On a Creative Roll

Well, my plan for last week and this week was to list several of my newer pieces.  So far, only one of these items has been listed.  The reason for this is last week I received a shipment of beads, and ever since then I've been on a creative roll. It's one of those times where you have so many ideas and the materials on  hand, and all you want to do is create all day long, never want it to end.  Too bad I still have a day job! LOL

I will be going out of town Sunday to Wednesday, taking a little vacation with my parents.  Before I go, I'm going to list a few of these new pieces, including a dazzling little Swarovski crystal ring.

A Nice Surprise

I have been looking for another event to vend at in August, since I can't make it to the Mercersburg Lion's Club event  (due to a wedding up north). Today that information came right to me - the answer was sitting in my mailbox!  After spending the last year and half searching out every possible craft show and community event in this area, it was nice to have someone actually send information to me. 

At this point, I had figured that August would be devoted to just making pieces and keeping my Etsy shop updated -- prepping and stocking up for fall shows and home parties.  This event looks to be perfect, table fees are very reasonable, location is about 30 minutes from home, show is 1 day and ends at 2pm.  Tomorrow I need to call and get a little bit information.

Now I just need to get my butt in gear and start making everything that I've been sketching and laying out these last 2 weeks. 

Downtime!

Everyone needs a few days off sometimes! After being so busy with my last 2 shows, and planning/having Zoe's birthday party this past weekend, I decided to take a few days off to recharge and catch up on some of the little things.

Most of my new supplies have come in and I already have tons of design ideas swimming around in my head. I also have quite a few new pieces, either finished, photographed and ready to list, or almost done and ready to be photgraphed in a day or two.

Keep your eye out for new designs soon!

Summer Fun!

I decided to take a little break after having 2 craft shows in 2 weeks. It will be a few days until some of the supplies I ordered are in, so what better way to make use of this time than to have fun with the family!

First off, we spent the afternoon with my parents at my mom's work picnic. Zoe had a great time throwing water ballons and riding in the bumper boats.

Last night, we went to the Greencastle Fireman's carnival and met up with some friends. The kids had fun on the rides and we finally got a chance to hear the Borough Boogie Pickers.

I took some pictures of my newer pieces Monday night, so tonight I will be listed some new items, and at least one new item each day for the next two weeks. Keep your eye out for new items!

Sidewalk Days!

Well, another Sidewalk Days has come and gone. This year was certainly interesting! First off, we get there at 6:15 am to find that we have been moved from our spot in the square (our spot last year) to a spot up the street near Willow Tree Gifts. So, thanks to someone's poor planning, we had to make some major adjustments to our set up, going from a nearly flat space in teh street where we could use the entire 10 x10 space to a sloped (in two directions!) space where we lose a foot of our tent to the curb. Oh, and you haven't lived until you've had tractor trailers roll by your tent, about 6 to 12 inches from it!

Lance and I had to think on our feet and make the best of the space we were given. Using jewelry trays to prop up our tables on one end to keep things from sliding off and sitting out next to our spot (in the sun -- yikes!) instead of inside our tent. We had a lot of people tells that they thought we decided not to return this year since we were not in our spot from last year, but I was glad people bothered to look for us!

Overall --- despite the sunburn, tractor trailers and sloped space ---- I'd have to say we did have a great show, and I was pleased to find more people familiar with Etsy.

41st Annual Greencaslte-Antrim Sidewalk Days!

Greencastle-Antrim Sidewalk Days
July 11 from 8:30 am to 8:30pm
July 12 from 8:30 am to 4pm

Over 100 vendors will be at this event, located in and around the square in Greencastle, PA. My space will be located in the northwest corner of the square, near the First National Bank.

If you have some time this weekend, please stop by and check out this event!

Summer Jubilee- July 4th, Waynesboro, PA

Here's a quick photo of my booth at the Summer Jubilee (July 4th). While it wasn't hot, it was rainy off an on all day. It didn't seem to bother all the people who came out, but it did make keeping things dry hard! LOL We ended up running to my mom's house and borrowing her red tent sides to keep my displays and tables dry.

This friday and saturday is the Greencastle Sidewalk Days.
More info on this event will be posted soon!

Getting Ready

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This Friday, July 4th, I will be doing a local craft show in Waynesboro, PA - Summer Jubilee.  This will be the first time Zen Creations will be vending at this event, so I don't really know what to expect.  This will also be the first time we will be using our new folding shelves that we bought at Ollies a few weeks ago.  I love them for 2 reasons, 1. they fold nice and flat - great for transporting them, and 2. they can hold 3 displays on each shelf. My displays were really tight at the last show, so this will allow me to display more goods in less space and put it at the customer's eye level.

Our new shirts from VistaPrint came in today. Very pleased with how they turned out.  Maybe I can get Lance to model the shirt and hat on Friday and post it here! My labels also came in today, so I spent about an hour sticking them on various sized white jewelry boxes. I think they add a nice touch, and hopefully bring customers to my Etsy shop in the future.

Still waiting on an order from Firemountaingems.com . Hopefully it will come in tomorrow and I can use the new displays I ordered on Friday.  Tomorrow night will be filled with packing up my displays, Lance packing up the car and organizing beads and findings to take and work on during the show.

Cross your fingers that it doesn't rain on the 4th!