Working It Wednesday: Holiday Season Prep

This week I've been getting a jump on something that I completely missed the boat on last year. Holiday items. More specifically, the Nativity Story Stone Set that I make every year.

Last year, amidst moving to a new state and taking on the largest commissioned project I've ever had, I missed out on several chances to sell Nativity Story Stones. I had several people request them via Etsy and Facebook that I unfortunately, I had to decline simply based on the time I had available. I hate turning down any chance to create something for someone. So this year, I've decided to get a head start and I've been pre-making several Nativity sets. I know it's early in the season for holiday items but I really regretted not having them on hand, already made last year. I'll be selling them at all my Fall Craft Fairs as well as through my Etsy shop.

The Nativity sets are a favorite of mine. And a best seller in my shop. Since I began making them, several other Etsy shops have started making them too but I'm of course partial to my own style and design. They're simple and childlike. Bright and colorful. Perfect for those little ones with curious, need to touch everything hands. Definetly more durable than the porcelain set my mother had when I was growing up! If you want one of these sets for your little one (or just for yourself!) you can find them in my shop here: www.wishesandwonderment.etsy.com  or if you're local to Memphis, pick one up at one of the following Craft Fairs:

Bartlett Hills Baptist Church Fall Craft Fair 10/14-10/15
Bartlett UMC Fall Craft Fair 11/4-11/5
St. Louis Catholic Church Annual Holiday Craft Fair 11/19

Or, if you want to score one for free, follow me on Instagram (@wishesandwonderment) and watch for a giveaway coming soon!

Working It Wednesday: East Buntyn Artwalk

So I didn't post last week as I was heading out of town for the Guns N Roses (soon good by the way) concert in Las Vegas. We got back Monday evening and I've been in "let's get ready" mode, preparing for this weekend's East Buntyn Artwalk. From gathering everything together, to pricing it, to to planning out my displays, it seems as if there is a never ending list of things to do.
I am worried that I don't have enough inventory and so I've been working like a madwoman trying to create extra pieces. More paintings. More gift tags. Wine glasses. More of everything.

Today, I'm working on individual story stones. They're one of my best sellers at shows and I sold so many at the Beeline Bazaar last month that I just felt the need to make more. I sell them for $1 a piece and kids usually love them while any parent is happy to let their kid have a dollar. It adds up fast! And I never sell them individually in my Etsy shop so it's the only place you can buy them this way. 

I don't have much blogging time today so that's it for now but if you're local to Memphis, don't forget to come visit me on Saturday at the East Buntyn Artwalk! You can get all the event info here:
Www.eastbuntynartwalk.com

Hope to see you there!!!

Working It Wednesday: Vendor Events

This week instead of actually making some sort of art, I'm spending some time researching local festivals and events for 2016. I've done a few events in the past and have been successful at all of them but now that I'm living in a new area, I have to research new events to see which ones might be right for me.

Personally, I love an indoor event. It's cleaner, temperature controlled, no worry about rain, etc. So far, I've only found one upcoming indoor event and I immediately sent in my application. It's an annual event held by the Junior class at Hutchison School called Beeline Bazaar. It's being held on Saturday, March 19th from 10-4 and is free to the public. At this particular event, I will only be selling my story stones. All of my regular sets of themes will be available as well as single stones for creating your own mix and match variety set. You can read more about this annual event here:
www.hutchisonschool.org/beeline_bazaar

Outdoor events can be fun too so long as the weather isn't terrible. Some events offer rain dates while others have a rain or shine (read: no refunds) policy. Last year I lost money on an even that was "rain or shine" because it was raining cats and dogs complete with thunder and lightening so I opted not to attend even though I'd paid all my booth fees already. I have zero desire to stand in the rain and mud trying to keep my art dry while hoping someone will be crazy enough to come out and shop in the rain. No thank you. So, that said, I hold favor for events that offer rain dates. Through Facebook I found a local neighborhood event called the V and E Artwalk. It is outdoors but they have a rain date just in case so I feel like I have a safety net if needed. The event is being held Saturday, April 23rd from 11-6 and is free to the public. For this event I haven't fully decided what products I want to sell. I know I will have canvas paintings for sure and most likely I will also sell mix and match individual story stones. You can read more about this annual event here:
www.vandegreenline.org

My goal would be to find an average of 1 event per month that I could participate in. As I apply and get approval to participate, I'll be sure and post them to my Facebook page so anyone who is interested can stay in the loop. If you haven't yet "liked" my Wishes and Wonderment Facebook page, you can check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/wishesandwonderment

Working It Wednesday: New Themes for Story Stones

This week I'm working on some new themes for story stones. When I first began making them and selling them on Etsy there were very few others doing the same. Now, there are pages and pages of story stones for sale on Etsy. That's okay though. Different styles speak to different people so I welcome the company. That said, I always try to keep things fresh and new in my shop. I never get rid of my top sellers like the Nativity Sets or the Pirate Sets but I feel like it's a good thing to offer something that others aren't yet offering. Setting yourself apart is a huge help on Etsy when it comes to getting noticed amongst the masses.

This week, I've been working on a few new themes but my favorite of those is Weddings. When you're a little girl, you daydream about your wedding and if you're lucky, you get a chance to be a flower girl. I was a flower girl in my Aunt's wedding and felt like such a princess. Years later, at my own wedding, I had not one but rather 3 flower girls.

The youngest of my 3 flower girls, only 2 years old.

I was given a jewelry box as my flower girl gift and did the same for my own flower girls. But what if there was something more fun that a bride could give her little flower girl? What if there was something that she could play with? Enter my new set of story stones! This new set would be the perfect flower girl gift for all the upcoming June Brides and with advance notice they can be customized to match the look of the Bride's wedding and the Bridal party.

Wedding Story Stones in the making.

I haven't finished painting them so they aren't in my Etsy shop just yet, but soon they will be and you can check out the finished product or buy them here: www.wishesandwonderment.etsy.com