Where Can You Find AntiquebasketLady?

Spring and summer are coming.....Just wanted to share some of my art and craft shows for 2016

  Where You Can Find Antiquebasketlady        
     2016 Art and Craft Shows
    www.Antiquebasketlady.etsy.com
     Antiquebasketlady@gmail.com

April 2, 2016
SpringFest Arts and Crafts Fair
Warner Park Community Recreation Center
Madison, Wisconsin

June 4&5 2016
Holy Hill Art and Farm Market
Hubertus, Wisconsin

June 25, 2016
26th Annual Summer Arts & Crafts Festival
University of Wis Parkside
Kenosha, Wisconsin

July 8,9,10
Plymouth Art In The Park
Plymouth, Michigan

August 12,13,14
Milford, Memories
Milford Michigan

September 10,11
41th Annual Art in the Park
Wausau, Wisconsin

September 17,18
Holy Hill Art and Farm Market
Hubertus, Wisconsin

October 8,9
47th Ohio Sauerkraut Festival
Waynesville, Ohio

November 19
43 Annual Winter Arts and Crafts Fair
University of Wisconsin
Kenosha, Wisconsin


If you are in the area be sure to stop in and say HI! The shows I am in have other great vendors and activities.....
www.antiquebasketlady.etsy.com

Milford Memories Summer Festival

I am so excited to tell you about a wonderful family orientated summer festival located in Milford Michigan! (I will be attending and selling my handmade bags and accessories in space 155). Aug 9, 10, and 11, 2014

There will be so many fun activities and yes of course an awesome art fair featuring artists from all around the country .....check out the link I have included
http://www.milfordmemories.com/1/mm/index.asp

Milford is located in southwest Oakland County in Michigan, the Village of Milford is home to many fabulous family-owned shops and independent restaurants in a downtown surrounded by green spaces and flowing rivers. 
The downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places, yet the places and spaces beyond it are just as memorable, including both familiar retailers and Milford-exclusive spots.

Every year the Village of Milford hosts this popular festival.... It provides many area groups and organizations the opportunity to raise much needed dollars and a way in which to promote themselves. There are many family orientated activities!

I want to share some of the items that I will have for sale....

 

Wristlet sets

 

                                                                  Totes

 Variety of wristles, cosmetic bags and coin purses

Be sure to stop in my Etsy shop for many others....
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

Follow me on Facebook...
https://www.facebook.com/Antiquebasketlady?focus_composer=true&ref_type=bookmark

And Twitter
https://twitter.com/Antiquebasket

"Leaving on A Jet Plane"

As summer approaches many of us will be  traveling and as requested from many customers I have designed 2 new products to help keep you organized.....

 1.    The Clear Front Travel Pouch....
     The  Medium Clear Front Travel Purse  can be used as a First Aid bag, an Organizer for Backpack or Diaper Bag..... It's  is a great bag for someone who loves to travel....Perfect for those 2-3oz personal items...

2.   Travel Hipster Passport Bag

    The newest addition to the Antiquebasketlady family is our Mini Hipster bag, perfect for travel and everyday use to hold important essential items, keeping them close at hand and organized in one place.
     The Hipster accommodates your passport, debit/credit cards, cell phone, extra cash, small camera or other small items you may need to keep within easy access whether traveling, stepping out for an afternoon of shopping or taking the family to the park.
     The hipster can be worn on the shoulder or across the body with its comfortable adjustable strap. Each hipster is made with stylish coordinating fabrics, layers of interfacing and is padded for extra cushioning to protect your items within. It is a practical mini bag for busy women on the go satisfying multiple purposes.

                       These little bags are so cute you might want more than one!

Thanks for stopping by and watch for these Travel items coming soon to https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

Alternative Fabric Options

Well I stepped out of my comfort zone with this fabric....who would know burlap came in so many colors.....I was purchasing fabric one day and noticed about 20 bolts of burlap....Hum.... what could I make...what type of bag of course!
Well here are a few bags....

 I added a removable fabric brooch to dress up the bags

Chocolate Brown

 Natural

 Light Sage Green

 My favorite Parisian Theme with a vintage glass button accent

Sage green...how about this as a rustic bridesmaid bag?

I must admit it is messy fabric to work with ...but I love the texture?  How about you?  Which is your favorite?
Coming soon to my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

I soon will be working on some vintage fabrics...Barkloth yet another fabric alternative.

How to Grow Your Business...Part 2

This is the second in the series ..."How to Grow Your Business"...
              
           Craft Fair 101: My Check List

You have been accepted.....here is a great list of things to bring....

One of the most common questions I get asked at craft fairs is how do you know what to bring? For me, I typically just bring the same thing every time but it seems like it’s Murphy’s Law of Craft Fairs that I always forget something. The important thing is to plan as well as you can and roll with the punches – chances are someone can help you out if you forget something.


Basic Booth Items:

• Table(s)
• Chair(s)
• Tablecloths that go to the floor, at least in front
• Tent if you’ll be selling outside
• Any other furniture you might need (backdrop, shelving, walls, etc.)
• Sign with your business name
• Business cards/Handouts for your customers
• Signs with prices of your items/individual price tags for your items
• Smaller containers and display pieces for your products
• All your products of course!

Money/purchase related:

• Cash box or apron
• Change (I usually take $20 in $1s, $30 in $5, and $20 in $10s)
• Credit card reader (Such as Square) Love this new invention...has increased my sales by 40%
• 
  
  
• Phone/tablet for using credit card reader
• Charging cords  for electronics
• Receipt slips
• Bags for your products
• Labels for your products

Incidentals:

• assorted binder clips
• safety pins of all sizes
• Sharpie(s)
• colored cardstock that coordinates with your displays (for emergency signs/price cards)
• pencils
• pens
• markers
• scissors
• straight pins
• calculator
• extra plastic bags
• I combine all these items into a bag I call the “show case” that I just always know to put in the car, that way I don’t have to check that I have each of these items individually before each show.

Personal:

• Water bottle/water
• Food for meals throughout the day
• Snacks
• Aspirin/headache medicine/ibuprofen
•  Bandaids
• Comfortable shoes
• A sweater or jacket for changing temperatures

Thanks for stopping by....watch for part 3......of Growing your Business.....

Be sure to stop in my Etsy shop...new items added daily...the holidays are right around the corner!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

How To Grow Your Business

So you are thinking of starting a business, or maybe you already have and you are wondering how to drive more customers to your site....
Having your own business can be rewarding...but it takes hard work and you need to be consistent and patient...

 I have put together some helpful ways that I have found to boost my business....

Here goes...

1.  Social Media...one of the best ways to network, share and drive customers to your site, but you need to network with other members not just spam your items

     Facebook has many groups that you can join here are some that I just love...
         https://www.facebook.com/groups/NetworkingTogether/   
      
         https://www.facebook.com/groups/Retweetpromoting/

     Twitter, StumbleUpon, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+ are also great options to get your brand out there.

2.  Etsy Teams
     If you sell on Etsy, which I love by the way! there are many teams available wether you are looking for advice or a free way to promote....
     A few I love...and they have an open membership

           https://www.etsy.com/teams/16456/go-viral-promotions

           https://www.etsy.com/teams/16551/shameless-advertising

3. Art fairs and Bazaars...
    Yes, I know they can be costly and overwhelming....but give it a try, start small maybe a church bazaar...you will be surprised what you will learn from your customers.....You will also get feedback on your products and customer interests....
Be sure to have plenty of business cards....yes these will help your customers find you for future orders!
   I have had many orders from customers that found me through a business card
   I love the suggestions customers give ...this year I have had many requests for golf themed items....so I developed this bag....

Checkbook covers....another popular request.....

Numerous requests for a larger wristlet to accommodate the new larger smart phones

These will be coming soon to my Etsy Shop...stay tuned!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady

4.  Blog....Great way to share new items, ideas, giveaways and tutorials

I hope you found my suggestions helpful...and will give them a try...Wishing you success with your venue....

Here is where you can find and follow me on various sites.....
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Antiquebasketlady
Twitter:     twitter.com/Antiquebasket
StunbleUpon: www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/antiquebasket
Pinteest:      pinterest.com/sue_zupnyk/
Tumblr:     http://antiquebasketlady.tumblr.com/
Google+https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/116477004440259345304/116477004440259345304/posts

 

      
       

Simple Checkbook Cover Tutorial

I recently had a request from a repeat customer for a checkbook cover...she loves cats and is tired of using the plastic one from her bank. - so of course  I was happy to design one!   They are quick and easy to put together and great little gifts.  I thought you might enjoy the free tutorial.  So here you go…



Materials needed:
    2 pieces of fabric 14 1/4" x 7 1/4" for lining and outer fabric
    1 Piece of fusible fleece or you can use fusible interfacing 13 3/4" x 6 3/4"
       (I like the soft feel but structure of the fleece)
    1 Piece of clear vinyl  3 3/4" x 2 1/2" optional see through ID pocket

1. Cut 2 rectangles 14 1/4" x 7 1/4"". I used regular cotton fabric, so I added fusible fleece on the back.

2.  Place 2 rectangles right sides together and pin well. Leave a 4" opening for turning.

3.  Use a 1/4" seam allowance and sew around the perimeter (except the 4" gap for turning). back stitch at the beginning and the end of the seams

4.  Trim corners

5. Press well

6.  Sew around the entire perimeter using a scant seam allowance. (this will also close up the opening used for turning.)

7.  It was at this point that I centered the clear vinyl and stitched it in place.

8.  Fold down one end 2.75" and pin
9.  Sew, again, using a scant seam allowance, starting at the top (of the cat fabric) and going down to the bottom (of the cat fabric) of the folded piece. (basically, you want to make 2 little pockets. it's hard to explain, easy to do.) repeat this 3 times.

10. And you are done. Enjoy your new checkbook cover!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/162788956/wallet-billfold-checkbook-cover-colorful?

Check out my Etsy shop....for more fun handbags and accessories...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiquebasketlady