The Sandy Hill “One and Only” craft show happened on Sunday and I was happy to be able to participate. The show was really organized with treats, water and music for all of the vendors.

This was the first show selling my new handbound books. The books got a lot of positive feedback, but I’m afraid the price point may be too high. I plan on putting together a “how your book was made” pamphlet to explain the long and very time consuming process of bookbinding. I always include the cost of “human time” in the price of my work. I think it’s important to do that.

I tried a delicious vegan cupcake (my first vegan cupcake ever?) from Vanessa Holm whom I met at Cherry Pie a couple of weeks ago. Sadly, I forgot to take a before photo.

The cupcake was chocolate with a minty icing and a little chocolate on top. Very pretty! If you’re hosting a party and need some sweet treats catered, send Vanessa an email.

So that’s two shows down, one to go. The biggie is left - Ladyfest on Saturday at the Jack Purcell Centre.

I’ve got a few things left to prepare - more recipe cards and more “Thanks for working harder so that I don’t have to” cards. (They were a hit at Sandy Hill.)

Last week was the Cherry Pie event - it’s a networking event for women in business. The most recent event was held at Helsinki in the market.

I was happy to meet with some really interesting women (and friendly booth neighbours). I gave out almost all of my business cards and did some sales.

Here’s my table set-up with the new “Letter by Letter” books featured on the right hand side.

The next show is this Sunday at the Sandy Hill Community Centre.    It runs from 10am to 5pm and is located at 250 Somerset Street East.  Hope to see you there!

For women in business who mean business!  Cherry Pie is a great networking (and shopping) event for women in Ottawa.  Get there early, because this pie is sure to bubble over.  Not only do you get to network but lots of businesses will have a table to sell their products and services.

I’ll have my full line-up of cards, invitations and books at this event.

Tickets are $20 each or 2 for $30.

Paper Skirt will be participating in Sandy Hill’s “One and Only” Art & Gift fair! This is a great show for people who like to get a head start on their holiday shopping.  You can see their blog for more details on the artists involved.  Hope to see you there!

Event details:

Date: November 25
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset St. East

On Saturday, I had my booth at the Ladyfest Craft Sale for the first time under my new name, Paper Skirt.  Sales were fairly brisk in the morning - surprisingly the Orville themed recipe cards were the biggest hit.  Go tabbies!

The Gocco cards also seemed pretty popular, so I’ll be focusing my efforts for more Gocco’d items and home-y type gifts for the next show.

Thanks to all for stopping by the booth and saying hello!

Don’t forget - this Saturday is the Not your grandma’s craft sale put on by Ladyfest Ottawa. It’s at the Jack Purcell Community Centre (tucked behind Starbucks on Elgin Street - 320 Jack Purcell Lane!) and runs from 10am - 5pm.

I’ll be there under my shop name with photo cards, accordion books and lots of Gocco greeting and recipe cards. If you don’t see something you like, ask me about custom orders. Please stop by and say hello!

Accordion books.  I really love them.  I’ve given them as gifts to friends and family for a few years now, but I think these will be my last.  I have about five left that I’ll be selling at the Ladyfest Craft Sale.  The reason for phasing them out?  Time.  These books look so simple, but it’s quite time consuming to cut the paper, glue, fold and press.

Get them while they last!

I wanted to do a test run of my craft show set up before the Ladyfest craft sale.  This way, during the morning set up, I’m not stressed out because I know exactly where everything is supposed to go.

I’ve grouped the mini accordion books on the top shelf, then a display of Gocco cards, and the remaining photo cards are lying flat on the table.

Beside my skirted mannequin, I’ve squeezed in the full size accordion books.  Wow, I didn’t realize until today how low I was on these books.  Time to get busy.

Finally, my bulletin board / business sign should hang nicely off the front of the table.

Everything does look a bit crowded on my table - it’s much smaller than the show table.  I think everything just needs a bit more breathing room - right now, it looks like a paper fortress.

I’ll press the table cloth and finish covering my cardboard box risers with some nice paper and I think I should be set.  Check.

See this?  It’s one sad and boring bulletin board.  Not good.  I needed a way to use the vialetter letters that I had ordered as a sign in my studio and for use at craft shows.

I pulled out some nice light pink linen from my stash and cut a piece slightly larger than the bulletin board.  Using my trusty glue gun, I glued the fabric to the cardboard on the back.

Next step: glue thumbtacks to the back of the letters.

And the final result?  An easy studio/show sign in under 30 minutes.  Crafty.

This week, I’ve been busy working on two custom projects.  However, it’s going to be a few more days before I can post photos and write about them.  I wouldn’t want to spoil their surprises.

In the mean time, I’m starting to restock for the Ladyfest Craft Sale.  I’m on the fence over whether or not to print Christmas cards for the sale.  I don’t want to hear anyone saying, “bleh! Christmas in September!  ugh!”  Because, that’s exactly what I would say.

I’m also waiting for some snazzy new binders to be delivered.  I ordered a couple of these cloth covered binders with “Paper Skirt” printed on them in silver to use as my portfolio.   I really hope they arrive soon.

Other than that, life outside of Paper Skirt has officially switched seasons.  I made soup for the first time in months and completed the great “Summer to Winter clothing switcheroo” on the weekend.  Goodbye capris - we’ll be together again soon.