsin@BcCraftFairs.com) I thought I could compile a list and post it here within the next few days.

If possible (and to make my life easier -- I know I ask alot!), the more details the better. (ie name of event, date of event, location of event, contact info, website etc)

Thanks :)

Easiest project ever! 

 

I saw this here and had to make one. Plus I have the cutest nephew who I knew would love it :)

I found a hoodie for $7 at Walmart while in the US and have a stash of upcycled felted sweaters. 

45 mins later -- voila!

 

Isn't he adorable?

 This is the piece of felted sweater I started out with. Just a wool sweater that has been washed a couple of times in hot water and then dried on the hottest setting in the dryer.

Then I cut it apart into usable pieces to create with.

 I cut a triangle the size I wanted out of paper to use as a pattern piece. I then pinned it to a folded edge of the felt. 

Below you can see the triangles opened up after I cut them.

Next I folded the hoodie in half so I could mark the middle back. I used pins and ran a line of them down the center back. 

I spaced my opened triangles down the center back and along the center line of the hood top and pinned them.

Now I sewed down the middle of each triangle through the hoodie. Next I matched the points of each triangle and pinned it (pin not shown) and sewed them. It's that easy!

 And here's the finished product!

Here's a few more that are accepting applications:

Christmas in Cloverdale -- Ongoing applications -- event dates Dec 6th and 7th

Fall into Craft by Great Canadian Craft -- ongoing applications -- event dates Sept 14th and 15th

Murrayville Craft Fair -- event dates November 16, 17 and 18th -- see Facebook page for contact details

Portabello West --  event dates September 7, 2013 – September 8, 2013, October 17, 2013 – October 20, 2013, December 7, 2013 – December 8, 2013

--Application deadlines for the Fall and Holiday shows of Portabello were on June 30th (and our jewellery section is now officially full) but still a few spaces left open in other categories! If you haven’t already, be sure to get your application in right away to reserve your spot!

Thanks for your patience and kind words -- hopefully I'll be back in fine form in no time :)

Think I've got all the updates onto the calendar  . . .  If I've missed anything please shoot me an e-mail!

Lots of stuff coming up! I can't wait to check them out.


Here's a few events currently accepting vendor applications -- there are more on the website -- look for the entries prefaced  by "Deadlines".

Currently accepting applications:

• North Vancouver Community Arts Council -- (ongoing submissions for events on Saturday, July 13, July 27, August 10 and August 24).

• 2nd BC Artists Craft Fair, North Vancouver -- submission deadline July 30, 2013 -- event date August 31, 2013. (see http://bccraftfairs.com/Calendar.html for more info)

• Kelowna Christmas Show -- ongoing applications -- event dates November 23-24th, 2013

• Christmas Craft Fair -- ongoing applications -- event date Dec 7, 2013 -- contact centralcraftfair@gmail.com for more info

• Artisan Market (New Westminster Quay) -- upcoming dates -- Sunday, July 28, Saturday, August 17, Saturday, August 31, Saturday, September 28

• 4th Annual All Decked Out Crafters Market (Parksville)  -- submissions deadline 15 Aug, 2013 -- event dates Nov 15-16 -- see calendar for details or event website www.alldeckedoutmarket.com

• 42nd Annual, Deer Lake Craft Festival -- ongoing submissions - event dates November 15-17, 2013

• West Coast Momma Collective Fall Fair in Kelowna -- event date October 22, 2013 -- vendor applications: contact http://eastcoastmommacollective.com/register-as-a-vendor/ 

• Crafty Affaire Holiday Market (South Surrey/White Rock); Dec 7 &  8. Application deadline Aug 15th. http://www.craftyaffaire.com/ 

• Make it Vancouver -- event dates November 28- December 1, 2013 -- ongoing applications
  
  
  
   Happy Crafting all!

And some more of my favorites:

 

Charlie Bean Designs

 

Ok -- these are just plain adorable! Who doesn't love wee Bambies :)

And I was very impressed with the booth set up -- its amazing how lots of great product displayed creatively makes an impact. Great job guys! 

 

 

 

Elagaince

I have a little bit of an obsession with upcycled things so I loved these repurposed spoons and forks. I also loved the posie magnets made from hollow knife handles -- so very creative!

Counterpane Collectables

I have seen these incredible creations before but I am fascinated each time. Again this ties into my love of the upcycled -- all these are created from repurposed fur coats and vintage fabrics.

I did have to explain to my son that the "cat balls" are cat toys made from vintage furs. He was convinced they were made from cats :)

contiunued from Great Canadian Craft -- Spring Fling Part 1

OK I have tried to post this several times during the last week but my computer is having "problems" (always blame the computer;) ) I'm going to break it into chunks so hopefully that helps . . .

I made it down to the Great Canadain Craft Spring Fling . It was a feast for the eyes and left me so inspired!

First off kudos to Mark Brown for organizing such a huge event! I can't even imagine what work went into it. It was great to meet you Mark.

As promised, here were some of my faorites :)

 

Little Handcrafts

 I fell in love with the little bunnies! They are adorable and the detail is exquisite. Maybe its my fascination with mini things left over from childhood -- I don't know -- but these are so cuuuute!

Take a look for yourselves at Little Handcrafts Etsy Shop.

Mudder Earth Works

I may be a bit biased on this one but I am so excited that my friend Kerri has decided to pursue this full time. She has been making these beautiful hypertufa creations for as long as I have known her and I have had this one in my garden for some time -- I love it and have moved him from house to house :)

Stay tuned for some more of my favorites :)

continued in  Great Canadian Craft -- Spring Fling Part 2

So sad to have missed Make It Vancouver this past weekend!

Would love to hear if anyone made it and what you thought?

Anyone who was a vendor -- would love to hear how you did. Pros -- Cons to this show over previous years, other shows?

Anyone get to the Maple Ridge Elementary School Craft Fair? How was it? How about attendance, signage?

Common people -- I need to live vicariously through you :)

Made it to the Uplands Spring Craft fair this past Sat and was thoroughly impressed! This was an elementary school event well done. Way to go guys!

There was a great assortment of crafts mixed in with a few home based business vendors. I was very impressed with the kids' make and take stations which had the kids entertained and crafting.

It was very busy and signage was good. I knew when I arrived that I was at the right place (poor signage is a pet peeve of mine).

There was a great energy, a friendly greeter at the door and even a free entry into a gift basket draw.

A couple of the crafters caught my eye:

Style Art Studio

Gordana of Style Art Studio makes beautiful pendants and earrings -- I haven't ever seen anything quite like her creations.

I was also impressed with her display and packaging -- simple yet effective. I hope you don't mind me showcasing some of your work here Gordana -- I asked for your card at the fair but never introduced myself (I am always self-conscious about doing so). She was very friendly (I'm always surprised by artists who seem annoyed to speak to potential customers) and I enjoyed my chat with her.

Woodland Owl Trinkets

Jessica's of Woodland Owl Trinkets bird's nest pendants were adorable and unique.

Although I didn't get a chance to speak with her I snagged her card -- take a look!

Unfortunately I didn't get the card of the creator of the Not-quite-paper towels but I am intrigued and will probably pick some up next time I see them. Have you guys seen these? Reusable cloths snapped together that you put on a kitchen paper towel dispenser.

Anyone else get out to crafting events? Would love to hear about them!

In my last post I was talking about my thoughts around submitting an application to a juried show.

Ok so which show(s) do I pick to submit entries to? How do I go about picking the ones that will work best for me and my product?

I have a bit of a check list I have come up with . . . for those of you that are old hats at this (not old as in aged -- old as in experienced ;)) I'd love to hear your thoughts. . .

This is what I've come up with.

1. What is the expected attendance? What kind of promotion/ advertising/ exposure will the show get ahead of time?
2. Will the attendees be there solely for the show or is the show part of something else?
3. What is the fee for the application/jury and if accepted for the booth/table/space?
4. What does the organizer provide for my fee? Electricity, table, room ambiance, entertainment?
5. What are the organizers looking for as far as product -- will they limit the number in each category?
6. What is the feedback from previous sellers?

So that's as far as I've gotten -- I'm sure there's some glaring oversights -- anyone?

So I have been thinking about entering a few juries and seeing about becoming a vendor in one of the fall/ Christmas shows this year. . .

This presents a few problems and is somewhat terrifying!

Firstly -- how do I pick the show(s) I want to sell at? There are quite a few, there are fees associated with submitting entries and it takes time and effort to get a good entry/application together. I want to put my best foot forward and focus my efforts on one or 2 shows. Which ones? How do I pick a show that is best suited to me and will have good attendance and a target audience that is best for my products?

Secondly -- although I have been a vendor in some previous shows, I have never submitted anything to a jury before and the thought is somewhat daunting. How do i best show off my product -- what are they looking for -- what will I be judged on?

Thirdly -- will I have enough time to create the inventory to sell at a show? I have so much going on in my life that I would have to set aside dedicated "making time".

So I thought I'd break it down and split the issues into different questions and put it out to you to see if you have any pointers? Maybe I'm not the only one with these worries and some of you veterans can answer some of my questions :)

So here goes -- the next posting will be dedicated to the first worry I have above -- choosing the best show to apply to. 

 Part One -- Which Show to Choose?

So what's everyone working on? Would love to see some pics of your most recent work/ creations!
We could do our own Pintrest of local art/ crafts inspiration :)

I am stupidly addicted to Pintrest -- especially stuff upcycled and/ or repurposed -- I have a board dedicated to that stuff -- not sure why, but I love when something old becomes useful/pretty/new again. My boyfriend has had to stop me from collecting used TV's to repurpose as cat beds and he has now convinced me that it's not feasible to collect pallets to transform into works of art. If only I had the time and space! I would be an upcycling queen!

I am guilty of hoarding supplies for potential projects. Any one else with me on this one? Having moved a couple times in the past few years I realize just how much stuff I have.

I have a huge collection of plastic bags -- to make more things like my lunch bag  (which is made by fusing 7-8 layers of plastic shopping bags together and then sewing them like fabric). This particular bag is over 4 years old and is still going!

I also have a collection of wool sweaters waiting to be felted as well as a supply of them that have been felted and are waiting to be made into fantastic new creations. Oh and lets not mention the collection of concert t-shirts waiting to be made into baby onsies. Value Village must shout in glee when they see me coming. But really it's not my fault, I have the craft sickness -- really I am a victim . . .

I really will get my garage organized in the near future so I can start working on some of these projects -- I swear ;0)

Jane Hunter

Made it to Granville Island for the first time in ages this weekend and loved perusing the art/craft vendors there. Wish I had more time to properly look but had the kids and boyfriend with me so time was limited.

 I was on her Facebook Page, which led me to her Etsy shop and I have been drooling over her pieces ever since! Here are a couple pics of my favorites (from her Facebook and Etsy pages)

I really enjoyed June Hunter's jewelry! She is one talented lady.

Driftwood Bay

 I was also enchanted with the Driftwood Bay houses! I've actually seen these before at craft fairs and always wish I had a place to put one! I pulled these pics from their website . . .

Westcoast Gnomes

Then there was Westcoast Gnomes -- I love these little guys! So cute! Take a look at them :)

Almost like a mini craft fair!

New obsession

Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to get carried away with things. There were the sock monkies, the mosaics, the glass light boxes, the fabric origami boxes, the stamped charms from pop cans, the stained glass, the scrapbooking swaps, the font collecting (I have over 20,000 fonts), the recycled plastic bag lunch bags -- you get the idea.

So I was in a new Dollar Store the other day  (my love of dollar stores is another story) and spotted these packages of paper strips to make lucky stars. I have never made these before,  but the instructions were printed right on the package. . . so I gave it a try. . .

OMG -- I can't stop making them! -- and it's becoming a bit embarrassing. I finished folding the 2 packages I bought initially and went back for a few (six) more packages.

Anyone else love to fold these? I've now filled a vase with shimmery pastel coloured ones, attached a few of the bright metallic ones to some jump rings to make a chain and am madly trying to figure out what to do with the rest of them -- ideas?!? Anyone?