Lighthouse Craft Show

Imagine being able to do a craft show at the foot of this wonderful lighthouse at Presque Isle, Michigan.

As you stand and look up at it, it seems so tall.

You look the other way and you see you are standing on the shores of Lake Huron.

Who could ask for a more beautiful park to do a craft show in.

The other vendors have such wonderful crafts in their booths that you can't resist shopping.

As you can see from the sky, it rained and rained and rained and we went home early.

In spite of the rain we were amazed at how many customers came with their umbrella shopping and looking.

All of us local crafters would have been glad to have you stop by and climb the lighthouse and check out our booths.

In case you did not make the show you can stop by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/straycatfarm

and

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherylnchains

We are looking forward to our next show and really hoping for a little sunshine next time.

How are the shows doing for you this year?

Farm life

I think I am really lucky to be able to live in the country. Don't have a big cattle ranch or dairy farm, just a small piece of land to grow a garden and enjoy the outdoors.
Not everyone will agree with me and some of you enjoy the city life with the restaurants and activities.
Isn't it great that we have all the different options so we can choose the one we like best.
The picture is one of my strawberry plants in blossom. Can't wait for the berries to ripen and eat. Many never get to the house as we snack right in the garden on the fresh berries.
We can pick the apples off the trees and eat the fresh tomatoes right off the plants.
It is peaceful to just take a break and walk around for a few minutes or picnic in the yard.
There is so much in the country to inspire crafters but now we need to get inside and actually make some new things.
Anyone else enjoy the country life too or are you a city person?
The most important thing is we are happy where we are.

Blackberrybarn and Christmas

I love Christmas and wish it lasted all year long. Actually I sometimes forget to take down all the trimmings and leave some up all year.

We had opened blackberrybarn to sell of all of those craft supplies you get and never use and take up room in the craft room. Thanks to all of you who purchased the items that sold, but now are store is looking kind of empty and needed to come up with something to fill it.

We already have our http://www.etsy.com/shop/straycatfarm

store where we sell our crocheted top towels and tried and tried to think up something new.

Then we realized if we want to do Christmas all year why not open a Christmas Etsy store to do it. That lets us make Christmas items all year and sell them so we did

http://www.etsy.com/shop/blackberrybarn

I know that there are lots of you that love Christmas also.

We only have a few items in there right now but stop by and watch us grow.

Joining products with other shops

Sometimes products from two Etsy shops just

seem to go together.

Check out this great basket from

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherylnchains.

We can add one of my towels from

http://www.etsy.com/shop/straycatfarm

to one of Cheryl's baskets and offer you a matching combo deal

She can paint the basket with a matching pattern to the towel you chose.

These would brighten any kitchen, add a little country look to the cabin and they would make a great gift.

Stop by and see the choices we offer.

Memo Boards

We had a lot of fun making these memo boards and the best part was chosing the fabric, ribbon and buttons.

There are so many occasions we wanted to make them for like birthdays, holidays and weddings.

Because it is spring and time to spring clean the shop, we are putting our memo boards on sale this week.

Stop by our Artfire and Etsy store for the sale price. At the moment we have more choices on Artfire then on Etsy.

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&sc_id=106500&seller_id=78243&op=new

or

http://www.etsy.com/shop/straycatfarm?section_id=7261065

Stop by and give us some suggestions on what style boards you think we need to make next.

Have a great day

Michigan Trolls

We have a great Etsy team, here in Michigan and it is called the Michigan Trolls. It is called the troll because we live under the bridge. What bridge you ask.
Michigan has a great bridge that spans the upper and lower pennisula. Those of us trolls live in the lower pennisula of Michigan.
They are a team of very talented artists and they create many wonderful products.
You can see some of the talent in their treasuries that they make
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db07986b0038eef3c99a388/tree-huggers-delight
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dadab68b4a58eefd06f19e1/something-new-for-spring
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4da09af6617e8eefd24068f9/easter-basket.
As you can see we have a lot of craftyness going on in our state.
Stop by and check out some of our teams stores and say hi.

A New Basket

Don't you just love this cute little garden basket? I do too.

It is handmade by the very talented Cherlnchains and we have talked about her baskets before but now I have one of my own.

Would it not be perfect for so many things like gardening. I think I shall put the seeds I have already bought in there for safe keeping for now.

She makes so many useful and decorative baskets that you have to stop by her shops and see them yourself.

http://www.artfire.com/users/northernpinestudio

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherylnchains

After you have had a chance to stop by and check out her baskets, let us know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by.

Summer Craft Show Season

Most of us are pretty tired of winter by now and anxious to get out there and do those craft shows.

We spent part of winter searching the internet to find just the right show. Found some interest shows, some new and some old, talked with friends and asked them what shows they like, and now it is time to order those applications.

I like to do one big show a month during the summer but also like to throw in some small ones because they are usually fun working with just the local crafters.

Of course, you do make more money, hopefully, at the bigger juried shows who advertise well and draw in the big crowds.

We start thinking about a change in display, perhaps new table covers to brighten things up. make sure we have enough business cards on hand, perhaps make up some fliers with our shop names on them.

We have already inventoried our stock as we are selling a lot of it online also. I always ask myself, should I inactivate the items I am taking to a show or just take a chance they won't sell while at the show. Not being a big risk taker, I tend to inactivate those products just to be safe and so I won't have to tell someone, sorry it is already sold.

Towels are my big seller at shows and often have repeat customers from year to year. That makes you feel good when someone says I buy from you every year.

Now I have to go searching stores and internet stores to find the best towels at the best prices and start crocheting even faster.

How many of you are getting excited about the upcomming show season.

If you like the towel pictured here you can find it in my Artfire store.

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=3004044

Never hurts to advertise a little for yourself.

Baskets

Do you love baskets as much as I do. They not only decorate your home but have so many useful purposes.

These are some really awesome handmade baskets made by a very talented artist on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherylnchains

You can stop by here shop and you will see they are not only well made by hand but very affordable.

Think of the great gift ideas that you could use these for either alone or filled with goodies for someone special.

Stop by at her shop, take a look, and let me know what you think

Promoting

All of us are looking for the perfect place to advertise that will bring us lots of sales and cost almost nothing. When you find it let me know.

In the meantime, I do twitter and not sure that it works but it is fun and easy and I enjoy reading other peoples tweets.

Heard that having an account at squidoo helps so I am trying that.

Do have a facebook fan page but not sure I am really using it for its full value.

Can't afford newspaper ads but wonder if they really work.

We do lots of craft shows every year and while I sell tons at the shows, it does not seem to draw people to Etsy or Artfire or my website by handing out business cards.

I am not giving up and going to keep looking for the perfect idea.

Any one have any new and creative suggestions that we all can use.

By the way if you like the towel stop by my store at Etsy or Artfire

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2861765

Cats and Valentines

We love our cats and dogs as part of the family so why not let them be part of our Valentines decorations.

I have two cute cat Valentines towels for sale in my Etsy and Artfire store.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67456354/youre-purrrfect-double-crochet-top-towel

and

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2802007

What have you got with cats and dogs or other pets on for Valentines day?

Domino Coasters

Yes, I know I have not been doing a good job of blogging but here I am today.

The idea of recycling and upcycling has appealed to me and I am trying new projects.

These Dominoes coasters are the newest in my craft projects. Love the white dominoes look but going to try the black dominos also.

If you want to read more about them you can find them at

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66664614/domino-coasters and

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2791852

What are your new recycling craft items you have made?