Meet the Vendor: Holly Adkisson- Happy Skull Crochet

It's time to introduce you to another face you will be seeing at this year's Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair.

My name is Holly and I'm not your typical stay at home mom.  I'm the quintessential nerd.  I love sci-fi and fantasy and spent a huge chunk of my life with my nose buried in a book. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was discouraged by the lack of nerdy baby clothes and toys. Princesses were everywhere, but nerdy stuff was virtually nonexistent. So I set out to create my own. I am determined to provide nerdy stuff for all ages.  You may ask, why "Happy Skull Crochet"? The name reflects my love of skulls.  I've never thought they were scary.  They always look like they're smiling. As a seller of hats, I also guarantee my nerdy hats will make your skull happy!

I am excited about the craft fair! I'm going to have tons of stuff, including Pokemon inspired hats and key chains, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle inspired key chains, Link inspired hats, a whole line of hats inspired by Harry Potter, and much more!  Stop by my booth and get a coupon code to use online!

Check out my website here:
www.happyskullcrochet.etsy.com

Like me on Facebook to keep up with my current projects, happenings, and giveaways!

God Bless!
Holly Adkisson
HappySkullCrochet

Tell me your kids aren't gonna love these! I know mine will.

Keep It Local, Folks.

So, the beauty of an event like the Southwest Elementary School's 3rd Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair is that it gives us as a community the opportunity to support local and independent businesses. Each person that has a table at the craft fair is some one trying to support themselves and or their family in some way. They are artists, crafters, food vendors and independent consultants. They work hard at what they do; be it creating something from nothing or promoting a product they truly believe in. 

Each person has their own reason for doing this. For some, it's about making a little extra fun money. For others it's a way to support their families. Their work helps put food on the table while often times allowing them a schedule that allows them to stay home with children or another that may need their help. Whatever the reason, they work hard at what they do.

Countless hours are put into building their business. Time spent promoting themselves, their art or their product online. Not too mention creating art or displays for shows. Time is spent talking to people. They spend time talking to themselves, convincing themselves that they can do this, that others DO value their work. 

I know this because I am one of these people. I have bounced between selling my own art as well as being an independent consultant for a direct sales company. For me, I get the most joy out of creating and sharing my own work. It's just what works for me. I know how hard it is to suck it up and put yourself out there. I know how quickly the wind can go out of your sails when a show does poorly but I also know the buzz you get when a show goes well, when your items are selling or at least getting oohed and ahhed over. I know the sweat, tears and stress that goes in to this.

Because of this I want to make this show the best show it can be for all those involved. Support local and in doing so help support your community and our school.

I hope you will fill up your cars and trucks with all of your family and friends and take the time to come out and see us on Nov. 21, 2015. It means a lot to a lot of people. It means a lot to me.

I shall hop off my soap box now and leave you with this:

Meet the Vendor: Francesca - Keep-collective

I'd like to introduce you to another one of our vendors.

I'm Francesca, I'm 33, I'm originally from Italy and I moved to the States about 10 years ago. I have been working full time for my family business for my whole life, but recently I decided to venture into this new world of Keep-collective. A friend of mine was selling it and I fell in love with the product. I have never been interested in direct sales before, but between the fact that I love easy, fun jewelry and the fact that the market is not oversaturated with Keep-collective, I decided to try it out and so far I'm having a lot of fun with it! I'm looking forward to having fun at the craft fair and to share the love!

My website is www.keep-collective.com/with/francesca

 

 

Come out and meet Francesca in person at SWE's 3rd Craftacular on Saturday, November 21 from 9-2. 2320 Cook Rd., Durham, NC 27713

Meet the Vendor: Ruth Stutts, Blooming Petals - Hair Accessories & More

You know I love this part! Over the next few weeks leading up to the craft fair I will be posting more of these introductions to who you will find at our event. Please feel free to share with your friends, family, complete strangers...

Hello!  My name is Ruth Stutts with Blooming Petals - Hair Accessories & More.  I look forward to being a part of the SWE Craftacular Fair on November 21st and am excited to present my handcrafted hair clips, ponytail holders, headbands, brooches and Christmas ornaments.  For the past 30 years I've been crafting, quilting, knitting and crocheting and am thrilled to share my latest creations.

 

Want to Hear Something Cool?

I am so excited for this year's SWE's 3rd Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair. I know, it's hard to tell. LOL. We have actually shut down the application page as we have hit our limit!!! That's huge. This year filled up faster than either of the other years. That gets my hopes way up for our attendance this year.
Here's what you have to look forward to at this year's Craftacular.

More than 30 vendors selling everything from art for your home,  jewelry of all types, baked goods, bath and body items, hand-knit, hand-sewn, hand crocheted hats, scarves, hair accessories, toys and more, purses and other bags, make-up and of course a bunch of holiday ornaments and decorations. This barely scratches the surface.

There will also be food. 

We will Have Will & Pop's which features delicious grilled cheese and burgers. You can find more about them HERE --->http://www.willandpops.com/

Roll Dogs Express will be there serving up Hot dogs and Italian Ice.

Jessica's Sweet Treats will be catering to your sweet tooth with cotton candy and candy apples.

You will want to bring the kiddos as we will have games that they can play and win prizes. Tickets for these will be $.25 each or 5 for $1 each game will be 1 to 2 tickets.

We will also have our (practically) world famous bucket raffle. Each of our vendors are donating prizes valued at $15 or more. Tickets will be $1 each OR, our most popular option, your age in tickets for $20. Once you purchase the tickets you get to decide which prizes to try for.

It's going to be a good time. Grab your friends and join us at Southwest Elementary School, 2320 Cook Rd., Durham, NC on Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 9am to 2pm.

 

 

Meet the Vendor: Jessie Chilson- Usborne Books

I am SO excited to be a part of the SWE Craftacular this year!

I am Jessie Chilson with Usborne Books and More!  I help get amazing books into the hands of children.  I have a passion and a drive to help parents get high quality, educational, affordable books that their children will LOVE to read.  I have four "little" ones myself who are 4, 7, 8, & 10 years old.  My husband and I joined Usborne Books & More a little over two years ago because we all loved these books and we quickly realized we could build our children's library and earn an income while promoting literacy in our community!

We can be reached by email at UsborneGal@gmail.com, website UsborneGal.com, phone 919-413-3602 or on FB  -  https://www.facebook.com/Usborne-Books-More-Jessie-Chilson-426524757461730/timeline/

I hope you'll stop by and let us help you find some amazing books for the readers in your life!

Jessie Chilson
Educational Consultant
Usborne Books & More
919-413-3602

Can't wait to check out the wonderful books that Usborne has to offer!