Friday, April 30, 2010

How To Improve Your Craft Fair Experience as a Seller

A wonderful Etsian, LayneDesign, has posted a very helpful list to help those of us that want to attend our first Craft Fair, or even for those that have gone but would like a few extra pointers. She has graciously agreed for me to post her advice here, so be sure to check it out, and please add comments or questions. Maybe you will have some tips as well!

Be sure to check out LayneDesigns's shop - she makes "everything from oil painting, to decorative painting to cloth primitive dolls." It's a really cool shop. - Bonnie

LayneDesign says:
I have been doing craft shows for 16 years. I spent 3 years weeding out the bad ones. Here is my advice.

1. Stay away from churches and firehalls.

2. Display means a lot!! My sales tripled when I took the time to put a nicer display together. (you dont want to look like a garage sale)

3. You have to have your 1 and 2 dollar items. then middle price 5-10 dollars then the higher stuff. Around 75 - 80% of your sales will come from the lower and mid ranged priced items.

4. Check with your chamber of commerce or with who ever is holding the craft show. They usually have numbers of how many people attended the year before.

5. Talk to the other vendors. They usually have a good idea as to which shows are better.

6. Be picky as to what shows you do. I used to try to do as many shows as I could a summer. All I did was make myself tired. Now I only do 3-5 shows a summer and one in the fall.

7. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! People steal at the shows!! (not other vendors, but the crowd). Make sure you have someone with you for potty breaks!!!! If not another vendor next to you is usually willing to keep an eye on things. If it is a super big show always have another person with you. You have to really pay attention especially if you have smaller items.

8. Don't give up my first show I made 18 dollars. Now I usually make over $1000.

9. You MUST have a state tax ID number. Yes the state goes to the shows and checks. AND you can get a fine. (You have to collect sales tax and send it to the state) The Certificate must be displayed in your area. (check with your local state as to the exact laws)

Friday, April 23, 2010

Reigning Cats and Dogs

I just made this really cute treasury on Etsy.com called Reigning Cats & Dogs. Please take a moment to check it out. It is made up from some of my fav Etsy Shop. Plenty of dog and cat products to look at! Pet clothing, collars, pet beds, towels, photos, felted pets, and of course toys for pets! Enjoy!

Bonnie

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Featured Etsy Shop: Artby TuranLoch

Hey Blog Followers, I've decided to start featuring some of my favourite Etsy Shops. I"ll try to do this on daily basis. Some of these shops I have already purchased some, but they are all very creative, and I think they deserve a spotlight, so please check them out.



Today, our featured Shop is Artby TuranLoch



Artby TuranLoch created Snack 'n Snooze's Logo!





I had just started out on Etsy, tried to make my own logo and failed miserably. I checked out Alchemy on Etsy, and found Artby TuranLoch. Very talented, and most importantly patient. Listened (read) my own ideas but provided suggestions as well until the logo was complete. Because my shop was inspired by my pets, a Shiba Inu & 2 cats, of course they had to somehow be involved in the logo.



Artby TuranLoch does custom banners, avatars, business card templates, birthday, party or wedding invites, thank you cards, labels, logos, photocollages, silhouettes, blog banners, blog templates etc.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Woof Woof! Something for the Pooches.

I just listed this new fleece dog bed. My dog, Sushi, is approx. 20 lbs to give you an idea of the size. I love this pattern. My in-laws found it for me, and it has a variety of dogs in the pattern - maybe one of them looks like your dog! Sushi was kind enough to model with it (treats always help!) I think this is one of my fav beds so far! What do you think?








Monday, April 19, 2010

2 New Pet Products!

Meowza! Yes, both new products are for the felines, but don't let your doggies fret. I have an ongoing project for a new product for them, it's just taking a bit longer.

The 2 new products are:


Catnip Fish Toys














Cat Kitty Crocheted Blanket









My cats love toys and they love it when I make new crocheted cat blankets. I've lost count of how many they have. I also donate several to the shelter I work at for the adopted cats to bring to their new forever home.

If you have a cat or kitty that might enjoy some fun toys or a cozy blanket, please check out my shop at Snack 'n Snooze.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Picking Colors for our Pets

Does your pet have a favorite color, or do you? When you buy things for your pets, which colors do you tend to buy? Does it matter? Some owners may want to match their own home decor, some might go for bright colors, and for some it may not matter. Which colors do you look for when buying for your pets?

For our dog, for collars or harnesses, usually black, blue, or purple. For our cats, just about anything goes for our Torti, but for our black DSH - yellow or red goes well with her.

Bonnie

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

It's Bailey's 6th Birthday Today!

In honour of our cat, Bailey's, birthday, any fleece pet beds purchased from Snack 'n Snooze TODAY or TOMORROW, will have FREE SHIPPING. I will refund the shipping cost via paypal. A lot of the fleece pet beds are on sale, so please take a look! Some are only for dog, only for cats, and some could be for either.

Meowwza!!!!

Bonnie

Monday, April 12, 2010

Hike For our Heroes

Troy is an Iraq-war veteran who will be hiking 7000 miles across America beginning April 17th, to raise money for struggling veterans, and help get a national "Day of the Deployed". His Shiba Inu, Emmy, is accompanying him. Show your support by joining his Facebook Fan Page

Thanks,
Bonnie

217 Adoptions!!

As my dog would say...ROOHOO!!! Wayside Waif's adoptathon on the weekend resulted in 217 adoptions, and that included 2 bunnies. It was a busy weekend, but a happy one :) Josephine, in the previous post, was adopted. The others are still there awaiting their turn. Now that the adoptathon is over, I'll be back to concentrating on some new items for Snack 'n Snooze!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Cats Needing Their Furrever Home

As you know, today is the start of Wayside Waif's weeknd adoptathon!

Slick had the honor of being the first cat adopted this morning! Yay! He was one of my favs, so I will miss him, but I"m thrilled for him :) I thought I would post a few pics of some of the other cats available, and if you want to check out the other available dogs & cats, visit Wayside Waifs website.

PLEASE send this to all your friends and family, and ask them to pass it along as well. You never know who might live close enough to want to visit Wayside and find their new best friend.

Harvey













Scorpio








Josephine



Betty









Annie













Rainbow









Slick - adopted!









Thanks!

Bonnie

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Getting Ready for the Adopt-a-Thon



The shelter I work at, Wayside Waifs is having their 3rd annual adopt-a-thon starting tomorrow, and it continues until Sunday. I have today and tomorrow off, so inbetween orders for Snack 'n Snooze, I am busily crocheting cat blankets for the cats & kittens to take with them to their new homes. I'm sure I won't have enough, so I'm going to bring some catnip squares so that hopefully every cat or kitten will have something to take with them.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Black Cat/Black Dog Syndrome




Ever heard of Black Cat or Black Dog Syndrome? It's not made up. Black cats and black dogs are the last to be adopted in shelters and rescues. I work at Wayside Waifs and I see it for myself.

How many of you have a black cat or black dog? I have a wonderful nearly 6 yr old Black cat. Some of you may have seen her modeling in my shop. Her name is Bailey. She is a terrific lap cat, and is fairly quiet, unless it is dinner time. I have several favourite cats at the shelter, and a lot of them are black cats. They deserve a forever home too, and they are just as loveable as any other coloured cat. Same goes for the dogs. So, give them a chance.

Please take a few minutes to check out this site, and the video on it, it's worth it.

Black Dog Syndrome

Also, if you live in or near Missouri, Wayside Waifs is holding their adopt-a-thon this weekend, so be sure to come by and ask to see the black cats and the black dogs, ok?

Bonnie

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Keep Your Pets Safe While Traveling




I am a huge advocate of safety for pets when traveling in the car.

About 6 years ago, my wonderful Shiba Inu, Sushi, and I were leaving the dog park. We had just spent about an hour there to let Sushi burn off some energy. We had a lot of fun, and it was time to go.

The street we needed to turn left onto was quite busy, so I decided to turn right which would take just a few more minutes to get home. Well, it was about 2 hours before we got home. An oncoming car lost control and not only hit into us head on, but also into the driver's side. I remember thinking we might die, then I heard Sushi scream. It was quiet. When I opened my eyes, my first concern was Sushi. We've always used either a crate or buckle him in the backseat using his 3-in-1 Vest Harness. This time he had the harness. I managed to get out of the car and checked on Sushi - he was scared, but physically seemed ok. He was still buckled in.

Our car was totalled. Even though I had been wearing my seatbelt, I had 7 months of physio. Sushi was afraid to go in a car for a few months, but otherwise he was perfectly fine. That seatbelt harness saved him from possible injury or worse, death. It also prevented him (20 lbs) from being thrown against me.

There are many options when it comes to taking your dog (or cats) in the car, and keeping them safe. Some car companies often sell barriers to fit into your car. There are a variety of seatbelt options as well.

Please, if you love your pets, find the safest way to travel with your pets in the car. The crate is probably the safest, in my opinion, especially for cats! If you choose to use a crate, place it in the backseat facing the back of the passenger seat. Move the passenger seat back just enough so the crate is snug. If it is a small crate, you should be able to use the car seatbelt to put through the crate's handle.

Never ever travel with your pet loose in your car. You never know what could happen. Do not allow your pets to ride in the front seat. You don't allow small children, so why should your pets? I have seen a small dog, who was wearing a cheap seatbelt type of harness, get so excited to see the dog park, that it jumped out of the rolled down window. Luckily, the car was not moving very fast, and the dog was ok.

Also, as much as dogs love to stick their noses out the window, do not allow this. A loose object could actually hit them and depending on what the object is, how fast you are driving, etc...this could really injure your dog.

As Sushi liks to say....BUCKLE UP DAWGS! (and cats).

Bonnie

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Why Do You Love Your Pets?

I love all my pets because of the unconditional love that they give every day. I also love that they forgive & forget fairly easily :) I love that they make me laugh, help me to relax, and of course they inspire me as well!

I have a Shiba Inu, 2 cats, and Dwarf Hamster.

Post about your pets and why you love them so much.