Personal Blog of Ashley Cawthra

Two down, two to go.

This season I am doing a few craft fairs with some friends of mine.  I did a few on my own last year but I though that more crafty folks would make it more interesting.  We've been working every Friday night for the last few months getting things ready for the holidays. 

It's been fun. It's also been a lot of work inbetween everything else like the etsy shop, blogging, school and life.  But we're two down and two to go.  The first two we're alright.  We did what could be expected for the days and traffic.  The next two will be the biggest.  I'm excited and hopeful that we bring in small heaps of money so that I can buy christmas gifts.  Or stuff to make christmas gifts. 

This is the mess left from preparing some last minute cards to bring to the second craft fair. Yikes.

Winter 2009 Arrives

My second exam is over - hurrah!  I have 4 more days until my next one so I'm squeezing in a little crafty time.  I've been working on this project for awhile, mostly inside my head and my sketch book due to christmas/craft fair preparations.  I finished the majority of this project in the summer however only recently put it all together. 

I am now back on etsy with my first piece of my Winter 2009 collection:

 

This is the first {of many} Simple Scrapbooks.  It's called Tranquil and made from a plastic photo album, acid free of course.  It includes 5 double-sided pages or layouts as I like to call them.  The layouts have space for journalling, places to matte cropped photos or can be used simply as dividers.  I'm so excited about this project because I think it's going to provided accessible scrapbooks at reasonable prices.  I know that sounds ridiculous but really - they are beautiful, and easy to add photos to.  Check it out on {etsy}

On a grumbly note, please skip if you don't want to be grumbly, I need to complain for just a minute.  At my craft fair on Saturday, it unfortunately ended up that my table was across from another crafter selling similar items as myself.  I wasn't thrilled about it but I was up for the challenge and knew all I could do was make the best of it.  What I'm most grumbly about is the other crafters' attitude.  She slinked over to my table when I was away to "check" my things out and demand a business card.  I think it's a little tacky to check out the competition at a craft fair in general but if you're going to do it I think you can be respectful.  Really, she was just mad because my sales were good and she was getting little business.  She complained to a few different folks, some of which I knew, and finally to one of the staff running the craft fair.  Her complaint: she can't compete with my prices.  My response: If you want to be The Bay of cards and paper crafts go right ahead. Maybe I want to be Zellers.   I'm happy with my image, my items and price my items at what is both profitable and appropriate for me.  Alas, it was a good day overall and I am looking forward to my next craft fair adventure.

Look out for more exciting pieces.  They are on the way, if I can find the time!

Hearts&crafts,
Ashley

FANTASTIC day

The craft fair today at Steveston was great!  I just want to say thank you to everyone that stoped by my table to see my and even pick up a few items.  It was a great day.  I sold almost all of my work, except for my greeting cards which is okay with me!  I am also looking forward to hearing from those of you that are interested in custom work. 

I have two exams this week so it's a race to get all the studying in that I can.  I'm exhausted.

Ashley

ohjeez

It's almost here.

Awhile back I started saying ohjeez at work. Usually when I dropped something or made a mistake.  Imagine it in a funny sort of southern accent.  My coworker thinks (still today) its hillarious and says it occassionally, even though I don't anymore.  Today would be titled ohjeez.

To start things off, work was swell. Pretty uneventful.  When I got home this afternoon I realized that I didn't remember to pick up a float from the bank for tomorrow.  This was at 4pm on a FRIDAY.  My bank is stupid on a Friday afternoon. But I ran over there and luckily the lineup was short enough that I didn't poke anyones eyes out. 

I went home did a bit more arranging and then flew back  out to the store to pick up a tablecloth from another coworker.  When I got there it was reallllly busy and of course customers to talk to, pricing guns to fix and shaker boxes to make.  I flew out of there to get home to finally eat some real food and get back down to work.  My night has finished with putting everything together neatly boxed so tomorrow goes smoothly. FINGERS CROSSED.

With that I will sign off - I need to make sure I have the right directions.

Ashley

Working hard, real hard.

The count down to my first craft fair is on. I have 2 weeks til its over and done with. What do I have left to do? Everything!  Okay maybe not everything but plenty.  Today after a tough 7 hour shift on a sale day at the store I came home to make 6 cards and 12 popcorn sliders (2 different designs), in just under 3 hours.  Now maybe that doesn't seem like a lot so I should mention that it involved a few minutes of this weeks episode of Sisters & Brothers, walking to and from the crafty closet and a search for some missing stickers. AND for the last 20 minutes (before I actually turned on my machine and started typing) I tried to organize all my new purchases and supplies to finish up these last couple cards.  Pictures to come.

The worst part of my evening was dropping a BIG 12 x 15" paper container (full of paper) on my foot.  It hurts. The funny part is that I sat and watched it swell up, thinking to myself what was actually going on inside. 

In other news, mainly supplies - I really love the new crate paper collections, LEMON GRASS is wonderful.  I am also enjoying my minds eye christmas. bee-u-tiful.

I'm feeling a bit better about my prepardness for the craft fair my foot aside.  I've got plenty of ideas and things to work on just NO TIME.  The good news is that school is done in exactly one month and then I get to craft away.

Time fer bed.
Hearts+Crafts,

Ashley

The usual suspect

As usual its after midnight and I am awake.  Thinking mainly crafty things but much bigger things as well.  Being a Health Science major might be all its cracked up to be. My first week of the semester was painful but things are getting better.  My world view is getting smaller and my heart heavier.  It's up to us to change the world or really there is no point in living in it.

My craft fair jury date is fast approaching.  I have to get so many things done in under a month.  Basically I need one of everything so that I will be allowed to sell it.  Not a big task but not a small one either.  Of all the projects I'd like to have with me I'd say about half are done.  I don't want too much product.. but there needs to be enough.

Until next time,
ashley