Two more days until the show!

There’s only Thursday and Friday left now before Craft Happy, but things are coming together! My inventory is basically done. I have a few more buttons to sew on, and if I feel so inclined I might make a few more items, but what I have will suffice perfectly well. The photo at left is my display binder full of dividers (5 sets, 10 singles, 3 seconds), a satisfyingly weighty collection! At the show I’ll have eye pillows and travel sets, drawstring pouches with jewelry inserts, brooches and hair clips, mini pouches, and perhaps a cash apron. All this added to Jinny‘s inventory makes a very decent outlay, and we’re excited.

Today was display/layout planning day, which was a very good thing, as I was starting to get really tired of crafting and did not want to make a single thing more. Eventually I settled down enough to add some buttons to a couple of eye pillow travel cases, but mostly I was glad to not have to do more sewing or crafting of any kind. I made up a ton of labels, description cards, and signage, checked my receipt books and business card stash, and did other such boring-but-necessary show prep for much of the afternoon. I also selected an outfit for the show. What I wear at these events is a little bit of a challenge, since my cash apron is red and gold and intricately patterned, and it’s hard to find garments that won’t clash and yet aren’t all black or white. I think the outfit at right will work well. It’ll look presentable and keep me cool and comfortable, and a little wrinkling won’t hurt it. I have to say, having my outfit picked out really takes a load off my mind!

In the late afternoon, Jinny came over, bringing some of her inventory, and we started trying out our display ideas. I can’t wait to see the rest of her creations at the show; what I did see was completely squeal-worthy and beautifully done (as always!). To our delight, her pale-toned, shabby-chic props went fabulously well with my rich-hued, vintage props, and we mocked up a cool display that I think shoppers will love digging through. 🙂 (The photo at left shows a partial mockup, but we came up with some more ideas after we took that photo.) Between the two of us, we’ve created a lush, colorful, and fun selection of items that coordinate surprisingly well: she has earrings, I have jewelry pouches; I have eye pillow travel sets, she has travel lingerie bags. Not intentional, any of this. But I guess that’s what happens when you choose a booth partner whose vision and aesthetic suit yours (and who also has a penchant — not to say an addiction! — for thrifting)! I think it’ll be a good show. As we kept saying all evening, we can’t wait for Saturday morning so we can set this all up properly… and then we can’t wait for Sunday so it can all be over. 😉