Christmastime in Detroit

Sometime I am a little down on Detroit.  I have lived in Michigan my whole life and talk about leaving...a lot.  But I never do.  Instead, I have lived in New Baltimore, Macomb Township, Allendale, East Lansing, Royal Oak, Birmingham, and Berkley.  I think I have settled on southeast Oakland County and must face the reality that living in Washington DC, Boston, and New York were all nice dreams, but would never actually be home.  I like that Detroit can be gritty.  I like that it can have a bad reputation.  I like the I have a family history here that I can be proud of, including a grandfather who was one of Detroit's Mounted Police Officers.  How cool is that!!!!!  I also like that I know where to go to have fun.  Tonight reminded me of how much I love living here.

I found this online, on Facebook.  My grandpa is on kneeling,
on the far right.  

Right after Mimi was three, and Violet was still a little baby, I was looking for a place to have a Mimi ~ Mommy Night.  I was searching online and discovered the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House hosts a Christmas Story Time for two evenings in December.  Tonight was our third year in attendance.  We were ushered into the Ford House Gallery and all the children sat on the floor while Mr. Terry reads, "The Night Before Christmas."  This year, Mimi listened while Violet was announcing to the entire room that she had an itch on her foot.  This was an insatiable itch that kept travelling from foot to foot.  Shoes kept coming off and she just could not stop talking about the itch.  At the end of the story, who should appear out of the chimney?  Santa Claus himself.  This year, all the kids got to get their pictures taken with Santa Claus.  Right away, Mimi was determined not to sit on his lap and not to talk.  Which is fine because as Mimi says, "Santa has really big ears and he can hear from far away what I want."  Violet on the other hand was jumping up and down saying, "I am so excited to see Santa.  I am going to show him the puppy on my shirt.  I am going to tell him I want a baby elephant, books, and a dollhouse."  Well, when it was finally our turn to see the big guy, Mimi was true to her word and Violet froze....for a moment.  All of a sudden she points to her shirt and showed him her puppy.  Then in speed talker mode she says, "I want a baby elephant, books, and a dollhouse."  It was pretty cute.  Santa, then invited ME to sit on his lap and the girls gathered around and we got our picture taken.  It was very fun.  

"Mimi!  I have an itch on my foot!"

Ho Ho Ho!!!!

Pretty tree in the Ford House

Yes, I am the only one who looks happy in this photo.
But, I can guarantee we all had a good time. 

On the way home we drove around Grosse Pointe while the girls oohhed and aahhed over all the Christmas lights.  Violet loved seeing all the "castles" decorated.  It was a happy night.  But then again, how could it not be when you are celebrating the season with the ones you love.  

Each year, we kick off the Christmas season by seeing Santa at the Henry Ford Museum, we hear a story at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, we Stroll through the (Anna Scripps Whitcomb) Conservatory on Belle Isle, and ring in the New Year at Pizza Papalis and Campus Martius Park (we are also home by about 8:30 pm.)  We take in all Detroit has to offer, we appreciate what we have, and don't dwell on what we don't have, like light rail transit.  It is nice to take a look back in December and say, hey, we ended 2010 the exact same way as we will we end 2011;  happy! 

Craft Show One: Success!

Well, I did it!!!!  I was an official vendor at the Candy Cane Lane Craft Show in Berkley.  Surprisingly, I was not at all worried on Friday night and slept like a baby.  When the alarm when off at 6am, I seriously laid there for a moment thinking, "Why is the alarm going off?"  Then reality hit and I jumped out of bed to pick out my outfit.  So many choices...  Do I wear my candy cane sweatshirt?  How about my snowman earrings?  Maybe my reindeer sweater?  Well, I am one of the least festive people you will ever meet.  I wore jeans, a beige long sleeve t-shirt, and a black sweater.  Upon entering the craft show, I realized my attire was bordering funeral attire rather than holiday craft show.  But hey, I have never been much of a conformer.  So, how did the craft show go, you ask?  Did I meet my goals?  Well, yes and no!

If you recall, on Friday I published my goal setting post in which I outlined what I wanted to achieve as a vendor.  After I published the post, many hours after I published my post, I decided to google the Candy Cane Lane Craft Fair.  Before setting goals, it is usually wise to research your show.  I learned last night that Candy Cane Lane is a small show.  The fact that I did not see it advertised in any local papers should have been a tip.  Then, I saw online that it was described as small.  I started to wonder, hmmm, will I actually sell thirty pillows.  When I arrived to set up, my neighbor said to me, "I heard this is a very slow show.  At least I have my iphone to keep me busy."  Hmmm... at least I have my "Paris Wife" book to keep me busy.  But, I was not going to let that squash me.  I was PUMPED!!!!  

Entrance to the Community Center!

Setting up was fun and exciting.  I had mocked up my display in my basement and then labeled bags of pillows according to display or extras.  I had to get on the floor a bit, do a little rearranging, but voila, a display was born!  No hiccups at all.  My only challenge was keeping Mimi's and Violet's sweet little hands out of the Hershey Kisses!  

Kevin, you are annoying me!

We are ready to sell some pillows!

View from my table!

My "desk" as Mimi called it.  Yes, I need a calculator

The clock strikes 10:00 a.m. and I realize people don't have the same excitement for this craft show as they do for Walmart Black Friday sales.  No one was pepper sprayed or maimed trying to get to my pillows.  It was more like a slow trickle.  I was feeling a little lonely.  But, I guess social media works a bit because eventually, friends and family made their way to the show to check out 715 Pillows!  My in-laws, some really good friends (I was wonderfully surprised to see a friend who does not even live near Berkley,) and some neighbors.  I got caught up on some local gossip, had more than a few laughs, and yes (!), I sold a few pillows.  I sold four 16 x 16 pillows and 8 tooth fairy pillows.  I got one new "like" on Facebook and some positive feedback for customers.  One woman told me I was an excellent seamstress and had "the sewing gene."  I had to fess up and tell her I was a beginner and she was a little shocked and told me I definitely have "the sewing gene."  That made me smile, real big!  I got a lot of questions about the name of my "company."  Many people thought 715 was my address.  Nope!  I kept telling people, it was the day I got laid off and started my new job -- sewing.  Need a refresher, check out "The Anti-Crafter Crafts?"  Then there were the folks who would stand right in front of me and not respond when I smiled and said, hello.  You know how at Jimmy John's smells are free.  Well, at 715 Pillows smiles are free.  Reciprocate people.  Would it kill you to smile???  That is my only complaint.  There it is out there and now I am done complaining.  

My little helpers popped in and out throughout the day.

A customer!!!!

Packing up!

My beloved car, "Red", and many beloved pillows heading home!

 I feel like had it been a larger show, I might have sold more pillows.  Therefore, I am going to do more shows.  But, I am going to try to get into some bigger show.  And, I am going to bring lots and lots of tooth fairy pillows.  They were pretty popular.  I learned what I can do better the next time.  Such as:

1. Sell pillow covers and sell some inserts for those who want them.   
2. Don't buy so many Hersey Kisses.  (I think I now need to make some of those cookies with the kisses in the middle.)
3. Do more research on the actually show, demographics, etc.
4. Make sure I have an awesome variety of tooth fairy pillows, and look into making other types of kids' pillows.  

Overall, it was fun!  I saw some really nice people that I already knew.  I met some really nice strangers, like Scrappy Sue who makes really nice flower pins.  There are more pillows, more designs, more buyers, and more fun to be had.  Plus, I have 44 fans on Facebook and I need to get to 715 (just click here), right?  Right!  Thanks to all of you who have believe it me.  

Goal Setting for the Candy Cane Lane Craft Show!

It is always good to have a great expectations and goals.  It is just as important to be realistic.  Since tomorrow is the big day, I thought it might be a good idea to figure out what exactly I wish to achieve.  In case you have forgotten, I am referring to the Candy Cane Lane Craft Show in Berkley, MI.  Here is the flyer in case you need a refresher.

As this is my first craft show I have spent a lot of time preparing.  I did not invest a ton of money into my booth in case I don't enjoy myself, people are mean to me and hate my pillows.    But seriously, I don't want to waste money.  Remember, I was laid off!  I will be bringing 84 pillows to the craft show.  They range from 16 x 16, 12 x 17, and tooth fairy pillows.  I have patterns that will appeal to women, men, and children!  Oh, and I have candy!!!!  That's right, folks, three bags of Hershey's Kisses.  Who doesn't like a kiss with their pillow.  And the kisses, well chocolate kisses, are free.


Okay, time for my goals.

1. Sell pillows!  Like I said, I will be bringing 84 pillows.  While it would be nice to say I won't be bringing any of them home, I think selling maybe 30 pillows would be realistic.  
2. Increase traffic to my Facebook Page.  Right now I am at 43 likes on Facebook.  I think it would be exciting to get that number up to 60.  Come on people...I know you like me.  I do have another contest in the works.  So, you have to like me.  Plus, I am not going to make you write a poem or a song this time.  
3. Increase traffic/followers to my blog.  The past few days, lots and lots of people have been reading which is wonderful!  I would love to see that grow some more.  But, readership is only going to be as good as my posts.  So, I will keep writing and trying to make it interesting as long as you keep reading.  Deal?
4. Have fun, lots and lots of fun.  Fortunately, I am pretty good at having a good time.  

So, if you are in the Berkley area, stop by.  Even if you are not super close, Berkley is a centrally located city, just minutes from 696.  Berkley is sandwiched between Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Birmingham so make a day out it and see the sights along Woodward Ave.  You'll be happy you did ~ plus, if you say "hi" to me I will give you a kiss.  Okay, a chocolate kiss.   

Shipping: I am Confused and Need Advice

It is probably not a surprise to most of you that generally, I live in the dark ages.  I watch very little TV, I know very few new songs, my clothes are less than hip (expecting my Mad Men dresses), and I do not have a smart phone.  Also, the number of times I have searched on e-bay can be counted on my left hand and I have never looked at Craig's list.  All my old stuff gets loaded up into the trunk of my clown car and off to the Salvation Army we go.  Also, and since I see my brother, sister-in-law, and niece on a regular basis, there is never a need to ship gifts out of state.  Anyone see where this is going?  I need shipping help and I need it soon!

Here is a list of my issues (some may be somewhat solved)

1. Pillows are not heavy, but they are bulky.  So, if I send four pillows or one pillow makes little difference because they weigh practically nothing.  That is part of the reason why about 90% of my pillow products in the future are going to be covers!  Put them in a large envelope and mail.  
2. Packaging!  What to do?  For my first order, I took the little owl pillow over to UPS and asked for advice.  They packed it up and it cost a lot of money.  Yeah, that is not the way to go.  Second order, I packaged the pillows, all five of them in a large box and shipped them from the UPS store.  The cost was right around $11.  Then, I had two orders this week.  The post office cost me $11.65 for "If it fits, it ships."  Fed Ex charged $13.33 for an envelope and shipping. 

So, for those of you who sell thing on e-bay, Craig's List, ship lots of gift to friends and family; how do you do it?  Seriously!!!  I need some best practices because the trial and error method is not really the best way to go about this.

So, if you know how to ship and have some pointers, please share with me.  You can leave comments on this page, or my Facebook page, or e-mail me at 715Pillows@gmail.com.  You don't even have to be a follower on this page to leave a comment.  Seriously, I need help.  Please help me though this confusing maze of the shipping world.

The Art of the Craft Fair

So I will admit it:  I don't think I ever gave crafters a fair amount of credit.  Now, I never discredited crafters, I just never gave their vocation much thought.  It is a lot of work not only to make something but also to display it, transport it, and sell it.  Well, since my friends and family members are not craft show vendors, I am kind of on my own this time.  However, friends and family members have volunteered some great ideas and wonderful support.

I am officially done sewing.  I have sewed more pillows than I even want to count.  Fortunately, I am pleased with how they have turned out.  What have I learned?  I have learned that I don't like working with knits.  I have also learned that stuffed pillows are not the way to go.  There is a reason why the majority of the pillows sold on Etsy are covers, not complete pillows.  Therefore, the next round of pillows I make for Etsy and craft shows will be covers!!!  Now I just need to learn how to make them.  Oh Mommy, I need your help.....

I mocked up my display on a table in the basement.  I think it will work.  I think I look like a rookie, but it is a nice clean display.  If this craft show is a bit of a success, then I will invest a little more money into my display.  Right now, I am going to have one of each pillow on the table with the extras stored away.  However, all the tooth fairy pillows will be thrown into a big basket.

So, I think I am in good shape!  I am going to go over my list again, and again, and again.  There are still of few things that need to be checked off.  As for writing this blog, I need to sign off because my husband is starting to prime our office and he has the fan on supersonic speed.  My digits are so cold, typing has become painful.  I will be back with an update on my progress on Friday...

P.S.  Here is the flyer for the craft show in case you missed the details...

Tooth Fairy Pillows: How the Legends of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy Collided at my House!

Most of us are born with the same number of parts.  We all have one nose, two eyes, two ears, ten toes...you get the point.  However, the general rule is that we keep our body parts for our entire lives.  This rule does not apply to our teeth.  As is the fashion, around the time when children celebrate their beloved fifth birthday, they also start to lose their baby teeth.  As you can imagine or perhaps still remember from your own experience, the thought of losing a tooth can be fairly traumatic.  I think that is why the tooth fairy was invented.

About two years ago my daughter started asking me questions about her teeth.  She was starting to notice the big kids in the neighborhood losing their own teeth.  I tried to explain that baby teeth need to fall out so that the permanent teeth can grow in.  She asked lots of questions and I gave lots of answers.  We talked about the tooth fairy and everything seemed okay.  Well, my husband comes home from work and Mimi runs into his arms, crying, and sobs the following words, "Oh Daddy!  Mommy told me all my teeth are going to fall out when I turn five!  I am not going to have any teeth!  Oh Daddy!"  Seriously!!!  So my husband walks into the kitchen and very seriously says to me, "Did you actually tell Mimi that all of her teeth are going to fall out?"  Are you kidding me????  A child's mind and thought patterns are very curious things.  Again, this is why the tooth fairy was invented.

Shameless plug!  Please come!

As you all know, my craft show is coming upon us.  The big day is December 10th.  I have been sewing lots and lots of pillows.  Quite frankly, I don't think I have done enough but I still have a few more days to get a few done.  Ahhhh!!!!  My craft is pillows.  Throw pillows to be exact.  I have colorful pillows, muted pillows, kid pillows, sophisticated pillows, traditional pillows, large pillows, and small pillows.  But in my mind, I was missing one important kind of pillows:  fun pillows.
When I first started on the venture, I was talking to my friend, Jill, who said, "Have you thought about tooth fairy pillows?"  This is funny because I think she and I often share the same brain and I had just thought of doing tooth fairy pillows.  But, this was when 715 Pillows was in it's infancy and it was just that, a thought.  We both reminisced about our childhood and our cloth pillows with little pouches to hold our teeth for the tooth fairy.  My tooth fairy often left a couple quarters, a note, and either a roll of Lifesavers or a pack of Bubble Yum.  I am guessing my dentist would not have approved.  My mom made my pillow.  It was made of yellow flannel with a small flower print.  I loved it.  So, last week, I started making a lot of little pillows and a lot of little pouches.  At the beginning, this was an arduous task as I did not have a pattern.  I did quite at bit of experimenting and I did discovered that knit fabric is NOT my friend.  These pillows are fun and one of a kind.  Plus, they are cheap.  I am going to sell them for $8 at my craft show.  A nice little gift for a nice little person without spending a nice fortune.  After the craft show, I am going to make something like a gazillion of these things for my Etsy store - that is if they get a good response on the 10th.

Basket of Tooth Fairy pillows for girls and boys!

The pillow fits right into the palm of my husbands hand!

While making these, my daughters, especially Violet, started asking lots of questions.  Mimi just wants a tooth fairy pillow, real bad.  She also really would like to lose a tooth.  Violet would like to meet the Tooth Fairy.  "Is the Tooth Fairy coming to my house tonight?  I am going to wait up for the Tooth Fairy tonight!  What if the tooth fairy comes when Santa is here and she gets scared?  The Tooth Fairy is scared of Santa!  She is going to leave me chocolate coins - she did in Silverlicious."  Most of all we talked about Santa and Tooth Fairy bumping into each other, scarring one other, getting into each others way, where she lives, and all sorts of other scenarios.  Either way, both of my girls want Tooth Fairy pillows and they want good ones.

Like most many stories about fairies, and the tooth fairy is no different, were written out of whimsy to delight children and adults.  It is nice to think of little fairies who live in the forest, under toad stools, in the alley at the New Baltimore Historical Museum (yes, we look for them all summer when we attend, "Books in the Barn"), and in fairy doors.  Fairies can be mischievous and good natured just like their human counterparts.  But, fairies can fly and perform magic.  Fairies make us happy.  And for a child who has teeth falling out of their head, isn't it nice to know that a little fairy is going to fly into your room, gather your teeth and leave you a little gift while you are sleeping?  I think this sounds wonderful.  After all, it was little fairies who visited my house whenever I was feeling down, had a bad day, and was picked on in school.  Sometimes it was a note, sometimes it was a warm plate of peanut butter cookies.  So go ahead parents, childhood is the time to indulge the imagination.  Your kids will thank you for it someday!  I promise - thanks Mom and Dad for indulging me and letting me believe in the unbelievable.

Preparations For My First Craft Show

Mark your calendars for December 10, 2011.  If you live in Metro Detroit, why not venture out to Berkley's Candy Cane Lane Craft Show.  It is on a Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm at the Berkley Community Center (2400 Robina Drive).  And guess what...the show includes free admission and free parking.  There will be 26 vendors, including me!  There will be a raffle and food will be sold at the concession stand.  Sounds like a great afternoon:  have a snack, do a little Christmas shopping, and stop by to see a friend.

So, now that I have told you the important stuff, I am going to tell you what I am doing to prepare for this adventure!  First and foremost, I have been sewing, a lot of sewing.  Right now, I am sewing 16 x 16 pillows, 11 x 17 pillows, and a couple 18 x 18 pillows.  This Wednesday, I will be going out to buy fabric to make tooth fairy pillows and if time permits, some Christmas ornaments.  It is my goal to provide pillows/ornaments in all price points.  Also, I think it is important to have tooth fairy pillows for both boys and girls.  After all, the tooth fairy visits everyone!

But, preparing for a craft show is not just about the craft, it is also about the display and marketing of the craft.  When I signed on to do this, I never had any idea what it took to participate in a craft show.  Here is a list of things I need to figure out:

1. I have have to figure out how to load all these pillows in the one of the world smallest {and most space efficient} cars.  Yes, I own a subcompact car.  At least it is a hatchback and the seats fold down.  Plus, it is red and the red is the color of Christmas so everything is going to be just fine!  So, logistics is on my list of things to figure out.  Do I buy all new bins, use the old bins in the basement, garbage bags???  Lots of options.
2. How do I display my pillows?  I will have an 8 foot table and two chairs.  What I am thinking about doing, is displaying one of each pillows and storing the extras in bins under the table.  Then, I have clementine crates that I thought my work for displaying the tooth fairy pillows.  Lastly, if I time permits and I actually make the Christmas ornaments, I have a tiny little Christmas tree that I can use to display ornaments.  
3. Marketing!  Kevin is hard at work making me brochures to put on the table with important information like my blog address, Etsy address, Facebook information, and contact information.  I also need to make tags for all my pillows with prices, create some kind of receipt.  People also need a bag of some kind for their purchases - got to work on that!  I am also thinking I need a bowl of candy on my table.  It is always nice to have something tasty to entice people to your table.  But the bowl of candy is important for one other reason:  if no one buys a pillow I can eat my way to happiness.     
4. A QR code -- I don't even know what a QR code is, but Kevin assures me that it is a good thing, and that I should have one to make it easier for people with smart phones to connect with me.  So I'll probably give it a try.  

There is so much to think about as the craft show draws near.  I have high hopes for happy sales.  As one of Michigan's many unemployed, this is an experiment in how to make a little money by thinking outside of the box.  It is does not work out, I will be a little sad.  But, I am hoping to as the very least, sell enough to cover the cost of the table.  Like I have said before, it is important to try new things.  So, come out on December 10th and check out some locally made pillows.