Sometimes, all you need is a little splash of colour!
It’s taken weeks! This is quite a large subject, and if you are unsure of where to start, it can be rather overwhelming. There is so much to cover when it comes to adding colour to projects and I have created a COLOUR page in my The Best of the Basics Series. This is an overview of the different inks, markers and tools available to Kiwi crafters. Where I can, I have included links to where you can find these products to purchase, and also find colouring classes and tutorials online for more in-depth information.
There are many different ways to add colour to your projects and I have listed many of the ways I like to use colour in my craft room – there are still many more techniques for me to explore!
Copic Markers
Distress Inks
ColorBurst watercolour powders
There are new products being introduced all the time. Distress Inks have been around for a number of years, and over the past 24 months, Tim has released his Distress Oxide range. I love both ink lines and use them in just about every project I tackle. I have just started collecting the Oxide sprays and intend to try them out in an upcoming session of background creations.
Nuvo Shimmer Powders are new this year too, and complement the Ken Oliver ColorBursts brilliantly. I can’t help myself when it comes to shimmery, glittery things and they were an immediate addition to my craft room. Many cards I made this year featured these powders – I imagine there will be many more!
There is just one more subject I want to include in my Best of the Basics Series – that is Handy Tools. So keep an eye out – I have tried many ‘handy’ tools in my craft room over the years, and I intend to share with you what I have found to be worth the $$.
Merry Christmas to you, and thank you for your visit! Have a safe and happy holiday break.
Today I did my final market for the year – this sounds impressive but I only did two markets 😂 a month apart!
I had my cards displayed on shelving and my tag packs along the front. My secret recipe Reindeer Oats were also given out to children for added magic. The shelves, white baskets, fake plants, battery operated light string and little Christmas tree are from Kmart, wire baskets from Briscoes, black plastic cardholders and plastic signs from Warehouse Stationery.
Craft markets take up so much creative energy, time and angst, so I knew I could realistically only manage a couple of events. This time of year is busy enough without adding unnecessary extra busy! I had a heap of fun though, and I sold a stack of my Christmas Gift Tags along with cards and this gives a healthy boost to ones esteem. (And replenishes the piggy bank for more fun inky and stampy type purchases).
My Christmas Gift Tags in their packaging.
If you are considering doing a market, start creating your product early and regularly throughout the year. Check out event information in your area (websites, Facebook pages etc) – often the closing date for stallholders is a few weeks or even months prior to the actual event. In Wellington, there is a Wellington Stallholder Facebook Page which is a handy start. There may be something similar in your area.
Usually, there is some type of online application form – what sort of product are you selling, how would you promote yourself, links to your social media or photos etc. This is important as the market organisers want to attract an array of different products and items being offered for sale – this in turn attracts buyers. No one wants to go to a market only to find 26 stallholders all selling cards or birdhouses!
Consider the costs of the table (anything from $10-$75 for your space depending on size of market, size of space and where it is situated), getting there, the display requirements and time of year. Simple, but tidy and eye-catching displays bring in the browsers and in turn, buyers. Sharing a table with a friend selling complimentary products may also be an option to minimise the costs.
Displaying your cards can be a tricky thing if the market is an outdoor event. I noted even in an indoor area, we were in the path of an open doorway which blew my cards over instantly, and we were constantly propping them back up again until we could get the door closed.
You definitely need some form of business card – something that tells people who you are and how to get a hold of you after the market when they discover how much they like your product. People do ask for these.
I die cut my own using a My Favorite Things Stitched Rounded Rectangle die and stamped and heat embossed my logo stamp. I also stamped my logo onto some large envelopes I obtained for free from Paper Plus Porirua (leftovers from their own card displays) which I used as bags for purchases.
Special Thank You
Jo Wilson (@card_pixi-creations) and I
Myself with Clarissa (@clasilvw)
I would like to extend a special thank you to friends Jo Wilson and Clarissa Vicencio-Wickens for their help and support with my markets – it really pays to have a fun buddy with you on the day. It means you both get to have a look around at other people’s wares, grab food and loo breaks!
I am so pleased that I have done these markets – the aim was to earn enough money to upgrade my poor old BigShot die cutting machine to an electric version. Mission Accomplished!
Next up – Christmas with the family (yay!) and then I’ll be working on new classes for the New Year at Scrapbook Central in Petone, so hit Follow to keep up to date with these developments!
