My first Craft Fair!

Today is my day off from mummying and its all about me, by me and for me! I have a stall at a local craft fair and will be showcasing my wares and from 10am til 4 pm.

So 9am and I am in, got my table, right at the door, practised my layout last night so I know what I am up to and 9.20 - finished, all set up. Start to write for this blog post while all the other stall holders who have intricate items and more complicated pieces to display are busy busy, pricing, setting up and exercising their artistic flair with their displays.

Its a moment of pride for us all as we step back and admire our stalls. Check, tweak, double check, tweak and yes, thats it, all done. A few photos and we are done. Ready to sell.

I added new lines with some scented hearts and makeup bags which I have been experimenting with, they went down well so pleased with that and they were an interesting addition to the table. The scent of holidays has lingered all day from the orchid and coconut used in the scented hearts - Lush!

Echoing the room are the sounds of rustling bags as we tidy up and with half an hour to go til doors open we look round and check out the competition.

Opposite me is Ria's Jewellery so we couldn't help but catch eyes all day, and next to her, Jacq of Hearts who makes the most gorgeous fabric hearts, handstitched and made with love. My competition was The Bag Laydeez, but really was no competition at all as our product was completely different and Jessies Jewels were no competition for Ria as the organiser had ensured no duplication and strategic placement of crafts to give an enjoyable mix for the browsing customer. It was an interesting and appealing mix to us all.

For me, today was about gauging my customer, working out popularity and any new product lines, based on feedback. I have spent a long time making in isolation and it did me good to get out and actually meet my market and like minded individuals on the craft circuit.  The mix of stallholders was great in terms of experience as well as product and the encouragement and friendlyness made for a really enjoyable day. I have a few new ideas and lots of feedback on other fairs, footfall, new contacts and new 'friends' who I am bound to see again as I continue with this path.

Jewellery and cards are always the most popular at these events, today there were some really simple but effective cross stitch cards by AKStitching. Really pretty and appealing for a personal touch, something different. Suttons Soap is a fairly new but successful soap company, and the scents are divine - Lush! And the display of nappy cakes by Geeta was fabulous, through doing these fairs her range has expanded since last time I saw her. There were tons of others whose cards I never picked up (including the organiser - sorry Suzanne!), too busy chatting and just forgot, but what  was apparent was how many talented people you could fit in 1 room and it was plenty of us!!!

Although sales didn't come through for all of us due to the poor foot fall due to the FANTASTIC weather (everyone must have gone to the beach) it was definately not a wasted day and I shall be back there in November, and most of the other stall holders have all booked for future dates too. So don't miss it!

Our Re-United Kingdom.

The Big Day!

I am soooo excited; finally the big day is almost here. No, not mine – my other half would have a heart attack at the thought, but Will and Kate’s. The nations, no, the worlds new BFF.

Our Nation, Our Re-United Kingdom.

Monarchist or Republican, we’ve taken sides.

The Scottish, who are independent England haters much of the time are seeing Union Jack earrings sell out in Glasgow! While the flags fly in Fife, the bunting is brandished in Bute. We have Royal Fever!!

Households are divided, cries of God Save the Queen gush out of the most unlikely mouths while Republicans throw cold water on the festivities.

Daytime TV is embracing the theme and I am relishing every moment. This morning I have had elocution lessons, been shown how to get into and out of a car as Royalty would and that Royal wave. I am ready.

As they must be, all those hours of preparation, rehearsals, fittings, sleepless nights, exhausting days all culminate on Friday with the walk down the aisle and the words ‘I Do’.

Of course there are the cynics giving them, 6 months, 2 years, 7 years. SHUT UP! This one’s forever, true love exists and we can revel in it. The world can revel in it. And no sooner will they have that famous balcony kiss than; as with any newly married couple, the speculation of increasing the numbers in the Royal household will come.

I shall not be blogging the big day; I am immersing myself in it with family and friends. Twitter has updates, You Tube is screening it on its’ Royal Channel. It is modern and symbolic of the time that such interaction will occur. 

When they return from honeymoon, they will start married life living with another member of the family. Not the greatest beginning for them as they will be lodgers to Prince Harry. Oh, but it is in Clarence House, and they have their own wing so I think they may just get away with that, and privacy will probably be no issue for them.

So with a much improved HOW NOW BROWN COW, a wonderful roll to my R’s and distinguished Royal wave, its toodle ooh for now daarhling, tatty bye and see you post RW.

Enjoy the big day!!

 

For further reading follow the below links.

http://youtubeukblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel

I am now tweeting - follow me here - https://twitter.com/#!/justolganna

The Royal Bunting

In line with current UK temperatures, there is Royal Wedding fever in the air. With 8 days to go London is a riot of red, white and blue and the shops are on their final push to get rid of the commemorative product, as in 9 days time it will no longer be relevant.


With today being the 85th birthday of The Queen - curtsey and say 'Happy Birthday Your Majesty', it is appropriate for Kate to pause for thought about her life as a future Queen. She will have to become accustomed to waking up next to a prince and living in a palace, the stuff dreams are made of. Well no more, as Disney have said that they will be making no more Disney Princess movies as it does not reflect current times and is unappealing for boys. Ha! Tell that to our Kate! The commoner who got her Prince.

She must be getting so excited right now and so far has managed to keep the dress a secret, of course it will be televised and all over the media before she walks down the aisle so William will be holed up in a chapel next door to the church so there is no chance he will see it before her grand entrance.


And rightly so, its their wedding day and its only proper that  tradition is followed, that intake of breath as he first sees his stunning bride is a moment which cannot be recreated. 

Today must be a slow news day as the tabloids are reporting her weight loss 'issues', front page news - it's called stress of organising a wedding. What bride doesn't shed a few pounds in the lead up to the nuptials? Shame on you red tops.


And just like any other wedding the florist and cake maker will be counting down to the big day but 10 times more fraught as the world is watching, and with the highly distingushed guest list a lot rides on this gig. The horses and guards who will be parading down The Mall all have to be groomed, and the armour requiring polishing of the highest order will be underway. It can take 9 hours to get ready for parade and can take up to 50 hours of polishing to get a brand new pair of shoes ready with that see your face in them shine (I suppose it depends on your wrist action). And what of the Royal Corgi's??  - Ring bearers??


So as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our newest Royal, HRH Catherine of Wales, we enjoy the record temperatures, the extra bank holiday, Easter weekend, our street parties and for those couples sharing their big day with Royalty, they can make a few bob out of it by selling their stories to the press, everyone's a winner.

Ale Prince William!

No, its not poor grammar, its my latest Royal Wedding find.

Everywhere I go the flags of red, white and blue are flying, crowns adorn obscure product, there is bunting for sale in anticipation of the street parties and in my local supermarket they are commemorating the occasion in real ale style, with Kiss me Kate ale.

Out shopping today I saw deely boppers with Will on 1 side and Kate on the other, and some rather suspect printed badges. Yes, there is tons of disposible tat ready for landfill on April 30th.


But some lovely things too. I saw some great mugs, cake boxes and cake stands, a nod to the traditional English garden party. Pretty and practical, cake stands pose problems for the symmetrically minded among us and the ONLY solution is to eat 1 from each side. I know its a difficult compromise, but got to keep the harmony on the cake stand.

With speculation rife, a plethora of Wills and Kate websites have emerged and people love it! These are celebs actually worthy of their 'celeb status'. Although having to share space in 'Reveel!' magazine with Kerry and Katie demeans it somewhat.

Without even looking, this week I have found out that William does not plan to wear a wedding ring. He will wear his military uniform - but which one?? And with Harry in charge of the stag do the media lay in wait of the aftermath.

So cucumber sandwiches at the ready - crusts off of course, a few chilled Royal ales, fingers crossed for some sunshine, kick back watching a right Royal do. Whatever your views, there is something for everyone and in any case it's an extra day off work, now how can that be bad.