Thursday, March 8, 2012
Five Fab Finds from Etsy by Crafted by Lindy
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Bling - by Crafted by Lindy - Fab Finds from Etsy
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Red and White - by Crafted by Lindy - Fab Finds from Etsy
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Your quest for supplies and a Rhode Island resource for ribbon and quilting fabric - Ryco Inc.
Here you'll find:
BTW, another local haunt of mine is Lorraine Fabrics, in Pawtucket, where you can find lots of upholstery. I spend a lot of time on the second floor where fabric is $1.99/ yard. Okay, now the secret is out!!
I have spent years online and on the phone to find the best prices for my supplies. I travel to NYC to scour the garment district. Along the way I've found that sometimes thinking out of the box will land the best suppliers. This explains my love for hardware stores. I've made countless awkward phone calls talking to people who thought I was nuts, "what is this girl doing with seat belts and why would she call us?" I even bought webbing that was primarily used for lifting caskets (no worries, I could never bring myself to use it). I currently buy my seat belts from a local source (I'm sorry I can't share publically due to being burned one too many times by ruthless competition) whom I researched and called and convinced to sell me their overruns. It's industrial and industrious, but I get the best deal around (and there's something about talking directly to the guys in the warehouses).
So, how do you seek your suppliers?
What do you do to find your deals?
Do you have favorite local resources?
Friday, May 23, 2008
Friday's Desktop Diary
I'm gearing up for a mini show on Memorial Day. It really kicks off the season for me, so its a great opportunity for me to re-evaluate my set-up, signage, inventory, etc.
As promised, here is a check list of items I bring with me to shows. This is not an exhaustive list, so please feel free to comment on what I may have forgotten! I've linked this post to a much more detailed list that is worth reviewing (click title of post).
Here goes:
Supplies:
Scissors
Pens
Hole punch
Labels (both your hang tags and stickers for prices)
Stapler
Clip board (I like the plastic ones that open up binder/container style allowing me to store notes, special receipts, etc.)
Calculator
Tape
Hooks, binder clips, zip pulls (anything that might help you in securing items)
Packaging – bags, tissue paper, gift boxes, etc.
Ribbon, string, or rope (I use ribbon for my hang tags)
Wipes
Receipt pad (any office supply section or store carries these – I like the smaller ones in duplicate. Before or during a slow time at the show, I’ll add small address labels with my name and address on the customer receipt.)
Set-up:
Tent
Sand bags (weights for tent…those things can fly!)
Tables
Stool/chair
Table clothes
Mannequins
Easels
Grids or other display items
Side walls
Credit card materials (knuckle buster, forms, name plate, etc.)
Marketing materials:
Signage
Business cards
Brochures
Line sheets/buyers guides
postcards
Misc:
Book
Busy work for slow times (if you can craft on the go – knitting, crocheting, etc).
Cash (I always forget ‘til the morning of when the banks aren’t open. I suggest getting small bills the night before.)
Resale permit
Show application and materials
Water
Food/snacks
Cooler
Music (although when I bring my ipod I’m usually placed right by the band)
ADDITION TO LIST (5/25/08):
Camera
Journal - for your guests to leave their names/address
money box or "fanny pack" - I made a vendor apron with a zipper, but you want something to hold your money.
trash bags (grocery bags)