Craft Fair Schedule

ScarfCity will be at the following locations this holiday craft fair season:

November 2 & 3 Spanaway Lake High School, Spanaway
1305 168th Street East

November 9 & 10 St. Brendan's Craft Fair
10049 NE 195th St, Bothell, WA 98011

November 16 Queen Anne Trunk Show
Queen Anne Community Center
1901 1st Avenue West, Seattle 11-4

November 22, 23 & 24 Holiday Gift and Food Fair
Kitsap Sun Pavilion
1200 Northwest Fairgrounds Road, Bremerton

November 29 & 30 etsyRAIN Handmade Holiday Show
Elliott Hall Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, Seattle

December 7 Dickens Craft Fair
Lake Stevens School District
Cavelero Mid High School, Lake Stevens

New Signage

Signage is something I have struggled with for several years of doing craft fairs. I change it every year and by the end of the holiday craft season, I am sick of my signage and am ready for a new idea. This year I am THRILLED with my latest installment.

In just a few easy steps I used floor tiles to create mini chalk boards.

First: I cut each one into quarters to make a 5 x 5 inch squares.

Then: I spray painted the squares with chalk board paint.

Finally: I purchased some big sidewalk chalk in an array of fun colors and scribbled away.

The boards are mounted on Styrofoam squares and have a very earthy look and feel. These are sure to be a hit this November arrive at my first holiday craft fair.

Not just a hooker: a whiz with fabric paint

I blogged recently about getting inspiration from fashion magazines; Today, I was truly inspired to do an exact duplicate of something I saw in Elle magazine's May edition. This is one of those times when I put my dearly loved crochet hook down and tried my hand at another craft. I think it’s important for any crafter to deviate from their primary creative outlet, and do something fun and different.

So …back to the picture in Elle. I saw this pair of jeans from Bloomingdale’s for $248. They had a fabulous gold star design to

elevate this jean from regular to fabulous with a few sparkles.  But that price tag is so far above what I’ve ever paid for a pair of jeans, it was laughable. So, I did what any crafter would do and hit the supply store. I got some glittery gold fabric paint, a star stencil and a stencil sponge. Then I hit a retail store for a pair of skinny, dark-wash jeans. About an hour of careful stenciling later and the jeans are looking every bit as fabulous as the pair from Bloomingdales. I can’t WAIT until they dry and I can stencil the backside ….and then, of course, head out on the town in my new gold-star rip-off jeans!

Finding Inspiration

My latest guilty pleasure is spending an hour in the bookstore looking at magazines. It’s the cheapest (free) and best way to get inspiration for new ideas. I’ll look at knitting magazines, craft magazines, fashion magazines, even women’s journal publications. It’s not always a literal translation; I look at color, what’s hot on the runway, what patterns are in, i.e. polka-dots, plaid and stripes.

My latest inspiration is a turban I saw in a fashion magazine. I added turbans to the ScarfCity line last year, but this picture gave me an idea on how to spice up the pattern I created for that item.  I went shopping today at a high-end boutique …well, window shopping anyway. Amongst the $300-$500 jeans, shoes and clothes I found a bevy of inspiring ideas, including using an old pair of jeans and adding some leather …irrr, pleather to make CHAPS!          

Inspiration can come from anywhere, as long as you keep your mind open to new ideas and push yourself to create them.

Getting organized in the off season

Last year was a beast. It was the first year I worked full time and still kept a grueling pace of selling at craft fairs. In the months of November and December I went non-stop. I was out of gas and near dead by Christmas. The really painful part was not being fully stocked for many craft fairs. It’s a craft show nightmare to have an empty table at the end of the day. Shoppers NEVER buy when they feel they are getting the picked over merchandise.

It’s April and I am “at it” already. I’m building my stock at a moderate pace. I’m determined to hit this holiday craft season with enough merchandise to last the entire season. Here’s my tried and true method of pushing myself to accomplish this goal.

1.       Set quotas, stick to them and reward yourself when you do. I set my quota somewhere between the rabbit and hare. I don’t want to kill myself but I want to get everything done in time.

2.       Start with you best-selling items and work your way to the fun, creative stage. I like to add a few new items each year, but I know I need to start with proven items.

3.       Bulk up your supplies before you start. If you have make constant trips to the craft store during production mode, you will waste a lot of time.

Don’t forget to be inspired…

Fall Colors 2012

It's one of my favorite times of year ...the fashion gods (sign of the cross here) come up with the list of what colors will be hot for fall. My absolute favorite on the list is Tangerine Tango. If there were yarn that color ...watch out!

The Value of a Consultation

I was feeling a little wishy washy about the direction I wanted ScarfCity to go this fall. Do I need new items? If so, what and why? Which of my iffy selling items should I cut, if any? How do I advance my line of products in the right direction without re-hashing the same old thing? As I wrapped up my spring craft fairs I ended up vending next to an old friend who knows my line almost as good as I do. In the course of our conversation I got a clear view of what my next steps should be from listening to her point of view.

It’s a good thing to keep in mind if you’re on the bubble about something. Find someone you trust and ask them to look at your problem objectively. Then, toss in your grain of salt and make a plan of action.

The result for me is this fantastic new garment that I will duplicate and add to my collection this fall. It’s a multi-functional shawl, wrap and scarf all in one. It’s one of few things I will add to my line. I will also be discontinuing some things and changing others. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

The Mother of All Yarn Sales

I hit THE MOTHER OF ALL YARN SALES this week and it was a dream come true. JoAnn’s had just marked at least a dozen different yarns down and had half-off that clearance price. I went BONKERS! I filled my cart to the top and raced down the store to the register thinking they would discover they made a mistake before I could pay for everything. I spent a lot of money …but with the yarn costing between $1 and $1.50 a ball, I walked out of the store with four huge bags. When I got home I dumped it all on the bed and just smiled, amazed. Truly, it was very exciting! Now, what am I going to make and more importantly, where am I going to store it all?

Crafter Down

When my sewing machine bit the big one last weekend I experienced a moment of sheer panic. I had just bonded with the darn thing. I had figured out her quirks and learned to give the old girl what she really needs to perform at her best. AND, I was right in the middle, and I mean mid-stitch, of a huge project that was time sensative.  I'm starting a new job soon and I know that my days of endless free time (minus time spent job hunting) are going to disappear. So, I was determined to do as much production for my June craft fair as possible THAT DAY. I was just like that movie Black Hawk Down ...I was a Crafter Down (without anyone dying, of course).

My first thought was to take her to a repair shop. I had invested a lot of time getting to know this machine and I didn't want to throw that down the drain. I looked up the address of the closests repair shop, threw the machine in a giant bag and hauled it to the car. I drove like a mad woman to the shop and rushed to the front door ready to throw myself on the mercy of whomever was on the other side. Sadly, this was Sunday. I had forgot to check the store hours and the sign in the door said CLOSED.
"NOOOOOO!" I screamed at the door before realizing I was standing on a busy street actin' a fool.

I texted the one person I thought would know what to do. My good friend Amy who is my sewing idol. "How much did you pay for it? It might be more cost effective to buy a new one," she said.
She had a point and I wasn't sure why my brain had not come to this conclusion. I owned a basic Singer machine I bought on sale an JoAnns about three years ago. It cost me $120. The repairs would likely be at least that amount.

So, I made the rounds. I hit every store that carries sewing machine to do a thorough price comparison. This was an unexpected and unwanted expense and I wanted it to be as painless as possible. I finally found the deal I could afford at Walmart. They had their Singer Simple (pictured above) which was actually around $100 and something ...but it was mistakingly sitting in front of a sign that was much less. My thifty self took over and pointed out the mistake to the nearest Walmart Associate, ranting about false advertising. In the end, that machine came home with me for that reduced price.

Now, me and the new machine have bonded and I actually like her much better than that other hag who quit on me (don't tell her I said that). We finished a big stack of peasant blouses and tie-klaces for the Fremont Festival on June 16.

Now, I'm a Crafter Revitalized!

New Year Brings New Ideas

My first new creation of 2012 that's been in my head for weeks and I finally found time to sit and work out the pattern. I got the idea from the fabulous Vicki Howell who had something similar featured on Knit Simple magazine. I followed her pattern but didn't like the results. (probably user error) so I switched the idea to a crochet form and figured a stitch that would work with my vision.

I used a great resource for developing new ideas: one of those books with dozens of crochet stitches and instructions to create each.

The next step was developing some way to clasp the scarves closed. I made a cute little pin by glueing vintgage earrings and broaches to a giant safety pin. They will come complimentary with the cowl wrap. I'm working with jewel maven Idabelle Fosse of Bella Diva to help me develop something more elaborate for customers to purchase with their wrap.

It's a great feeling to have a new idea come from your head and turn out as you'd hoped. It's what crafting is all about!

EtsyRAIN Handmade Holiday Show

I've been so busy getting ready and helping with the marketing efforts that I nearly forgot to promote the show on my own blog! Well, it's the night before the show and I expect to get very little sleep since I have several more pieces to make before I sneak in some shuteye. The volunteer marketing team has been helping the organizers get the word out about what could be the biggest EtsyRAIN show yet! It's been featured, written about and mentioned far and wide. Anyone who doesn't heard about it surely has been under a rock.

ScarfCity will have some new items never before seen by EtsyRAIN show shoppers; including leg warmers and cloche hats. After many requests, I finally wrote myself a pattern for leg warmers and started knitting them in fun and funky colors. I have quite a variety ready to sell.

Cloche hats are the new "in" hat. I try to gage what's trendy and new by what Nordstroms chooses to stock for fall and they've got dozens of cloche hats this year.

It's time to pack the car for tomorrow's unload and setup.

Here are the "deats":

Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center

201 Mercer Street

Saturday and Sunday November 26 and 27

11-5 both days

Yule Boutique: Pacific Lutheran University

I get to take a mental sigh this week and know that I am being backed by capable hands. My booth buddy this week is my DAD! He's the greatest dad on the planet. ALWAYS, ALWAYS there when I need him. When he helps me set up it's always in record time because he's a doer ...that's where I get it from!

So Dad and I will be at PLU's Yule Boutique on Saturday. Be sure to say "Hi Rolly" if you see us! We'll be in the Country Fair room this time, a change from last year. The shoppers there are fantastic and the show is a good match for those who are looking to get some serious checkmarks off their Holiday Shopping List.

Tacoma here I (and dad, and Smigel) come!

note: always pictures is my dad's dog Zaire, R.I.P.

My Friends & More Holiday Bazaar

My needles have been flying to get ready for my next craft fair adventure. I'll be in Bothell this weekend at the IUOE Hall at 18701 120th Avenue Northeast from 10 to 5 this Saturday.

This show promises to be a lot of fun for visitors. Santa arrives at 1pm. Parents and pet owners are encouraged to bring their own camera for pictures with the Jolly One. AND ....there's free refreshments!

I've been gearing up all week to sell at my first Poulsbo craft fair. I found this one by chance and I'm not really sure how it's going to go, but I think this early holiday show has a lot of potential.

To get ready, I've made lots of items in their school colors, purple and gold. The way I figure it ...if they don't sell they can turn into Husky-colored items since University of Washington has the same school colors.

My mom (and dog Smigel) are coming with me since two-day road trip craft fairs can be grueling. We're hitting the road this Saturday, November 6th and 6 a.m. (YIKES!) We'll take the ferry to Bainbridge and should be in Poulsbo in a matter of minutes.

Thankfully, we're staying overnight in Bremerton, so we don't have to do the ferry thing two days in a row (I just don't know how those islanders do that!)
I'm also excited because I've changed my display setup (yet again) and I'm excited to give it a try.

Poulsbo ...here we come!!

Craft Fair Schedule

Scarf of the Month is on hold through this busy craft fair season and is set to return in January. Meantime, here's where you can find ScarfCity for the next few weeks:

November 5 & 6
North Kitsap Holiday Fest
North Kitsap High School - 1780 NE Hostmark, Poulsbo, WA
Hours: Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

November 12
My Friends and More Holiday Bazaar
International Union of Operating Engineers
18701 120th Avenue NE, Bothell
Hours: 10am - 5pm

November 19
PLU Yule Boutique
Pacific Lutheran University Campus, Tacoma, WA
Memorial Gym
Hours: 9am - 5pm

November 26 & 27
EtsyRain Handmade Holiday Show
Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 201 Mercer Street
Hours: 11am - 5pm both days

December 30
Seattle Tennis Club Holiday Bazaar (private club)
922 McGilvra Blvd. E, Seattle, WA
Hours: 9:30am - 3pm

December 2 and 3
Kent Winter Craft Bazaar
Kent Commons, 525 4th Avenue North
Hours: Friday 10am-7pm
Saturday 9am-5pm

December 10 (My birthday!)
I Heart Indie Holidays
Wallingford Boys and Girls Club, 1310 North 45th Street
Hours: 11am - 7pm

Scarf of the Month - AUGUST!

Crochet Cowl Scarf!

Materials: 200 plus yards of yarn. Try variegated yarn for more interested, or mix your favorite colors.

Skills: simple chain stitch, double crochet

Directions:
1. Chain stitch until the chain (held together at the ends) can easily slip over your head with very little room after that (because this project will widen slightly as you work).

2. Connect chain with a slip stitch. Avoid twisting the chain.

3. Mark first stitch with a stitch marker and double crochet in each chain stitch around.

*Note: Do not join at the end of the round. Continue to the next stitch in the next row without leaving a gap. Move the stitch marker to the next row (first stitch) and continue.

4. Continue in this pattern until the piece is as long as you would like it. Single crochet your final row using the stitch marker to determine where to start and stop. Fasten off, weave in ends. Longer cowls can be pulled over your head for a hood. Shorter cowls are easy to slip off if you get hot. It's your choice!

HAPPY SCARFING!

Feels like team spirit!

Introducing ...my new line of headwraps in team spirit colors. I was thinking the other day how fun it would be to make myself something to wear to a Seahawk game (assuming I could score tickets). Then my brain expanded....thinking if I would want to wear something cute in the appropriate colors, so would other fashion forward Seahawk fans and Mariners fans, and WAZZU fans and ...well, you get the idea. So, I cranked out one in every color combo I could think of. I love them and hope I get requests from fashion forward fans in others cities and states. So, here they are!

GO SEAHAWKS!
Click here to buy this headwrap

GO MARINERS!
Click here to buy this Headwrap   

Click here to buy this headwrap

GO WAZZU COUGS!
Click here to buy this headwrap

SOON TO COME ....GO UW HUSKIES, SOUNDERS FC AND STORM!

Scarf of the Month JULY!

Spiral Scarf

Materials: 3-5 balls of yarn. You will need more yardage with each row.

Skills: Basic chain, double crochet, triple crochet

Note: The key to this scarf is to keep multiplying the number of stitches wih each row.

Directions: 1. Gather Yarn. This can include coordinating colors like cream, beige, and brown or tone colors like multiple shades of green or blue, or any color you wish! I chose red, white and blue for this scarf to honor the holiday!

2. Chain. To decide how many chains you will need,  put the chain around your neck and continue until you have the length desired. For this scarf I chained 150 for an extra long spiral scarf.

3. Row 1: Double crochet in each chain stitch.

4. Row 2: Switch to new color and triple crochet two in every double crochet

5. Row 3: Switch to new color and double crochet two in every triple crochet

Continue in this pattern until you have the width you desire (3-5 rows). For this scarf I did four rows.

Buy this scarf for $10

Scarf of the Month JUNE!

Pom Pom Boa

Materials: Scrap Yarn, Pom Pom Maker, Crochet Needle, Scissors

Skills: Basic Crochet Chain

Directions:

1. Gather scrap yarn. Pick as many colors as you would like. They can coordinate, match or be every different color you ever wanted in a scarf!

2. Make pom poms. You can you any use any pom pom maker from a craft store, or even a piece of cardboard. Just wind the yarn around, slip off and tie in the middle, then cut around the edges. You will need about 25 pom poms with a very long tail.

3. Make a chain. Use several strands of the left over yarn so the chain is thick for stability. Keep chaining until you have approximately 50 inches in length.





4. Tie on pom poms to the links of the chain, about 1.5 inches apart.

5. Finishing. You may need to trim some of the poms poms to make them even and round. Give the scarf a good shake to knock off the loose fuzz. Wrap around your neck and STRUT!

Buy this Scarf for $10

HAPPY SCARFING!