{No Sew} Handmade Projects

{Hi Everyone}

As we prepare for the busiest time of year, I wish to take a moment to escape and remember...it's important to enjoy quiet moments of peace among all the busyness. 

O.k...now that we've rested,

let's get down to business...I'm offering
 8 No Sew projects for Handmade gift ideas this holiday season.  In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing some great sewing tutorials, that will be Handmade by Hilani Approved. I'll be hand picking them, for best pictures, and great details in the tutorial so beginners can do them.

{Mason Jar Re-purpose Tutorial}

Tips:  This could make for a great Teacher, Mom or Teen gift.  Consider filling it with Mints for a Teacher, or making a Mommy Tip jar for 

a girlfriend, or a chore jar for your teen. 

{Cookies in a Jar via Bakerella}

Source: Bakerella

{Re-Purpose Can Art Mosaic}

Source: Instructables

{Handmade Card Ideas}

Source: Stampin' with Niki

Tips:  I don't know about you but I can always use a card last minute, whether to say {Hello, Happy Birthday or Miss You}, a stash of cards is always something I do not have.  I find myself making something in a pinch so to be gifted a set of Handmade cards at Christmas time, would be such a treasure!

{DIY Wheatgrass Planter}

Source: Design, Dining + Diapers

{Etceteras Kindle Cover}

Source: Homework

{DIY Coasters}

Source: Setting for Four

{DIY Mugs}

Source: A Beautiful Mess

Enjoy making and gifting something Handmade this year!  

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{Craft Show} - Selling your products

Hey All!

I realized while helping a girlfriend (Casey Biggers, my personal stylist and sewing apprentice) set-up for her first craft fair that I should share with everyone my found knowledge with the hopes of inspiring you to take the leap of presenting your products, in a Craft Show environment.   

Now, I'm not a seasoned craft show seller by any means so what I'm about to share is my views and opinions thus far in my Craft Show career.  I've had the pleasure of meeting and talking with those who've been selling for many, many years.  With their tips, and my own, I feel sure that the information I'm about to share could get you off on the right foot to 

{Craft Show Success}

There's a few parts to this so I'll break it into sections.  

{Section 1}

Your Products and Display

I have over 30 different Hand Sewn pieces I create and sell.  At my first show, I displayed everything atop white table linens across (2) 6 foot tables.  Now while that was a good start, I felt this year adding a more versatile display would enhance the buyers shopping experience.  

In comes the handy husband, a contractor with 13 years experience and who loves a challenge. 

Conversation:

"Honey, I need a wall built for my display to hold everything, like you'd find in a store" ~ Me

"Umm....OK" ~ Mr. Handmade

After much round & round of peg board, back drops, and chicken wired frames ideas He (giving credit here) came to a decision 2 weeks later.

"I've got it...we'll buy hollow core doors, hinge them, and create a zig, zag wall" ~ Mr. Handmade

"Love it, make it happen pumpkin, then I'll white wash paint it" ~ Me

To hang display the items on this wall, he purchased Dowel rodes and cut them down to 6" rods. Then, attached them to the wall, in such a way, so they could be removed during transporting.

Price Tagging Bulk Items: I price tag every handmade piece but now I have several popular items that sell a lot at once. I wanted a fixed price tag displayed at each dowel, for that product. I bought wooden gift tags, and chalk painted them. 

{Section 2}

Setting Up your Booth

It's important to put yourself in the shoes of the shopper.  Consider how "you" might like to shop when buying from someone.  Do you like an open floor plan or a closed one? Meaning, walk-in or a table right at the front.  

I'm an open floor plan kind of seller.  I like to invite people in and stand towards the entrance to greet and chat with those walking by or coming in.  It's my style, you might find you have your own.  

A Banner, across the back is optional.  I scored good on this one from Vistaprint. They always have great coupon deals via Retailmenot.com They are my main website for all my printing needs. 

My Helper, Mr. Handmade, putting the dowels and baskets on my finished wall.  

Remember my Front Porch Sign?  I borrowed it for the day, to display a [Call to Action] for potential customers passing by.

The Finished Booth

Above are a few things I wish to point out.  

And to add a bit of my personality, I added a fun burlap banner, with Fabric Letters spelling "Handmade", in fun polka dotted prints.  I gave a tutorial for it here, in a Fall theme, which sits in my family room.

{Section 3}

Day of Show

It's super, duper important to have a protein packed Breakfast (did you know protein fills you up longer, not fiber?)  I ate at 7:30a and didn't eat again until 12:30.  I enjoyed water a bunch, but food, it was much later in the day.  The preparation and then flow of crowds, keeps you busy. 

I also prepared my food for that day ahead of time.  Everything should be bit size; my PB & J sure was. You only have a moment to sit down, and while I had help (Mr. Handmade), they can't sell your passion for your products like you can so you stop munching and start sharing/talking.  

That brings me to having help; have it, not for the whole day but for at least the middle of it.  It's your savior for potty breaks (yes, I said potty - he, he) and for those quick bits.  

And, don't forget mints...no body wants to be close to un-pleasant breath.  Just sayin'

And lastly, your products and your supplies.  I used two suitcases, easy to roll around, and a trunk.  

I've created a craft show check list, you can view it here.

For tips on Being a Small Business, and Customer Service, visit my YouTube video here

I hope this post inspires you and helps you to be successful at selling you passion/products at a Craft show.  

Comment and let me know what you think; Would love to hear from you! xo

        

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Style U by Casey {Giveaway} - Fitness Headband

Hey everyone...something fun for you to Win!

Many of my friends (both online and in person) will tell you, I'm a big cheerleader for whatever they do.  I love to support people in their adventures whether training for a race, starting their own business, or picking up a hobby.   This friend I’m about to share with you has recently started her own business, and it's soared fast with repeat business and referrals. 

She assists those needing a little extra style by helping them re-shop their closet and pairing new pieces with clothes you wouldn’t normally…stepping outside of your day to day comfort zone.  She doesn’t wish to change your style, she just helps you enhance it with accessories or a little pop of color.  She's become my personal stylist and I make her proud. He, He...

While working with her one day I told her she needed some sort of accessory to offer the customers when helping them {closet shop}…I thought of Scarves.  She had a sewing machine but didn’t know how to use it…she was in luck, I tell you, because I was about to take her on as my new student.

Below are a few images of her “work” and the items I wish to Giveaway to 1 lucky winner.

Here are the two {Fitness Headbands} she's created to share with one lucky winner.  Enter via the Rafflecopter app below....GOOD LUCK!

These headbands are lined with Velvet to create a nonslip grip.  They fit both little girls and big girls.

I own three (I'm wearing one right now) and if you've learned one thing about me, I LOVE the color GREEN so when she gave me this green with chocolate polka dots, I frowned like a little girl and said, "Wait, I want this one."  She assured me I can have my very own, in this style. :)  Happy Dance. 

{The Courtney Headband}

{ The Michelle Headband}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by and again, good luck!

        

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