Navigating the Craft Fair Market

Is it Friday yet? No silly - this week has only just begun!

Sometimes when I've had a particularly number crunchy day at work (engineer stares at numbers flying across the computer screen) I like to think about what I can and/or should be doing for my Etsy store Vivace Crafts. Tonight's topic of pondering, what to do about local craft fairs, how you find them and succeeding at the fair.

I've mostly been searching through Festival websites, like this one, and with a little copying and pasting of names of fairs, you can find out more details about it without having to pay for some huge association costs. These are particularly annoying to me, especially because I do my crafty hobby for fun and to make back the costs of the materials.

How are you finding your craft fair and festivals?

Happy Monday, let's go have a beer!

Updates and New Locations

Hello Blogger world!

It has been nearly three years (WOW!) since my last blog post and I think now is as good of time as ever to update. As you can imagine, things have changed drastically in nearly all factions of my life, but everything for the better. Many things are the same though. Still vegetarian, still with my same man and still the same quirky gal. Here's an update on things that have been happening...

Etsy: My Etsy business continues to bloom with new products, ideas and patterns always keeping things interesting. A current customer favorite is a throw back inspiration piece - vintage showgirl style resin hoop earrings! 

I'm working out some plans to develop a fun bridal collection with pieces for bridesmaids and members of the family. 

Location: Instead of the cold, blustering Midwest, Vivace Crafts (aka me!) has moved to sunny California! The Bay Area has been wonderful to me and boo and we love everything there is to do here. 

We do not miss the snow at all! Even though, the more I look at those birds the cuter they are! I'll take the sun and ocean any day over -40 degrees!

Personal: I'm now a Mrs! Hubby and I were married in August and have been enjoying our time together since. 

We both have new day jobs (no more graduate school!!) so life has picked up quite a bit. It's nice to have things fall in line, especially since we worked so hard for them to do so!


One of the things that I plan on doing is keeping up with the blogging. I'd like to take some time now and then to document things happening, like a good new recipe, adventures in the Golden State and new products to my Etsy stores. I hope you'll join me on this new adventure :-)

Cheers!
Isa

Back in the Saddle!

Vivace Crafts is back!
After a long hiatus from blogging (finals, summer research, etc), VC is back to share blog posts and new items. Check back often to be a new item insider and be the first to participate in up-coming promotions!

<3 VC

Unfortunate Events : (

Well, as some might know from the hugs forum on Etsy...

I've been laid off of my job. Due to the "economy crisis" they had to terminate more than half of my department. Happy holidays, right? So currently my only source of income is babysitting and my Etsy store, both which have proven to be far from lucrative.

Sigh... this season has not been that merry.

Midterms and Sales

Hi everyone and anyone that might wander onto here!

Nothing super exciting lately! I've successfully taken all of my midterms without failing any, woot! My worst grade was a C+ in my C++ programming class (ironic right!) but that is because I was blindsighted with some of the quesions.

As far as sales, I've been very fortunate in my opinion. I've had eight sales so far from all different areas around the world. It's really exciting for me. I'm just hoping for two things:

1) USPS to deliver correctly and fastly to my wonderful customers (especially international!)

2) Business remains well during the next few months with the holiday season approaching!

Not feeling too well today and I had to miss my classes : ( but hopefully I'll be feeling more with it in the next few days. I really need to make more product!

Check out my website: VivaceCrafts.etsy.com

Thanks!

Not so well...

Nothing new and exciting in the world of selling for me. I'm still sitting on my third sale.

If anyone were to see this, I would just like to share a small story about a wonderful group of people on Etsy. We have a wonderful forum called "Hugs" that you can find here -> . Everyone is so nice and friendly there. If you are new to Etsy, I'd definitely recommend joining the group, there's a lot of lessons that can be learned from them!

That's all for now, I'll keep posting. :)

Welcome to My Craft

Alrighty, It's time to get down to business, literally!

I'm the proud owner of a small online story through the wonderful Etsy. In a nutshell, Etsy is an online market where crafters of all kinds can sell their handmade crafts. It can range from jewelry, art, clothing, purses, home decor, you name it. I just created my own "storefront" there and here is the link to it:

http://VivaceCrafts.etsy.com

My craft is jewelry. Not big on the beading but resin is my thing. I love casting, especially when I'm working with my favorite material, electrical components! Friends and family have described it as "nerdy" or "geeky" but I'm totally in love with every piece I post. Please check it out and let me know what you think!

Attached is an image of one of my pieces, but you'll need to check the store out for some more!

-Vivace