Castle Howard Craft Fair

Thanks to everyone who attended the Castle Howard Craft Fair. Even though it was cold I had an absolutely amazing day. The surroundings were lovely and I got to speak to some really nice people. The jewellery went down really well again too.

I just need to work on some new display techniques. It takes me so long to get everything set up at the moment. I desperately need some time saving solutions! Will keep you posted when I find some!

I'll also let you all know about upcoming craft fairs as soon as I get some more booked. I have three booked in Leeds for December but need to book some more before then!

The September jewellery giveaway begins tomorrow. Don't forget to enter!!!

xx

Waterfront Festival

The Waterfront Festival on the 11th July at Clarence Dock in Leeds was great. Even though it was a bit blustery, the rain stayed away and the sun even came out. There were lots of visitors and the entertainment was great. All my jewellery went down really well and I sold quite a few pieces of my new Alice in Wonderland range, so I was really happy. I would definitely recommend this festival to any crafty folk in the area. Make sure you have lots of sturdy display stands though, otherwise you may lose your stock to the river! Ah the perils of outdoor craft fairs.

Only 13 days until the next jewellery giveaway is announced. I'll remind you all again nearer the time. If anyone wants to join the mailing list to receive news about giveaways, special offers and other highly interesting topics please send an e-mail request to rubyrouge@live.co.uk and I'll add you to it.

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend. Mine was filled with delightful friends, yummy Croque Monsieur, a trip to Wagamammas and Harry Potter. Hurrah.

xx

Dragon Boat Festival

I had a really nice day at the Dragon Boat Festival. There was great music and entertainment and great food. I had a malteaser milkshake which was super yummy. I also got to see some old friends and met some really lovely people who also had craft stalls. The weather stayed dry and warm and nothing on my stand blew away, so all in all it was a success! Bring on next year's festival! xx

P.s. Jewellery giveaway in T-2 days!!!

All Hands on Deck

I have booked a stall at a Dragon Boat Festival at Clarence Dock in Leeds this Saturday (27th June, see http://www.brewerywharf.net/events/first-event for more details) and am very nervous as I have never done a fair as big as this before. A few hundred customers I can cope with, a few thousand I'm not so sure! I've been madly making jewellery in an effort to get as much done as I possibly can. I'm convinced I'm going to sell out of everything (even though deep down I know this is VERY unlikely). It's all going to be very exciting. I just hope the weather doesn't fail me. I'm even more excited because my new and improved Alice in Wonderland range is going to be unveiled. I know I said this would be here at Christmas but it has taken a while to get it right. I apologise profusely for the delay.

In other news:
- There aren't going to be any indoor markets at The Loft until September. Sad face :( This means I'm going to have to resort to going to a load of outdoor fairs and possibly getting all my jewels rained on/blown away. Fun! But on the plus side it will mean that I get to go to lots of exciting new fairs and meet lots of lovely new people.
- I'm about to send a jewellery package out to The Projeto Gallery in Silsden in Keighly (http://www.projetogallery.com), so my pieces should be available to purchase from there in the next week or so.
- I'll also be doing the Waterfront festival on July 11th. If you want to have an amazing day, get yourself down there and join in with all the fun things that will no doubt be going on.
- I've been asked to do a temporary exhibition at Armley Mills Industrial Museum. Excitement! This exhibition aims to show the public how objects that have been made primarily for a practical purpose are often designed in a way that reflects prevailing art movements popular either at the time of or preceding their creation. It should be finished by the end of July so if you're in the area, pop in and take a peek :)

Phew. I'm finished now...promise. xx

Craft Fair No. 2

Today I participated in my second craft fair of the year. The Artsmix team had employed the Urban Angels' Circus (two dolled up ladies with an oversized shopping trolley) to go through the streets of Leeds and promote the fair by handing out leaflets for free drinks at the bar downstairs. It was such a good idea and it brought a lot of people in. I had a great day. My jewellery went down really well and I met some lovely people with some really interesting products. I sadly forgot my camera though so no pictures of the table this month :( It's a shame actually because I had a 6ft table instead of a 3ft and everything looked so much better.

I tried something new out this month. I had a sale basket. I never know what to think about sale baskets at craft fairs or bargain sections on etsy. On one hand I think putting handmade items in a sale grossly undervalues the work of the artist, on the other I think it's a great way to give old stock or pieces that have minor imperfections new homes. I thought I'd try it out anyway. I had the items individually priced in a basket, but I decided to give them away free to people who spent over £15. It worked quite well although a few people didn't even notice it and spent £15+ and were really pleased to discover that they got something else for free. I think if I go with the sale basket again, I'll have to put it in a more obvious position so people can see it. I didn't really advertise my sale as much as I could have done because I don't like it when people do that to me. Sometimes it seems pushy and desperate.

My top tip this month is to make cards like this one in the picture. It makes everything look so much better and makes it a lot easier to display things. I did mine on word and printed them out on cream card. Give it a go!

Link of the day (yes I'm doing this now, apparrently): http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=12364 This is the best thing I have ever seen. Enjoy!

What a Whilrwind

So my life right now is pretty hectic. I've just finished a wholesale order for an online boutique (http://www.mylittleboutique.com), I'm trying to get items made to go in a gallery and I'm in the process of making prototype jewellery for a vintage wedding in California. On top of that I have a craft fair on Sunday at the Loft in Leeds to prepare for (fantastic place and people, come along if you're in the area), my etsy shops to maintain and museums to volunteer at. A hell of a lot is going on in Sarah Land right now. I've hardly had time for a social life let alone blogging! So sorry friends and followers. I promise I'll be better in future.

Anyhoo, here is a new piece of jewellery for you to look at that I just listed on etsy. Watch this space because more jewellery will be added this week. Also, another craft fair related post filled with tips is on its way....

In other news:
My parents borrowed a broody hen from a farmer to sit on our chickens' eggs. Chicklets will be here in T-20 days! Hurrah!
I added a new poll to the blog in order to carry out a bit of market research. Favourite colours please!
I also added Pacman (see bottom right hand corner). DISCLAIMER: SARAH OF RUBY ROUGE JEWELLERY FAME CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF PLAYING PACMAN. THOSE WHO BECOME HIGHLY ADDICTED SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.

Craft Fair!

I went to my first craft fair of the year last Sunday. It was at a place called The Loft in Leeds and it was organized by Artsmix. I've been to these before (I did five of them in 2008), but I had one of my most successful days ever this time round. Even more successful than the ones I did in the run up to Christmas - I was so happy! Although my things were all squashed together because I had made so much! I think next time I'm going to have to invest in a larger stall so it looks nicer. I also need to get some lighting. Ikea here I come!

Top tip for anyone attending these things - buy disposable cake stands (made out of cardboard) and spray paint them! It works out so much cheaper than buying acrylic stands and they are REALLY easy to transport because they can be dismantled and rebuilt. Also, if you get a multi-tiered one, it gives you so much more space to display. Very useful if you have a tiny table!

Hope this helps :D