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.

Come One Come All!!!!!

Tomorrow is the day we've been waiting for. The Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair will finally be taking place. Here is an over view for the day:

There will be even more due to the fact that we had folks knocking down our doors even after the deadline. Some of those people didn't sign up in time to be included in the program. We are still very grateful for their participation.
Hope to see you there.

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.

Bucket Raffle

One of the things I'm excited about that will be happening at the SWE PTA's Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair is the funtastic BUCKET RAFFLE. No, we aren't raffling off an actual bucket. At a bucket raffle you purchase your ticket(s) and place them in buckets in front of the prizes you would like to win. We will draw from each bucket.
The prizes should be a lot of fun. Each of our vendors, of whom we keep getting more of, will be donating an item valued at $15 or more for the raffle. I am also on the look out for any businesses that are willing to donate items for the raffle. One of the items donated were SIX individual FREE lunches from Cafe Carolina in Meadowmont Village. I am starting to scour the town over the next couple of weeks to see what I can come up with. If you know anyone who would like to donate to the cause just let us know.
You can reach me at canavalinsky@gmail.com.
Those who donate will be mentioned in our program for that days event. The hope is that we will have the program completed in time to go home with each of the kids at Southwest sometime during the week prior to the Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair.
This is really shaping up to be a great, family friendly day. You will be able to do some holiday shopping with one of our growing number of vendors, enjoy a delicious lunch from a local food truck, enjoy local entertainment all while helping to support the deserving kids of our community.

We still have a few spots open for entertainers and vendors. Contact me if you are interested in either.

REMINDER: After October 15 booth space will go up by $10. Get your applications in now.

Building a Sense of Community

One of the things that I am really hoping for from the Southwest Elementary School PTA's Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair is that it helps tighten our already close knit community. SWE has a wonderful group of parents, teachers and staff. It's a warm and inviting place. I want that warmth to spread to the community. To the city of Durham and surrounding areas.
I am excited to show people how a gathering such as this can be a wonderful place to meet people. To learn about what else there is outside the circle we are already comfortable with. It is a place to build friendships.
Those who take part as vendors often find a great network at an event such as this. It's a great place to learn about other events and to build a new clientele.
Those who come to look and shop often find new and unique products to give as gifts or keep for themselves. One of my favorite things about events such as this one is meeting new artists and small business owners. It's great to be able to help out a budding entrepreneur. I also love sharing these terrific folks with the public.
You may just meet the next up and coming artist or find your new favorite food truck. I hope you and your friends come by this family friendly event to check it out for yourselves.
Remember, we are still looking for vendors, food trucks, entertainment and volunteers to help us out for the day.
Here's a flyer you may see around town:

Feel free to pass this on to everyone and anyone!

Our Hopes and Dreams reposted

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.

These Kids Need Your Help

School has started back up. Parents everywhere are sending up an exclamation of joy. If you are like me you are rejoicing in the fact that the bickering has been cut WAAAAY back. If you are also like me you are pleased to be seeing those parents you have begun to rely on for school gossip, to commiserate with over your kids trying times and to whom you brag when your kiddos have done something awesome.

Southwest Elementary School has a wonderful network of parents who really care about, not only their own kids but also the kids that they have gotten to know. It is a great school. The parents are eager to see their kids and MY kids excel. That's why we are calling on YOU for support.

Although spaces are filling up for the upcoming Craftacular Craft & Vendor Fair we would love to have you get involved. We are still looking for the following people:

Direct Sales Businesses

Artists

Crafters

Volunteers

Food Truck Owners

Any Small Business Owner who wants to set up a booth

People to advertise in the program for the event

Talented people to entertain throughout the day

Folks who would like to donate items for our raffle

People willing to advertise the event

and of course

People to COME AND SHOP!

This is going to be an amazing and community centered event and we would love you to be involved. The PTA will be using money earned from the event to help the school update its technological resources. Let me ask you:

Have you EVER seen a group MORE in need of technological advances?

For more info click HERE.

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!

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!

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.