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subscribeCrafeteria 2010
December 6th, 2010
My first time in a craft show was this past Friday and it was amazing!!
I’m so excited to share about it!!
I was a vendor at Crafeteria, an indie craft fest hosted annually by Frances Vintage in Phoenix. I was honored to have my handmade goods chosen for participation, and it was an honor to be there selling to all our local supporters.
I loved every part of getting ready, but man was it exhausting! I needed a table, but decided we should build a booth with a banner to display my goods at height. So Ant and I drew the sketches and he and my mom brought it to life. It was incredible. The banner took me about six hours to draft and paint (I measured and free-handed each letter…thinking back, I could have printed my font on paper and traced. But this way there’s more of my sweat in there and it feels good). The end result is exactly what I was hoping for, and those hours spent were well worth it. And now I can’t wait to use it again for my next show! (Because there will be more!!)
I worried that I’d feel embarrassed of its size when we got there, but it really attracted attention and I feel like my brand is nice and cohesive with it there. People even referred to it as “the Huckleberry booth,” which was so fun to hear! They know my name!!
There were so many nice things said, but my favorite comment of the night happened when a couple came by and browsed the dolls sitting along the shelf. The man pointed to a Kismet wearing square glasses and a plaid shirt with flip flops and asked Ant, “Is that you?”
I thought it was hilarious. I definitely model my plush after the people in my life and Ant is my most influential muse. He’s the reason some of the Kismets wear glasses and I fashioned those spectacles specifically based on his frames. So to hear someone recognize that, it was pretty gratifying.
I had so much fun talking with the customers and getting to know other vendors. I found out about some other vending opportunities and co-ops and I’m excited to follow up on those and see what happens!
Ant was amazing as my helper, at the show and the entire week before. He stayed up with me until 2am some mornings, asked me repeatedly what he could do for me, and cheered me on the whole time. I can’t tell you how important that was, especially the day I went to bed at 6:30am. I was nuts. He did so much behind-the-scenes work and contributed ideas that wouldn’t have even crossed my mind. He made every aspect better. He was so good (and cute) at the show, welcoming each person that stepped up to our booth, chatting and running our credit card orders for me.
And my mom was amazing too. I love that this craft-mania is in me completely because of her. I love that we share that appreciation for handmade and entrepreneurship. I watched her and her best friend build a mini business when we were kids and they always encouraged my best friend and I to create. I guess it had a lasting impact and I’m so grateful for that.
I loved our crafty night on the eve of Crafeteria when my mom came over at 10:00 to cut twine and hole punch discount cards for me. Ant sat next to her cutting tiny cards and I put the finishing touches on my banner. We drank mochas and soy lattes and talked and worked. It really was lovely.
And I know now I’m starting to sound like I think I’ve won an Oscar or something, but to me it feels almost that big. But I also just have to say that I have the best friends and family a girl could ever want. Throughout the week I got messages and texts that cheered me on. The night of the show I saw each one there in support and I just want all of you to know how much that meant to me. I know I am so blessed to call each of you my friend.
My parents brought Ella Faye for the last couple hours of the show and I was so happy she was there. She is my inspiration for all the hats and she gets so excited over the plush that it makes me keep sewing and stitching. She is my little cheerleader, whether she knows it or not. I wish I’d gotten a photo with my girl and my love (and my parents and every friend, for that matter), but things were so busy. And wouldn’t you know, our camera lost battery within five minutes of photo-taking. It’s alright though, I think I’ll remember this experience for a very long time.
By Friday afternoon, I really thought I was ready for a break from sewing and crocheting. But that night all my energy and enthusiasm for it came rushing back.
On to more crafting. I’ve got the bug and I want more!!
