New! Embroidered Towels in Colors

 

                  

    

EldersburgEmbroidery now offers embroidered towels on black, orange, purple, and ecru (light beige) towels with fringe.  Other colors can be provided; but towels will be hemmed instead of fringed. Request custom orders at www.eldersburgembroidery.etsy.com.

Listen to Your Customers

Listen up if you sell at craft shows/festivals, etc.

Last fall, I was selling at a craft show.  I noticed that sales have been declining at that show in recent years.  A customer provided the answer.  She suggested that I unclutter the entrance to my booth so that people can see in and access my booth better.

I realized that I have been adding new product lines to the same 10' x 10' selling space over the years. After the customer's suggestion, I invested in a second space and second canopy, and redesigned the 2 side-by-side spaces.  Sales doubled and tripled at shows all this year-- more than enough to pay for the additional investment.

It pays, literally, to listen to your customers and take their suggestions seriously.

Jewelry Class

Jewelry Class

In May, I tried something completely new.  The jewelry instructor at a senior center asked me to teach a class on making wire loops. It was scary since I’ve never taught a class.  My approach was to share what I know from more than 20 years of making jewelry plus 5 years of assisting customers in a jewelry supply store.

I developed a class plan:  the basics of wire and working with wire, the basic tools and how to use them, demonstration of the basic loops with time for students to make each type with my individual help.  At the end, I shared a range of my finished jewelry made with loops and loop connections to demonstrate how their design concepts could be broadened from just bead stringing.  The 2 hours went quickly and I accomplished everything on my agenda.  To my surprise, the class was a success according to the instructor and the students.  Sorry, I have no photos.

Reisterstown Bloomin Art Fest

After days of continuous rain in the area; the weather cleared up for the show.  The sun even made an appearance.

The outdoor show was small; but good- only 40 vendors, including food vendors. Nicely organized. A variety of entertainment on stage throughout.

I had a new experience.  I registered for the show just before the closing deadline.  Rather than reject my application, sponsors asked me not to bring my handmade jewelry because they already had enough jewelry vendors; but please bring all of my other handmade items.  I was told after the show that no other vendor had items like mine which probably explained why I had such a good day.  It was the day before Mothers Day; so, a lot of my sales were intended for gifts.

I can appreciate that the sponsors wanted a variety of items for sale.  I would do this show again.

Reisterstown Bloomin' ArtFest

Spare Time Creations and Eldersburgembroidery will be vending at the Reisterstown Bloomin' ArtFest in Reisterstown, MD for the first time.  The craft event will be held outdoors at the Franklin Middle School.  I'm looking forward to the show.  Stop by if you are in the area.

Since the holidays, I've been working on a new project.

There is a new product line on my EldersburgEmbroidery.Etsy.com online store.  I’ve been selling jewelry pouches at local craft shows for a number of years; so, I decided to offer them to my online customers as well. The pouches can be used to secure jewelry during travel or for safe storage any time.  They are also good for organizing and storing other small items. 

The new pouches have been improved.  First, there is a small eyelet to present a more professional clean opening for the drawstring cord casing.   I learned that 1 or 2 additional reinforcing layers are needed to properly attach the eyelet depending upon the thickness of the outer decorative fabric.  Second, the addition of cord stops ensure that the drawstring cords remain closed while the pouch is in use.  Cord stops are available in many colors from wholesalers online- not the fabric stores which typically offer only black, white and clear.  Being able to match cord stop color to fabric color is great.  

Next step will be to offer pouches with machine embroidery.

Howard County Crafts Spectacular

I've been meaning to report on my experience at the Howard County show.

Well, I made additional inventory in anticipation of this being a great show.  I was not disappointed.  For early November, the weather was a tad bit warmer than usual.  With my display booth being in the barn with no protection from wind or coolness, I learned a couple of lessons for next year-- use sides on my canopy to block the wind, wear more layers, and bring a thermos of coffee to warm the body.  Other than that, the show was great.  Nice way to end the craft year.