Craft Fair Dilemma

As I mentioned in my last post, as LizzyJDesigns expands, I have been looking into participaing in local craft fairs. I need your help!



When you visit craft fairs, are you more likely to buy note sets or individual cards? I am thinking of having my note covers available since the price is low enough for people to pick up with some cash on hand.

I would like to include some of my frames as well, but not sure how many to make.

What sort of items should I include and how many should I make? Most craft fairs are for general crafts and there will likely be other card makers there. I need something that makes me stand out. If anyone has experience or ideas, I appreciate the help.


Thank you!

Curious?? Read on right here...

Brand New

I've so enjoyed adding to my shop this past week. I wished I had more time in the day! I just love the contrast of a fabric texture on paper. My new items feature this wonderful material mix.

As my signature, the owl doesn't get enough respect in the shop. So this is a tribute to my owl friends. A new set of note cards with envelopes.




These cute little note cards are 3 1/2in x 4 7/8in and perfect for any ocassion, kids or grown-ups. The owl figure is cut by me from Amy Butler fabric and embelished with pearly eyes. I always find I need a fun place to jot down a nice note to someone and these have been perfect.

Scallop gift tags. I think I will use these cutie pies as price tags for craft shows.




YES, I said craft shows. I have never done one but feeel that I'm ready for that next ste as I expand the shop. Anyone have experience in this? Either as a seller or a shopper? Would you buy little stationery items like the ones available at my shop at a craft fair?
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Christmas in July SALE!

I'm joining the talented artists on Etsy in the next two weeks for the Christmas in July SALE at the LizzyJDesigns Etsy shop!!!! Get a jump start on your holiday shopping with great sales!



These fresh and new Birdie note sets make great gifts. Great to have on hand for any occasion.




Just $12 for a set of six with matching envelopes. Aren't they cute?

*****Pruchase these or any item in my shop and get a FREE note cover!*****


These make GREAT stocking stuffers and a gift that can be used all year.

OR

********Buy 3 note covers, get one FREE!***********

The decoupage frames in my shop also make unique gifts for someone special.

*****FOR BRIDES-TO-BE*****
I'm offering FREE samples of all wedding invitations in my shop so you can see the goodness for yourself! Just leave a message here with me or convo me on Etsy and your sample will be on its way!

Now until July 31, so HURRY! Just type in the tag "christmasinjuly" on Etsy and off you go to some great sales!

Enjoy summer!
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Sneak Peak

This month has been flying by and I know I promised to post a tutorial on decoupage frames, but I haven't been home with enough sunlight to take some good pictures for you. I even designed some new stationery but again, no good pics to list on the shop. So, I've decided to offer you a sneak preview of some designs that I WILL list very soon!




Can't decide if I should offer these as flat cards or folded notes. What do you think?
Here's a rehearsal dinner invitation that I designed for a client.



Even though I don't have as much time to keep up with taking pictures and blogging as often as I'd like, I've met some great people on Etsy from the shop and forums. Between those guys and gals and meeting all my new blog friends, I fee like a virtual prom queen! Thanks all!

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Packaging makes perfect

I have been filling orders from the LizzyJDesigns Etsy shop like mad! That is a good thing, of course. I am very happy that the shop is starting to take off because I enjoy working with people to create the custom invitations and stationery they will fall in love with!

Since the shop started taking off, I have been finding creative ways to package items to mail out. I think that packaging is really important. I love receiving goodies in the mail and a big part of the excitment is how items are packaged. Do you find this true for yourself? I came up with these mailers over the weekend...



I mailed out note covers as a Mad Tea Party favor to some blog friends with these.


I thought the envelopes were a nice way to present them without putting them in a huge envelope. To make the mailers, I cut some bubble mailers in half and sealed the end with the adhesive. Then with some simple tape, I lined the opening with some Amy Butler scrap paper I had from another project. It was just sitting in my scrap box anyways. Then I put my items inside, taped it up and ta-da! Pretty package ready for mailing. What's great is that I get two envelopes from one! It's ecological AND economical!

For those of you that received these packages, I hope you like them :) Did you like seeing the burst of color in your mailbox? If so, I will use this method to mail note covers to customers. I wanted them protected in transit, but didn't want to keep a bunch of tiny USPS boxes laying around. I find these to be so much prettier, don't you?

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My Little Purple Box

I am delighted to be part of My Little Purple Box in July! The site is a great way to test different Etsy paper shops in an inexpensive way. It's like getting a present in the mail, and who doesn't love that?


Each month, Angi scours talented Etsy Shops for paper products to be included in these lovely boxes. This month's theme is the "Simply Stationery" Purple Prestige Box. Boxes contain yummy paper products from 18 Etsians valued at $75. The boxes are going for only $11!!

This month, I am contributing my note covers. Other items include fun stationery, notecards, oragami and so much more--all hand made by Etsy artists!



So if you love Etsy, handmade or new to the Etsy scene, this is a great way to get product samplings. There are only 30 boxes available per month, so hurry and get your paper goodness today!!

Have a great week everyone!

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Please welcome my new friends...

I am happy to intorduce a brand new product line at the LizzyJDesigns Etsy shop...

Altered frames!

These wooden frames were decoupaged by hand with georgeous papers, vintage-ness, glass glitter, dresen trimmings, leaflet ribbons and anything else I have in my little box of fun stuff! I made these and gave them out as bridesmaid presents and they were a huge hit! I think they make great gifts for any occassion--or to keep for yourself :) Please let me know what you think. Or, check them out at the shop along with other fun gifts for summer.

This weekend I'm going to get to work on some new invitations and stationery sets. I feel my creative juices flowing, so stay tuned for fresh designs.

Next week, I will post a tutorial on how I made these decoupage frames--a new crafting project I've grown to love! Lots of things in motion in our little studio...

Happy crafting everyone :)

Curious?? Read on right here...

Introducing Camille and Betty

Please welcome the newest additions to the LizzyJDesigns Etsy Shop.

Oh, what fun I had designing these beauties. Camille is inspired by all the destination weddings we've been invited to next year!

You can easily use these for summer weddings in your hometown as well. All my invitations are customizable to suit any bride's wedding colors. I'm thinking a muted brown and some reds would make this piece nice for a fall wedding as well. Here is Camille with her reply card.

And here's Betty!

Doesn't she remind you of yummy wallpaper?

Hope you like these as much as I liked coming up with the design! Stay tuned later this week for a brand new line of items in the shop. Oh yes, Lizzy's been creating away!
What projects have you all been up to? Curious?? Read on right here...

Something Old

I can't resist sharing a wedding detail with you that I will cherish forever. For "something old" on my wedding day my mother gave me this baby's bonnet. The story behind it is the most sentimental part.


At the hospital the day I was born, nurses came around to sell these little bonnets with a great vintage card.

It reads:
"THE MAGIC HANKY
I'm just a little hanky,
as square as can be.
but with a stitch or two
they made a bonnet out of me.
I'll be worn from the hospital
or on the christening day.
Then I'll be carefully pressed
and packed away.

For her wedding day,
so we've been told,
Every well-dressed bride
must have that something old.
So what could be more fitting
than to find little me.
A few stitches snipped,
and a wedding day hanky I'll be.

And if perchance, it is a boy,
someday he'll surely wed.
So to his bride,
he can present the hanky
Once worn upon his head."

I just teared up when my mother presented this to me the night before my wedding. Isn't this the sweetest thing you've ever read? I can't believe my mother kept all these years. She actually forgot about it until she went through some old things of mine a few weeks before the wedding and discovered it. What a find! It still has little stain on it from my earliest days...

Don't you just adore finding something special. Flea market finds give me such a high, but something historic about my own past is just so extra special!

Now I wonder if they still do that at hospitals? Anyone heard of a similar tradition? I have never heard of it before and I hope they still do. Well, if they don't, I will surely cherish this one for my future daughter or son.

Curious?? Read on right here...