Meet The Vendor: Tamara Schellenberg of Big Woof Biscuits

Here is a little bit about Big Woof Biscuits from Tamara:

We love our pets, and we want to give them the very best things we can. Unfortunately not all food manufacturers have the same goals. That is why I started making my own treats for dogs. I use only ingredients I would eat and feed to my family... Because my dogs ARE my FAMILY.

I can tell you that these are always a big hit at Craftacular. Come pick up some goodies for your pooch on Saturday, November 5 between 9 and 2.

#durhamdogs #durham #pets #SWE #pta #NC #Dogtreats #handmade #shoplocal

Headed Back With Craftacular 4!!!!!

The powers that be have decided that Southwest Elementary School in good ol' Durham, NC will INDEED hold yet another Craftacular Craft and Vendor Fair. It will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 from 9am to 2pm.
If you are interested in a table you can click here: Registration.  You can also click there to volunteer at the craft fair.
We want to make our 4th annual CRAFTACULAR the best yet. Tell your friends. Tell your neighbors. Tell people that you pass on the street.
As always booth rental goes directly to our school's PTA as do all the proceeds from the drawing that we hold each year at the craft fair.

You will find us at 2320 Cook Rd., Durham, NC near Fayetteville St.

Meet The Vendors: Bags By Betty 54

Now comes my favorite part of the blog, introducing you all to the people who will have tables at Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair. Today I would love for you to meet Betty & Danielle of Bags By Betty 54!

Hi everyone! We are looking forward to being a vendor at the upcoming Craftacular in November! We are busy working on new items to have at the sale but wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves to you!
Our shop name is called BagsByBetty54. We have a shop on Etsy and will also be on the new Handmade by Amazon which will be launching this fall. You can find our shop at: www.etsy.com/shop/bagsbybetty54 
The shop is named for my mom; Betty; who lives in Michigan. I'm her daughter, Danielle, and I live in Burlington, NC. My mom loves to sew and quilt. She creates everything you see in the shop. I handle all of the shipping, communications, and shop setup. She comes to visit us in NC about every 6 weeks because I have a 3-year old daughter that she loves to spoil and play with! We both love to travel and visit Florida and Disney World as often as we can! We sell baby toys and quilts, table runners, casserole carriers, and purses. Everything is one-a-kind and cannot be replicated. This makes for a very unique, special handmade gift. We are looking forward to meeting you all in November at the craft fair!
Thank you!
Betty & Danielle

I hope you will all stop by their shop and check them out. There is some REALLY cute stuff there. Also make sure to stop by and say hi on November 21 at SWE's 3rd Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair!

I Was Asked a Question Today

I know you are on the edge of your seats wondering what the question might be. Well, a friend asked me if the craft fair is only for professional crafters. In fact the Southwest Elementary School PTA's 3rd Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair is open to ANYONE who wants to try to sell their art. Tables start at only $35 so this is a great way to get your feet wet and see what it's like. It's also a great chance to talk with those who have done other shows and make money off their art work. You might pick up some great tips from these seasoned veterans.
I have made some wonderful friends at past fairs across the country. Is it for everyone? Nope. I would say that if you are relatively shy and the thought of talking to strangers puts your stomach in a knot you may want to stick with on-line shops. But if you are reasonably comfortable talking to people and won't break down in tears when Grumpy Gert starts asking about your prices and then walks away telling her friend that SHE could make that (She probably can't and never will) then I say give it a go!
If you want to find our forms and a list of FAQs just click here---> http://www.swepta.com/craft-fair.html

Check This Out!

So, I have created a fun new flyer for this year's Craftacular! Here it is:

We would love it if you shared this with anyone in the area that may be interested in having a booth at our craft & vendor fair. Booth spaces start at just $35! You can get a $5 discount if you have a kiddo at SWE.
You may also notice that you can color this sheet or have your little people color it and then post it to your favorite social media site with the #SWECraftacular. You can also share it directly on our Facebook page which is right HERE.
Would love to see what you come up with.
If you want a link to the forms and FAQs you can do that HERE.


Thanks in advance for sharing and helping us get the word out.

Meet the Vendor: A Crafty Pear

I am excited to introduce yet another vendor that will be attending our 2nd SWE PTA's Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair this Saturday, November 15 from 9 to 2 at 2320 Cook Rd. in Durham.
Ladies and Germs: A Crafty Pear!
"The ladies of A Crafty Pear love to craft! We have crafts and gifts for all ages. Teacher gifts; stocking stuffers; bows and bow ties; treasure boxes; felted handbags and soap; burlap utensil holders, table runners, wreaths and more is what you will find at A Crafty Pear."

Look at all that adorableness. I am going to be next to this booth. That doesn't bode well for my wallet!
Make sure you stop by their booth and say hi!

Book Harvest

Book Harvest will be joining us at SWE PTA's Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 to 2. If you live in the Durham area and are not familiar with Book Harvest you should be. It is a great organization dedicated to getting new and gently used books into the hands of kids from low-income families who may not otherwise have access to books in their own homes. These kids are even given the chance to choose what books they want for themselves. The books aren't chosen for them. This can give a kid a real sense of power and an eagerness to read what they, themselves have picked out.
Book Harvest has a variety of programs available to help disperse the books. They have Book Babies, Books on Break and Community Book Banks. You can find out more about these programs HERE. The thing is, they actually need books to be able to GIVE books. If you have them, feel free to bring your gently used children's books with you to the Craftacular event to donate to Book Harvest. They take books of all reading levels as they give books to kids of all ages.
This is truly a great way to help out the community right here in Durham.
Stop by the Craft Fair and say hello!

And the Applications Begin

I am so happy to say that we already have applications coming in via our PayPal site. I am really excited about this year's event. I can NOT wait to see what wonderful items will be available.
One of the things that we do at the Craftacular Craft and Vendor Fair that is a big hit is our raffle. Each vendor will be supplying an item for the raffle. Last year there were some amazing things on that table. Again, money earned in the raffle goes right back into the school.
Stay-tuned because I will soon be gathering bios of our vendors so you can meet them before the event and plan your shopping list accordingly.

If you are interested in joining us as an artist or a vendor you can find all if the forms here: http://swepta.weebly.com/craft-fair.html

Now What?

Yesterday went off fairly smoothly. I think that most of the people involved were pretty happy. We had a steady turn out and we now know most of the things that we need to do differently next time. We had a wonderful group of volunteers helping us out, the artists and vendors were awesome, the entertainment was very entertaining and the food was yummy.
The question people kept asking was would we do this again in the spring. Right now my brain is screaming NOOOOOOOOO.... but give me a week and we will see how I feel about it then.

It's The Final Count Down...

I can't believe that in just a few short days we will finally get to enjoy the SWE PTA's Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair. THIS Saturday, November 23 we will get to see the labors of all our hard work. Don't get me wrong, there's still A LOT to get done but we will get there and it will be awesome!

The one thing we still need is YOU. We need people to come out and support the wonderful vendors and artists that we are STILL adding to the list. We need you to come and show some love to the food trucks who are graciously coming to spend the day with us. We need people to come and purchase raffle tickets and try to in some fantabulous prizes. We need you to come out and applaud for the entertainers... ESPECIALLY for me when I put on a Thanksgiving/Hanukkah story time. We need you to come out for the camaraderie.

Please join us this Saturday, November 23 from 9am to 2pm at Southwest Elementary School, 2320 Cook Rd., Durham for the

SWE PTA's 

First Ever

Craftacular

Craft & Vendor Fair

If you don't I will probably take it personally. No pressure though. ;) 

Meet the Vendor: Debbie Bledsoe

Please meet yet another talented artist attending our first ever Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Southwest Elementary School, 2320 Orchard Oriole Ln., Durham, NC.

1. Your name and the name of your business

My name is Debbie, and I am the creator at Mouth of Babes (MOBCreations on etsy.com).

2. What will you be sharing at the event?

I will have sewn items for parents and babies, as well as a few knitted/crocheted items and some small novelties.

3. How long have you been doing this?

I have always loved creating things. I started focusing on making baby items 3 or 4 years ago and it has been very rewarding.

4. What is your favorite thing about doing what you do?

I love seeing the items that I create make people's lives easier. I especially love it if I can do that with a splash of cuteness!

5. What is your favorite book?

I have about a dozen “favorite” books. It is easier to name my two favorite authors: Anne McCaffrey and Orson Scott Card.

6. How can people get in touch with you?

Visit me at my etsy shop! www.etsy.com/shop/MOBCreations

7. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a million things when I grew up, and I still can't decide! =)

8. What is your favorite animal?

The elephant! I am obsessed!

9. Do you have another ‘real world’ occupation or hobby?

I work in a bookstore for my “real” job, and I love it. I have always been an avid reader and I have a few too many bookshelves in the house! Besides reading, I love geocaching with my husband (it is treasure hunting with a GPS; look it up!), hiking, swimming, and snuggling with the sweetest dog in the world-Jenny, our darling Whippet.

Meet the Vendor: Denise Simpson

Everyone will be gussying up for the holidays. This seems the perfect booth to stop at for some wonderful accessories. Please meet Denise Simpson.

1. What is the name of your business?
 Oh So Cute Bows By Denise
2. What will you be sharing at this event?
  I will be sharing handmade hair bows, Christmas hair bows, bottle cap necklaces, reversible  jumpers, unique hair bow holders.
3. How long have you been doing this?
 I started May 2013. 6 months
4. What is your favorite thing about doing what you do?
I love making new hair bows for my customers.
5. What is your favorite book?
I don't have a favorite book. My favorite author is Nicholas Sparks. So I try to read all his books that he had out.
6. How can people get in touch with you?
You can get in touch with by email (dmsimpson@triad.rr.com), facebook (Oh So Cute Bows By Denise) just look me up, phone call (336-337-9068)
7.Is there any piece of trivia about you that people may find interesting or amusing?
 I am a mother of twins. I have a girl and boy who are 4 years old.
8. What did you want to be when you grew up?
 I wanted to be a lawyer when I was a kid.
9. What is your favorite animal?
 I don't have a favorite animal.
10. DO you have any hobbies?
 My hobby is I love to scrapbook.

Meet the Vendor: Sara Harrel

With the Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair coming up in just ONE week it's time to meet even more of our vendors. This next one should really appeal to you chocolate lovers out there.

1)      Your name and the name of your business

Sara Harrel, Independent Chocolatier with Dove Chocolate Discoveries

2)      What will you be sharing at the event?

An exclusive line of gourmet chocolate products from Dove Chocolate Discoveries, and the opportunity to join me in the ‘sweet life’

3)      How long have you been doing this?

About 6 months

4)      What is your favorite thing about doing what you do?

I love sharing the sweet life opportunity with others through in-home chocolate tasting parties

5)      What is your favorite book?

Anything by Nicholas Sparks!

6)      How can people get in touch with you?

Email:  ChocolatewithSara@gmail.com  Phone:  (919) 724-6605 

Web:  www.mydcdsite.com/SaraHarrel

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/DCDChocolatewithSara

7)      Is there any piece of trivia about yourself that people might find interesting or amusing?

I am the first one in my family to graduate from college – a feat that took me over 11 years to complete!

8)      What did you want to be when you grew up?

An elementary school teacher

9)      What is your favorite animal?

Panda bears

10)   Do you have another ‘real world’ occupation or hobby?

I am a stay-at-home mom to my two boys, a 2.5 year old & a 7 month old

 

Don't miss Sara on Saturday, November 23 from 9am to 2pm at Southwest Elementary School which is located at 2320 Cook Rd. near Fayetteville not far from 40 and Southpoint Mall.