Hello Friends!
I am so happy to be coming to you this afternoon via
my blog. My blog … it has been longer
than I remembered since I last posted. I
am sorry it has been so long but that means I have more to fill you in on,
right? :D
Let’s see, the last time I wrote in we were in the
middle of that awful New Orleans Saint season.
What can I say except that I am glad that is over? As we Saints fans like to say, “There is
always next year.”
We were also in the middle of the fall craft show
season. At Custom Coasters by Cindy, we
had some good shows. Of course, we had a
good turnout at Southdown Marketplace here in Houma. I believe that was our best show yet.
Shadows on the Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana was a
great show as well. I got to see an old
friend from childhood. It was great to
reconnect and hopefully we can get together soon. Between work for both of us and distance, it
will be a challenge but it would be worth it.
Of course, not all craft shows go off without a
hitch. We had one that got off to a
rocky start. Let me back up a minute and
give a brief history. Back in the summer
when we were on hiatus from craft shows for the season, we had reworked our
booth. We obtained totally new
“fixtures” for out booth. We put together
a pipe and drape system that we can use for our booth with our without the
tent. Our fixtures include floor length
black professional table covers and honey colored 6-foot drapes. Dh is so handy and got this design thing down
in a heartbeat. Of course, I picked the
colors. A girl’s gotta have her part in
the decorating, right?
So we go with our new set up to our fall shows. We got really great reviews from customers,
family and friends alike. Our confidence
is riding high. Then we show up at “Show
X” and begin setting up. After we put up
our pipe and drape and began setting up tables and merchandise, the show
organizer came over to our booth. She
asked us to removed our pipe and drape system.
I let her know that the rules and guidelines did not address this and
that it was not prohibited. Long story
short, we removed part of it but not all.
When other artists and crafters at Show X realized we had removed part
of our set up, they asked why? When we
told them, everyone to a person was shocked and appalled that we were asked to
do this.
So why am I writing all this? For most people attending craft shows as a
shopper, you have no idea the heart, work, and sweat that go into just getting
into a show, then to get set up. I know
I had no idea. As a shopper, it was all
about the fun and seeing new cute things to buy. Many artists get up before dawn and/or drive
in the day before an event. Then he or
she spends 2+ hours setting up for the event before the public is allowed to
enter. At some shows each vendor’s booth
must be inspected by the organizer to know their products match what is on the
application for the show. Then tear down
starts as soon as the show closes and can go on for 2-3 hours. After tear down comes the commute home.
When you go to a show and see a product you really
like, or even a booth that you like, please let the artist or crafter
know. It can really make his or her
day. Even if you cannot buy from them,
the positive encouragement goes a long way.
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At this year’s shows, we were able to reconnect with
many “roadie friends” who have booths at many of the same shows. There are a few that live close enough that
we get to see them in between. I have a
roadie friend who I keep in contact with by phone. We may not talk every week, sometimes weeks
may go by in between calls. However,
when we get on the phone, it is as if no time has passed and we just pick up
where we left off. Hey Flo! if you are
reading this!!!!
During Black Friday weekend, I did something for the
first time. I had my 1st
Annual Trunk Sale! I did really well,
especially since I did little advertising, had no booth fees or travel expenses,
and got to see some friends over that weekend in my home. Therefore, this will become an annual event,
and admission will remain free to those who want to attend. As time gets closer, I will announce the next
one here. The announcement will probably
come out in late October or early November.
December brought good sales for Christmas
gifts. There were a couple of people who
bought during my Trunk Sale that came back and bought later in December. Repeat customers are always good. Late December slowed some and that was good
because we were able to concentrate on the real reason for Christmas,
Jesus. Our family had a quiet day
together and it was just what we needed.
January brought some new ideas and we are proud to
say we have gotten off to a good start.
The first idea came from my husband.
I had always said I would never, ever, ever have an Etsy shop. I seemed to me there is no way to get
noticed, there are gazillion artists competing for a limited number of sales
and some will underprice their art or crafts just to get sales.
So about a week in to the new year, dh says, “I
think you ought to set up an Etsy shop.”
I am so surprised. I had
explained to him why I did not want to do it but he had suggested it
anyway. Sometimes he does have good
ideas. So that evening I set up a shop
and began adding stock to it. One week later,
I had a sale, then another week went by and I had another sale. I sold four sets of coasters in all in just 2
weeks. I was amazed! Then, today I had another sale! Some artists go a long time without being
noticed. I feel truly blessed. My Etsy shop will serve as a place for people
to find my product during craft show season hiatus. For those who are interested, you can find me
on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CindysCoasters. My shop has “coasters” in it but I have a
variety of items to choose from:
coasters, trivets, plaques, cards, etc.
I hope you’ll stop by and check it out.
Now, for those who saw my post on Facebook about
some photos I posted Saturday, February 7.
(For those who did not see the photos, you can follow this link …. https://www.facebook.com/CustomCoastersByCindy.)
I have been designing trivets since shortly after I
began doing coasters. I use travertine
for the trivets just as I do for coasters.
The trivets in original form---8”x8”, with chiseled edges, have been
awesome. The surface was smooth,
beautiful, and so easy to work with.
Late last year I ordered a case so I’d have some when I was ready to
work on some for this year. I opened the
case and was so disappointed. The tiles
were so pitted, distressed and ragged that I feared not being able to use them. I had ordered through the same local company
I had ordered through on previous orders.
So I asked if they ordered through the same supplier. Of course, they said. Well, I could send them back but I’d have to
pay shipping, which is understandable.
However, shipping back travertine tile is costly. So had I to come up with an option.
The option, one I was scared to try, was to grout
the tiles. So, now am I not only
designing and selling trivets but also getting into grouting! I could start a completely new career. Let me tell you, it is not as easy as it
looks. I am having quite a learning
curve! It is tricky learning to get the
texture of the grout correct but also applying it to fill the holes. Then it is learning to wipe off the excess
grout without wiping off too much! Oh,
this could be too much for me!!!
I have done about 10 tiles and have gotten some technical assistance with my best buds at the flooring center. I took some of my “work” down there
for them to provide a critique. I never
imagined I would be asking for a “grout critique”! LOL
All of this goes into making a better, supreme, premium product for my
customers. You are worth it and I will
work on my technique till I get it right for YOU! To see the finished trivets you'll have to keep watch at my Facebook page and Etsy shop.
https://www.facebook.com/CustomCoastersByCindy
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CindysCoasters
Thanks to everyone who supports their local artists and crafters! You make all the work seem like fun!
My plan is to make a weekly post of things going on in my little crafting world. I am not sure what it'll include but look for it each week, most likely around Monday.
Many blessings,
Cindy Welch
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