Hi guys. I’m back for a day and then out again until next monday. I’m cheating on my blogging break because I felt the need to help announce Zoe’s (of Pretty Zoo blog) handmade jewelry line that launches today! Her style and vision are spot on and every item in the lookbook is calling my name. (casssssiiiiiieeeeee)  I hope to be able to get my hands on one of her bunny necklaces. Please stop by her shop and show some blogger support and empty out your wallets. I know you won’t be disappointed!

 I’m SO excited to fiiiinally be able to show you what I’ve been working on for the past 4 or 5 months. I wanted to be able to get this show on the road so much sooner than this, but I wasn’t prepared to do it in a country where English wasn’t the first language (post office nightmares!) However, waiting until I got to England made sure that I would develop my jewellery properly and not rush ahead. Now, I’m in England, and I’m ready to show you! It is a little bit scary, it’s something I’ve been pouring so much time and love into and I’m anxious to hear what you think of it! – ZOE

I just wanted to thank everyone for being supportive of my decision to take a little blogging break. It’s been a great week of catching up on things and I’m excited to be back to blogging full time come Monday. I’ve had some time to get some projects done and get inspired again. Thank!

Don’t forget to scroll down to the bottom for the Q&A with Danni of Oh, Hello Friend.

When I first saw the pictures from your recent craft show that featured FOUND antiques I remember shouting “That’s exactly what I’m talking about!” I’m curious how you chose to use FOUND and why you thought it was important?
I actually used FOUND to decorate my entire wedding, so that’s how I discovered them. I still remember stumbling upon the Wedding Chicks blog, and they had just featured FOUND, which also happened to be found’s first feature on a wedding blog I think. I remember thinking “renting vintage furniture?! that is brilliant!” and looking up where FOUND was. I figured out of all 50 states, it was a long shot they’d be in California but not only were they located in California, they were located 10 minutes from my house and wedding venue! It was meant to be. So that’s how I discovered FOUND and I think it’s a pretty neat story 😉 Jeni & Allison at FOUND are simply amazing to work with, they are the sweetest people around.  Anyway, I think set up and how you present your display / company is one of the most important elements! If you were to just throw all your products out on a table, I don’t think it can be as successful as thoughtfully displaying them.

Because FOUND is a vintage rental company, how does the whole process work? How do you go about renting from FOUND?
Renting from FOUND is really simple. They have a HUGE warehouse (it’s literally vintage heaven!) full of everything.. You walk through and note which pieces you like. Allison then sends you a super organized follow up document with all the pictures along with pricing per piece. They’ve got it all set up. So because I had to take into account the price I paid to sell at the show, I also had to budget out what I could afford to rent. But it worked out really well, I can honestly say I’ve never been more proud of my booth than when I used items from FOUND.

What do you feel are the most important aspects of a booth’s design? Are there certain things to keep in mind while designing the space?
I think just keeping it true to who you are, what your brand is is most important. I wouldn’t use items to display that don’t fit with my brand. Another equally important aspect is to just make a good and decent display! It’s important, and I’d encourage everyone to put thought into it. At various shows / farmers markets, some people just lay all their product out on a table. Which works for them and the product may still sell, but their product could be so much better and maybe sell so much more if they just had a nicer display. I think it’s all about perception, if your display looks cheap, it makes your product look cheap. If you have a nice display, it’ll make your product look like a million bucks 😉 You can try to utilize your space, try layering.. I use lots of vintage crates and boxes to layer and hold product.

Does the look & feel of your booth change from one craft show to the next? I imagine it takes a lot of work to put a show together.
I’ve been selling at shows for a couple years now so at this point, I sort of just set up as I go.. It’s not exactly the same every time, because I sometimes have different products. The first show I ever did, I remember doing a mock set up in my living room — setting up all the display and product as if it were at the show. I definitely don’t do that anymore, it’s way too time consuming! I’ve done it recently but only because I had 2 shows booked on the same weekend and I had to make sure I had enough display pieces and product for both shows. That was intense! 😉

Do you have any tips or tricks you’d like to share with my readers who are looking into designing a booth for a craft show?
Organize, organize, organize! 🙂 It took me a couple years to get organized, I used to bring multiple bins and boxes because I just wasn’t organized. It would take me 2+ hours just to tear down, because I had some boxes in one bin and some others in another, it was just scattered. Now I can clean up my booth in about 45 minutes or less, which is still pretty good because I have lots of little pieces and items. Tips: bring LOTS of business cards. I know that sounds like a no-brainer. But even if you think you have enough, bring more. I thought I had enough for a show I did last weekend, and I STILL ran out! Every time someone asked for a card, it was such a bummer – I felt like I was missing out on sending my name out there each time! So bring plenty of cards.  Sign up and apply for a square credit card reader, if you have a smart phone that is compatible. Accepting credit cards just makes for a better show.  It’s free and easy! (squareup.com) I don’t have too many designing tips – just go with what you like and what you think reflects your brand and style.

Did I miss anything extremely important?? Anything you feel like you need to add?
I think you covered everything! Thanks for allowing me to share!

Sometime during this last year I stumbled upon the work of Photographer, Parker Fitzgerald. He’s a pretty darn creative soul and I believe he’s in the process of mastering Polaroid photography. (not to mention all other forms of photography 😉  He’s currently living in Portland Oregon and capturing the life that bustles around it.

Parker has willingly compiled a collection of Polaroids he feels best portrays Portland and provided a mini description for each. Since I’m here visiting this beautiful city, I thought this would be a perfect was to bring it to life.

[Taken with a Polaroid 195, using 669 film]  I shot this in the Columbia Gorge for a local Portland band
named Ezza Rose. They’re A+ in my book.

[Taken with a Polaroid 195, using ID-UV film] This is Amos, one of my best friends, and one of my
absolute favorite portraits ever.

[Taken with a Polaroid 195 and 690 film] Lindsay Josal is a Polaroid guru in her own right and one of the most inspiring photographers to me. Much as with Laura Taylor, getting the opportunity to shoot photos of her was a fulfillment of an artistic circle. I love this portrait. It captures how I see Lindsay’s spirit perfectly.

[Taken with a Polaroid 195 and 669 film] Laura Taylor is one of the first photographers I ever really followed, and I’ve known her since she was a wee girl of 16. It was a great honor to be able to take her portrait. It felt as thought important things had come full circle. This was hurriedly shot in a random neighborhood on our way to the airport. I almost missed my plane back to Portland from LA, but it all turned out alright. I wouldn’t have minded though. It definitely was worth it.

[Taken with a Polaroid 195 and 108 film.] I recently moved into a new house with my brother and have begun teaching both him and another friend a little about photography. This nice latice wall is in my front yard. It’s been in more than one recent photo haha.
[Taken with a Polaroid 180 and 108 film] My brother is probably my favorite male subject that I’ve ever shot. Since moving to Portland from Florida a few months ago, he has frequently been in front of my camera. This is one of my absolute favorites of him.

 [Taken with a Polaroid 195 and 669 film] Last year, Christina was a frequent subject of mine. She is great on either side of a camera and it’s always rewarding every time we go out for pictures. This was taken in Colorado on a freezing, foggy day just before Christmas last year. Behind my parent’s barn, down near a creek, there is a shallow valley full of redstem dogwood plants. I spent the afternoon making her freeze to death. This photo came as a result. ^_^

I might just get a chance to meet the fella while on vacation if timing works out!
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