PVC Pipe Handbag Display Tutorial

Weeks and days leading up to my first Craft Show I agonized about how I was going to display the Coffee Burlap Tote Bags, as I wanted them off of the table as they would have taken up WAY too much real estate on the table! :) I looked online for inspiration and came up empty handed, so I sat down with a sketch pad and pencil and came up with a PVC Pipe Handbag Display, and would love to show you how I went about constructing my contraption!

This is the sketch I started with (no laughing please...I never dreamed of making this sketch public, but thought it was a must with this tutorial!!!).


The shopping list for this tutorial is quite simple:

• Terra Cotta Pot (I washed up a pot that I found in the garden= free!)
• Plaster of Paris (I bought my bucket at Michael's with a 50% off coupon- score!)
• 3/4" PVC Pipe (I bought the 10' pipe at Lowe's for only $1.68, as it was much cheaper than buying the pre-cut 2' pipes!)
• 3/4" PVC End Caps (3)
• 3/4" PVC Tees (3)
• Spray Paint

I started out by cutting two 16" arms (+/-), one 30" vertical support, 6" vertical separation (between arm #1 and #2), and a 4" vertical top piece. Please note that all measurements are approximate and can be altered to meet your needs!

After I cut the pieces I started assembling the contraption. Just remember that every arm needs a Tee fitting as well as an End Cap, and the top of the contraption needs to be finished off with an End Cap. :) I suggest the contraption is spray painted at this point in the process, and any required touch-ups to be completed after the Plaster of Paris is set.

In addition, I cut four spare pieces to anchor my vertical support piece. The spare pieces were 100% trial and error (see photo below). My goal was to provide extra support at the bottom of the contraption so that I did not have to hold the vertical piece while the Plaster of Paris set and hardened.

After the contraption is assembled and nestled into the pot, I lined the pot with plastic (to cover the hole at the bottom of the pot!) and prepared the Plaster of Paris. I do have to caution you that my pot did crack a bit as the Plaster of Paris expands as it hardens, however I positioned the pot so that the crack was in the back and no one (except me!) noticed! :)

The completed PVC Pipe Handbag Display...painted and ready to go!

My First Craft Show Experience...

I'm happy to report that I survived my first Craft Show experience...woo hoo! The Craft Show was a small venue, with only a few handmade vendors, thus more of a Holiday Boutique, but nonetheless I enjoyed myself and everyone enjoyed my Coffee Burlap Tote Bags- score! :)

The Vendor Aprons worked like a charm! :)

Before leaving the house I organized all of my merchandise and put them into baskets, thus we had a quick (and painless) setup!


I had agonized about how I was going to display the Coffee Burlap Tote Bags for weeks before the Show, and unfortunately came up empty handed after searching on the internet for ideas/tutorials. I sat down with a sketch pad and pencil and came up with the PVC contraption shown below...which worked like a charm! I'll post a mini tutorial on how to make a handbag display piece on Tuesday! :)

So Close, Yet So Much To Do!

It's officially Tuesday, and the Craft Show is Friday afternoon- yikes! If you're local and are thinking about stopping by (yeah!), all of the details are provided below...


I feel as though I have completed much of the required preparation, yet my to-do list is still intense! The sewing portion is almost complete as I worked on seven Coffee Burlap Tote Bags yesterday, which need to be top-stitched, and then they are ready to make their debut at the Craft Show! :)


In addition to completing the Coffee Burlap Tote Bags, I need to:

• Complete my table set up (we did a trial run last weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised that I had much more product on the table than I had anticipated!).
• Coffee Burlap Tote Bag display (this is probably the biggest item on my to-do list!!!). I sketched up a PVC pipe display to place on my table where the Tote Bags would hang at eye level. With time not on my side, I need to decide today whether or not I'm going to make a display or place the Tote Bags in a basket on the table....ahhhh decisions! ;)
  
• Price tags (we'll be making cute worm tags, with the Cricut machine, to attach to all of the baskets on the table that will have the price and info about the product).
• Cut out fabric 'Squirmy Worm' letters to temporarily adhere to the fall bunting I received at the Craft Swap (I plan to hang the banner at the front of my table).
• Print Squirmy Worm Studio stickers to adhere to the brown kraft bags I picked up for all purchases.
• Swing by the bank for change, etc.
  
• If time permits, I hope to make a few more of the Appliqued Zippered Pouches...
  

Travel Jewelry Rolls and Thread Catchers!

After countless hours in the studio, I'm so happy to introduce my {completed!} Travel Jewelry Rolls and Thread Catchers! :)

The Travel Jewelry Rolls consist of two zippered compartments, a ring holder, and two velcro compartments. All Rolls were made with love, and I hope they will be loved and used by women everywhere!

The Thread Catchers (which also double as Scrap Bags for Scrapbookers and Crafters!) consist of a weighted bag with non-slip grip, thus it will sit on any table, and a generous trash bag for your favorite seamstress/crafter!

With the Craft Show being less than two weeks away (eeks!), I've been sewing day and night (well, not technically, but it sounds good!) preparing products. Have you been keeping an eye on my inventory count (right hand sidebar, at the top)? As of last night I only have 13 more items to complete to make my goal, although between you and me I'm hoping to exceed my goal! :)

Will You Hold Me Accountable?

I added a little countdown to my sidebar, right at the top...see it? It's my {insane} inventory goal for my first ever Christmas Boutique / Craft Show. I also have a working Excel spreadsheet to keep me motivated and my Momma has been kind enough to step up and be my inventory manager. With my goal and determination, my Momma's managerial skills, and your encouragement I should not have any problem reaching (and maybe?) exceeding my inventory goal.

I'll update the countdown in my sidebar as soon as I successfully complete additional inventory...keep an eye on it as it should provide you with a laugh or two! ;)

Craft Vendor Aprons!

If you're looking for the Crayon Roll giveaway...click here (ends September 12th!).

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day! Mr. D and I stayed home and did a lot of relaxing! I've always enjoyed summer (and a bit sad that it's over), but I have to say that Fall is my favorite season...have I mentioned how thankful I am for the cooler temperatures the past couple of days??? :)

I had a quick little chat with my sister today about November's craft show, which calmed a lot of my nerves (regarding- what to sell and how to setup my booth). In preparation of the craft show I found these cute orange and green fabrics (which match the colors of my shop!) yesterday and plan to make two craft vendor aprons, one for me and one for my helper (aka my momma).


I'll definitely post a photo upon completion, but in case you're interested in making one of your own:

• Trim and sew two fat quarters with right sides together (making sure to leave a hole for turning).
• Flip inside out and fold up the bottom 6" or so to form the pocket.
• Sew vertically along the large pocket to make smaller pockets (think about the size of dollar bills, receipt book, pens, business cards, etc.).
• Top stitch (my favorite) the apron and sew a piece of large ribbon along the top of the apron to form the ties. Simple enough- right? :)

"Shop 'til You Drop" Christmas Boutique!

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!

Source

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! :)