Getting ready for the xmas craft fairs!

It may only be september, but working in the craft and gift business, we're thinking about christmas already! We have our first stall of the season at an autumn show at the end of September, and it's being advertised as the place to 'start your christmas shopping early'. Bearing this in mind, we're fully aware that it's the perfect time to make a bit of extra effort when preparing our stall, to get people into the seasonal spirit, and reaching into their wallets and purses!

First of all we've had to purchase a gazebo! As recommended by the people organising the event; apparently this is what a lot of stall holders do. Luckily we managed to get a good one in the summer sales (hasn't really been gazebo weather this summer!) and we've had a test run at putting it up! We've also a pair of comfy folding chairs to take the weight off our feet on the day. We've spent much time contemplating how to actually draw people into our gazebo of jewels, and have made good use of the excellent marketing and advertising items on offer at www.vistaprint.co.uk. We've ordered a superb banner with our company name emblazoned across it, and a very brief description of what makes our jewellery special (It's hand made from semi-precious gemstones!) Hopefully, anyone who likes to buy unique hand made gifts will be drawn in by this!

We're also considering a vast range of ideas on how to grab peoples attention once they're inside our Aladin's cave. We've purchased a selection of 'pandora style' beads that are incredibly popular at the moment, so people can custom make their own gifts, and we're also getting together a lovely little treasure trove of small and reasonably priced items such as earrings, rings, bookmarks and mobile phone charms. These will make perfect unique stocking fillers, for teenagers, girlfriends, nieces, daughters.......the list is endless!

We'll also be taking along our beloved 'crystal bibles' so that people will be able to flick through while they peruse our beautifully displayed jewellery, and find out where the semi precious gemstones we use are sourced, and what properties they are said to have. Hopefully this will help to highlight what a special purchase an item of our jewellery will make!

To see our gorgeous jewellery for yourself, visit us on the day at Melford Hall, Long Melford between 10 am and 4:30pm.

With a bit of luck, people will like what we've been making, we'll enjoy spending the day 'crafting' surrounded by our beautiful creations, and, if we can make a little profit along the way, then all the better x