Market Day

Tomorrow, we are attending another market...hence things have been busy in the studio! Some of the items that we will be bringing along...

Cushions...

Headbands...

Necklaces...

...in fact, a whole range of items! Plus, some new items (I always seem to have ideas for new designs, right before markets)...

Have a lovely weekend!

Weekend Wonders - My 'Oscars' speech

It has been super busy weekend (let alone lead up week). This is the reason why...

...the final market (for a little while at least). Once again, Tupsy Turvy Designs made the trek over to Hamilton, this time for the inaugural 'Bubs2Teens' market. Armed with a few new goodies, this market was a HUGE success. It was also a market where a variety of items sold (not just the latest products).

This market also had a Fashion Parade to show the wares of some of the stall holders. Tupsy Turvy Designs show cased two tutus, modelled by two (very tiny) models. The conveners of the market organised my models to parade the tutus with a troupe of older ballerina dancers, complete with 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' playing. So cute!

So here goes my Oscars' speech... A big thank you to Ali & Michelle for the idea and organisation of such an awesome market, to my darling Mr T who faithfully travels with me, helps with setting up/packing and who manned the stall as I was busy with the Fashion Parade. A huge thank you to Melissa, Deb, Miss R for travelling to Hamilton especially to show case my products - your support means so much to me and to Miss R and Miss I who were very brave to model my tutus in front of lots of people - you were gorgeous! Finally, a big thank you to my customers and all that stopped by to have a look and a chat. It was a fantastic and fun day! We will be back (end of speech).

I will show some photos of some of the latest products that I have completed tomorrow!

Weekend Wonders

It has been a cold and blustery weekend. Today, the rain has pelted down in gusts of winds. Far too cold to go outside.

Well, I was outside for quite a bit of time yesterday at an outdoor market. Although it didn't rain, the wind cut through and did make keeping items on a stall displayed difficult. The pockets of sunshine did provide a little warmth.

This market wasn't the most profitable one for me, sales wise, however, it was a lovely opportunity to catch up with my sister-in-law, her husband and daughter. I do have another market in a fortnight's time, that has been thoroughly organised and also provides support for their sellers, so I hope to do much better then. However, every market is different and despite feeling a little discouraged, I have regrouped and refocused and are now preparing for this upcoming market. I think it also highlights what is achievable for me. Three markets in such short succession is not the most ideal situation, so I will consider a different time frame next time round.

Craft wise, I have purchased a number of items to make more (and some new) products. I did buy some gorgeous hand dyed wool in a variegated pink and grey tone, which will look lovely knitted up as a scarf. I have created a new fabric flower design, incorporating the new 'singeing fabric technique' which is popular at the moment. I have a hankering to make headbands so I aim to make a few more tonight, using these flowers. I hope to share some photos of these tomorrow.

I hope you had a lovely weekend!

Weekend Wonders - Market day

I have been a little 'missing in action' during the latter part of last week as I have been busy preparing for a market.

Today was the 'Poplars Baby & Children's market' at Tenison Woods College and Tupsy Turvy Designs was there with a stall. I had quite a few people stop by and chat about some of the goodies on offer. I had a few sales, but I must admit, it wasn't my best market, sales wise.

However, I will be kept busy as I have a number of orders to fulfil, plus a market this coming Saturday in Hamilton at the Sheepvention street market. Hence, there will be no sitting around doing nothing.

I hope that you had a lovely weekend!

Weekend Wonders - At the market

Just tidying up now after a day at the markets...

This weekend was spent busy stitching up some extra stock for a market stall and then manning it. The market was bigger than I expected and there were plenty of people around to look at all the stalls. The beautiful weather we had today would have assisted with that. This is what the 'Tupsy Turvy Designs' stall looked like at the beginning of the market:

The only thing that proved tricky was the opportunity to go and look other stalls as Mr T was unable to join me. I did manage to have a quick look (and buy) at other stalls in my area towards the end of the market.

It was great to make a few sales, but it was also great to hear the positive feedback from others about my designs and the quality of my work. I feel re-energised and encouraged in making more little goodies, particularly my dolls.

Better get to it...

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend!

Weekend wonders - The lure of handmade

What a blissful weekend! It is a holiday weekend where I live and I have enjoyed a little bit of extra time.

Mr T and I met up with family in Port Fairy yesterday as there was a festival happening there and we decided to go for a bit of a look. There were HEAPS of people there. There were also market stalls throughout the town. I must admit that I was a little disappointed that there were not a lot of handmade product stalls, rather there were more commercial/import items. However it was promoted as a festival rather than a market. It was still a wonderful day - beautiful sunshine and catching up with wonderful family members.

I also visited a market in my own hometown today, that is held every month. Despite the cold start to the day, there were still quite a few people around. There were some new stalls today and I ended up buying quite a few handmade goodies today.

 One of the items that I bought at the market. I can't acknowledge who made it as I wasn't given any information when I purchased it. I apologise that I can't acknowledge it's creator.

I couldn't help but see the contrast between the different stalls at the two different places I visited. I loved spending time looking at all the handmade goodies, amazed at the care in the crafting of the item. They were all unique. At the festival, I saw many stalls that had very similar items, however at the market, there was a lot of variety. Yes, there were stalls that had essentially the same item (eg. hairclips), but the variety was amazing. Some had fabric flowers, some had crocheted flowers, some had buttons, etc. I think because of the uniqueness of handmade items, people value them as gifts and the items that I purchased today will indeed become very special gifts.

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend!

Weekend Wonders - Pre Season Training

I am a sport lover...

I love playing sport and quite enjoy having sport on the radio or tv in the background whilst I am working. I play netball, a sport that I have played since I was old enough to throw a netball and I enjoy watching/listening to the cricket or AFL football. I was quite pleased that my favourite footy team, Geelong Cats, took out the AFL premiership in 2011, much to the disgust of Mr T who is a Brisbane Lions fan.

It is no wonder then that my newest product in my shop reflects my sporting passion. I have designed a range of Footy Bag Buddies that allow supporters to show their football colours on handbags, school bags or anywhere you can clip a 'buddy'.

This photo displays the Geelong Cats and Collingwood Magpies version of the Footy Bag Buddies. They are not necessarily an exact copy of your team's guernsey but they do reflect your team's colours. I am willing to make up a 'buddy' to reflect your team, football code or add your favourite player's number to the back! Check out my store for more information.

Speaking of orders...I was at the Port Fairy Market on Saturday and enjoyed chatting to customers and displaying my designs and products. What was really encouraging was obtaining a few orders for my items! Small, positive steps... it builds up one's enthusiasm and encourages one.

I encourage you to look for small, positive steps in your own crafting, whether it is someone who views your work and makes a positive remark or if you have simply mastered a skill in your chosen craft.

Weekend Wonders - Re-energised

I couldn't sleep last night...I had designs floating around in my head.

I must admit... I am one to analyse. I analyse my work, I analyse my netball match, I analyse my craft. I spent a great day yesterday in Hamilton, not only catching up with my sister-in-law, Ali, her husband, bubby and my mother-in-law (yes...I lot of lovely family), but I had the opportunity to peddle my wares at a market (a big thanks to Ali for letting me encroach her stall and her enthusiasm for my products - my No.1 fan!)

The good part is that I sold a few items (always handy) and it was great to see how people react to the products I make. As my 'shop front' is online, it is difficult to personally gauge the responses of others. Markets are also great to support fellow crafters. It was great to wander around the market, see what was on offer, not to 'pinch' ideas or view the competition, but to buy something - the ultimate encouragement for a stall holder.

So, I then went away and analysed the day. I was thinking of the importance of adding some more 'boy' products as I do like to focus on the girlie crafts (funny thing is I am beginning a new girlie craft which I will show tomorrow!). Hence, that was what was interupting my sleep last night...trucks, tractors, trains...hmmm.

Friday thoughts - To market, to market

It has been a very busy week...more work related rather than craft related...

...however, an exciting part about this week is looking forward to this weekend. I am sharing a stall with my sister-in-law, Ali, at a market in Hamilton. As I haven't got a lot of stock, sharing a stall will be perfect. I must admit I am a little nervous, however, I am looking forward to some feedback... to see what people are interested in, what people buy (if anything) and what suggestions people may have. I am going to chalk this down as a learning experience, rather than a hard sell (although selling a few items would be nice) and a chance to promote my designs.

If you are in Hamilton tomorrow, come over and say 'Hi'.

Seek out a market this weekend and have fun browsing!