I'm so excited to announce (and a teeny bit nervous!) that I sent in the registration form for my first craft show- woo hoo! Squirmy Worm Studio will be at the Grace Harbor Church's 6th annual "Shop 'til You Drop" Christmas Boutique on Friday, November 12th from 3-8pm. I've been to plenty of craft shows, but as I mentioned this will be my first as a vendor, which is a huge leap of faith! My momma has graciously offered to help me man my booth, which is such a blessing as she definitely has the personality and accounting skills to make a successful vendor! Between now and November I plan to build my inventory as well as introduce new products. I'm hoping that crayon rolls, key/id badge fabric lanyards, and fabric flowers will appeal to the masses as well as the burlap coffee tote bags (that I'm still trying to figure out...darn burlap!). :)Also on my to-do-list is to make two cute and sassy vendor aprons for the event...one for me and one for my helper!
Before you go, I would be tickled pink if you would be willing to leave your craft show experience/tips/suggestions as a comment, so that I show up to the event with the knowledge of an experienced vendor! :)
I just got back from a quick trip to my home town of Bakersfield. We moved away 14 years ago, which I think technically makes Southern California my home town as I've lived here longer, but Bakersfield will always have a special place in my heart. It's weird to go back as so much has changed, yet our old house looks exactly the same (note to the new home owners...it's been 14 years and it needs to be painted!!!).We spent our day and a half in Bakersfield running around with my second mother (aka Madre Due), and I think we successfully hit all of my favorite hot spots, including Jake's Tex-Mex (delicious pit beef), Smith's Bakery (yummy [but pricey] cookies), Dewar's (one of a kind chews...a must have!), and Strawberry Patches (where I learned how to sew!).Now that I'm well fed, sugared up, and inspired by all of the beautiful fabrics and patterns at Strawberry Patches I need to get to sewing before my unemployment rendezvous comes to an end as I have a second interview on Monday! :)
For those of you who know me in real life, you know that I'm a thinker who is easily frightened by change and has a hard time making decision. Needless to say the day I lost my job my world was spinning! A short 3 months ago (a month and a half before I lost my job) I opened Squirmy Worm Studio- a place to sell handmade goodies, build friendships, and an avenue to spread handmade love. I have to say that although my business is still new, and a bit awkward at times, I am so thankful to have something to wake up to everyday (other than Live with Regis and Kelly!). ;)I moved all of my sewing paraphernalia over to my parent's house and when I'm not looking for employment opportunities, Stuart and I go over to my parent's house to work a half a day or so in my one person sweat shop. Last night I was over at my parent's house sewing when my Momma handed me The Handmade Marketplace, by Kari Chapin.
I opened the book and the very first sentence is "Why do you create?"...which got me thinking. Personally, I sew and craft because I love seeing what I can do with my hands. I would say that sewing helps me de-stress, but that would be a big fat lie as I'm always stressing about deadlines, fabric combinations, and slightly imperfect top-stitching, but that's who I am! I grew up in a crafty household as my Momma sews, cross stitches, and did her share of shrinky dinks and puff paint when they were the in style! My little sister was always working on something whether it was a sewing project or a polymer clay figurines. I guess you can say that crafting is in my gene pool!
Why do you create?P.S.- Keep an eye out as I'm adding a new product to my shop! I'm quite excited about the reveal! :)
