ICE Atlanta: Our Booth!

Here are the booth pictures, as promised! They are a mix of photographs that Jenny and I took as well as some from Leah&Mark.com.

We worked really hard on creating a booth that would match our jewelry and aesthetic. Our idea was based around the thought of stumbling upon these sweet little handmades in the woods, so we utilized both fake and real tree stumps, as well as branches, to display our pieces.

My father-in-law was SO kind to help and teach me how to build our beautiful sign. Most of the other decorations for our display were inexpensive to buy or were recycled from things we had//found.

Things I Learned from our First Show:

1. Before you go to your show, pack all of your stuff in the most organized and condensed fashion you can. This will really help with load-in and load-out.

2. Bring snacks and water!! -- When you get busy, busy, busy you forget to eat and drink, then all of a sudden, you feel starved. Having snacks and water close by kept our energy up!

3. Accept more than just cash. We had a Square account that we ran on our cell phones and it really helped with sales. Check out Square for yourself! It's a free app and connector. You are just charged a small fee per swipe.  

4. Display your product in an organized and viewable way. This will especially help if you have a themed or busier display. 

5. Network! Take time to meet other vendors, ask about their experiences, connect with them via social networks, and make good contacts and potential friends!

6. Take lots of pictures! -- This was a great memory and I'm glad I took the time to capture it. It will be great for future shows to look back and see how we displayed our product and set everything up. :) 

I'm so glad I got to share a little bit of this process and journey with you! -- AND I am so thrilled that I got to meet some amazing readers. You all made my day. :)

PS -- I forgot to mention that I dyed my hair! I'm working it in stages toward a lighter color and I didn't intend for it to turn out reddish, but for some reason, my hair is always trying to be red! 

Just a little peek!

Our first day of ICEAtlanta was today! Jenny and I got up bright and early, coffee at hand, to set up our little booth. It was the best feeling to see the hard work and our labor of love all come together beautifully. I have much more to share, as well as some pretty detailed shots of our booth, and a few "what I wore" for the craft fair posts! But for now, here's a little peek:

I had the pleasure of meeting some blog readers and wanted to send out a huge THANK YOU for stopping by and supporting MaieDae. It was so great to meet you. :) Cheers to a successful day and another full day tomorrow!

Last Minute Details

Just TWO days until ICEAtlanta! -- Jenny and I have been working non-stop and we've completed our products, designed our display, and now for all the last minute details.

E.E. Cummings Inspired Glass Necklaces

Kaito looks like he's being helpful, but he's really just wanting me to let him out on the patio.

Here is our remaining To-Do list:
* Test out Square program to run cards
* Make small signs for table
* Finish up a few more remaining jewelry pieces
* Potentially photograph a couple products?
* Print newsletter sign-up sheet and bag inserts
* Pack everything up nice and neat!
* Put together fair essentials kit
* Pick up van, table, & our beloved MaieDae sign
* Spray paint mirror
* Maybe put together a little pizazz for the front of our table?
* Get change from the bank
* Buy snacks!
* Put together an inventory & pricing list
* Plan outfits!

Our load-in time for the show is at 8:00am Saturday morning, so we need to make sure everything is ready to go Friday. I've been working on compiling a "Craft Fair Essentials" kit to make sure we're not without anything we might really need!

Our kit will include:
* Cell phones & charger
* Extra Cash & Cash box
* Inventory List
* Our Square credit card runner
* All kinds of tape (scotch, duck tape, & floral tape for packaging)
* Business Cards
* Scissors, pens, pencils, highlighter, notepad
* Small nails, hammer, nail punch, staple gun
* Our packaging bags
* Calculator
* Clipboard
* Camera
* Lunch, Snacks, & Candy!
* Plastic bags
* Tissues, lip balm, sanitizer
* Craft fair directions & important info
* Dust pan

I think we've covered everything -- I think. Do you have any tips on important things to bring to a craft show??

Have I mentioned that I'm really excited? I'm REALLY excited!! I can't wait to set up our booth on Saturday morning, stand there along with all the other amazing vendors...and then wait for the doors to open! OMygahhh! We will be taking lots of pictures! So be on the lookout!

Prepping for the Show

It's only 8 days until ICEatlanta! Jenny and I have been spending the last week prepping our display, making products, running through lists, and getting super excited about our first official handmade show. We've revived some current MaieDae products for the show and spent time making some brand new pieces. I'm anxious to see how the ICE audience reacts to our merchandise.

I wanted to share a couple shots from the studio and give you a peek at some of the things we've been working on!

There will be feathers!

Our bags with our new custom stamp via Kozue & pretty fabric tape!

Vintage fabrics for some new menswear products!

Sweet little kitty feet.

Handy dandy basket o' fabric.

Sewing pretty with Hello Kitty!

One of our new products! Vintage coin rings. :)

Fabrics for our display.

Kaito helps adjust the products.

Things I've Learned Prepping for a Craft Show:
1. Pace yourself: focus on one thing at a time when making products and set small goals throughout the day. Also, it never hurts to reward yourself every now and then for finishing a set of products! We've become regulars at Starbucks. ;)
2. Keep a running list of things you need to bring to the fair. (tape, cash box, hammer, phone charger etc.) Especially if you're traveling a distance, you don't want to be without an important necessity!
3. Make sure you know your space dimensions so that you can set up a "mock" booth to get an idea about how you will display your products and what you still might need to purchase. Take photos of your mock booth so on the day of the show you already know where everything goes.
4. Budget! You definitely want to turn in a profit rather than cross your fingers in hopes of coming even with your supply and entry costs. Pre-plan what products you'll sell, your display ideas, and set a supply budget ahead of time.

Have any tips for prepping for a craft show? Feel free to share below!

Reunited & It Feels So Good!

My bestest-college-buddies-ever are coming over to my little place this weekend! One of them I do not get to see but every few weeks and the other is currently living in Texas, so it has been three-way-too-long-months.

This weekend is going to be great because, not only do I get to hang out with these beauties:

BUT we are taking a fancy little trip (OK like 25 minutes) to the ATL for the Indie Craft Experience!

 

I cannot wait! I will update you on my "experience" soon.