Junk Hippy- My first show

I've told you before that I sew.  And lately I've been sewing and people are actually buying my stuff!  It's kind of crazy.  And since I love to sew and I love to sell my stuff, I thought I would participate in my first vendor show of sorts called Junk Hippy.  Junk Hippy is a unique show- the first of its kind.  It was only hand made, vintage, antique, "junk" stuff.  I signed up in April I believe and started building my inventory!

Oh, and I came up with a boutique name, Paisley Apple Boutique.  I made a facebook page, got an awesome logo from a good friend, JDM Designs, ordered some business supplies from my BFF Vistaprint and got to work.  Much to my surprise I had a little bit of trouble keeping up with orders from friends AND making stuff for the show! 

But finally the show came.  This is what I started with.

This my friends is a 10x10 booth with nothing in it but some tape marking off my spot! My dear sweet friend Melissa ( Pink Acorn Desings) came over to the house one day and gave me a TON of ideas of how to set up my booth.

I wanted my booth to be inviting, cute and most of all someplace you wanted to shop.  I wanted it to feel like you were shopping at my house.  A way cuter version of my house. 

I had burp cloths, bibs, ruffled totes...

fabric trash bags, hooded towels...

paci clips, custom pillowcases...

and a few apparel items.  Would you believe I didn't sell those amazingly cute patriotic onesies?  I did sell both those dinosaur onesies though.
I don't know what craft fair gods I pleased but I felt like I had a great placement! I had a corner booth that was right by the concession, restrooms and was apparetly the coolest place in the building.  Triple score!

I made changes to my booth throughout the day to try to move some of my product. I texted my friend Lindsay VERY last minute for an idea to hang my paci clips and she sent me an idea in less than 5 minutes (see above picture).  Isn't that a cute way to display paci clips?!  Don't you want to buy 5 of them?

I asked my friend Kathy who does monogramming to join me for this show and be available for monogramming.

When I worked in corporate America she was one of my rock star employees.  When I found out she did monogramming, well, I basically had my paycheck deposited into her account.  She is awesome. And having her at the show was awesome! No one else did monogramming and people were lining up to get their stuff personalized!  She was an A+ trooper!

My BFF for so many years I won't even bother to count them so graciously offered to assist me.  Boy did I put her to work!

What I love about Tabby is that she totally talked up my stuff.  Not just "oh yeah, that's really cool" but really talked it up.  Talked about her experiences with my products, how the customer could use it for themselves, and just gushed about everything I had.  It was so awesome to hear her talking about my stuff and I am SO glad she was there.  She has the ability to read my mind so I didn't have to tell her anything to do.  She took over.  Thank you SO much Tabby!

We were so busy at the show that Kathy's daughter Aleisha had to stay and help as well.  She helped her mom with the monogramming but it was fun to have her in the booth.

Ronnie brought up the girls to see their mama.  Avery caught wind there was face painting and she had to have it.

Is she not the cutest rainbow ever?!

And I can't leave out Ronnie's cousin, Brooke (The Maude Pod) who had her own booth.  Brooke is like the sister I never had but always wanted. I  heart her.  We get each other and it was fun to have her right around the corner.  We shared many texts about how we weren't ready and ideas we had.  Brooke even let me borrow her bakers rack.  From her kitchen.  It's still in my garage (hi Brooke, you can come get it anytime!). 

This was set up day. We were hot, sweaty and exhausted after after setting up!

So, all in all, my first show was a huge success and the Junk Hippy Roadshow was a huge success! I met a ton of awesome customers and can't wait to make more stuff to sell!  I've already been scoping out fabric (as if I need more) and trying to think of new items as well as finishing up some custom orders.

It was a great time and I can't wait to do it again!  Who is with me?! 

Rock n Roll bag

Did you know that I sew?  Well I do. And I'm not kidding when I say it's revolutionized my life.  If you ask me the top 3 things that have changed my life forever they would be:

1. Accepting Christ as my Savior.
2. Marrying my husby.
3. Learning how to sew.

That's how major it is.

By the way, of course having kids has changed my life but that falls under #2.  I wouldn't have the kids without him!

Anyway, I am starting to sell some of the stuff I make.  I am doing my first show, Junk Hippy in June and that is really what got me started selling my stuff.

All that to say I made this adorable bag today.

I make the most adorable ruffled tote and got an order for a boy tote.  Since ruffles don't really go well with boys I consulted my research and development department and came up with this.  Is this not perfect for a little boy?  That guitar fabric is my new favorite fabric.  I love it!

This bag is a great size!  I love it.  I made one for Avery and it is her library bag.  It's also the perfect size for a quick overnight bag for your little one to stay at grandma's.  I can't wait to make one for Ellie when she's too big for a diaper bag but we still need to carry around a few diapers and toys. 

And if you don't believe me that the ruffle tote is the most adorable thing check this out.

Seriously people.  Is that not the cutest thing?  And that doesn't even have an initial.  I've not given this bag to anyone yet that hasn't told me they've gotten at least one compliment about how cute it is! 

If you want your own bag let me know!  Be sure to "like" my shop on facebook, Paisley Apple Boutique!