Howard County Crafts Spectacular

It has been quite a few years since I participated in this show; and I'm looking forward to returning.  The show will be held at the Howard County Fair Grounds (MD) on November 6, 7, and 8-- Friday thru Sunday.  Hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm each day.

This show is known for hundreds of vendors with quality merchandise.  It normally draws a large crowd all weekend and attendees are usually holiday shopping.  My booth will be located in Barn #4, space #2.  Please stop by if you are in the area.  In the meantime, I'm busy making new inventory for what should be a great event.  I'll let you know.

Parkville/Carney and Catonsville Craft Shows

The Catonsville Craft Show was great.  For those not familiar with the show, it's held on Frederick Rd from Bloomsbury Ave west about 5 or 6 blocks.  Always lots of vendors- 256 this year.  The show always draws a large crowd, some are holiday shopping for interesting or unique items.  This year, there were more food vendors at the western end of the road- convenient to vendors at that end.  As usual, the show was well organized with plenty of volunteers and there were boy scouts and other youth eager to help set up tents and unload vehicles. The show has always been held on the second Sunday in September.  Put the date on your calendar.  I'll let you know my vendor booth number for next year.

Now, the Parkville/Carney Show on Saturday.  It was a total bust.  To be perfectly fair, it showered or rained all day.  A few people ventured out between the weather; but they weren't shopping.  There were only 2 blocks of vendors on Harford Rd.  The unusual thing is that there were maybe a dozen craft vendors. The other vendors were overwhelmingly local businesses and organizations.  Regular local vendors assured me that when the weather is nice, the street is crowded with attendees.  I'm not convinced that that would make a difference in shopping.  With the weather and no one shopping, I started packing up early.  Once and done for me.

Parkville Town Centre Fair

I'll be vending at the 31st Annual Parkville Fair on Saturday, September 12, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.  The street fair takes place on Harford Rd in the center of Parkville, branching north and south from Taylor Ave.  My space location is #40.  There will be music on the Main stage, food, and a Kids Arena at Dubois Ave. with a magic show and story telling and more.

 This will be my first time participating in this event.  I'm looking forward to it.  Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday.

Pine'eer Arts & Crafts Fair

Last weekend's Pine'eer Arts & Craft Fair outside of Ocean City, MD received mixed reviews depending upon where your booth was located and what you were selling.  I heard that those vendors who were located inside in the comforts of air conditioning did not have a good show due to less foot traffic. On the other hand, those of us who were located outside in the park under the trees were more successful. Thankfully, it did not rain just before or during the show.  We were dry.  It was a hot day- 90 degrees with an occasional breeze.  We had more foot traffic as usual.  Crafters and artisans with unusual creations did more business.  There seemed to be foot traffic this year.  Many people were shopping for holiday gifts.  The one downer for me was there were fewer food vendors.  Over the years, we have always depended upon food vendors for a variety of offerings in the morning and at lunch time- Italian sausages and other goodies.  I'll be there again next year.

My next show is a little closer to home in Parkville, MD in Baltimore County.  It will be my first time vending at that show.  I'm looking forward to the opportunity.  Stop by the show if you're located in the Baltimore area.  More later.

Pine'eer Crafts Festival

Spare Time Creations/ Eldersburg Embroidery will be vending at the 38th annual Pine'eer Craft Festival at Ocean Pines near Ocean City MD  on Saturday, Aug 1, 9-3:00. Booth B10.  I'm looking forward to having a great day as usual.  Stop by if you are in the area.  This is a great opportunity to see in person a lot of the items that I sell on my Etsy shops.

Personal Update

            It has really been a long time since my last posting.  So, let me bring you up to date.

            The small business where I worked for 5 years went out of business.  I am now retired for the second, and hopefully, last time.  In retirement, I have been busier than ever with church, housework, de-stashing the house, home improvements and repairs, and taking vacations and short trips with my husband.  This has also been a time for reflection on next steps. 

            Working full-time for oneself is the new venture.  As for crafting, creating jewelry somehow took a back seat.  While going through my craft supplies, I “found” yarn for crocheted shawls; so that is what I have been doing lately- crocheting shawls and revisiting crochet as a pastime.  I also opened a second Etsy.com shop- this one devoted solely to machine embroidery work.  A lot of time has been devoted to setting up the new shop and making inventory.  While going through my craft supplies again and reorganizing my work space, it was inspiring to re-discover my stash of beads and beading supplies—and what I intended to do with them when I purchased them.  So, I am beading again.   Now that I no longer work on Saturdays, I plan to sell my creations at more craft shows and festivals.

          Lastly, I have been devoting more time to my Mary Kay cosmetics business.