craft show alert: Seattle's 31st Annual Winter Festival this weekend

This is to be a busy week coming off of a busy weekend. Posts will be sparse this week. I do want to mention that I'll be an exhibitor again at this year's Winter Festival. It's a big craft show weekend in Seattle so I recommend you take a day and make the rounds. And if you come by WinterFest, do say hello.

upcoming show

Nov. 19, 11-4:00 here in Seattle. More info to come...

easing back in... post-show update

So the big show went off last weekend. It was fun, exhausting and a great opportunity to make new friends. Can you believe I didn't even bring my camera?! I did at least snap a couple booth shots with my phone and a couple of shots of kids in my dresses. Wish I had made photos (with a good camera) a priority, but I've been pretty darned busy of late and photos were not of highest priority. Next show, I'll do better about that.

Now I'm trying to prepare for an upcoming Poppytalk market, keep the kids reasonably engaged and get ready for our annual vacation with close friends. I'm ready for some serious relaxation... well, as close as one can get to that with spirited kids in the mix.

show prep begins

I'm slowly getting into the proper mindset to prepare for a show in February. Preparation has been happening, but I'm certainly far from overdrive. I don't sell sachets in my shop, but they were well received sold in pairs at my last (which was also my first) show in December. I like to give them as gifts as well. A perpetually sore wrist is making carving into wood a poor idea, but I am able to carve into soft-cut or lino. I made a new print in tribute to our trailer, Vera, and another, an origami crane, that I love printed in persimmon ink.

I fill my sachets with buckwheat hulls (for that satisfying bean bag crunch), lavender and chamomile. Straight lavender is usually strong for me. Tempered with chamomile - I like. Last summer I made some simple muslin tea bags filled with about 2 parts chamomile to 1 part lavender. Yum! Dried orange peel works well too.

Here's a first little taste of show goodies...

My husband commented that trailer geeks will be distracted by the lack of a door on Vera. I told him that I think they're smart enough to figure out the door is on the other side. ;)

The show was a success

I had hoped to post a detailed description of my first craft show experience, but as is the case for most of us, time is apparently not on my side right now. Thus, the short version.

I am pleased to say that spending two days at the 30th Annual Winter Festival & Craft Show, here in Seattle, was a joy. People were lovely and so generous with their compliments. It was wonderful to finally get to meet with a large group of people in one setting and hear all of their feedback on my products. I was lucky to sell a bit of everything and spend the time in the company of talented artisans with the most pleasant of personalities. With a little luck, I'll get to exhibit next year at the 31st annual event. Overall, the show was good for the soul, I met several people I'm happy to know and hope to see again, and it was a successful sales experience to boot. I met a lovely women at the show who felt that my wares were well-suited for a show she is organizing to be held at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. Turns out I had encountered her online. That show will happen in mid-February. More on this new development later...

Although I wasn't able to run around and visit the work of other vendors outside of my room at the show, I did buy the most perfect wool felted handbag from my neighbor Kim of Kim's Woolies in Pt. Townsend. Also picked up a sweet little accordion style papercut book made by Karin Chickadel. I love paper-cuts and Karin's creations are no exception. You can find her here. In the future, I would definitely try to arrange a time for me to shop the show myself. Leaving my booth simply wasn't an option.

Lastly, I did use my Square mobile payment system at the show. Will post on that next.

made by Kim

My youngest sporting my latest jumper and the bag she covets

made by Karin

Winter Festival & Craft Show

Saturday and Sunday I'll be among the 115-120 vendors exhibiting at the 30th Annual Winter Festival & Craft Show here in Seattle. Last year, I attended this event and the other big craft show in town which always takes place on the same weekend. Makes for a fun outing to attend both, but as a vendor (and my first show) I decided I should apply for only one of the two this year.

I chose the Winter Festival & Craft Show for a number of reasons. This annual event is run by the Phinney Neighborhood Association which offers a broad variety of programs, events and classes with an emphasis on programs for children, families and education. The main building (where you'll find me, on the main floor) was formerly a school, opened in 1904. Definitely offers plenty of old world charm. The lower brick building was also formerly a school, opened in 1917.

I was so pleased to have been accepted. Now, just a little anxious as I haven't much idea what to expect in terms of sales. Come Sunday night, a lot of questions will have been answered. Please do say hello if you're in the area. Should be a lovely weather weekend for doing the craft rounds.

My Etsy shop will be officially on vacation mode until Sunday night or Monday morning.