enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

ideas.

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I've got a plan for the tabletop of my next craft show. I need to find or build an apartatus with strings (or wire?) running between posts. I could clip prints & cards to the wire. And then I thought it would also be cool to paint (fancier than what is shown) frames onto kraft paper (or something), tack it to the wall behind the booth and "hang" prints & posters in the frames. I'm inspired.

And I cannot thank you enough for your sweet words on my last post. I love hearing your stories and experiences too. Someone should write a book on the art of participating in a craft show.

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26 responses to “ideas.”

  1. Krystal Britt Avatar
    Krystal Britt

    Ok, when I read this I instantly thought of this tutorial on Kevin and Amanda. What if you did this tutorial and used larger frames? Then, put hinges in between the frames so you could put multiple ones togehter and have them set out like the picture you drew. This may not even be close to what you were thinking, but thought I would share. Either way- good luck! Here is the link:
    http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/our-home/tutorial-shabby-chic-dangly-earring-display.html

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  2. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    awesome link. Thanks so much!

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  3. Erin B Avatar
    Erin B

    Ikea sells wires with metal clips for curtains for super cheap. I’m sure you could use that with some sort of post. I love to see really cool and creative displays at craft/art shows. Good luck!

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  4. Jenn Avatar
    Jenn

    I love that idea with the hand drawn frames! It reminds me of this DIY from design*sponge that I re-posted on my blog a while back: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/11/diy-project-paper-frames.html
    I like the craft paper, but black, with white marker could also look very striking. 3m (i think) makes entire pages that are post-it note sticky on the back, this could be an easy way to adhere your frames to the wall.
    I also thought maybe you could get some display inspiration from these posts from NSS2010:
    http://www.erinvaledesign.com/leo_on_the_loose/2010/05/nss-2010-part-1.html
    http://www.erinvaledesign.com/leo_on_the_loose/2010/05/nss-2010-part-2.html
    good luck with everything and thanks for sharing the realities behind putting yourself out there, it’s very brave!

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  5. Chelseabird Avatar
    Chelseabird

    I LOVE your ideas! So cute!

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  6. Renee Avatar
    Renee

    I love your ideas… I had a rack thingo built by a relo when I was in a similar position.
    However i would consider the weather when booking stalls. I did a couple of outdoor markets selling my paper creations- wind, rain, humidity all really caused trouble. Hope there are plenty of indoor spaces to show your creations.

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  7. Annemiek Avatar
    Annemiek

    You really got me into thinking about this. If you can afford it, and it wouldn’t be too much hassle to get to the show, I’d go for wire instead of string. Wire will allow you to hang heavier objects as well, which wouldn’t be possible with string.
    The frames are a great idea, another idea might be to get them onto fabric and use that as the back of your booth/stand/table. You could even hang it on the wire stand. Paper is not as sturdy as fabric and you might end up having to make new frames for every show.
    Another idea, though I am not sure how feasible it is, have you considered working on a minibook while being at the show? It might help customers to get an idea of what you can use it for as well as how to use it. You could also include a short tutorial on paper with your books to get people started.
    In any case, good luck :).

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  8. Kathleen Loughran Avatar
    Kathleen Loughran

    “someone” should write a book? Should “someone” be you?

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  9. Julie H Avatar
    Julie H

    We have that wire hanging in our kitchen for our kids artwork they bring home. It works great. I was going to suggest the same thing until I saw your comment. 🙂

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  10. leah Avatar
    leah

    i looove the posters within the drawn frames. makes me want to never buy another picture frame again–i’ll just paint them on the walls!

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  11. tracy Avatar
    tracy

    Love the hand drawn frame idea!

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  12. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    great thoughts – thank you.

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  13. Nadia Avatar
    Nadia

    I love the hand drawn frame idea, but am thinking more along the lines of chalkboard with white frames and the prints would “pop”. for the prints, cards etc. you might also be able to find a second-hand swivel type thing. for the mini books why not have some of yours out for people to see what you use them for and then (wait for it) advertise for workshops! either on-line or in person. buy a mini book and get an online tutorial? hope that helps elise! totally love seeing how you have grown your business. yay! you go girl! ciao!

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  14. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    ha ha, thank you … maybe after I figure it out… 🙂

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  15. Nadia Avatar
    Nadia

    ooohh! just came across this and KNOW that YOU could play around with it and come up with an original display:
    http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/02/diy-project-jewelry-bust.html
    good luck! ciao!

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  16. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I know. And drawing on kraft paper with a paint pen was so fun.

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  17. susie Avatar
    susie

    i think craft shows might be covered in “Craft Inc”

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  18. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I looked last night – they are but its pretty general bring a pen, tablecloth, etc. track expenses … That book is awesome but not quite what I am talking about as far as displays, customers, etc. A good one is Why We Buy. I read it when I worked retail and should read it again.

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  19. Tina A, Avatar
    Tina A,

    I actually used a similar idea for my display for the shows I did. I used a metal rolling clothing rack from target and strung ribbon across. Then I used clothes pins to hang my cards on display. Customers would pick what they wanted, and I kept my stock under the table.

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  20. goshery Avatar
    goshery

    Here’s an idea from another blog I follow. She just finished an 11 day craft show . . . ugh! http://avrilloreti.blogspot.com/2010/11/one-of-kind-show-starts-today.html

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  21. sandra Avatar
    sandra

    i had the perfect thing for you, looked just like your drawing but i thought i’d never use it and took it to goodwill. dang!

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  22. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    🙂 thank you anyway!

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  23. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    thank you! and oh man … 11 days…

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  24. Robyn Avatar
    Robyn

    I don’t know if they still have them, but a couple of year ago I bought wires with clips to hang from a ceiling with photos at Ikea. You might be able to make them work horizontally and they were definitely cheap! (Holy run-on sentences, Batman!) I’ll see if I can find a link. Love the doodled frames! 🙂

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  25. sophie Avatar
    sophie

    love where you’re going with the drawings. what about one of those tall frames that have 3 panels and you can put pictures in them? i think you can find them at target in different stains and it would be a great way to keep your cards protected and it’s easy to carry from show to show.

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  26. JenCozz Avatar
    JenCozz

    I love your second idea of drawing frames on kraft paper and mounting your prints inside. That would look so fun and would totally catch my eye!

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