Kellibeans Hat Giveaway!

If you haven't entered our Bluegrass Etsy contest for the month of February, you will want to enter now! This month's giveaway is our biggest yet - valued at $30. Team member Kellibeans is giving away a crocheted hat and an art card (of your choice) from her etsy and artfire shops. Be sure to visit our Kentucky Handmade blog for the details. The prize will be awarded on Feb 28. Remember, you can't win if you don't enter!

Francisco's Farm Art Show in Midway, KY

My friend Bobbi and I went to the Francisco's Farm Art show in Midway, Ky in late June. It was the first time for both of us and we were not disappointed! I loved how the area was lined with cotton tie dye flags as we drove toward the campus.


This festival was voted one of the top art 10 festivals by American Style Magazine, and I can see why. They have received that award for the past three years and when the 2010 awards are published in February, I am sure they'll be there again. This festival seems to be doing everything right. The quality of the art was evident, there was a variety of live music both days, the volunteers were everywhere and there was a great selection of food indoors in the air conditioning, or outdoors if you prefered.


I know I will plan to be there next year and am glad I made the trip to Midway to experience this festival. Here are a few more photos.


These cute dogs had four fans blowing on them to keep cool and had water bottles on the sides of their wagon. I had to stop to take a picture of them! You can see one of those tie dye banners in the background.


I bought these very cool flat fused glass vase. Very unique and whimsical! The artist is Faith Wickey from Austin, TX.


This piece, I love! I call it my "drinking vessel" as it's not really a glass or a cup to me. Everything tastes better when I am drinking from this! I love leaves and nature based art, and this is now one of my very favorite things. The artist is Jonathan Kesler of Earthly Arts Pottery. He is from Marysville, OH. No website on his business card but I can give you his email if you'd like to contact him.


I coveted these earrings for a whole year. I saw them at Summerfair in Cincinnati in 2008 and was intriqued by them because they were so unique. When I spotted them a year later, I immediately recognized them, which says a lot as there were so many jewelry vendors at this show. After waiting a year, I just had to have them! The artists are two sisters from Alabama and their company is Brennans Jewelry.

If you haven't been to this show, you'll have to check it out next June! Midway, Ky is close to Lexington if you plan to make the trip. Beautiful country!

My First Show of the Holiday Season

On Saturday I set up at my first holiday show! I was excited and nervous about it. I wasn’t sure if I would have enough things, if there would be a lot of competition, if people would buy because of the economy, if my prices were right, etc. Things started out a little slow as this was a new venue for the show. But then it picked up and stayed steady the rest of the day. To the point it was hard to get a bite to eat or take a bathroom break!


Here are some photos of my setup. I received lots of nice comments on my table and display. Several people picked up my Halloween/fall displays and I wondered if I should have had a price on those! People were fascinated with the little battery operated tealights that flicker like candles. Those were a hit, so I plan to use them in my Christmas displays too. I had a matte glass votive from Big Lots with a skeleton leaf and twine tied to it that people loved.

I was told by one buyer that my prices were too low. That was flattering and something to think about. I like to have a variety of items, with most of them moderately priced so that the jewelry is affordable. On the other hand, there were people that really deliberated spending $5 on a cell phone charm and $10 or $15 on a pair of earrings with sterling earwires. So there were all kinds. I think you’ll have that at any show.

I received lots of questions about how to care for sterling silver and keep it from tarnishing. Based on that I plan to have polishing cloths available at the next show and have a little care sheet put together on how to store sterling and clean it.

It was fun meeting everyone and helping them with their decisions on which bracelet to buy, etc. Several of my friends showed up to support me which meant a lot. All of the vendors were really nice. Some were willing to barter which is always fun. We traded business cards and discovered new friends by the end of the day! Overall, it was a fun experience. My next show is on November 7-8 at the Nunnlea Craft Fair. I am looking forward to it!

Getting Ready for a Holiday Show

I am trying not to dwell on it too much, but I am almost in panic mode. I'm sure I'll be up late tonight working on finishing touches. I have a show tomorrow and it's my first holiday show with lots of competition during a less than stellar economic time. Realizing this, I have made my items affordable. I have invited lots of friends, family and acquaintances, so the pressure is on for this booth to look great! I am using all my marketing skills and know how to make this table look really festive and professional. Watching Sandra Lee on the Food Network create "the perfect tablescape" hopefully did not go to waste on me. I have all my kraft bags and boxes stamped with fleur de lis and tied with pretty ribbon and have lots of promo items to give out to promote my etsy site. I don't have a banner so I printed out a small sign for a clear upright holder. And I have little handouts with my other holiday shows listed. Who knew this would be so much work. Wish me luck!!