#57: Craft Show

Clockwise from top right: From Heather's Hands, Sincerely Stephanie, Kill Devil Skates and Of the Earth Body Care

We are down to just one Town Fair left for the 2014 season! Some adjustments were made to this year's programming, the biggest being the time. Recommendations were made from the merchants that the time be moved to later in the evening, which I totally agreed with and also that it should be on Friday nights. I think we were able to capture more of the leaving-work, happy hour crowd and play on the entertainment that the city books every weekend.

Top: Acara's Jewelry; Bottom Left: T&E Collar Shop; Bottom Right: Kado

We were able to gain more artists and involve the existing Town Center retailers for two "Fashion Friday" events. Each year we plan to introduce new and exciting attractions or ways to promote the participants. If you've ever been to a Town Fair, let me know your thoughts!

Clockwise from top right: Dockside Photography, Yoonique Designs, Sweet Indulgences by Tonja, Dwell Jewelry

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

#29: Craft Show

I loved this little lady (I'm guessing) her son. They looked through every quiet book on my table during my latest craft show, The Town Fair at Town Center. Her son would almost quiz her on how many sides a pentagon has or what animals they were looking at. There were a couple that stumped him so I had to jump in with the answer (it was a waffle in the breakfast book, of course!). The woman thanked me for allowing her to take a look and told me my work was beautiful. To me, the craft show was 100% worth it.

Number 29 is off the list! I'm participating in my third 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about the project here.

Recipe Cards Made into Gift Tags

I picked up a box of these 1970s recipe cards at an estate sale a month back. I sold a few of them as the plain recipe cards at Better Block, but knew that wasn't going to cut it going forward. The photos are great and the recipes themselves are hilarious, so I wanted to save as much of the card as I could. 

After many attempts I decided to add a little "to" and "from" tag, along with another contrasting tag for a little note (and of course my logo). They will be selling for $1 each and you'll find them online and at next month's Town Fair.

Monday Musebles

I kicked off the weekend with our Divaris Website Launch Party. Or, most commonly known to all the employees as jeans day and happy hour after work. I was pushing for the launch party, so this will have to do. We had our fair share of drinks and apps at Yardhouse to ring in the site - I promise you that!

The rest of the weekend was filled with rain (or threatening rain), crafts, art and large white tents. I hit up the Boissevain Bazaar on Saturday morning. What a great show! More than 10 local vendors showed up to display their goods in the parking lot behind With Lavender & Lace. I talked with Kelsie (owner of WL&L) and she is planning on doing more of these popup craft shows. Why not, right?

On my walk back I passed this tiny little house with a makeshift porch from old shutter doors. How cute is that? 

The second monthly Town Fair and Stockley Gardens proved to be.... meh.... just okay. The weather really wasn't on our side for the Town Fair. And the only thing I couldn't live without from Stockley was a bag of kettle corn.

Another dreary night from our friend's balcony at Shore Drive. I would really appreciate it if Mother Nature would give May a good talking to and bring on a proper Sunny Spring! Fingers crossed for next weekend!

Funky Cards for Everyone!

I have to admit, I'm kinda obsessed with these wedding and shower cards. Earlier in the Spring I was thinking how I wanted to do some really funky brides or "will you be my bridesmaid" cards, but wasn't sure where I was going to get my hands on the artwork. I bought a huge Butterick pattern book at an Estate Sale for $1 and lone behold, illustrations of funky brides! The paper and tatted flowers came from Michaels.

More illustrations from the pattern book made the sweet cards on the left and a book titled "The Wonderful Era of the Great Dance Bands" prompted a series of big band advertisement cards (the book is huge, so the series will be ever-lasting).

Lastly, I created mini cards. The paper bag and blue are my favorites (there are also white and purple :), it makes the artwork more prevalent. I was also able to use a lot of scraps I had already cut for these cards (I love when that happens). If you see something you like, better head over to the Town Fair tomorrow to pick them up!

Thifty Thursday

I know Mother's Day was just last weekend, but when you're designing crafts to be sold for specific holidays you always have to be thinking a few months in advance. Last month at the Town Fair I was showcasing some cards and jewelry for Moms. This months Town Fair (on May 18), I'll be encouraging Father's Day cards.

I found these vintage automobile and train books at the thrift for $5 total. "The Lore of Trains." What a great name! I'm excited to get these more manly cards underway this weekend. Don't forget to mark your calendar's for the May 18th Town Fair at Town Center.

May Town Fair

Saturday is this month's Town Fair at Town Center. This month will feature 30 local merchants with everything from fair trade to handmade, upcycled and home-baked goods (we were only at 15 vendors last month - what a great turnout for us!). The weather will definitely be warmer than last month's fair, we're just hoping the rain stays away. I'm also looking forward to this weekend's event because my Better Block partner John will be selling right next to me (just like the old days ;). The event begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m., come out and support the local, handmade marketplace!

First Town Fair

Next time I will have photos of the other merchants :)

Yesterday was the kickoff to the Town Fair handmade marketplace series at Town Center. Despite the chilly temperatures and wind, I think it was a success. We had 13 merchants and 3 Town Center businesses, which were scattered all around the Fountain Plaza and the three-hour time frame was perfect. Some applicants complained about the times not being long enough, but I feel we got the late lunch crowd, the people running errands in the middle of the day, and then the dinner crowd. We immediately had five people ask for applications for the rest of the dates and are still getting inquiries. Our original merchant cap was 30, but we may tip over that by the time the Summer is through!

The next Town Fair is Saturday, May 18 at 3 p.m. You can find us in the Fountain Plaza (in front of Bravo and Ruth's Chris) in Town Center, Virginia Beach.