Zombie Paper Toy Show

Just a few more days left of the awesome Night of the Living Corpse show at the Light Grey Art Lab. Show runs through September 7 and the paper zombie prints can be purchased online through the gallery shop. Also check out the really fun interactive mix and match zombie parts website featuring the crazy talented artists in the show.

Walker Art Center Shop!!!

I have to say I was beyond thrilled and a little emotional when I was invited to sell my toys at the Walker Art Center Shop. It had been a goal for me for to have my work there and now my fawns will be available in the gift shop starting November 17. 

As part of a collaboration with mnartists.org a handful of local artists were selected to sell there art at the Walker Shop and website shop. Mnartists.marketplace will be an ongoing event and I'm proud to be part of the launch for this curated series.

I love the direction the Walker is taking and accepting the local handmade community into the world of fine art. As someone who likes to browse gift shops, the Walker Shop is one of my favorites!

Craftstravaganza 2011

I'm only doing a handful of shows this year. Don't miss your chance to buy from me in person and visit one of the best indie craft shows of year. Heres the scoop!

Craftstravaganza
Saturday, April 30, 2011
9am-5pm
Free Admission
MN State Fairgrounds Fine Arts Building
Over 70 Amazing Artists
Free Workshops throughout the day
Free Swag Bags for the first 100 shoppers

No Coast is less than two weeks away!

 No Coast Craft-o-Rama 
Midtown Global Exchange building
December 3, 3pm - 8 pm
December 4, 9 am - 5pm

Don't miss in my opinion one of the best craft shows of the year. I look forward to this event every year. So many creative, talented artists participate. It would be hard not to find that unique holiday gift. Sara from Too Many Suitors, one of my favorite artists, designed this awesome poster for the event.  

Below are some of the kawaii ornaments I'll have available. Five new designs including ice skate, mitten, gift, gingerbread cottage and sad fruitcake will be for sale along with softie ornament designs from past years.

That time of year again...

I know its a little early for Christmas but when the holidays are the best time for your business, I begin the holiday inventory in the summer. Its no wonder why I stopped decorating the house for the holidays. I've been making decorations since August! The picture above is a mountain of of softie ornaments I'm currently making. I've added 5 new designs to my existing ornament collection. I didn't realize I was making so many but after stuffing them all, I have well over a 100. I'll be glad to finish these up and pack them away for my upcoming shows.

Last year sales were kinda of slow. As a result of that I've tripled the amount of shows I'm doing this year. I'm looking forward to the new craft shows this holiday season. My work will be on display at the Textile Center for there annual holiday sale. I was also asked to be involved with Peggy's Holiday Boutique. This will be Peggy's 33rd year featuring the work of over 150 artists. I've never been there so it should be interesting. Lastly I'll be at HandmadeMN 1st annual holiday market. Don't you love the graphics for the event! Check show info for specific detail on all events.

Outdoor craft shows are sucky!

Go ahead, laugh. I did, until I realized that the collapsed tent was mine when I arrived this morning. Its not a good feeling finding your tent knocked over to the side with all your display stuff sitting outside of your tent, soaking wet. :( This is what was left of my EZ Up tent after the high winds hit and twisted the frame into a pretzel. I thought I did everything I was suppose to, as far as weighing down the tent yet this happens.

Needless to say I'm done with the outdoor craft show thing. It certainly takes a strong person to deal with the fickle weather and hawking art goods outside. Next time you see me at a craft show it will be INDOORS away from the wind, rain and heat. Buh BYE outdoor craft shows!

Please learn from my mistakes.
1. If you leave your tent over night in strong wings lower your tent roof by bringing the legs down. Not only will your tent have a lower profile but the legs will double in strength because they fit together into one solid leg reducing the chance of bending.
2. If you can't stake your legs because you are on pavement you must get the heavy weights that are placed on the feet of the tent to prevent it from sliding because of the strong winds.
3. The hanging cement PVC weights will keep your tent from lifting off like a hot air balloon but they will also pull down your tent if the legs are swept from underneath. Please follow 1. and 2. to prevent this from happening.

Powderhorn Art Fair 2010

Outdoor Shows are hard work! Especially if the temperature reaches a record high of 96 degrees. Not sure if I'll do another outdoor show during the summer. Both years I've done this particular show have been a bust. Last year it was the rain, this year the heat. UGGHHH!! Someone else best described outdoor craft shows as retail camping. Yes indeed!

I do have to say I learned a lot from last years show and this year was less stressful. It is fun setting up a temporary shop, where otherwise I wouldn't have the opportunity. My mom was a tremendous help ... she was so friendly with all the customers. I was glad to have her along as my helper. Highlights of the weekend were the puppet show, snow cones and misting battery operated fans.

Received this pink metal fridge the day before to display my fabric magnets.

New Craft Show - The Talent Show

Typically my rule for a new show is to check it out before I participate. Even in its first year The Talent Show looks very promising. After seeing some of the artists signing on, one of my favorites being Too Many Suitors, I decided to give it a shot. The space looks beautiful and since I have plenty of inventory.. what the heck, I'll try it out. Sometimes you have to take a risk. Who knows it may be the next great indie craft show. Wish me luck, heres the scoop!

The Talent Show is a fine arts & craft event in the Kingfield neighborhood of Minneapolis, featuring over 30 high-quality craftspeople and fine artists.

June 5th & 6th, 2010
Saturday & Sunday 10AM-6PM
Rau+Barber Studio 4244 Nicollet Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55409

Craftstravaganza 2010

I was a great day at the craft show yesterday. The weather was pleasant, the sales were a bit slow but I saw some old friends and met some new. I was really pleased with the look of my display. I think its the best so far. Thanks to all who came out to visit!

Only 3 Days Away!

I'm just about finished crafting for this weekends Craftstravaganza event. This is one of the funnest craft shows around! Lots of creative young people participating. Not at all stuffy and pretentious like some art shows can be. Don't you love the promo poster? It couldn't match my blog any better. I swear I didn't have anything to do with the design. :)

Above is a pic of some new strawberry sweeties. This year I will have more items than ever so please drop by and check them out. Its only one day, Saturday, May 1 at the State Fair Grounds from 9am - 5pm. If you can't make it to this event I just secured my booth for the Powder Horn Art Fair held in August. More details about that show later.

MIA - Foot in the Door 4

Foot in the Door is an event thats held every 10 years at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. If your artwork fits in a 12" cube your accepted to participate in the states largest art exhibition. Three gallery spaces are filled from floor to ceiling with artwork from over 5000 artists. 3-D sculpture was displayed in the middle from one end to the other. I found my pink fawn in the midst of a variety of artwork. Check out the good, the bad and the ugly! The exhibit runs through June 13 and the admission is always free.

Where could my piece be in all this stuff?


Representing the plush!

No Coast 09 Show Pics

Just a couple of snap shots from the No-Coast Art Fair. Both days were good. Saturday was beautiful and the people were out in droves. These photos were taken during the quiet morning before the event. My new felted ornaments were hit as well as my plush ornaments. Some talented new artists there. Penguin and Fish and Studio Mela were my favs. P@F is a triple threat, graphic designer, illustrator and toymaker. My favorite kind of artist! Check them both out at etsy.

Fantastic Toys Powderhorn Art Fair

My first outdoor craft show didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped it would. The weather forecast had been predicting thunderstorms all weekend and sure enough the night before it rained soaking my tent through and through. Thankfully I set up my inventory the day of so nothing was damaged ...just a leaky wet tent. Minutes before the show was about to start, black ominous clouds rolled in overhead and nasty winds forced us to shut everything thing up. Eventually the rain subsided but the winds continued to blow knocking my pretty things onto the wet ground. The first day was so disappointing I thought I would never do another show again.

Day two went much better. The weather was beautiful.. sunny and cool. I was much more optimistic. I made some corrections to some of the problems from the day before and the day was much less stressful. I never reached my sales goal but I ended the day with more experience and looking forward to the next outdoor show. In fact I received an invitational award to return next year.

Less Than Two Weeks Until the Big Show

I've been busy, BUSY getting ready for the Powderhorn Art Fair. Heres some stuff I finished in the last week. I'm absolutely thrilled about my new business cards and my handmade banner.

Die Cut Mushroom Cottage Business Cards

Finished Banner

Plushie Keychains

Craft Show Banner

I wanted my banner to be so much more than just a logo printed on vinyl. I was thinking of a tapestry/quilt when I was designing it. It will be printed on 45" X 72" canvas. I can't wait to see it hanging up at my next show.

Craft Show Display

I thought it might be fun if I showed my display from my recent craft show and include a few tips for some crafty people participating in there first show. I use this set-up for the small indoor shows. I was able to fit my entire display including the two tables, two chairs and three totes full of inventory and display props onto a fold-up dolly. I made one trip from the car and set-up by myself within an hour. The round tables fit my theme much better than a rectangular table would and the best part they are put together like a puzzle and easily fit in my car. I think its important to raise the items up onto props instead of having them lie flat on the table like some cheap garage sale. I'm always on the lookout for tiny tables and boxes for props and I found most of mine at Michaels on clearance. Sometimes the props may have been the wrong color so I painted them white for a consistent look. The table coverings were made inexpensively with felt and have a scalloped edge. Generally my display made people happy and drove a lot of parents nuts from their kids begging for something from Fantastic Toys. :)

I bought the DVD player at Target for under a hundred bucks much cheaper than some of those digital photo frames. With the DVD player I am able to make custom slide shows presenting my past work and items I may not be able to bring to the show but have available at my etsy shop. At past shows I've run out of business cards. I made sure I plenty for this show. I printed my fake moo cards at the local print shop and cut them all myself. The free stickers were also a big hit with the kids.

This year I introduced some items at lower price points and they were a hit. Although I sold some higher priced items many more buttons, stickers, and Russian doll keychains sold for $6.00 and under.

I price everything with stickers or standing tags. I think its more convenient for customers to see the price instead of asking how much something is. Sales could be missed if I'm busy with a customer and something is not priced. Having a sign displaying which credit cards I take also prevents this from happening. I use Propay to process the credit cards. It is very easy and they only charge a small fee.

Participating in craft shows can be very exciting. Its a great way to meet new artists and expose your work to lots of people. I'll just wrap this up with a few key tips. Feel free to add some more if you wish. See you at the next show!

• Prop your items up with boxes, tables or stands.
• Include a DVD player or digital photo frame to show past work.
• Bring plenty of business cards.
• Have multiple price points.
• Price everything.
• Take credit cards!

Craftstravaganza 2009

Boy did I wake up to a delightful surprise this morning. I had completely forgot about the Fox 9 News segment that was airing this morning about Craftstravaganza. With only five minutes left of the show I managed to catch the last segment featuring the event. Much to my surprise a little mushie of mine was being admired by a cute baby. Look at her sweet smile! Thanks Andy for bringing along the mushroom! If you live in the area make sure to check it out this Saturday May 2, 9-5 at the State Fair Grounds. See you there!

Craft Fair Season is Beginning

My favorite thing about Spring and Summer is that the craft show season goes into full swing. This season I've been invited to the indie craft show Craftstravaganza and my biggest show to date the Powder Horn Art Fair. Expect to see my Spring collection of fawns, owls, mushroom cottages, gnomes, and mushies.

Craftstravaganza!
Saturday, May 2, 9am to 5pm
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Fine Arts Building

Powderhorn Art Fair 2009
Saturday, August 8, 10am to 6pm
Sunday, August 9, 10am to 5pm

Some of the plush that will be available at my shows.

Little Red Dot - Super Plush

Super Plush is one show I wish I could have gone to this year. I've done four plush shows this year mailing my softies around the country unable to attend. I was lucky enough to exhibit with 20 of the most talented plush artists around. My Paper Crane and Chikagraphy to name a few. Thanks to Princess Meech and Effunia Flickr sets I was able to attend vicariously through their photos. Seeing a little red dot is always nice too!