Spring, Butterflies, and Behind the Scenes

Hello everyone!  I hope y’all are well.

You know I wanted to say that spring has sprung.  Except that we never really had any winter.  We literally had about 2 days of cold weather back in December, and that was it.  The rest of our “winter” has been spring like.

All this spring weather has made me anxious for craft show season.  It is finally getting close!  It is getting close to crunch time and as we get closer, my excitement level goes up.  Do you remember getting butterflies when you had your first date or first kiss?  I kind of get the same thing as each show season, and each show, arrives.

 

In fact, dh and I have been looking at options for updating our booth.  I had seen some ideas online and shared it with my husband.  He found a very similar option to buy online, and we almost did buy it.  Then this evening we were at Hobby Lobby and saw a shelving unit like we had bought for our house a while back.  The shelving unit is a pretty metal unit painted a turquoise color and distressed.  It is collapsible and easy to transport.  Dh and I were talking about buying this 2^nd one to take on the road to craft shows.  I mentioned we could unload the one we have and try it out before we buy one.  He agreed that it was worth trying out the one we had before spending money on one … just in case it does not work out like we hope.

Whatever happens with the metal shelving, the booth update will be a gradual process.  Like most artists, it is hard to change it all at once.  We don’t want to throw off our customers with a totally new booth and they think they are in the wrong booth.  It is also a little more fun to try out something new for a season and see if we want to keep it.  Dh and I are not married to our booth, but to each other.  So remembering that helps ease transitions in the booth décor.  😃

We are blessed this spring that all three craft shows we are doing are indoors.  We like it because our customers get to shop in a climate controlled venue or at least out of the elements.  Shoppers don’t have to deal with wet grounds, rain, or wind.  In fact, the advantages for the shoppers also benefit the sellers.  It is much more pleasant inside when the weather is iffy.  Now, when it’s a nice day, I do like being outdoors for a show.

Having craft shows indoors also saves a little room in our vehicle and saves time having to put up a tent.  We still put up our “props”, and the pipe and drapes we use to delineate our booth.  The drapes are a honey color and our table covers are black.  The black helps the merchandise to pop.  For those who are die hard New Orleans Saints fans, you would be right at home in my booth with these colors!  LOL

I have been out looking the last few day for silk flowers for painted vases, decorative balls to fill some pretty bowls I’ve painted, and so on.  It is fun to match up flowers or greenery to a vase.  The colors are so pretty and each floral stem may come in several colors.  The greenery has such great texture and adds some interest to a vase even when used without flowers.  On Monday I will make final decisions on the last few floral stems and greenery selections I need to make.

This afternoon I have been working on some behind the scenes stuff.  I have gotten our box packed that has a few office supplies, small tools like screwdrivers, garbage bags and so on.  I have also been working on pricing some coasters holders.  Unfortunately, I have run out of tags for certain ones.  I am just a few short!  ☹  I have also have decided to put some color on a certain line of coaster holders to give them a little pizzazz.

The show season is quickly approaching and I feel like I have a million things to do to get ready.  However, it is all good because I am working hard at being very prepared.  I love doing this.  I get great satisfaction seeing and hearing customers’ reactions to our products.  I am still amazed when someone loves something enough to want to purchase it for themselves or as a gift.  I feel like a flower ready to bloom … come out of my shell from the winter.  It is time to get face to face with old and new friends, fellow artisans and crafters, potential new customers and those who have been around a while.

Selling in the public is quite different than selling online due to the face to face interaction.  I don’t have to imagine what the customer like because I can see it in their face or in their voice.  It is hard to feel the excitement a customer feels in finding an object they love when they are behind a computer screen.  When it comes down to it I am grateful for all my customers---those I meet in shows, those who purchase online, and my friends who send a text or a PM letting me know they want a certain piece.

Well, I must go for now but I’ll return next Sunday with another installment.  I look forward to us meeting here again in a week.  Have a happy, joy filled week.  May God bless in you in all your going and coming.

In the meantime you can follow what is going on in the following social media.  If any of the links give you trouble, just leave a comment in the comment section below.

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaWelchDesigns

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ FansOfCynthiaWelchDesigns

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/cynthiawelchdesigns

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/CynthiaWelchDes/

God bless,

Cindy

Spring Fever On the Brain

I know it’s just February but spring is upon us!  Here in south Louisiana February has been mild to say the least.  Now today’s weather has been sketchy but it is temporary! 

With Spring Fever on the brain my mind turns to the spring craft show season.  We have been to quite a few craft shows since the spring of 2013.  In the beginning I was very nervous about investing money into a booth fee and travel expenses for craft shows.  However, I have found it pays off for us.  We also enjoy meeting new people, other artists and crafters, and shoppers as well.  All too often I do not get to take advantage of tours of the plantations hosting craft shows or mingle very much during the show.  L  However, we try to make time to visit with others.  One of my favorite things to do is to meet up with fellow crafters and have dinner the evening before a show. 

I want to share 3 shows with you that I have confirmed on my schedule.  Two are shows I’ve done before and one is new to my crew and me.  I have done Shadows and Southdown for several years now.  Market at the Mill is somewhat of a newcomer to the show scene.  However the possibilities there look endless! 

~ Shadows on the Teche (New Iberia), Saturday, March 5.

317 E Main St, New Iberia

www.shadowsontheteche.org

This show is in historic downtown New Iberia at the plantation home, Shadows on the Teche.  They have expanded the number of craft booths this spring.  This means that even if you think you’ve seen all there is to see at Shadows, think again.  There will be more to see and do this spring.  Food and beverage available for purchase on site.

This description is taken from their website:

“The Shadows will host its Spring Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, March 5, 2016. From 9 AM to 4 PM, more than 100 fine artists and skilled craftspersons will display and sell their art and products. Adults pay $5.00 for admission which allows access to the gardens which contain booths filled with variety of items from pies to handmade wooden items. Admission also include a special tour of the Shadows and film which offers an introduction to the historic site.  The Shadows Gift Shop will also be open that day.   Attendees will be given wristbands which allows them to return anytime during the day.”

~ Southdown Museum and Plantation Marketplace (Houma), Saturday, March 19

1208 Museum Drive, Houma

www.southdownmuseum.org

This long-running arts and crafts show has many repeat artists and crafters each year.  You’ll find over 300 booths to visit and from which to shop.  There is food and beverage for purchase as well.   All food and beverage sales go toward the upkeep of Southdown.  Volunteers man the food booths from various businesses and community service groups.  There is an admission charge of $5.00 for those over 12 years of age.

~ Market At the Mill, Cottonseed Oil Mill (New Roads), April 8-10

311 Mill St.

www.marketatthemillnewroads.com

From the Market’s website here is a description of everything started:

“The Cotton Seed Oil Mill is a cultural icon in the City of New Roads.  For many years, the nearly 50000 square foot building lay idle until 4 years ago when our Mayor decided it needed to be put back to use.  The wide open floor plan lends itself perfectly to many type of events.  Thus, in the Spring of 2011, Market at the Mill was born.  In only its first year, the Market was a resounding success and continues to grow each year by leaps and bounds.”

I am excited to be trying out Market at the Mill.  From what I have found online, those who attend will find arts, crafts, antiques, jewelry and handcrafted items.  The venue looks delightful.

If you come out to any of these shows I hope you’ll look us up.  We love meeting those who follow us online.  We will have some items this time that we have not had before … glass magnets, hand painted upcycled home décor, and of course our ever popular car coasters, handcrafted tumbled travertine coasters, honed travertine trivets, framed tile art and more.

If you are attending a show and would like to pre-order for delivery at the show, just let me know by email @ customcoastersbycindy@comcast.net or call me at 985-381-3154.  All pre-orders must be paid.  A paid pre-order guarantees we'll hold your order just for you at the show.

If you’d like to get an idea of what we will have with us, please take time to look at our websites.

www.customcoastersbycindy.com

www.summerfieldchantilly.com

While we cannot produce or use every idea or inspiration we receive from customers, we do welcome their input.

Keep Crafting!

Cindy