Craft Fair Evaluation

This was me!!

Now for the sober part of my first craft fair - the evaluation.
Good things
Setting up the stall
Meeting the organiser and discussing future events
Meeting a varied collection of very nice fellow (!) crafts people

Bad things
Very quiet day in terms of customers (I know this as the others told me it was!)
Very few sales as a result
Cold in the barn!

Actions

• Expand my product lines - all of my products are gifts so I need to give the customers lots of choice.  I had already decided to do lavender bags and an autumnal wreath, but will add some knitted jewelry that I have already started working on, am thinking of trying some covered notebooks and will expand the smaller purse range.
• Improve presentation - so that there are lots of bits and pieces in various places.  Have found some old planks of wood in our garden that I am going to turn into a stand by nailing together, sanding and painting.
• There is very little I can do about footfall, the next fair I am hopefully, attending will be at the same place in about a month, but in a different location on the farm.  It will also be in the summer holidays so I need to make sure I have lots of things that appeal to children (and mums and grandparents!)
• Take a cardigan!

I will be linking to KCCO again this week, pop over for more crafty blogs.

Year of Projects - Round up of the year

Well here it is - the last post of the year!  

When I look back, I can't believe how much progress I have made this year, although it bears little resemblance to the original list.

The first thing I have gained from this year is inspiration from an amazing group who do amazing things and make me want to improve my skills and ambitions.

The second thing I have learned about the process is that I should structure my list differently.  I should have listened to the last posts of last year to tell me that, but I think I had to find it out for myself, being a novice knitter.

Of these points the first impacts on todays post and the second impacts on next weeks!

So - this year - I will summarise the list in a mo, but most importantly, what have I gained from the inspiring people in this group?  I have opened a shop and am doing my first craft fair TODAY!!  Ahh - wish me luck.

I will report on how that went tomorrow.
Here is my 'pretend' table!

And now to the list - I have put photos of some of the FO's on the YOP 2013 page.

Firstly, gifts for Christmas

For Daniel and Lily - a bag for Lily and will knit Daniel an elephant later in the year

For the sisters in law - wristwarmers - finished 14/08/13 

For my mum and brother - pot covers and mug hug - another change of plan - scarf for mm and gardening things for my brother

For Thomas and Luke - crocodile scarf  - finished 20/12/13

For my mum and mil - dishcloths and bag - finished 01/12/13

This part went very well - a few changes of heart but all in all well, and added a pair of socks for my SIL.

Then, there's all the projects just for me

Finish tote bag  - hurrah - finished 04/07

Hat for me - finished 09/08/13

Socks for me - definitely using my A Stash Addict yarn - no I used it for Miss Winkle (I have new yarn for socks!!)

Placemats - in time for Christmas I hope! - next Christmas!!

Scarf for the husband - for dad finished 

Shawl for me - Dragonfly wings by Boo knits - will be my next project - finished 14/07

Winter hats for the boys

Again this section went well apart form the socks and placemats (these may appear again this next year!!), however, I finished this up quite quickly and other projects came along that weren't on the list at all.
Additions!  I gave up adding to this part as in the end I felt it was a little like cheating!

Little Gradient for Thomas - Finished

Hexipuffs - more made

Bonnet for SCBU - finished 14/08/13

Vanilla socks as first sock project - yarn bought from Mellifera yarns

MKAL  with One skein - scarflette - finished 26/07/13

MKAL with Boo Knits - Morticia - start 01/10/13 - finished 01/11/13

MKAL with Amy Miller group - start 01/09/13 - completed 2 cowls - 2 more to go

September MKAL with One Skein - nearly finished - changed into scarf and finished

Poncho - Lemonade from lemons -Linda Blakeley - finished 10/01/14

Learn to crochet - Yes!!

Willow boot socks - possible Xmas gift for SIL - finished 25/12/13

Sewing - make myself a project bag - Made 2 and a tote bag and some pj's

So there it is - most projects are finished but there are lots of things not on there - nothing for the stall or shop for instance, and my latest projects are not on there.  I think I have learnt a lot from the whole process, from organising, techniques and inspiration. 

All in all I feel I have had a very successful year but not so much in terms of completing my list.  My list next week will be slightly different in structure as a result.

I hope everyone has a great week and I can't wait to see everyone's round up.

If you want to see more, then have a look at the Year of Projects group on Ravelry.  Even better, if you fancy joining in, now is the time to do it!

Craft Fair Preparation

About a year ago I decided to join a group called A Year of Projects on Ravelry.  Through this group I have organised my knitting, improved my blogging skills and been inspired by their endevours.
One of which was that I could sell my knitted items.
I love knitting large, garment type items for myself and using reasonably expensive yarn.  However, I love the quick satisfaction that comes with accessory knitting and if I could sell it make some money for the expensive yarn!!

Lo and behold the idea was born for aknitandacake.

I decided to specialise in purses and here was the first

Not brilliant, but I persevered and here are the latest

I then signed up to some craft fairs - my first at a place called Tulleys Farm near where I live on the 29th June and then at the civic hall in Crawley on the 5th July.  Here is my mock table to make sure it looks ok!

Since signing up in February I have:

• Knitted enough stock to stock a stall
• insured my business for £1m
• registered as a business
• set up as a business on Etsy
• set up a new E-Mail account for the business
• produced business cards and postcards
• produced a newsletter
• purchased bags and packaging materials
• made myself a money belt

and I am sure much more!!  All of this was actually very easy with the use of the internet - registering as a business online was easy and took about 5 mins and setting up the shop was equally as easy but took a little longer.  

So this is the start of the next part of the journey - I have set everything up - now to put it into action.  I will report back next Monday on my first one.

Wish me luck!

Linking up with KCCO for this one.