Craft show display

This post is a bit of a show off for me, but also for my use so I don't forget how to set up at my next show!!! :)

I was a vendor at the first annual Bellies, Babies and Beyond Baby Expo in Strathroy this week, and had the chance to debut my new display.



What's that you say, the sign closely resembles a crown and anchor wheel that can be found at most social gaming nights? yeah, I know. It's not done yet, but I got it that far, and decided to use it in this state.

-Flaxseed ouchie bags on trays and in the basket in front of the table.
-Bibs hanging from tiered rack.
-Aprons hanging from side of tiered rack (I have to find a better way to show them!)
-Felt food on trays and homemade pedestal plates (aren't they fun!?!)
-Aplique shirts on the clothing rack to the left.


I bought this metal stand at the second hand store a few months ago, with great intentions of showing my flaxseed ouchie bags on 3 levels. But, the ouchie bags get a bit heavy when there's a few of them, and I didn't want the whole thing to come crashing down. Instead, it worked as a great bib showcase. The middle tier went unused, albeit decorative. (The basket only held info. sheets, but hey, they gotta go somewhere too!) Notice the credit card sign hanging from the top tier. I didn't get a chance to accept any credit cards, but I know someday someone will whip theirs out, and I'll be laughing all the way to the bank!



Here's my felt food sets. I love the bag tags I created! I decided to staple them to the closed end of the bag, and leave the zipper end accessible so people could take the product out, touch, feel and examine, if they wish.



People just love feeling the felt food, and commenting on it. There were squeals of delight, and comments on how real it looks! I am most proud because I received a lot of attention from a couple of boutiques that would like to carry my felt food, as well as a couple daycares that are interested in purchasing!

I got my card out to a lot of people that night, made some money (above my table rental-yay!), and most importantly, HAD FUN!

I'm looking forward to the next show!

mmm mmm mmm YUMMY!

I have MORE to show you for the upcoming Bellies, Babies and Beyond Baby Expo!

I ventured into making felt play food.... and it sucked me in for good! I love making this stuff, it's so cute and somewhat life-like! You can't make it too lifelike, or it won't last in the toyroom - you get a hungry toddler on your hands, and, well, you know!!! :)

First, I present:

Crackers and cheese!

I love these little saltines - they're so cute! Crackers and cheese sets will be sold with 4 saltines, 2 cheddar slices, and 2 swiss slices. Sets will be $4 each.












Fresh from the oven, I've baked up a few varieties of cookies:



Peanut butter cookies, complete with the fork marks! tee hee, they make me happy!











ooey, gooey chocolate chip cookies. Don't they look soft and yummy? (I can almost smell them!)









These little cuties are linzer cookies. The kind with jam sandwiched between 2 cookie layers. We have red, pink, hot pink and purple jam. So cute and feminine!









and, of course, the good old shortbread cookies. We have plain and chocolate shortbread, all with lovely icing and sprinkles. I can't say this word enough, they are so CUTE!




Cookies will be sold individually at the price of $2 each.

Staying on the sweet side of things, I present:

Donuts!



Suddenly, a Homer Simpson voice creeps in my head and says, "mmmmmmm, donuts....."
These lovelies are all hand sewn with icing, and most have sweet sprinkles as well!

Donuts can be purchased for $4 each.



Breakfast, anyone?



Sunny side up eggs make me feel, well, SUNNY! Lovely "leaky" eggs (as my kids call them), with 2 slices of crisp bacon (how we like it in our house!), and a scrumptious, red strawberry to top it off.

Breakfast sets can be "ordered from the menu" for $5 each



This lonely bread modeled for its picture without its companions - all the sandwich fixin's. But don't worry, they've been happy united, and are happy as can be, waiting to make a little one delighted! Sandwich sets include: 2 slices of bread, 1 slice of meat, 1 slice of cheddar cheese, 1 lettuce leaf, and 1 slice of tomato. This great set will be offered for $8.






Well, there you have it! That's my menu for Wednesday night, and any time, if you'd like to order from me.


Just to let you know, I now accept CREDIT CARDS!!! Yay!!! So, if you live in a far off land, I can take your order (by phone or e-mail), process your payment by credit card, and send it away lickety split! Let me know if you'd like to have a missbossypants creation join your toy room!

Bellies, Babies and Beyond Baby Bonanza

Only one more day!!! I'm so excited to be a vendor in a new show that is debuting in my hometown. The Bellies Babies and Beyond Baby Bonanza is on Wednesday, April 14th from 7pm to 9:30pm at the Strathroy Seniors Centre (137 Frank St). Please bring a food donation for Strathroy's Women's Rural Resource Centre as your admission.

 

Who is the host? Who are “Nurturing Mothers”?
Nurturing Mothers is a community organization. Born out of the passion, education, and life experiences of 5 Strathroy mothers, Nurturing Mothers was created to enhance community awareness, offer education, and provide access to local supports, services, and goods for mothers and their families, from preconception to motherhood. Please look forward to the launch of our website at nurturingmothers.ca for more information about them!

Of course, the missbossypants creations will be sold there (I'm a vendor!), and my sister-in-law will have her sweet little hair clips there as well. You can see her fun clips in her etsy shop here: www.averysgarden.etsy.com

To all of you who are local in Southwestern Ontario: Hope to see you there!

More stain protection!

In my previous post, I talked about some stain protection for little cooks. The stains were, for the most part, going to be imaginary ones.

This time, I promise some protection from REAL stains!

Introducing...... some pretty cool bibs!



For the upcoming Bellies, Babies and Beyond Baby Expo, I wanted to create things that were specifically for babies and kids. Sorry mommas, no cup cozies offered at this show (didn't have time to whip some up!)



These bibs are all reversible, some have appliques on the reverse side, and all are very absorbent! Perfect for drool, spit, food, juice, whatever your kiddo can spill on it!

Bibs are priced at a very economical $5. I hope I sell out!

Protecting clothes from cooking stains....

Whether real or imagined..... :)

I've been "slaving in the kitchen" making loads of felt food for the upcoming "Bellies Babies and Beyond Baby Bonanza". I'm hoping that tons of kids will be able to play with all the great food. But you know, when kids are playing with playfood, they definitely need an apron!!! The bacon might splatter, the pasta sauce might drip... they need protection!

So, I created two types of aprons:

The full body apron, with denim straps and backing

Kind of rainbow-ish, kinda kid's crayons. So colourful and fun!




















This fabric is called "Chinese Takeout" I love the little Koi fish and lotus flowers!





















mmmmm...... donuts..... need I say more?


















I LOVE this fabric - it's from a line that celebrates Canadiana. Moose, polar bears, mountains, lakes and Canada geese. Love it!















Of course, ruffles for the girly girls!!!



Now all I have to do is price them - I don't know if I want to let them go though, so maybe they'll all have price tags of... say.... $100 or so. Sound good?

A poll....

I've been invited to be a vendor at the Bellies, Babies and Beyond Baby Expo in Strathroy on April 14th. I'm really excited to be asked to sew for a show that has such a specific audience. These are people who know what they are looking for, and come to purchase! I most likely will do my ouchie bags, since they are such a great item for moms and babies - just think, labour pains, colic, ear aches, fevers, etc. The reason I'm bugging all of you out in blogland is.... I'm looking into making some other things to sell (especially for this show!), and need your input! I've put together some ideas that I have seen elsewhere, and made a little gallery for you all. Now, keep in mind, I will not be copying these items exactly, since some have copyrights, and I'm not about selling something that is not supposed to be sold. I plan to come up with my own version, and make it missbossypants style. Take a look below and tell me what you think moms, babies and toddlers would enjoy.....

First off, aprons are soooooo hot right now. Pretty aprons with ribbons and bows and lace and ruffles.... well you get my drift. And also the kind of apron I seem to need in the kitchen - the full body ones - I can get pretty messy in the kitchen! What little girl (or boy) wouldn't love to have their own apron in their size to help mom and dad in the kitchen, or play with their own kitchen?
Here's a cute ruffle apron I just love!

While the ruffle one is pretty girly, this one can be for a boy or girl. Heck, pockets could be added to make it a tool apron!

Of course, with aprons, you definitely need some FOOD! I am IN L.O.V.E. with felt food! It's so cute!!! And the options are endless....
A little breakfast, perhaps?

How about some doughnuts? mmmmm....

I really like cookies.... :)

I also plan to put together a felt sandwich with bread, cheese, meat, etc. I'm sure I'll come up with some other munchies that would be great with an apron for that special little munchkin!

I've made this before for monkey's little friend, and it turned out well. It's a car cozy roll. Perfect for taking a little toy with you to the doctor's office, church, in the car, etc. It holds six cars, folds over, then rolls up and fastens with velcro - easy for little hands!

I've seen these on the market, and would love to offer these to new moms. A nice swaddle is sometimes all it takes to get the little one to settle down and have a lovely sleep.

Don't you just love the old-fashioned style of paper dolls? But they always rip and the fun runs out very quickly! These "paper" dolls are made of fabric, and their clothes attach with velcro. Clothing changes abound with this cute pair!

I wish I had one of these when my kids were in infant car seats. I remember draping a blanket over the handle to shade them from the sun/wind/sneezes, etc. but it wasn't handy when I wanted to pick up the seat and get going. Now parents can keep the sleeping babe covered (yet not smothered!) and still have access to the handle!


Well, there you have it. My creative juices are in overdrive as I prep and plan for this show. Now, if you don't mind....... :) please, pretty please....
write a comment below (click "add comment") and tell me what you think. Is there a market for these items? Any other great ideas I should look into? Any changes you would make to these items?
Thanks for your help!