Photo Shoot Friday

Pattern Play

Cardigan: Marshalls

Skirt: Macy's

Shoes: Anne Michelle, Barefeet Shoes

Clutch: Chinese Laundry, JCPenney

Belt: B Fabulous

Scarf: A.C. Moore

Yellow necklace: Wet Seal

Purple necklace: Sears

Flower brooch on purple necklace: Sweet Wolf, Etsy

Purple bracelet: Wet Seal

Orange bracelet: Kohl's

Ring: Claire's

Top: City Streets, JCPenney

Skirt: Mixit, JCPenney

Shoes: Nine West, Macy's

Bag: Zou Zou, JCPenney

Necklace: Candie's, Kohl's

Belt: Marshalls

Yellow ring: Wet Seal

Magenta ring: Express

Bangle: Art All Night, Etsy

Strawberries & Cherries

Dress: So, Kohl's

Sweater: Macy's

Shoes: BCBG, Macy's

Bag: XOXO, Marshalls

Belt: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Necklace: Snowdrop Jewelry

Flower brooch: JCPenney

Bracelet: Mixit, JCPenney

Ring: Some accessories cart in Miami

Ribbon: Craft supply box

Oh, and some cheerful matching cookies on a cheerful matching plate.

Dress: Niceface, Etsy

Shoes: Style & Co., Macy's

Lunch box: Marshalls

Ice cream necklace: Delia's

Black disc necklace: Nine West, Macy's

Shiny flower necklace: Some shore shop

Matte flower necklace: Fashion Bug

Ring: Some Shore shop

Blue bangle: Kohl's

Red bangle: XOXO, ROSS

Yellow bangle: Silver Lining, Ocean City boardwalk

Island Inspired

Tunic: Kenar, Marshalls

Leggings: Target

Shoes: Madden Girl, DSW

Bag: XOXO, ROSS

Necklace: Macy's

Bangle: Burlington Coat Factory

Ring: B Fabulous

Barrette: Kohl's

Top: Macy's

Skirt: Macy's

Shoes: Madden Girl, DSW

Clutch: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Belt: New York & Co.

Necklace: Macy's

Turquoise bangle: Mixit, JCPenney

Copper bangle: Kohl's

Rhinestone bangles: Mixit, JCPenney

Ring: Design by Cassandra, Etsy

I didn't post Photo Shoot Friday last week. I was too lazy. Well, I was prepping for Harborfest. But still. Anyhow, I have lots of pictures this week. :)

Cape May Harborfest Craft Show

My tent by the sea. Er, harbor.

Me sporting a cluster of Tote Trove barrettes from my own personal stash.

Me before I got sunburned rocking my new Fred Flare sunglasses.

The bf. He doesn't like me posting pictures of him on the blog, but as editor-in-chief of this little operation, I exercised my veto power.

My exciting new Corsage Necklaces. I made them in a fit of inspiration this week, finishing the last one at the mind-numbing hour of eleven o'clock last night. I kind of knew no one would buy them but nevertheless felt driven to display them as a complete set. I'll list them on Etsy as soon as I can (my inventory's still out in the car) but foresee eventually delisting one or two (or, what the heck, all of them) to wear myself.

Picturesque Cape May harbor.

I didn't even know that the Cape May Harborfest existed until one of the coordinators emailed me an invitation because they were short on vendors. This lack of interest from vendors coupled with the fact that it wasn't an entirely handmade show were two warning signs that I chose to ignore. I was too hooked by the lure of more sales (and more respect from my accountant, who told me I needed to show improvement this year for my business to be classified as, well, a business) and found myself plunking down the $100.00 entry fee.

As you've probably already guessed, this wasn't the wisest of decisions. Harborfest was -- strange. The site was set off the beaten path of Cape May's signature Victorian mansions and pedestrian-heavy shopping district, tucked in the harbor near the nature center and Coast Guard. Although not favored by tourists, it was an undeniably picturesque spot (you can see from the pictures that my tent was set at the edge of a little cliff overlooking the water). Even so, the festival itself wasn't particularly festive and lacked that unmistakable artistic vibe inherent within more desirable venues. Again, I should have known this going in because it wasn't really an art show. But beneath my crusty pessimistic layer lurks a closet optimism tireless enough to keep me signing up for these things.

Sales were . . . slow. So slow, in fact, that neighboring crafters drifted into my tent to report how much the show had gone downhill. But they advised me not to cross it off my list because it was sure to pick up again next year. I'd met some of them at previous shows (it's amazing how small the local arts and crafts community is, and how quickly you become familiar with the other people on the show circuit). Their input was interesting to me, especially because I'm still in that experimental phase of trying out different shows and finding out what I think and, more importantly, what I like.

I sold a few pieces of jewelry here and there. Several shoppers complimented my work, as usual suggesting that I try my luck in a city setting where people were more likely to wear the kinds of things I made. I always have mixed feelings about this reaction, especially because I've tried to get into these types of shows without success to date. It's as if I'm in some kind of craft fair limbo - a little too out there for many South Jersey shows, but not quite out there enough for anywhere else.

But the worst part of the day was that I got sunburned. I'd slathered on the sunscreen before leaving the house in the morning but had never reapplied because I hate to risk touching my merchandise with greasy hands. Now, even as I write this, I'm nursing my considerable wounds with aloe. The bf said I was being silly to worry so much about it, but I can't help being angry at myself. Next time I'll wear a jacket, even if it's blisteringly hot.

So that's Harborfest. I've decided to chalk the whole thing up to experience. After all, even on the days when I don't make a profit, I learn something. Sometimes I think the most important lesson is learning how to work smarter, not harder. When I figure this out I'll let you know.

The next show on the roster is the Haddonfield Fine Arts and Crafts Festival on July 10 and July 11. It's one of the more prestigious shows I'm doing this year, and I've heard good things about it. As always, I'll be sure to let you know how it all shakes out.

New Necklaces: From Goth to Boho, Something for Everyone

Gothic Romance

Gothic Romance Necklace

Hard Hearted Hannah Necklace

Quietly Kooky

I'm a Little Teapot Necklace

Roses are Red Necklace

Sweet Sparrow Necklace

Retro TV Necklace

Bohemian Rhapsody

Arabian Nights Necklace

Junk Drawer Necklace

Some Old Favorites

Strawberry Fruit Gel Necklace

Lime Fruit Gel Necklace

I like to keep my Tote Trove stock fresh and eclectic. Although I have a reputation for making stuff that's brightly colored and out there, I also enjoy fashioning more traditional styles. In stocking up for this Saturday's Cape May Harborfest, I've come up with a nice little necklace mix.

Tales from the Trove: Brigantine PTA Craft Show, An Adventure Close to Home

This past Saturday I did my first outdoor craft show of the year. I was excited. Nerve-wracked, actually. I had my brand-new tent banner, I was accepting credit cards via ProPay, and I was doing a giveaway to promote my Etsy shop. As the bf and I unpacked my inventory, I realized I had more items than ever before, so many that I barely knew where to put them. In my highly agitated state, I picked about a dozen petty and unfounded fights with the poor guy, apologizing immediately each time (honestly, the man deserves a medal). The thing about doing craft shows is . . . they're hard. You have a couple of hours to set up an entire shop, usually in oppressive heat (and in the case of this Brigantine show, merciless wind that periodically knocked down my and several other sellers' displays). And no matter what you do, you always feel dirty thanks to the combination of labor, heat, outdoor elements, and greasy sunscreen. Add the only-too-human jumble of anxiety, worry, and excitement, sprinkled with Type A perfectionism, and you have all the ingredients for a nervous breakdown.

Once we were finished setting up, the bf went to work (across the street, actually). I slathered myself with sunscreen. I took dozens of pictures for this blog and my Etsy shop. And then I waited.

One of my first sales of the day was this necklace. The buyer was one of my repeat craft show customers, a spunky lady with great style. "You should make earrings," she suggested. I told her that that was definitely in the works.

Not much later one of the bf's customers stopped by. She'd bought one of my charm necklaces at last year's Brigantine show and said that she'd intended to give is as a gift but liked it so much that she kept it for herself. She went on to say that she received lots of compliments on it, then purchased this heart and butterfly charm necklace for a friend.

As luck would have it, fellow EtsyNJian Doreen from Seahorse Designs was set up across from me. It was truly a pleasure meeting someone I'd known only from the email list! I purchased these two button and wire rings from her, and immediately put them on, as they went perfectly with my outfit.

Midmorning I called my dad to wish him a happy birthday (we were celebrating the next day). When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was on his way to see me! I was certainly surprised. We had a lovely visit, and before he left he purchased this Ladybug Creek Tote (even though I insisted it wasn't necessary).

I was thrilled (and initially a little nervous) to make my first credit card sale when I sold this pair of large totes (Electric Palms and Mandarin Magic) to a local couple who compared my designs to Betsey Johnson! Now, that was a compliment. Many Etsy shoppers had admired the Electric Palms Tote, and the Mandarin Magic Tote had always been one of my favorites.

Here's a smattering of the other items I sold. By the end of the day, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I'd done pretty well, much better than I had at last year's show. It was a big day for necklaces, and kooky ones at that! I found good homes for both my Fruit Gel Necklace (made of pencil grippers) and my Calculator Necklace, two tried-and-true conversation pieces. I'd better get busy crafting some new wacky wares for my next event, which is Harborfest in Cape May on June 19.

Yes, craft fairs can be hard. Sometimes, in the less-than-stellar moments, I wonder why I'm not at the beach, movies, or mall on a Saturday afternoon like a normal 9-to-5 cubicle dweller. But then someone says something really nice about my work, or a little girl gets really excited about her new necklace, and I realize that all the trouble was worth it. And that I can't wait to do it again. :)