Lessons I’ve Learnt – Market Supplies

Lets continue on our ‘Getting Ready to Market’ series.

You will need to invest in a few bits and pieces before you start selling at a market. Some of these items you will be able to beg, steal, borrow, make do or buy on the cheap. The very first item is one that I don’t recommend skimping on, buy the very best quality that you can afford.

1. Marquee/ tent. If you are doing an outside market you are going to need to a cover. A barbeque umbrella might be sufficient on a fine day but eventually you are going to get a day when there a showers. Buy an marquee with  attachable sides, rain never comes straight down. Also make sure you have weights for the marquee legs. It doesn’t take much of a breeze to up end a marquee without weights.

2. Tables.Some indoor markets provide tables at a cost. There is often limited choices in sizes. The best bet is to provide your own. Here is a Lesson I’ve Learnt. Smaller tables about the size of card tables give you more options for setting up your display. They are also lighter. This may be important to you especially if you are setting up on your own. Don’t forget somewhere to sit.

3. Display equipment. Depending on your product you may need racks, jewellery busts, risers, baskets, stands, hooks and the list goes on. I find these items take more space in the car than the stock and they rarely pack into a box. I try to use packaging equipment that carried stock as my risers. Saves on extra  equipment and finding somewhere to store the boxes during the market.

4. Table covers. Most markets state that you have floor length covers for your table. This is great as you can store extra stock and boxes under the table out of sight. The colour of the cloths may also be dictated by the market. I prefer either cream or black as it provides a neutral backdrop for my colourful items. I started using cream calico for no other reason than they were the original curtains I made for our house. I now prefer black as it gets less dirty.

5. Miscellaneous. we always have 2 assorted boxes for those just in case moments. the first box has basic tools that we have found useful over the years. they include screwdrivers (flat head & Philips), cable ties, pliers, hooks, clips, scissors. This box seems to get larger every time we do a market. the second box is a stationary box. It includes blue tack, rubber bands, stickers, pens, notebooks, paper, card.

6. Cash Tin & Float. You will need to take money to be used as your float. You will also need your site fee( if not pre-paid). Do not rely on selling to cover your site fee. take that amount separately. With all this money floating around you will need somewhere to store it safely. You may not need to purchase a lockable cash tin, you may prefer to use a bum bag etc. Just keep it safe.

7. Personal items. Hat, sunscreen, comfy shoes, comfy clothes, sunglasses ,wet weather gear.

8. Trolley. Not necessary but nice to have. Saves your legs and backs. Collapsible, sturdy and lightweight ones are available.

Next week we will talk about your very first day.

The Crafter’s Way 166- Crafts for Boys

Last week while preparing for the Girls Birthday Party I found out at the last minute there would be some boys attending. This sent me into a minor panic. I had prepared a very girly activity and didn’t think flower hair clips were going to cut it with the boys.

To add just that extra bit of a challenge was the boys ages, they ranged from 4 yrs – 11 yrs. I wasn’t too worried about the older boys as I knew they would love the Kumihimo or Japanese Braiding. The younger ones I knew were interested in Superheroes and Dinosaurs. My first port of call was a Google search, keyword – Super Hero Craft. The results were disappointing, with little more than tutorials on how to make superhero capes from towels and pillowcases. I widened my search and was rewarded with quite a number of activities that would suit a variety of ages and interests. Here are a few of my favourites.

http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mlittlefoot.html The DLTK site has heaps of activities for both boys and girls. This is the direct link to the Brontosaurus Dinosaur Craft. They also have a Tyrannosaurus Rex, which is the one we made. The templates are downloaded and printed off. All you need to supply is glue and toilet rolls.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Trexcutout.shtml This one is a very simple activity and would suit preschoolers. Again you download and print the template then construct.

http://www.venus.dti.ne.jp/~kpd/peramodel.html This is a new type of paper craft. Where you can download print and assemble 3 dimensional pieces. I would recommend this activity for children 10 years and up. Younger children will have no trouble understanding the instructions however the tabs that you glue are small and fiddly.

 http://www.freekidscrafts.com/covered_wagon-e1128.html Your child can construct a covered wagon using household items such as milk containers and cereal boxes.

http://www.makingfriends.com/sports_crafts.htm This site has a heap of activities for the sports mad. They also have a category for sea life and scouts.

Following our very successful School Holiday Activities Programme we will be offering Saturday Morning Craft Activities for Children starting February 19^th. Ph 3285 1875 or call into the shop at Old Petrie Town, Dayboro Rd. Petrie for more information.

And Here is the News

Proud to be a BrisStyle Member

Members of BrisStyle, an Etsy Street Team have been supporting the Premier's Flood Appeal with the Handmade Ark Appeal.

The running total of the tally can be found in the side bar of the blog and to date BrisStyle have collectively raised: $3389 to contribute to the growing $162,719,312 total of the Premiers Flood Relief Fund. Read more about the Handmade Ark Appeal and how you can help.

The Crafter’s Way 166 – Felt Flower Hairclip Tutorial

This week’s Messenger column - Felt Flower Hair Clip

I was recently asked to do a Craft Activity for a Birthday Party. The children were all 6 & 7 years old. The instructions are written so children this age can do it by themselves however it can easily be modified to entertain older children as well.

You will need: Felt in two colours, hair clip, stranded cotton, needle, scissors, beads and sequins are optional.

Step 1: Draw two flower shapes onto the first colour of felt and one circle shape onto the second colour. Cut these out. If you think you may have difficulty cutting 2 matching flowers simply trace 1 flower shape, fold felt in half and cut 2 out at the same time. Step 2: Thread needle with all 6 strands of stranded cotton and attach the flower centre to 1 flower shape. With this age group we used a simple yet effective cross stitch. With older children you may attach sequins and beads for a little extra difficulty and interest. Step 3: On the back of the second flower shape mark and cut 2 slits, these need to be wide enough to slide the hair clip through. Step 4: Place the flower shapes together right sides facing. Stitch together using the 6 strands of cotton. Step 5: Turn to back, slide hair clip through slits. You may need to do a bit of wiggling.

I precut all the flower shapes and threaded the needles before arriving at the birthday party as a time saver.

Have fun.

Takadai Madness

This Kumihimo Braid just about did my head in. It is a Double 2/2 Twill Braid. Huh? Yes, well I figured the instructions could be interpreted 3 ways. Lucky for me I did have a picture of how it should look.My first attempt was wrong but on the second I nailed it.

Left Hand Side                              Right Hand Side

dk blue                                                  turq

dk blue                                                  turq

turq                                                       dk blue

turq                                                       dk blue

dk blue                                                   turq

dk blue                                                   turq

turq                                                       dk blue

turq                                                       dk blue  

dk blue                                                   turq

dk blue                                                   turq

turq                                                       dk blue

turq                                                       dk blue

dk blue                                                   turq

                                                              turq

Starting on the right hand side is 2 under, move 2 bobbins through each shed. Left hand side over 1, move 2 bobbins through each shed.

Crafty Birthday Party

Last Saturday I did my first ever official craft activity at a birthday party. The Birthday Girl was celebrating turning 7 yrs old but there were children from 4 – 13 to entertain. The girls were making felt flower hairclips. I’ll post the tutorial on Sunday as part of The Crafter’s Way. The boys chose to do Kumihimo. And here is the Birthday Girl wearing one of her clips. Now for the Fairy Bread!

The Crafter’s Way 165 – Craft Book Review

The Moreton Bay Regional Council Libraries have a wonderful variety of craft books to borrow. Many of these books are recent releases. These books all came from the Redcliffe Library. These three books share a common theme of modeling and clay work. With the constant wet weather over the school holidays these book can provide inspiration for an activity for Children and Parents to do together.

Polymer Clay Basics by Monica Resta (745.572RES)

If you have never used polymer clay before this book is a great place to start. The first section explains all the basic techniques. The author carefully explains how to use your home oven to cure the clay, saving on the expense of a special oven. The second section

includes instructions and images on how to make all the basic shapes. Scattered throughout this section are projects. What I really liked about this book was that it included projects other than jewellery and it also stayed within the boundaries of a beginners guide.

Polymer Clay Mixed Media Jewelry by Shirley Rufner (745.572RUFE)

Once you mastered the basics you will love this book. Every page has an image that will leave you asking ‘how did they do that?’ The projects use more tools and equipment than the previous book but with a little ingenuity you will be able to adapt items you already own. The full colour Gallery at the back showcases how to use techniques for more than bead making.

Modelling Clay by Penny Boylan (731.42BOY)

If you’ve ever used plasticine or playdoh then you can use the modeling clay used throughout this book. The clay is self hardening and doesn’t require a kiln to cure. Self hardening clay is available is different grades and it is possible to purchase smaller quantities at a reasonable price. The projects in the book are more suitable for an older child.

School Holiday Craft Activities: I will be conducting School Holiday Craft Activities during the last 2 weeks of the holidays TrishAlan Designs, Old Petrie Town, Dayboro Rd. Petrie. Ph 3285 1875 for more details.

The Daily News

Great Kumihimo Weather

Along with the rest of Queensland I have been glued to the television watching the continuing flood crisis. We are very lucky to be safe and dry so I have continued to braid.

I have finished another Wedding Braid.

Then set up a new Braid.  

This is a braid made using 30 Bobbins. The placement of colours are identical on the Right & Left Arm.

Black

Red

Black

Red

Black

Red

Black

Black

Black

Black

Black

Black

Black

Black

Black

The  Detail.I love this design, very striking.

Craft Book Available

 

Learn how to take the stress out of teaching your craft and let your personality and talent shine through.

My book, How to Teach Art & Craft, is now available from the following outlets.

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