Busy weekend ahead!

I have been looking forward to this upcoming weekend since...well, last year! It is time for Manoa Elementary's Craft Fair--one of my favorites from last year's holiday season.

Details:

Date: October 19, 2013

Location: Manoa Elementary

            3155 Manoa Road

Time: 8:30 - 2:00

Also, to add a very, very sweet cherry to this weekend, Leaflet has been blessed with an opportunity to sell some of our items at Diamond One in Pearlridge Shopping Center!!! Pearlridge is having a mall-wide sidewalk sale from Friday to Sunday (October 18-20). Diamond One will be selling our owl necklace/earring sets, our "dork" glasses necklaces, and our rose side-swept necklaces. 

Yay for a very fun-filled Leaflet weekend! Hope to see you at the Manoa Elementary Craft Fair, and hope you get a chance to stop by Pearlridge to support one of Oahu's local businesses. :)

A Review: Holiday Craft Fair at the Betsuin

I feel like I'm lucking out with the craft fairs I'm choosing to do this year--every fair so far this holiday season has been a great experience because of the people and family-friendly environment. Leaflet feels right at home! 

This past weekend, the Hongwanji actually cancelled their church services that Sunday in order to accommodate all the vendors and to make sure we had a great selling experience. They had several fundraisers to support the different programs they offer, and there was a plethora of volunteers who stuck around all day and ready to help at a moment's notice.

SO. I have some good and bad news... good news is that our DIY kits are starting to pick up sales. Bad news: we are currently out of "You're a Fruitcake!" DIY bracelet kits. Good news again: we will have more in stock in November! Right now at the craft fairs we have the Button Bling, I 'Heart' You gift tags, Flower Me Up Studs, and Christmas Ornament kits. $3 - $4 ea. More details on those later. :)

A Review: Trinity Lutheran Fall Festival

My, my this craft fair was a lot of fun! From where I was sitting, I had a clear view of the "Splat!" booth which gave the students an opportunity to soak their principal and several of their teachers if they hit the balloon target. All the faculty and staff were such great sports that it was very entertaining to watch! The booth fee was such a reasonable price for the crowd the school drew in, and I was thankful that even though it was pouring at times, we were tucked way, way under the lanai coverings.

Definitely looking forward to doing this fair next year! :)

Updated 2013 Holiday Craft Fair List

Here is an updated list of all the craft fairs Leaflet will be at this year! Next one is in two weeks.

October 19, 2013

Manoa Elementary Craft Fair

3155 Manoa Road, Manoa (Honolulu)

8:30 - 2:00

October 25-27, 2013

Season's Best Craft & Gift Fair at the Blaisdell

Neal Exhibition Hall

Friday: 5:00p - 9:00p
Saturday: 10:00a - 7p
Sunday: 10a - 5p

November 2, 2013

Aliiolani Elementary Season's Best Craft and Gift Fair

1240 7th Avenue, Kaimuki

8:00 - 2:00

November 2, 2013

Hanalani Schools' Annual Holiday Craft Fair

94-294 Anania Drive, Mililani

9:00 - 2:00
*My cousin Kellie will be manning the booth for me

November 9, 2013

Noelani Craft and Children's Fair

2655 Woodlawn Dr., Manoa

8:00 - 2:00

November 23, 2013

Mililani Highschool ABC Craft Fair

96-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani

9:00 - 2:00

November 30 - December 1, 2013

HUOA Winter Craft Fair (Okinawan Cultural Center)

94-587 Ukee Street, Waipahu

Saturday: 9:00 - 3:00

Sunday: 9:00 - 2:00

December 7, 2013

Christ Church Uniting Christmas Craft Fair

1300 Kailua Road, Kailua

9:00 - 3:00
*My friend Stephanie will be manning the booth for me

December 14, 2013

Aiea Elementary Season's Best Craft and Gift Fair

99-371 Moanalua Road, Aiea

8:00 - 2:00

December 21, 2013

Mililani Highschool ABC Craft Fair

96-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani

9:00 - 2:00

A Review: Ahuimanu Fun and Craft Fair

What can I say about Ahuimanu Elementary? The staff and all the families are so nice and welcoming! You can really sense their emphasis on family and community as soon as you enter school grounds. Even though the rain overwhelmingly "blessed" my booth, hopefully that was just a good luck kiss that means a very successful season is ahead for Leaflet.

Thank you to Emi Ink for my Leaflet banner!! | www.emiink.com

This Saturday we will be at the Craft, Gift, & Rubberstamp Expo at the Blaisdell - Hawaii Suites. We will be there from 9 to 3! :)

It's a win-win situation

I know it, you know it, probably everyone knows it: craft fair booth fees can be very expensive! However, it's the trade off in order to sell products at different venues and it is a good way to get your name out there. 

This year I figured out some ways to be financially savvy and to utilize different resources when it came to paying for the booth fees. I sold books at Book-Off in Ala Moana, I recycled cans, and I also sold some craft supplies.

My Three "Win-Wins"

One. I don't know if you've ever gone to Book-Off (Ala Moana and Pearlridge) before, but you should take the time to check it out. They not only sell used books, CD's, and DVD's for a bargain price, but they also buy your used stuff as well. The first time I went a couple years ago, I sold around 120 books and received $87 for them. This past time I went was the second time. I sold around 30 books and a DVD season set and got $26 for them. They have a price work sheet that they follow, and they take most books that you want to sell if it is in decent condition. It's not a bad trade if you have these things lying around the house without any intention on using them again. You get to support a business by giving them more inventory, AND you get some extra cash to spend.

Two. Going down to the recycling place to recycle cans can be a pain and time-consuming, but if you have a free day and a bunch of cans--why not? Ask your family, friends, and neighbors if you can take their cans too while you're at it! One time I recycled, I grabbed several month's worth of our cans, my grandparents' cans, and my friend's cans You can feel good that you've did your share to make the earth a cleaner place, and you, again, have more spending money.

Three. My last simultaneous attempt was to sell some of my crafting supplies. Like most crafters who just can't resist buying supplies, I had a LOT to sell. I posted an album to my Facebook page, and I got a lot of inquiries and several sales through there. I also did the Crafter's Clearance Sale at the Blaisdell. This was probably the most satisfying win-win for me. Not only did I make some money, but I also got to offer other crafters inexpensive supplies so they could have fun crafting too! 

Of course, this didn't cover all of the fees, but it paid for one or two craft fairs. Way better than nothing! Last year during the 2012 holiday craft fair season, I did 10 fairs. This year, I had a goal in mind to do at least 15 to 20 actual fair days. I really wanted it, so I made a way. Don't be afraid to conquer your goals and to apply creativity to your (usually boring) financials. It will be so worth it in the end.

Sneak Peak: Christmas Gift Packs

I am looking forward to this weekend -- not only is it the first craft fair of the holiday season, but it is also Leaflet's debut of all the new Christmas gift packs I've been putting together the last couple of months! The gift packs come in different varieties of Leaflet's products with also varying price ranges to fit every Christmas shopper's budget.

Here's a quick look at one of five gift packs. Yes, that is a bento container! 

These oh-so-cute bentos contain a delicious Leaflet collection of one sticky note pad, three magnets, and a necklace-earring set. And it is already wrapped with ribbon and a tag for your convenience! It is a $16 value, but we'll probably sell it for $14. Yes, way!

In Other News:

This weekend, Saturday, September 7, we have the Ahuimanu Elementary School Craft and Fun Fair! 47-470 Hui Aeko Place, Kaneohe, 9:00-3:00.

Don't forget to check back next week for a review of the Ahuimanu Craft Fair! You can see the [almost] complete list of Leaflet's craft fairs here.