The Excitement is Mounting

I am getting so excited about the upcoming Southwest Elementary PTA's Craftacular Craft and Vendor Fair. We are starting to get inquiries. Several people have informed me that they have downloaded the forms and are filling them out. We have received our first official application.
The goal is to create a community event that not only helps our school but also brings our community together by helping local business owners of all kinds get their names out there as well as make some extra bucks.
If you would like to help in ANY way please let me know. The more the merrier!

Where Will the Money Go?

Some may be asking 'What does Southwest Elementary School plan on doing with the money they earn from this Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair'? (I know the conversations in my own head are always well thought out complete sentences. ;) )
One of the most important issues on our plate right now is technology. I know, what do those whipper snappers need with technology? In this day and age, in order to keep competitive, kids need to know how to use computers and all that they have to offer from a very early age.  This goes beyond making their names scroll diagonally across the screen with simple 'go to' commands. Last year my 2nd grader made a tri-fold flyer all about sound waves.
He did all the research online. He cut and paste what he needed. He created the layout for the flyer. It was quite amazing. I was proud of my kid. I know a lot of adults who wouldn't even know where to begin.
The thing with technology is that it changes all the time. The school needs more resources in order to keep current. Each grade has their own needs. These needs range from more desk top PCs to individual laptops for each student to use. As with most things, these requests require funds. You can help us out by:

 Renting booth space at the event

Telling your friends and family about

SWE PTA's Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair

Coming to the event and purchasing from our vendors

Coming to the event and buying raffle tickets

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Thanks for reading!

 

Some Handy Dandy Resources

I promised yesterday that I would create a post today in regards to resources I have used to help me in the land of craft fairs. Hoping some of these will be helpful to you.

1) GO TO OTHER CRAFT FAIRS. Sounds pretty elementary but you would be surprised by how many people go into this not really having been to a craft fair, art festival or even a farmers market since they went when they were 8. You can get great ideas for booth designs, see what's popular and sneak a peek at prices. PLUS it's a great opportunity to meet other artists. Go with a little cash on hand because you are more than likely going to see a too-die-for item that you simply must have.

Not sure where to find craft fairs/art festivals/farmers markets? Google can be your friend.

2) Check out Etsy. This is a wonderful place to check prices and to be able to see what's selling. You can search for items similar to yours by using keywords. Make sure to check out the actual sales along with the prices as this will let you know at what point those items actually sell.

3) One of my FAVORITE websites for the world of crafters is: Funky Finds. You can find their site by clicking HERE. They are also on Facebook HERE. They are wonderful and helpful people and have always been willing to help me find the answers to questions that I have had.
If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area make sure you try to get to one of the shows that they sponso. They are filled with some of the coolest people and most amazing art that you have ever seen.

4) My most useful tool of all has been my copy of Crafty Superstar by Grace Dobush. I actually gave away my original copy and got the new and updated one. It's wonderful. There are checklists, display ideas, advice from other crafters, legal info... You name it you will probably find it here. The pages I turn to most are the ones that have the pre-show and day of show checklists. They have saved my behind on more than one occasion. You can check the book out HERE. It's also available at major bookstores like Barnes and Noble. It is definitely worth a read, and then another, and another and... Well, you get the picture.

Do you have any suggestions for those who may be thinking of giving craft fairs a go? Would love to hear from you.

But I'm Scared!

Some of you may have NEVER done a craft fair before. You've sold some of your stuff to friends. You have a ton of things you've made just sitting around waiting for a gift giving opportunity. Your items get rave reviews from everyone who sees them and you are at least 75% sure they are being truthful. You LOOOOVE making those cute little owl toothbrush cups but aren't sure how they would do if the actual, honest to goodness public saw them.

Would anyone besides Aunt Midge buy them?

How will you ever know if you don't get out there and try? The Southwest Elementary School PTA's Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair is a great place to try it out. The booth spaces start at $35 and that goes towards helping a public elementary school. It's a win//win.
I have done craft fairs and farmers markets in the past. I know from personal experience that they can be hit or miss. You don't always make a gazillion dollars or sell out of your product but you get your name out there. You get to meet other awesome artists. You get to talk to the public AND, in this case, you are supporting a good cause.

Here are a couple of things that I make.  I will be displaying these and more at the fair.

And here is a super simple set up I did for a show last year.Totally not fancy but it fit the room and worked out fine.

It's funny when you hear other people's reactions. Sometimes it's the things you are LEAST happy with that get the most attention.

If you come back tomorrow I will post a list of things I have found very helpful when getting out there and putting your art on the line.  I will also be bugging some artists I know to see if they mind me showing you some spectacular booth setups.

Click HERE to find the forms

In Response to Your Questions...

I have been receiving emails from people asking to clarify WHO can have booths at our fair. Firstly artists in ANY media are welcome. It's a great opportunity to show our kids just what can be done with a creative mind and a great chance for the artist to share their talents and make some money.
Bakers and chefs are also invited to come and sell their yummy goodness or their services. Please just make sure you have all the proper licensing and such to do this. The responsibility is yours for that.
Next we'd also love to have people who run a business from their home. This can be something that is all you OR it can be something like Avon, Pampered Chef or Silpada. We will, however, limit those vendors to ONE from each company and that is on a first come first serve basis.
This is a family friendly event so we do ask that all displays be family-friendly displays.
This is a great opportunity for you to support your community.
Come one, come all.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at: canavalinsky@gmail.com

You Too Can Help

The Craftacular Craft and Vendor Fair is looking for people to sell their goods at the big event BUT we are also looking for generous folks to help us out in other ways as well.
One of the things we will be doing at our fair is holding raffle drawings throughout the day. We will be asking those who have a booth to donate an item to be used as a door prize. We will also be turning to community members and asking them for donations of items for the raffle, time or even goods and services that could help out with the event. In return we will gladly advertise your business in the events program. You will also have the undying gratitude of those of us working towards creating this amazing Craftacular Craft and Vendor Fair.
Some of the things we could use to help with event are:

*T-shirts for volunteers to set us apart from the rest of the hordes

*Signs announcing the event

*Color Flyers and possibly the event programs

*Donations of water bottles and other beverages for the hard working vendors AND volunteers

As the time gets closer we will also be selling advertising space in the program. If you are willing and able to help in any way please let us know. We would sure appreciate it. Thanks!

Our Hopes and Dreams

I am reposting this as I think it is easier than rewriting it. ;) I'm feeling lazy.
Please share with your friends.


We have big hopes and dreams for the Southwest Elementary School PTA's Craftacular Craft and Vendor Fair. Some of the things we are planning on are:

Wonderful and Amazing Art from Incredible Artisans

A Food Truck Rodeo

Make and Take Crafts For the Kids

Door Prizes Provided by our Vendors as Well as Community Supporters

 LIVE Entertainment

And, Most Importantly, 

A chance to help out both a local elementary school (That would be Southwest Elementary School in Durham, NC) as well as local small businesses. 

We will definitely keep you posted as we start to see this thing come together.

 

If YOU or ANYONE you know is able to help with any of these categories OR if you would like to volunteer your time PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information and all the proper forms.

Thanks so much. Hope you will be a part of this wonderful fundraiser. Don't forget that SHOPPERS are also an important part of making this work.

Vendors Wanted

Hi! My name is Cheryl Navalinsky and I am excited to announce that Southwest Elementary School will be holding it's first ever Craftacular Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 9am to 2pm. We are working towards a fun, family event with a little bit of something for everyone.
We are looking for artists in all mediums to come and display their wares for all to see (and buy). If you have a home run business we will have space for you as well. We are committed to making this a fun and exciting day for not only the shoppers but the vendors as well.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this event please contact me at canavalinsky@gmail.com.

For Forms and More Info Click here.