Renegade Prep #4: Down to the Wire

September 8, 2010September 8, 2010Leave a comment

Just 3 full days until the Renegade blast off! We’re almost done with preparations and are just putting the finishing touches on merchandising and signage when BHAM! A new product idea hits me! Inspiration always flourishes under pressure – does it not?

So now I’m debating whether I should give this new design a couple of go’s and make a handful for the fair? Or should I just focus on making extra designs that are tried, tested, and true?

The solution – do both or die trying! David’s screenprinting one final round of clothing tags as I type and print out a few more signs. I’m hoping that tomorrow, post ACS productivity, I’ll find some time to finalize some products that are in process and then maybe I’ll have a spare hour or two to pump these new T Aprons out.

I’ll report back at the end of tomorrow to see what came of the day. ; )

I LOVE YOU MOO!

August 30, 2010August 30, 20101 Comment

Years ago, okay, maybe just a few months back, the crafty control freak in me insisted on handmaking my own business cards. Though these mini branding agents turned out well enough to get special requests for customs – I found myself constantly struggling to find recycled card stock, ink for my obscure printer, and the patience to cut hundreds upon hundreds of cards by hand.

And then I discovered Moo. Continue reading →

Renegade Prep #3: Picture Frame Signage

August 28, 2010August 28, 2010Leave a comment

One of the best parts about doing Renegade and other outdoor fests is dreaming up displays. Last year I had lots of color and the original blue and green backdrop at the back of the tent. This year I’m keeping to the same themes but changing the color palette. The backdrop will now be the new gray and white combo that I use in my photos and that will reflect in other decor as well – including my signs.

Last year I hadn’t thought the signage through as much as I would have liked – but in my own defense I only had about two weeks to prepare. This time around everything is different. I have not been sewing in the month of August purposefully so as to focus on the ‘look’ of my booth. Continue reading →

Learning the Biz: Craft Inc.

August 26, 2010August 26, 20102 Comments

Mateo Ilasco's Site

When one of my friends decided to uproot to Morocco, one of her first ‘to-dos’ was unloading her plethora of books, crafts, and kitchen gadgets upon her eager friends. Besides the fantastic glass jars, stamps, and dehydrator, Irena saved me a read that she knew I would put to good use – Craft Inc. Entering into Pierogi Picnic’s third year, I hate to admit, I was a little cocky about the book’s premise at first. But then I needed a quick read for the el, and began to pour through the pages when I realized that I was totally wrong! Continue reading →

Just a spot of tea: Abigail Maryrose Clark

August 24, 2010June 8, 2011Leave a comment

Photo by Abigail Maryrose Clark

I absolutely adore these unique and uber feminine tea cup bracelets! Abigail combines old fashioned whimsy with upcycling to make a truly one-of-a-kind accessory. Check out her Etsy shop here.

Renegade Prep #2: Clothing Tags

August 24, 2010August 24, 2010Leave a comment

Screen printing is not my forte – so when making clothing tags I always aim for minimalism – which beyond craft fairs means nada, nothing – zero tags. This must be an artist’s worst nightmare – it’s like not signing your painting, not copyrighting your album, not acknowledging the maker. And for a show as large as Renegade, this was not something I could just let slip by. So about a month ago the great new hang tag experiment began. Continue reading →

Renegade Prep #1: GIY Kits

August 24, 2010August 24, 2010Leave a comment

It was just one year ago that I was on my epic road trip west sewing little hair flowers while driving for thousands of miles with David. How in the world did I get everything ready for Renegade? It was my first time ever doing a craft fair, and I decided to take a four week long vacation just the month prior? I must have been mad. And I might have well been considering the copious amounts of sleepless hours I sewed, and glued, and printed the week before the show.