A Weekend of Craft Fairs!

It's been a strange goal of mine to do two craft fairs in the same weekend and this Saturday and Sunday, my dreams are coming true. I'll be vending in person at Bazaar Bizarre in San Francisco, while Kevin (with my former intern Jackie on Saturday, and partner-in-calendar-crime, Victoria of Paper & Type on Sunday) will taking care of business at Unique LA in downtown Los Angeles. It's been utter mayhem preparing for two simultaneous fairs and planning booth set ups but I'm excited it's finally here. Come say hello!

New for the SF fair: narwhal & elephant chalkboard ornaments, 5x7 Holiday Clink print, framed prints, and yes, they're back... plush muffs! I'll be bringing the full range of goodies next weekend to Renegade Craft Fair LA, so don't stress if you miss this weekend. Kevin will be happy to see you though :)

Sure & Steady Hustle

I took a brief ice cream break after bazaar bizarre

only to immediately jump back into action & tackle the orders due before the new year.

Seven earmuffs, one rhino plush, two paintings, one elephant, 3 sets of specialize prints I still have to paint. (don't worry... floors clean. we have a shoes-off policy!) Thank goodness my little sister is back from her 3-month long tour of Southeast Asia to help me!

This is her project box. She's in charge of making the plush audio plugs & cardboard circles.

She also brought me lovely Japanese presents... haaaaaaaaaaaam! & pens galore!

Work station is a mess but I guess that's how I prefer it.

I'm pooped but o so very happy. I'm also two for two visits to the post office this week & looks like I'll be heading there tomorrow for more deliveries :)

Hercules's Craft Bazaar Day 2

You know you're doing something right when customers return the day after for more. It's also amazing when you realize you have a following, & not in the google buzz or twitter sense, or amongst your friends because that only partially counts. I don't know... It's all very encouraging and reaffirming that I'm gold pursuing this art thing.

I think the most heartwarming sale of the day was to a woman who purchased a print of Literary Fort. She told me it reminded her of her kids when they were little because they loved to read all the time. She said she'd frame it over her sewing machine to inspire her & remind her of her kids :) . I packaged the print & as she walked away, I asked her how old her kids are now. "21 & 26... one's graduating from UCLA this year..." There was a tinge of sadness & nostalgia in her voice, and I felt so... I don't know... privileged? appreciative? that something I painted in a way penetrated a very intimate memory for her.

Overall, the day was slow, which only meant I worked while I worked :)

Yep. That's Mr. & Mrs. Claus making the rounds, handing out candy canes. Yum! My first one of the season.

It was a great two days of vending, and a good way of quietly testing the waters before the big weekend in SF. I have a lot of Bazaar Bizarre preparation to do so.... BYE! :)

Hercules's Craft Bazaar Day 1

Wow. Just wow. A shockingly positive experience. I am SO pumped for tomorrow.

I was suffering from lack of enthusiasm in the days leading up to this fair. I felt calm, but a little too calm (yeah... a little too ralph). I was a little weary about the potential rain, setting up a tent for the first time, arranging the lights, a new space, etc. Even during the set up I felt moody. Then BAM! I started talking to the visitors & shoppers, the mayor of Hercules announced the arrival of Santa Claus (you could take pictures with him in the photobooth haha), my mom brought me a free cookie... all was well in the world. It never rained. When I didn't make a sale, I made a friend. I was interviewed by the city's newspaper. Even an old friend from USC visited! Hollerrrrrrr!

The only reason why I put eyes on some of my elephants is so kids can dig around and find the ones that do. It's amazing how much fun they have. One little girl immediately started searching, flipping the ears over and tossing aside the eyeless. When she found her first one, she jumped up and showed her mom. She was half giggling, half asking for it. She wouldn't let it go. Eeeeee! Her mom helped her put it in the paperbag & once it was inside, she hugged the bag and skipped away with it still pressed against her chest. That kind of stuff just makes me fuzzy & happy.

Drawing these sign up sheets are my favorite :)

I really can't get over how nice everyone was. Hooray for small town hospitality!

Okay, time to get to work. As pooped as I am, most of the little elephants are now in the arms of a small child. It would be wrong for le petit elefant to have no petit elefants tomorrow. It's definitely a good problem to have :)

Holiday Craft Bazaar at Hercules's Market Hall

it's craft fair time! i'm excited about the tree lighting ceremony & not so excited about the potential rain. either way, i'll be there with a smile!

outfit picked!

supplies packed!

& plush neatly tucked away! let's do this!

Holiday Craft Bazaar at Hercules Market Hall!

Hoorah! I just got accepted to vend at Hercules Market Hall's Holiday Craft Bazaar!

I read about this craft fair on a blog post but wasn't too convinced until I visited the website. Whoa nelly what a great space! You can even rent trailers instead of booth spaces! Neato!

As it says on its website, the Market Hall 'is a new concept for a "movable" community retail and gathering space that brings a unique mix of dining, retail, and recreational uses to the City of Hercules. The project combines elements from a public market, a park, a community festival, and a roadside diner to create an active amenity for the residents and visitors of Hercules to enjoy.'

You can find me:

Friday December 3rd, 6-9pm (for the tree lighting ceremony!)

Saturday December 4th, 10am-5pm

Market Hall

4000 San Pablo Avenue

Hercules, CA 94547

It'll be fun-filled days of live music, s'mores by the fire & an appearance by Santa!

Black Friday Sale on Etsy!

Yes! You indeed read correctly. I'm having an etsy sale of my own for those who don't like waking up before sunrise to buy cheap external hard drives and socks. Shop in the warmth of your bed & blankie!

For one day only I'm offering free shipping within the US and sale gift bundles:

calendar + any print + any card for $40
petit elephant + any print + any card for $32
four holiday cards or more at $3.50 each

I'll have the bundles available as items & you simply specify which print, card & color preference for the elephant when ordering. The bundles are perfect as one gift or multiple for your mom, a friend or yourself!