No Coast Craft-o-Rama!

I'm so, so excited (and a little nervous) to be part of No Coast Craft-o-Rama, the big two-day craft show this weekend. I always thought of this show as the Big Time, and I could hardly believe I got in. The particulars: 3-8 p.m. Friday, 9-5 p.m. Saturday, at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis (you know, the old Sears Building). Tons of really talented craftspeople will be there, including my friend My Friend London,  If you come, be sure to make it to her booth. Beautiful hand-spun yarns and candles. Admission is free. You can get parking ramp validation by buying something from the regular vendors (not the No Coast vendors).

The biggest new thing for me is boys' coats! Well, at least unisex. Don't want to pigeonhole. Several people had asked if I sold boys' coats and my answer was no, because I couldn't find any laminate suitable for boys. I mean, most boys won't even wear polka dots (so I'm told; I don't have any boys). But a few months ago, when I ordered some fabric from a company in Hong Kong (I didn't realize that's where it was until I got the confirmation e-mail), I got a sample of some of Michael Miller's "Dino Dudes" fabric. So cute! Brown, with orange, lime green and blue dinosaurs. I ordered up a few yards and made two coats (one with orange snaps, one with lime green snaps) without ruffles or anything girlish. I plan to sell them for slightly less because they required less fabric and time to make, plus, I think, people tend to spend less on boys' clothes than girls'. 

Okay, as usual forgive my substandard phone photography. This one is a size 2-3. Here's a closeup of the fabric:

So I'm hoping these will get a good response. Now, of course, a girl could wear them too. Just trying to diversify!

Just finished making three more little purses this evening, another attempt to offer lower-priced items. And since they're made from scraps, they are practically pure profit -- if they sell! :) I did sell one purse and one raincoat at the HandmadeMn Market on Oct. 22, and two custom raincoats at the Gustavus Adolphus Church Bazaar on Oct. 1. I was excited to get those (my first custom orders!), even though it meant I had to order more fabric rather than sell from my existing inventory.

A few days after No Coast, I'm in a craft fair at an assisted living center (!), The Waters Senior Living in south Minneapolis. One of the staff members found me on Etsy and asked if I would take part. I do have to take the afternoon off from work, but she said there are well-to-do grandmas who live there. So I figured it was worth a shot. You never know where your customers will come from. My past few sales have been to grandparents!

Hope to see some friendly faces this weekend! Tons of Christmas shopping opportunities! Support local crafters!  And follow me on Twitter, @cynthiaj56, for general observations about crafts, movies, sports, TV, politics and other random stuff!