Ballston Market - This Saturday!

I'll be there! Booth # 16
Everything has been so busy i haven't had a chance to even post about Crafty Bastards (it was AMAZING)... and now i'm posting about my last show in October... and for a while, really... until end of November!

Quick note about Crafty Bastards... I was so happy to see everyone come out. It was so amazing... so packed... and sold so many of my favorite pieces...not to mention most of my Vintage rehab peices.

So if you're coming out this Saturday and are looking for a particular piece... please CONTACT ME to make sure i have it... otherwise i can try to make it for you for this show.

So come out to visit for the last ballston craft show of the season. Right outside of the Ballston st. metro!

Hope to see you there!

VENDOR MAP

OOPS! This might be helpful for locating me and others at crafty bastards. I'm LUCKY 13!

check out the vendor map which you can also download and print.

2 more days...

...Until Crafty Bastards!
I've been designing and making like mad for the last 2 weeks. Completely new designs.... and some oldies but goodies. If you have any special requests let me know by Friday and I'll have it ready for you at the show.

Quick Sneak Peak:
I've had some fossil shark teeth custom designed and gold dipped to make these edgy neat necklaces on A row of fossil shark teeth on an elegant 14k G.F. chain or a single fossil shark tooth on a mix of oxidized sterling silver with 14k G.F. chain mingled with larger links.

SIGNATURE PIECES - birds , monkeys... and the "fox and the crow"- i haven't made this one since my first crafty bastards 3 years ago and I don't know why. I love Aesop's Fables.

A LITTLE SECRET-
Most of my items at shows are discounted up to 20% from my online prices . So if you want to get a deal try to come out to these fun events.

CROSS YOUR FINGERS - that it will not rain Saturday!

That's it... make sure you come out and enjoy the break dancing, all the cool hand made swag (possible ;) christmas gifts), food and craft making activities.

This Saturday, October 3, in Adams Morgan- 10am - 5pm.

Craftiest Bastard 2009

VOTE FOR ME!!! As Craftiest Bastard 2009 CLICK HERE!

Please share the link with your friends:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards/2009/craftiestbastard/?vendor_id=1538

ABOUT The Craftiest Bastard of 2009 Contest

Our friends at Urban Outfitters are excited to bring back the Craftiest Bastard contest. All Crafty Bastards craft vendors are eligible for the contest. The winner will be decided based on the number of votes cast online through Sunday October 4th and physical ballots received at the festival on Saturday, October 3rd.

The three vendors with the most votes cast in their favor will be awarded one of the following prizes:

Grand Prize: $500 gift certificate to Urban Outfitters + Winner Promotion in one City Paper 1/4 page print ad + 1 Crafty Bastards eblast

2nd Place: Washington City Paper advertising ($500 value)

3rd Place: Crafty Bastards prize pack filled with City Paper goodies

Crafty Bastards Vendor Gallery

It's up and i'm in it. ;)
There are so many cool vendors this year. Even though it's a month away i'm already starting to plan my set up and stock up on new designs..

Check out the gallery and some of the vendors. Click on the pics and you'll get to see more of what they will have to offer
at the 2009 Crafty Bastards fair October 3!

NEW in 2009:
1) B-boy battle goes all day from 10am-4pm! Hope to be able to catch some of these break dance battles... they are so amazing.
2) Food court and
3) ATM truck on the premises
NICE.
4) Make something Awesome area: visitors can come into this area and be crafty. Special projects will be ready for you to try out and take home. FUN!

So....SAVE THE DATE!
OCTOBER 3, 2009
Adams Morgan- Washington, D.C.

Save the DateS!

UPCOMING SHOWS - Hope to see you there!!!

September 12- Hampdenfest '09 in Baltimore, MD

October 3- Crafty Bastards - Washington, D.C.

Finally...

Back from some travels ... and with some great news! Just happens that a spot opened up for Crafty Bastards and I'm in! YAY!!! (snoopy dance)

That means ready to start crafting like a bastard. ;)

Also if you happen to be in San Antonion, Texas the month of September I'm showing a few of my photographs in their monthwide photo festival FotoSeptiembre.
I will be showing my photographs at Loft Studio with Juan I. Garcia, Marriana Urrutia, Raul & Claudia Garcia, Mark Forsyth, and Wiliam Gay. The opening reception is Thursday, September 4 from 6:30- 9:30 pm. Come join us for some drink and show.

Here's a Sneak Peak:

Craft Fairs

We just got back from a hot but fun day at the Crafty Bastards fair in Silver Spring Maryland... i went to check out the vendors and their set ups and get a couple of gifts...and yes stuff for myself.

I also recently went to a Crafty Bastards 101 discovery series where they gave out tips for those looking to become part of the craft fair experience... i thought i would share and get some thoughts..

1) Pick the right show for you....makes sense. Don't want to be selling to the wrong crowd.

2) Customer relations... basically smile and make friends. If they don't buy right then they will buy later... i've found this to be quite true.

3) Accept credit cards! SO TRUE.. most of my sales are CC. If you don't accept credit cards make sure you know where an atm machine is close by....to direct your customers.

4)Booth set up. ..this is one of the reasons why i went to check out the silverspring show. (see my pics for more examples of set ups) but basically be organized and neat... wear your own merchandise. Bring mirrors, apron, calculator, pens...

5)Have promo items... i found this tip especially interesting. Basically if you have a cool promo item that a customer is willing to keep and display, they're advertising for you for free... they're suggestions were postcards with and image of your product(s), stickers, pins,... also something i hadn't thought about before but makes a lot of sense.... have a pic of your stuff on your business card.. at the end of the day you may have a ton of cards you collected but can't quite remember what everyone did unless there's a pic or good description on your card.

6) email list sign up for those wanting to keep up with your sales and shows.

Also consider having items at all different price levels
have things at eye level....(added benefit is it keeps things out of reach from toddlers )

Anyways, i just applied to the crafty bastards show here in d.c....hope i get in. I'm really inspired by everyones really cute displays and wares! Hope everyone had a great weekend!
CHEERS!

Resources:
etsy.com
overnightprints.com
bannerstogo.com
stickergiant.com
stickerrobot.com
busybeaver.net .... i just ordered some pins from here... i can't wait to see how they turn out!