Where did all the street markets go?

Last year was my first journey into craft shows.

I only did two shows & half of the experience was good (with the other half being awful).

I'm toying with the idea of doing the Big Crafty again, but at the same time I thought I'd try out some of the smaller/slower paced markets.

It's been tough to find any local shows... a quick search gave me just two options; The Big Crafty & Asheville 2nd Saturday.

There used to be at least 3 others... small, monthly & bi-monthly markets with just a few vendors.
I saw on one site that vendor participation was low. This doesn't surprise me. A while back I tried to get a group together for a yearly or twice-a-year show and initial interest was high, but we never made it past the first meeting.

So I understand that a great idea just fizzles out (especially due to lack of volunteers, funds & participation). I'm glad that there are a few still available. But I do mourn the little indie shows of the past.

Any one know of any others?

What's Up Wednesdays :: Hell Yeah!

I have been sewing like crazy!

I have piles on my table and slowly, I'm getting it all sewn (almost everything takes at least an hour to sew).

And I found out on Sunday that these piles are just the beginning.

I wasn't sure I had make the cut, especially since I heard of many others getting their approval and I hadn't heard squat... but my big news this week is I was accepted in to The Big Crafty!

Hell yeah!

It is the winter show and it's in about 5 weeks.

This is my current holy grail... I tried to get in last year and it was a no-go. But in my blog post I mentioned that it was a good thing, mainly because I wasn't ready.

Now... I'm more ready than I have ever been. I've only done one show as of this post (and one more by Dec. 5th, Big Crafty Day). It's not perfect, but in comparison to last year, I'm head & shoulders above my former self.

So this is scary/exciting.

I better get back to my piles, because after this weekend's show I have only four more weeks to sew & build up my inventory.

Hell yeah!

"Fan of" CatzillaCrafts

This week I want to brag about CatzillaCrafts. I admired her stuff online for a while, but a few months back I was able to see her awesome crocheted cacti in person!
Needless to say, I was weak in the knees and I went home with a cute cactus (featuring an even cuter pink flower).

Her Etsy shop is full of many other things besides cacti. There are many plushies (owls, cats & other creatures), cat toys, record bowls & purses.

She also offers crochet patterns. All of it is wonderful and I'm looking forward to buying some more goodies.

CatzillaCrafts has been selling on Etsy for years and her patterns have been featured in magazines and will be seen in an upcoming book.

Please go to her shop, look around... enjoy the desert scenery... and buy me another cactus. They are super affordable, so you can always buy yourself one too!