The Renegade Craft Fair is only one week away now, and I’ve entered super panic mode! Brandon started making some PVC/concrete weights for the tent today, and I’ve been working on some new cards and stationery. Tomorrow we’ll do a test run with the tent, tables, card racks, lighting, etc. The lighting element is new to me, and I don’t need any surprises when setting up at the show. I bought a bunch of cheap shades at IKEA in pink, brown, and orange, and I hope they’ll look as good as I think they will.
I’ve been quietly updating all of my products. The stationery is now cover weight instead of text weight (the thicker paper is much nicer). I’m switching my cards from A2 to 4 bar (slightly smaller). I’m looking into professional printing instead of screenprinting and gocco-printing everything. I am one girl (with a helpful husband and a part-time assistant – hi, Ashley!), and I think it’s time to move away from handmade.
It’s been a tough decision for me, but I feel it’s the right one. If I free myself from production, I can devote more time to designing and growing the business. So… this may be my last craft fair! Yikes.
Je suis nerveuse.
Julieta
September 8, 2007 at 10:52 pmI can’t believe you’ve been doing it all by hand all this time! I’m an offset girl, all the way.
Good luck at the show!
lisa {milkshake}
September 9, 2007 at 8:24 amHi Nicole! I’ve been battling with similar decisions. I print everything in-house. Wouldn’t it be great to just send it out somewhere? But then you give up control.
I’ll be interested to hear what you decide!
(Why would you need to stop doing craft shows? Because your stuff wouldn’t technically be handmade?)
Julieta
September 9, 2007 at 10:01 amLet go, girls! I actually had to if I wanted to stay sane. I am such a perfectionist that I would just flip out if something was 1/32 of an inch off center. I ended up doing things over and over again. My opinion is that if you get with a good and reliable printer you actually gain more control of your product. I know uniformity anti-indie in a sense & not something everyone wants, but with my clients they want it and expect it. I guess that goes with my products: announcements, invites, etc.
Renee
September 9, 2007 at 10:28 amWow, congratulations on the step up, Nicole! That’s terrific news to hear, I hope the transition goes smoothly for you ;)
C-line
September 10, 2007 at 8:03 amHi Nicole,
Long-time blog lurker, first time commenter. Love your work! May I ask where you get your lovely colored envelopes? I am hosting 4 parties in the next 2 months and have found great invites, but wanted colored envelopes. I’m sure you have to buy in bulk, but if you could just point me in the right direction…
Good luck with the switch to a printer! I’m sure your things will still be just as amazing, plus think of all the NEW things you can create with your time.
Anonymous
September 10, 2007 at 12:25 pmI like how the colors in your designs reflect the colors in your home—the ochre in your kitchen curtains shows up on the card above and the pretty blue envelope is reminiscent of the stitch vase in your bathroom.
I’ve been reading too many blogs lately because at first I read the caption as “Won’t you comment…?” then my college french kicked in and, Duh! :)
Anyway, love your blog and designs. Is the craft fair in Oak Park?
Nicole | Making it Lovely
September 10, 2007 at 12:45 pmThanks, everyone. It feels like the right thing to do.
Lisa, I think I’d have to stop because yeah… my goods would no longer be handmade. Though I’d still consider them ‘indie’, if that counts for anything! ;)
c-line, I buy my envelopes in bulk from the manufacturer, but check out the envelopes at Paper Source. Everything there is pretty yummy!
Anon, the craft fair is in Chicago on Division, between Damen and Wood St.
Sally
September 11, 2007 at 7:03 pmC-line,
Also check out: http://www.envelopemall.com
The quality is similar to paper source (and I LOVE the ps) but much more affordable.
Check out the Smart Carnival envelopes. Very nice.
katiedid
September 12, 2007 at 9:15 pmGood Luck and congrats! I am sure you are doing the right thing. If you do more of what you love, you will be a huge success!
becoming-home
September 13, 2007 at 1:21 pmSometimes you just have to go where it takes you right? When my mom first started making jewelry it was all painfully hand made wrapped stuff and was (is) gorgeous, but she could make like 5 a year! Its the right decision because its the right time you know?
Good luck! And enjoy (your last) craft fair!
Hilley
July 24, 2013 at 11:15 amSeen this card on Pinterest and used it as inspiration for my sisters wedding shower invites, but after reading the blog post it’s sad. Hope all turned out well. On a positive note the cards were a huge success, used a bit more detailing then this one. I added a hint of shimmer with the stardream envelopes http://www.jampaper.com/Envelopes/StardreamMetallicEnvelopesPaper . I also used a black background instead of the mustard yellow color and it had hits of red.
Thanks again for the inspiration!