Red necklaces and ideas for displays

Ok so I made the necklace below and didn't think twice about it. I liked the rose pendant (which was a in box of unwanted jewellery donated by a family member) and I liked that it didn't look like anything else I made.. It really stood out on the stalls and people seemed to be drawn toward it. My friend saw a picture of it too and really really wanted it. I went to see if I could get it from her as it was for sale on the stall but someone else had already bought it! I'm really curious about why people like it so much... maybe I can harness the good qualities for my other things. I know it sounds like I think this necklace has magical properties.. but I kind of do



Also my items are going to a really cool thing this sunday its called Crafty music and its at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester. Its a day to raise money for anti land mine things and there will be crafts and fashion shows and break dancers and things... Sounds grand!! So I wanted my stuff to look more professional as I think first impressions count and also they'll give a better idea of what they'll look like on if their displayed nicely. I used all my incomings from Theblackkatdesigns to buy some interesting display things.. I will put up pictures as soon as I get them.

Worth it's own blog

This cake is a brilliant cake. I made it.

Things I have made recently

Finders keepers

Today I took my ware to the 'Finders Keepers' craft and vintage fair at Emmanuel Hall in Didsbury. It was really busy showing how popular vintage things are at the moment. There were some really nice handmade items including some I bought for my dear friend Tilly who has broken her ankle.

There were some amaazing beads for sale too which I somehow resisted. I left my items with Marilyn. They did look really nice although there was only room for chairs rather than a table but after Saturdays table transportation trauma I really didn't mind. People did look at them as soon as they were put out.

I wonder if there are any fairs which are more crafty and less vintagey...

My photos are rubbish..

My first solo stall..what I did learn

I had my first stall yesterday at 'the mansion' in Rusholme, Manchester. I spent the week before working my eyes out making lots of stock and thinking about packaging and signs and presentation. There is alot that goes into making a stall. My stall was really homemade looking but I quite liked that. I ended up with lots of stock and it did look really good together.




The best part of it was talking to other stall holders, there was about 5 stalls. I got some really good advice and asked them lots of questions... I recommend anyone starting out to pester existing stall holders.. I think they'll probably like it- If I had worked hard getting everything right and becomming successful I would be really proud or myself and enjoy talking about how ace I was.


www.courtesanlatex.com, www.thedandd.etsy.com, www.busybetsy.etsy.com


A man said that the usual crowd would have gone nuts for my stuff. I did sell some bits- mainly the polymer clay jewellery which was interesting.. What was more interesting was seeing everyones reaction to different pieces... certain pieces really attracted people you could see them point at them. Some people were also really helpful.. top tip number 2- ask the customers what they think. That was really helpful.. be prepared as people will be brutally honest with you.

The fashion show was pretty cool too, there was tshirts, jugglers, poi-ing, deconstructed clothing and latex.. oh the latex.

I'm also going to invest in some busts for the necklaces as all laid out it was a bit overwhelming with all the colours. I need a way to display my bundle bracelets as they do look much better on... any ideas? I want a way of encouraging people to try them on.. I did tell them to and I showed them what they looked like on.

Also packaging is really important. Im also going to look into that my sister suggested lovely tissue paper which is simple and effective and I have some brown paper bags with my details on.
So all in all it was really interesting and i'm also taking some of my jewellery to a craft fair tomorrow and have listed the rest on etsy.

http://www.theblackkatdesigns.etsy.com