Kicking Off the Craft Show Season.

So begins the busy season for many crafters and artisans. The days that we truly get a good night's rest are gone....and left in its place are loooong days of either burning the midnight oil or getting up BEFORE the early bird. But sadly more often than not it is sometime a little of both! But with a little advanced planning the evening before (and the morning of) the big event can be a little less stressful. The following are some basic tips to follow to make things go a little easier:

1)Start a checklist during the week leading up the event. As you think of things you want to remember write it down and by the end of the week you'll be ahead of the game. Once you have done a few craft shows, you will have a pretty thorough list...now put it on a spreadsheet or on your computer and print it off every time you need to pack up for a show. Everything you need will be right at your fingertips!

2)BRING ENOUGH CHANGE! I cannot stress this enough! I usually keep my prices in $0.25 increments so I only have to have quarters in my change box....just seems to make life a lot simpler (in my opinion). I usually start my day with enough change so I can break a big bill....because, sadly, more often than not, when a customer says they will come back and make that purchase....they usually don't. So I don't want to chance losing a sale simply because I couldn't break that $50 or $100 bill.

3)Decorate your booth for the season! I know that that is already accomplished for some by simply displaying your craft...but for me.....soaps and lotions really can't be that festive. So I try to incorporate some holiday fabrics or some pine or holly sprigs. Just anything to get people in the holiday shopping spirit. This then also sorta ties in with my next tip: Cover Your Tables. I use inexpensive sheets in solid colors for my table coverings....and then it's easy to spruce it up with some festive holiday themed fabrics.

4) Other things to remember to bring: a chair (if necessary), pens, pencils, and scrap paper. Also:DON'T FORGET YOUR BUSINESS CARDS! If you can't afford to have some printed professionally....go to the store and pick up some blanks and print them up yourself OR....I believe Vistaprint offers 250 free business cards. You can search for them online.

I also recommend bringing a small cooler or lunchbox to bring a cold drink and something to snack on.

So those are some tips I have to offer.....and there are plenty I'm sure I've forgotten.....so let's hear what tips you've got to offer.

OH...one more thing! Don't forget to stop over to my FACEBOOK page, I'm having a giftbasket giveaway! You and another one of your facebook friends could each win a basket!

Going on a year!

Wow, so much has happened in this past year! I've gotten lots of fun things brewing here: All Natural Deodorant, liquid soap, Goat's milk lotion (already released). I've got a facebook fan page ( http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=The+Muddy+Moose&init=quick&tas=search_preload#!/pages/Stevensville-MT/The-Muddy-Moose-Bath-Boutique/164206057599 ). So join me over there....I'm planning a giveaway soon! Hope to become a regular blogger again!

Christmas Giveaway

I'm having a Christmas Giveaway over at my Facebook fan page.....I'm giving away TWO gift baskets....so stop over, become a fan and enter to win!

Here's the link

SERIOUSLY!! How did 5 months pass by??

Wow, I must say that I am quite ashamed of myself.....5 months have gone by without a single post! Although, I must admit, it feels a little strange getting back into the swing of things. Hopefully....I have not lost all my friends here......oh, well.....time will soon tell.

So many things have happened in this huge lapse in time....new products (goat's milk lotion, sugar scrub cubes)....huge events in our life....so many thing to catch up on!

Tuesday Recipe: Very Berry Syrup/Sauce

For the past two weekends I have made this amazing sauce that goes sooooo well with pancakes and waffles....and I imagine it would taste equally as good on french toast, cheesecake and....ICE CREAM! I made some changes to it, but I didn't measure anything out, so I will just post it as it is written to make sure it turns out as good for you as it was for me. One change I did make was I did not just use blueberries...use 2 cups of berries of your choice.



INGREDIENTS
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 cup water
1 cup orange juice
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cold water
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberries, 1/4 cup of water, orange juice, and sugar. Stir gently, and bring to a boil.
In a cup or small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water. Gently stir the cornstarch mixture into the blueberries so as not to mash the berries. Simmer gently until thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract and cinnamon. Thin sauce with water if it is too thick for your liking.

EtsyBlogger Featured Blogger: LazyTcrochet

As I had mentioned before, I am now a member of EtsyBlogger Street Team. Every month we have a new blog carnival and a new featured blogger. This month LazyTcrochet was the lucky "chosen one" She managed to take a few moments from her busy schedule to answer a few of my questions.

Tricia is the woman behind the needle...er...hooks at LazyTCrochet. She learned the basics from her mom when she was young. "She taught me to chain", says Tricia, "I would just chain for hours!". But things fell to the way side and it wasn't until about 6 years ago when I picked up a book and hook again. It had been a while, but it was just like falling off a bike....everything her mom had taught her came back.

I asked Tricia what her favorite type of fiber to work with and she said, she is especially fond of working with bulky yarns, especially wool, like this wool buttoned cuff.

Tricia finds inspiration for her pieces in textures, colors, and seasons especially. She also says she makes a lot of one-of-a-kind designs and custom work as well.
When I asked her what her favorite piece was, she told me that is was this terra cotta shawl that she made last fall. (Isn't it just beautiful?)


Not only does Tricia sell on Etsy, she attends local holiday shows each year and a few Summer Markets here and there. She is currently working on some bracelets for a local shop and gearing up for the Huntsburg Pumpkin Festival coming up in October.
She says "My blog will have show dates, team links for EtsyBloggersTeam, ClevelandTeam, and ClevelandHandmade.com. I also like to blog recipes and fun stuff at www.LazyTcrochet.Blogspot.com".

Scenic Sunday

The answer to the last Scenic Sunday was Mt. St. Helens...way to go Julie (Gypsy Moon Designs) for guessing it right on! Ok, here is this week's photo: