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?

Great Canadian Craft

just posted the following on their Facebook page:

"Wow! ~ Over 250 Applications Received in the Last 8 Days!!! Looks like we're going to be all booked up soon!
Acceptances will start going out early next week so watch
your inbox exhibitors!!"


Applications are available at : http://www.greatcanadiancraft.com/book-a-table.php and the deadline to apply is March 1st.