What Should I Do? or, I Love Feedback!

2011 has been a busy one and there's no end in sight. There’s many wonderful craft shows and festivals in the Raleigh-Durham area of NC that I’ve been hopping from one to another. It’s been great meeting so many people and getting instant feedback about my products. I love feedback; whether its good or bad, feedback tells you what you are doing right and what needs to be changed.

I started out the season with just owls. When Easter came, there was an instant interest in bunny rabbit keychains. Once I had those two choices, I’ve had requests for other animals. Cats and dogs topped the list for great amigurumi keychains.

I also received requests for lots of spotted animals like giraffes and ladybugs. I’m still ciphering how to make these without any raising the prices. Every little extra thing takes more time and who wants to buy a $30 keychain? If you do, leave a comment and tell me so, I love feedback.

Lazy Daze Festival in Cary, NC is coming up in August. This is one of the biggest and best shows around. I’ve been accepted but I can only show fiber art items, not fiber art wearable. So no brooches and necklaces for Designing Impressions this year. That leaves just the keychains.

I have been playing with other fiber art items. They are toys I’ve made that are suitable for kids and adults.  They have no plastic pieces that can be chewed on or popped out. Plus the are small enough to keep in or on you desk at work and you can squeeze the life out of them when you’re stressed out.

For information about where I’ll be, you can check out my calendar that's now set up on the second page of this blog.

And if you like to get involved with what I should be making for Lazy Daze, I have a question on my Facebook page. Stop by and give you input. I love feedback. =)

Pittsboro's First Sunday Artisan Market

The quaint little town Pittsboro is having their First Sunday Artisan Market is happening this weekend and I'll be there. I haven't been a vendor in one since April. I'm really excited to see how the market has evolved since the first one of the season.

From First Sunday | Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau:

Explore downtown Pittsboro shops and eateries. Fun street fair atmosphere and plenty of special festivities. Enjoy brunch or breakfast or stay for an afternoon of shopping, lunch, and family fun.
First Sunday is a monthly artisan market held on the streets of downtown Pittsboro, NC. The event features emerging & well-established artists selling their wares with live music, food vendors and much more.
Many of the shops along Hillsboro Street will open their doors for business from noon to 4pm.

I hope to see you there!

What's coming up? Saturday Shopping Showcase Summer Festival!

This weekend I'll be at the Saturday Shopping Showcase Summer Festival.  It'll be at 421 Chapanoke Road in Raleigh NC. In case you're not familiar with the area, it's at that huge intersection where 401, 70 and Tryon Road meet -almost in Garner.

I'm really excited about this because it's a chance to meet new people that might not venture to the other venues I have planned. It's going to be quite large and there'll be so much to look at. I'm getting giddy just thinking of it.

If you are able to come, these are some of the items you'll be able to see there:

Then Summer sauntered in

Summer sauntered into the area a while back and it already feels like August. There's so much to do here on the homestead. There's 2 acres of grass to mow, a pond to be cleaned and 14 chickens to be taken care of. Plus many many other little things that call to me when I go outside. My husband is currently outside mowing the backyard. I really do need to get out there and help him out. Wonder how long I can put it off by writing to you?

I've been out and about doing local craft shows. I had my fourth this past weekend and the next one is in less than 3 weeks. There's so much behind the scenes work when you are on the circuit that it's taken time away from my Etsy and Artfire shops. I'm beginning to feel torn about the whole affair. Trying to create an online presence vs. the immediate feeling of worth at shows. There needs to be a fine line of balance betweeen the two.

I'll go into more detail in my future posts. Right now, I better get the sunscreen on.