Something to keep in mind

As we quickly approach the holidays this year I'd like you to keep something in mind.

I'd like to start by asking a couple questions. Does your kids school run a holiday fair that allows outside vendors in?? You know, "outside vendors" as in people who make stuff to sell?? How about the church in the center of town?? Or the community center?? Or the town?? Do they run a fair?? If it's called a festival or marketplace, that counts too.

I'd like to take a minute to encourage you to attend one (or all) of these fairs. Please. Your presence and the possibility of you buying something is a huge encouragement to the people working the fair.

Here's why. (This is the "something" I'd like you to keep in mind.) Whether you attend because it supports your kids school or because I just put the thought into your head or because you enjoy browsing the many handmade items, please keep in mind that a lot of these vendors do this stuff because it's their source of income. Some people need the flexibility of being able to be home during the week and/or making their own schedule. Being your own boss, and having a business that is only online and/or at craft fairs, brings a certain freedom and flexibility that some people need because they are single parents or their home/family can't survive on one income and they can't afford daycare or after school care even with two incomes.

Please attend these fairs and buy from someone. Even if it's just five dollars. That five dollars could be the last five dollars they need to be able send their kid on a special trip with school or it could be all they need to be able to buy that one thing their kid desperately wants for Christmas. Some people depend on what money they can make at these fairs.

Please make someones day in the coming month til Christmas and buy something.

Time for expansion and other things

Over this past weekend I got an embroidery machine. So far it's only been figuring the machine out. Finding the appropriate backing that I'm most comfortable using and thread for affordable prices. You can't just use sewing machine thread. But soon it will be something I will be using to offer "extras" in my shop. Monogramming, little pictures in the corners of blankets, my logo.

This weekend I'm participating in another fair! First one for this years holiday season. Hoping people are in the shopping mood!

New Stuff

As I prepare for my upcoming fairs, I have been accepted onto a "team". They are called Etsy Kids and are all about bringing together and promoting Etsy shops that are all about kids. I'm really looking forward to the coming months and figuring out my part of this group. 

With that being said, I just completed an interview for them, Hoping that brings in more attention to my shop. 

Beyond doing interviews, it looks like there are other opportunities for me to participate in stuff and grow my online presence. Challenges, treasuries, blogs. 

Glad I joined this team.

Upcoming fairs!!

So in the last week I've gotten word from 2 fairs I applied to. Both have accepted me!! Go check out my page (www.facebook.com/MaddiesNotions) for more info.

So looking forward to these fairs!!

Please keep in mind that by coming to these fairs and buying from the vendors you are doing more than supporting a hobby. For a lot of these vendors, this (business that they sell at fairs as) is their main source of income. You are helping them support their families.