Monday, October 27, 2008

Getting ready for the Creative Boutique

Oh my goodness. I have been working my tail off for a few weeks now getting ready for a little show thing that I am bringing some of my hand crafted goodies to. I have worked a little bit each day and have almost managed to reach my goal. I wanted to bring a little bit of everything that I make. I have some holiday frames, some beaded silverware, and lots and lots of my soldered pendants. I managed to finish over 50 necklaces and Justin was wonderful in assisting me to come up with some amazing packaging for them. It looks all professional and stuff. I love it.

The show is in Eugene at a lady's house that I met about a month ago. She is really fun and her, Ali Edwards (a scrapbooking genius), and two other fun gals are putting on somewhat of a garage sale/craft show that they are lovingly referring to as the "Creative Boutique". I don't know how much traffic it will attract or anything, but it's just been so fun to have a reason to get my act together and get things made! I've also set up an etsy store. For those who don't know what "etsy" is... it's a wonderful website that is sortof like an ebay for hand crafted goods. There is no serious bidding like on ebay, but you can post all handcrafted goods on there and it is amazing. I have bought on there several times and have found out how fun it is to get handmade goods as well as give them. It just makes you feel good to hold something in my hands knowing that it was crafted without machines and has minor imperfections here and there. The site is www.etsy.com and you should really check it out if you haven't already. As for finding me on there... it's possible, but I don't really have anything on there yet. The ball has started to roll, but I need another few weeks to get it totally up and running. Right now I have one, yes one, frame on there. I'll be adding much much more soon. Oh... it feels so good to get going on things like this. It's inspiring and great for me to get out there and try to make this whole thing work for me. Those of you who know me will tell you that I have tried to make a business out of crafting, but honestly, I just can't find the time to make it work. This craft show has given me a reason to get my act together, and even if I don't sell a darn thing while I'm there, I'm just thrilled that I have stuff made up and ready to go. So check me out on etsy in the next few weeks... I'm looking forward to that first sale :). It's www.creativeleighchic.etsy.com YEA!

And now I have put off my crafting for long enough... it's back to work for me in the frame room for another hour or so before bed. Yikes...

5 comments:

ENDub said...

Reive, I love you and your crafts. That necklace is adorable, and I love the presentation of it. Kudos Justin! I'm excited that you're excited about taking your crafting to the next level. I LOVE etsy, but just never have as much time as I want to browse on there. I'll be browsing for you soon though. Love you Reivus Monkey!!

Erin said...

Sad to say that the Creative Boutique was somewhat of a bust for me. :( I'm not sure how much foot traffic they really had... I was not there... and most of what they had was simply crafting supplies rather than completed goods. Perhaps I misunderstood... or maybe it's just new. I'm hoping it's not that people didn't like what I made... it's just that the right people didn't get to see it... stay positive right?
I will still be posting everything that I made on etsy and I did manage to sell a bunch of things to Justin's mom before we left Eugene. (Yea for family and friends!) At least I can say that I tried... and there are a few people that I don't know roaming around with my necklaces on... just not as many as I'd hoped. Oh well, I'm staying positive and looking for a different place to sell. Now I have "stock" and can have some things ready to sell or ship out. That by itself is exciting for me. Not only do I work well under pressure... I pretty much ONLY work under pressure. If nothing else, this was the pressure I needed to get in gear and get some things done. So here's to a good personal experience... cheers... and goodnight... I'm still making up sleep. :)

Cassie said...

Hey Erin...it's Cassie, Shannon's friend here. Found you through Sarah Poyfair. Wow, I didn't know that you are crafting all that you are these days! That is great that you are going to do ETSY. My sis, Amber is possibly going to start selling some things, and I did a little in the past. Did I read you right... you're doing a botique with Ali E.?! I'm going to stick you on my blog: cbmccully.blogspot.com Take Care!

Gigi's Thimble said...

You're so talented Erin. I have one of your beautiful frames that Cassie gave me a year or two ago. I LOVE it. I saw your blog from Sarah Rader and thought I would come over and check you out. It's fun to see what you're up to these days. Love your pendants too! Good job!

Gigi's Thimble said...

You're so talented Erin. I have one of your beautiful frames that Cassie gave me a year or two ago. I LOVE it. I saw your blog from Sarah Rader and thought I would come over and check you out. It's fun to see what you're up to these days. Love your pendants too! Good job!