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DoubleC

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Posts posted by DoubleC

  6. Posted · Edited by DoubleC · Report reply

    Well today went a lot better than last week, bright sunny day, cheerful people, AND the girl from last week that took my card came back and ordered a custom guitar strap for her brother. And the other crafter still wants one for her Dad, is just waiting on final word on how he wants it, besides 'soft.' LOL. Was a good day, not nearly as anxious as before and next week I'm doing a drawing for a $5.00 gift certificate now that I cleared it with the organizer. The other vendors like the idea and I think we're going to take turns doing it.

    Maybe things are going to finally take a turn in the path I've been waiting for. Thanks all of you for your support.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Chavez. I line all my straps and no one has complained yet about sweat. And the one strap I replaced was a completely overlaid cobra strap that the guy had used for 20 years and sweat from his neck had actually eaten up the edge in that area of the cobra leather. But the veg tanned underneath was still fine. I'll be honest with you, if the musician takes the least bit of care of his strap I don't think the sweat will damage it. I have a horse and do you know how long bridles, halters, etc last? Clean and condition them once in a while and I think the straps will be good to go for a long time. I line mine so I can put foam on the underside of mine not to make them last longer. Cheryl

  10. Posted · Report reply

    I have recently made up a written policy for this very reason. I am the world's worst at collecting money. I have on there a 50% non refundable cutting fee for a custom order and if it's personalized like by initials or a name, that sort of thing, it's 100%. Something like that is almost impossible to sell.

    I guess it depends on how much you care about what these two guys say about you and I don't really think they can hurt your business much if you're working that far out. I agree, I don't think either of them are good reasons, so I'd advise you say no. But then that's easy for me to say. Cheryl

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Ferg. I did a challenge here a while back and did my horse in her field with a little trout stream going by. It was a challenge on perspective with a theme in it. I was able to indicate deeper areas of the stream using my pear shader in places and I didn't use color, I mean in the sense of blue, white, things like that. It might work to carve your wave and then use a thin white wash over the blue for the whitecaps while using one of you matting tools to leave a burnish for the deeper parts of the wave. Also the top of the wave is naturally going to be closer to the sun and brighter while the bottom will be shadowed from the crest of the wave looming over top. I'm probably not being very clear but this is how I did a perspective picture without using the natural colors of the items.

    There are more artistically inclined people here than me and I hope they can give you some more ideas. Cheryl

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Hi David. I did the pattern first on thin cardboard freehand looking at a simple design online. Then I cut it out, that's where I got the 2 leaf design, but I didn't like it by itself. Those are 6. If I could just focus my attention, I could have a little assembly line of these things going like you suggest. I left all my tools and leather together for today so I could start the process just like you suggested. I just got worn out yesterday trying to make the design word for something I wasn't ashamed to sell. We're on the same page with this so thanks. Cheryl.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    Well I just made my first leather ornament for the craft market. I had this embossed veg tanned green leather that was just crying out to be holly leaves. So I cut out three sets of two leaves, decided they looked too skimpy and glued them all together to make the ornament. By the time I got done I probably had an hour in something I can sell for 3 bucks, LOL. I'm doing something wrong. Then I updated my Etsy site with all my new things and I'm worn out. And of course my pictures were awful. At least at the market people can see what they really look ,like.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    I don't know if I'll have a wall behind me or not Joey, I haven't been to the new place yet. I do plan to prop up a leather plaque type thing on my antique chair I use for my straps that has Double C Cowgirl Couture on it. A banner would be nice behind the table. I can find that stuff all out of Saturday because I imagine once we settle in there won't be all this moving around etc. that honestly distresses me. I am so weird, I like to get put and just claim squatters rights and stay put. I had no idea we were moving this week and I'm glad we are but it's just distressing for me to have to take back my antique chairs and displays, etc. I have to get someone to take me and that bothers me. Once I'm set up THIS time I will be able to walk too and from. I think getting the name and email etc. from the customer is a good idea. I have a journal I take with me. These are all great tips. Cheryl

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Well done on getting there and making the most of your first show, Cheryl.!! :)

    Next one should be better if you're in the main, heated building with more folks lingering perhaps..

    Thing is with this weekend..you sold a bracelet and handed a couple of cards out to prospective guitar strap customers..plus a future strap order from the other crafter..

    But what you did MORE than that, is to get yourself in front of people. They get to see what you sell or can make and you get known to them and then their friends, as the leather stall in the fair.

    You're on the map now..more so than you were on Friday and that can't be a bad thing.. :)

    You've also learnt a lot from being there..what to expect from people, what may sell and also how to present your wares.

    All good stuff.. :)

    Glad you enjoyed.. ;)

    Regards

    Phil

    Thanks Phil, you're right I did get to learn a lot of new things and hope to learn more so I can do well before the show is over in Feb. I imagine I'll be ready for it to be over then though, LOL. I've slept 28 hours since Saturday so I need to learn to make it a little less stressful which I'm sure it will be as time goes on. having heat itself will make it less stressful. :lol: But it was a good first show and probably I would have been more stressed if there were more people. So will hope for better days ahead where I can actually enjoy it while it's going on instead of after I get home ;) Cheryl

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Cheryl, Hi new here but not to the world of craft and art shows.

    Read the thread and I know that I can help with the show side of things.

    I am the show chairman of the Florida Keys Art Guild, so I do know a thing or two.

    Still trying to learn a thing or two or more about leather crafting. Its been 20 + years since I did it last.

    Fine art photography is my main thing.

    1st up is that its hard to do a craft show like you explained in a cold climate like you just did. (if its a well know show anything is possible)

    At this time of year, look for your local Chamber of Commerce shows that are holiday related.

    Now all of the professional crafters/artists are coming to Florida for outdoor shows.

    Art shows are a whole different beast, but they are very lucrative if done right.

    I am slowly working in my leather work around my main line of photography.

    Small table nothing to crazy.

    I like your work and I am sure other people will too. The trick is getting it in front of people. And having enough of it.

    Nothing worse at a show and you only hve a few things.

    Go to your local Sears store or whatever store you like and study how they have the merchandise displayed and setup.

    This is how a small art show tent needs to look. Classy, neat, clean and full of stuff.

    It will take time. If there are any shows left up in Vt. You need to go and study them. I guess they are done. Coming into winter now.

    I have alot of links for show info if you want to know how to do it.

    Just let me know.

    JOey

    Hi Joey. This same show will continue every Saturday through Feb. which is or tourist season so soon the word will get out, good or bad, LOL. It's a new one. Like Phil said we are moving this sat. to a heated building on the main drag so that will help. Since the 3rd of the month is a big deal with people getting SS we missed that opportunity this month but by December I expect things to be much better.

    One thing I do need is more products and I'm taking care of that as fast as possible. I just found out a week before the show started up about it and I'm afraid I had become lazy or so it seems when I got there. had primarily focused on guitar straps and they are more involved than the 5 buck things I tried to get ready for the show. In the picture you can't see my straps. I still hope to do a less expensive one for this next show but I'll just have to see how things work out.

    I appreciate all the feedback and good tips you've given me. I used to live in the keys so I know what a large artist community you are dealing with. Seems like we're becoming a larger one every day. Thanks for all your help. Cheryl

  20. Posted · Report reply

    Hey Bill, yes you're right about all of that. We didn't have enough shoppers really to have the 'be backers' but I'm sure I'll meet them this Saturday. I have some bison on the way to make some of your saddlebags, can't wait to start those. Mine are only going to travel 4 blocks but I hope they can charm some people here like Mike is in Brazil. Yes all our stuff has to be made by us, unless it's made by another crafter in the same building. I don't see much sense when you only have 8 booths set up buying from another crafter two booths from me to sell on my table :) But it was a lot of fun AFTER it was over and I was warm fed and slept 12 hours, LOL. Your help is always appreciated. Cheryl

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