Goin' Old School

I was perusing through some of my favorite blogs and on Pinterest and I kept seeing the same thing.

Cross Stitch.

The first thing I couldn't help but think was, "My mom and Grandmother used to do that." Therefore, I kinda just shrugged my shoulders and went on. But then, I saw some really pretty and really cute ones and I began to change my mind a little. 

I already had my Grandmother's and Mother's stashes of embroidery floss as well as some of of my own. It was a match made in heaven.

I went to my local JoAnn's and they had these little 'My First Stitch' kits and some other little kits. I grabbed a MFS and another kit and headed to checkout. 

(Side Story)

We all know that I like LOVE to save money. I knew one of the kits was on sale and the other was a dollar. Not too expensive to begin with but, I'll always take what I can get. Back in the summer, JoAnn's had a discount card for students. It was something along the lines of 10 or 15% of you regular and sale purchase. It expired some time in August and I was so sad but, all good things must come to an end. 

I was at Plato's Closet a couple of days before I went to JoAnn's. They had a piece of paper taped to the counter that said when a customer showed their college ID, they got a discount. I could not believe I didn't realize that sooner. That got me thinking about all the places that can and do give discounts to college students. 

Back to JoAnn's, when I was checking out with my Cross Stitch kits, I asked the cashier if they had a discount program for college students. She asked to see my ID, grabbed a form, asked me to fill out a form and gave me a card that is good for 10% off regular, sale, AND CLEARANCE purchases, AND it's good until next year. 

WHOOHOOO!!!!

Since then, literally everywhere I go, I ask if they have discounts for college students. I was at a thrift store and asked and the lady said even though they didn't, she'd give me one anyway!

Moral of the Story: It never hurts to ask. All they can say is no.
(End of Side Story)

I started on the MFS kit and quickly worked through most of the pattern. I soon found a pattern online and used the material from the other kit to complete it.



Even with all the great patterns on the Internet and Pinterest, I couldn't find a pattern of an Owl. (Another little fact about myself, I LOVE Owls). I was perusing the embroidery section of Wal-Mart and I saw the perfect thing. A MFS Owl kit.


I wasn't crazy about the color combinations or the pattern on the stomach so I went my own way. Maybe that's a sign that I'm getting good?! ;)

I most certainly plan on pursuing this but, don't really foresee buying any more kits. Goodness knows, I have plenty of my own string I can use.

Thanks for coming by and have a Great day.

Second Time Around

Dec 1, I did my second Craft Show. I felt a lot more confident going into this one, being my second time around.

This show was part of the Lighting of the Oaks program at Lanier Charter Career Academy at the Oaks in Oakwood, Georgia. Also a part of the program were performances by various groups, a Creative Christmas Tree Contest, a Gingerbread House Contest, a silent auction, and, of course, The Lighting of the Oaks.

This time my Mom and I went in together 50-50. She was selling Christmas bows while I sold my usual wares. 

I had actually set up some of my merchandise in the student run Gift Shop there. For the show, I simply moved them down the hall and set them up on my tables. 

This time was oh so different than my first Craft Show. 

There were people coming in and looking around while most of us vendors were still setting up. This really irritated me because I didn't have everything out and if they didn't see something they liked then, they would have no reason to come back and see the rest of my merchandise. It was just really unfair to everyone involved. 

Speaking of unfair things, as a performer myself, I felt uglier than pooting in church, talking and carrying on while all the different groups were singing. We were all in the same room with the performers and audience on one informal side and the Craft Show on the other informal side

I felt like there were a lot more people at this show than at my last one but, no one was buying. They said all my stuff was cute and neat and such a great idea but never bought. My Mom brought to my attention that most of the people coming through were probably the parents of those who were performing and probably didn't know that there was going to be a Craft Show going on. Needless to say, they wouldn't be prepared to spend money on all of our wonderful products.

I also REALLY disliked the set up of the tables in the space. They were basically set up in L's. We chose an L in the middle of the room. We thought we could get some good traffic this way but I soon found that I had my back to customers a good deal. I would follow my customers as they went around the table then back around as another customer came by. I spent the whole night going in circles. 

Despite all these issues/problems/concerns, we broke even and profited a tiny bit monetarily. I say it like that because another vendor told me about another show in Cornelia that takes place for three days, two weekends in a row, $30 for all six days. I feel like this show could be a really good fit and could do well for me. 

As I have said before, God takes care of his children. In more ways than one.