Locals, Mark Your Calendars...

Brynwood Needleworks - Craft & Vendor Expo Poster

 

I'm busy creating brand new designs and products for my booth at this event on November 24th! If you're local to me, I hope you'll plan to attend!

Successful Show...

Brynwood Booth - Kewaskum Holiday 2018 Craft Show

 

I promised a photo of my booth prior to the start of the show yesterday. Here it is! As I told you before, I had over 20 Grab & Go Clutch/wristlets, over 20 Event Crossbody Bags, a number of Kirby Crossbody Bags, a large Bella Tote, and a few Bryn Crossbody Wallets.

I sold out of the tote and wallets, a number of Kirby bags and wristlets, to declare that our participation in the show was a grand success! In fact, so much so, that I reserved my booth for next year, as well as their summer outdoor show called "Party on the Pavement".

I was set up this time in front of the school's rock climbing wall, with those red floor mats behind my display, so my backdrop was very "holiday". I'm already planning what my future booths will look like, which may include gridwalls for more hanging possibilities. I also have two more of the acrylic racks like the one shown for table top variety, and I may or may not use the wire cubbies again, although they were perfect for this event.

My stuffed Corgi not only greeted my customers, but was (of course) a conversation starter. My screen saver on the Square checkout was the fall photo of Tag and Bella sitting in the leaf pile, so they could see what both dogs looked like.

I built my own checkout stand from supplies I purchased at Jo-Ann Fabrics. I bought three wooden crates on sale, as well as the wood piece (meant for home decor by adding letters or words) that I used for my counter top. I had a 25% off coupon for my purchase, which even covered items already on sale, and then I used an Ibotta coupon for an additional 15% off through the app. I purchased the brackets to securely attach all the components into this configuration, and then attached a short-tailed, three-outlet extension cord to the inside of the top crate (for plugging in my Square stand). In the end, this checkout stand cost me less than $45! Pretty thrifty, I think, considering how cool it looks.

I used the crate openings on the backside to store my shopping bags, receipts, and other supplies (including a few snacks, which I never eat in front of prospective customers!). It turned out to be a really useful addition to my booth. I set up my tissue paper on the end of the table, and had everything I needed to complete a sale right at my finger tips. I wouldn't change a thing about it.

The show ended at 3 pm, and I was on my way home by 3:15. The items I didn't sell yesterday will be listed up in my online shop early this week, and I'll definitely be making more Bella totes in other fabrics to list up, too. I have orders for the Bryn wallets, so I'll make extras of those for the shop, and soon those items (Bella Tote, Bryn Crossbody Wallets and Event Bags) will be available for holiday shopping.

For now, I'm going to get caught up on some of the homekeeping things I neglected to be able to have a well-stocked booth. Laundry awaits, and oh, yes...I have two studio rooms to put back in order (they got a little messy during all the pre-show production). I want to have everything back to what passes for our "normal" in time for a relaxing Thanksgiving, but I had to stop to share how happy I was with the culmination of my recent flurry of creative activity. 

Thanks to everyone who has left woefully unanswered comments for me. They've been appreciated, as you shared get well wishes for Handsome, and messages of support for me as I struggled to get my work accomplished in time for the show. I'm grateful to all of you, both on my blog and on Facebook. You're really the best of the best.

Tag will be here tomorrow to carry on as only he can, and I'll be back with updates on Wednesday. Here's to wishing you a great week, as you prepare to celebrate your own Thanksgiving. Blessings.

It's Almost Show Time...

Brynwood "Bella" Tote

The show is tomorrow, and I'm nearly finished with preparations. I added a new tote to my lineup, and am calling it the "Bella" Tote. In case you haven't noticed, all my bags and totes are named for our female dogs (so far), past and present.

Brynwood "Bella" Tote Zipper Detail

Tag wanted me to call this the "Black Dog", but that's the name of a whole concession on the East coast, so I'm leaving that name alone. wink

This tote measures 15" tall by 19" wide by 5" deep. It has one exterior pocket and two interior pockets. There's a gusseted, zipper closure and is made from beautiful and durable cork fabric.

Someone is going to love this one, but after the show is behind me, I'll be making more (in different prints and colors) to add to my shop. You can treat yourself to your own Christmas gift!

Brynwood "Bella" Tote Pocket Detail

In the limited time I had leading up to today, I managed to complete 22 new "Event" bags, 29 "Grab & Go" clutches (wristlets), 9 "Kirby" crossbody bags, 2 "Bryn" crossbody wallets, and 1 "Bella" tote. Whew!

I would have liked to create more Bryn wallets, but to tell the truth...I'm tired, and I'm happy with my output. This is just my first show. I'm looking forward to more in the next year. I'll have more next time.

Brynwood "Bella" Interior Detail

 

I'll probably grab the key fobs I've had in stock for a while and take those along. If I have time today, I may make a few more of those. We'll see.

 

Wish me luck! I'll share photos of my booth and let you know how I do when I visit with you again on Monday. Fun times ahead!

 

So Far, So Good...

Current Stock for Show

 

I'm giving myself one more sewing day, and then I'll be working on signage and display for Sunday. I'm doing pretty well. I've got a few Bryn wallets to make, and a few in a new style that I'm calling the "Kyra Clutch". Then, I'll call it done for this show.

 

Oops

 

I was tripping along in fine form yesterday, and then this happened. The piece I was supposed to sew to the front (on the left side), is still sitting on my sewing table in this picture. The back for another bag got sewn to the wrong front. sigh That meant a little un-sewing was necessary. A slight setback. Sharing to "keep it real".

Handsome's brother is here until Saturday, so I'll be working great guns to finish up the last of my sewing before he leaves. Then, I'll do a mockup display in the dining room so I'm sure what my area will look like at the show. I'm planning to get a lot more accomplished today. Monday will be my day of rest. Gotta run. Have a great day!

More Show Production...

Brynwood Kirby Crossbody Bags

 

I'm getting there. I have seven Kirby crossbody bags completed so far, with more prepared for cutting and sewing today. They're coming along nicely.

 

Brynwood Kirby Crossbody Bags

 

Handsome came home yesterday, and I was so relieved that "tired" overtook me. I didn't sew a single thing. I spent time with him, and didn't feel a single ounce of guilt.

 

Handsome's brother flew in from Wyoming to stay with us until Saturday morning, and we're so happy to have him here. He'll be hanging out with my recuperating husband, so I'll be able to focus on preparing for the weekend show. As I still have so much to do, this is much appreciated. I'll have more finished pieces to share tomorrow. You will come back, won't you?

 

Prepping...

Brynwood Needleworks - Strap Tabs

 

Now that my prototype is finished to my satisfaction, I'm ready to set up all the pieces and parts to sew them "production-style". 

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Handbag Parts

 

I spent the day cutting, sewing and organizing all the components, so I can sew - start to finish - when next I sit down at my machines. Once I cut all the zippers and add their pulls, I'll sew the end tabs on them and then I'll begin my assembly sewing.

 

Today, I've got nephews here to help move our basement wood supply out to the wood shed. We sold the wood burner in the basement, so there's no need to keep the wood inside now. We'll have a full shed for lighting campfires out in the fire pit instead. 

 

I'm looking forward to having the cleared out space in our old cistern to turn into a storage room for canned goods and canning supplies. We'll spend the winter setting up that area. Slowly, but surely. No need to rush, after all.

I'll get back to sewing soon enough, and when I do, I'll be banging out bags like crazy. (I have 25 of these bags nearly prepped!) When those are finished, I only have about six other designs to get made up...in multiples...for the craft show! I'll be sure to share them with you as I get them done. 

 

I'm having a great time planning everything. I bought the supplies for my "checkout stand" and will probably put it together later tomorrow, and I'll likely do a dry setup in the garage before I do the actual setup at the school gymnasium location. I want to make sure it's all going to work, after all, and yes, I'll take pictures of that to share with you, as well. I guess I'd better get busy. Lots to do before I sleep!

My Latest Design...

Brynwood Needleworks' Newest Design "Event Crossbody Bag"

 

My latest design will be debuted at the craft show where I'll be vending in November. I made the prototype yesterday, and will be making more for the show.

 

This is the Brynwood "Event Crossbody Bag". With the clear main section, this bag is perfect for carrying to sporting events, concerts, or anywhere that requires a transparent carryall. It has a convenient crossbody strap, and will come in cork fabric/vinyl, and cotton fabric/vinyl, unlined combinations. At approximately 10" x 10", it's also a perfect size to carry keys, tickets, cash, cellphone, and anything else you may need. They'll retail for $45.00.

If you're local, the show will be on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at the Kewaskum Elementary School Gymnasium, in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. The show is from 9 am - 3 pm. One day only! Mark your calendar, and plan to come and see me! 

I'm going to be pretty busy between now and then, creating stock for the show. It's going to be fun!