Shop 'Til You Drop - TODAY!

Its time to Shop 'Til you Drop! Stop by TODAY and say hello!


"Shop 'Til You Drop" Holiday Extravaganza!
Hosted by the St. Francis Youth Group
Sunday, November 28 · 10:30am - 3:00pm
St. Francis Lower Church
110 Mt. Vernon Street
Ridgefield Park, NJ


Check out the event page on Facebook to RSVP!

Get ready to Shop 'Til You Drop!

Its time to start thinking about holiday shopping. And what better place to shop than a local craft fair?!? This will be my first and only show this season, so if you want to save cash on shipping, stop by and see my items in person. I will also be debuting a new product line! Curious? Well, you'll have to stop by and see what it is!


"Shop 'Til You Drop" Holiday Extravaganza!
Hosted by the St. Francis Youth Group
Sunday, November 28 · 10:30am - 3:00pm
St. Francis Lower Church
110 Mt. Vernon Street
Ridgefield Park, NJ


Check out the event page on Facebook to RSVP!

Tips for Craft Show Shoppers

First off, I'd like to apologize for neglecting my beautiful blog and my fabulous blog readers for the last few weeks. I've been in a serious funk that started when I got laid off from my day job. I've been applying to everything that I am qualified for and some things that I am over qualified for and even a few that I am not quite qualified for. So, if anyone in the northern NJ area is looking for an environmental engineer, send them my way!

I have to thank my awesome EtsyNJ friends for snapping me out of my funk. I spent an awesome day at Om Baby in Point Pleasant NJ and although sales weren't abundant, the friends certainly were! I now got my mojo back and am ready to blog and create and photograph and list and promote! So, look out internet, here I come!

Now, the reason for this post, as I mentioned, I recently did a craft show in Point Pleasant with my EtsyNJ friends. Are you a frequent craft show shopper? My number one point that I want to make is that the person behind the table at the craft show is a person with feelings just like you are! And they have put their heart and soul into creating the products you see on that table. And we are not deaf! We hear comments like "Oh, I can make that myself" and "Oh, so-and-so makes these things so much better than this person" and "wow, does she really think her stuff is worth that money?!?" For example, I made an adorable star shaped baby blanket, and these two women were eyeing it up, touching it, examining it and really seemed quite interested in it. Well, one finally said to the other "I'm not spending money on this, you can make me one that is soooo much better." OUCH! Why not just shove a knife in my heart?

So, you are standing at a table and you see something you really like. You ask how much and you get told a price. You are iffy on it, you aren't sure if you want it or if you want to spend that much money on it. Some people may try to bargain, which may or may not work depending on your approach and the type of product you are looking at. Most people say "Oh, I have to go to the ATM, I'll be right back" or "I'm going to look around a bit and see what else is here." Here's the truth - we sit and wait for you to come back! We check our watches, look around for you, think "gee the ATM is only across the street." Don't say you'll be back unless you really plan on coming back. And certainly don't ask that something be put aside for you when you have no intentions of purchasing it.

Craft shows are long days for vendors, we get there two hours before the show starts to set up and then are obviously there for the entire length of the show and then we spend another hour or two packing up, then add the travel time. Its a long, hard day where basically nothing else is accomplished aside from sitting on your backside on a steel folding chair waiting for someone to make a purchase.

Thanks to everyone who's visited me at a craft show and a giant thanks to anyone who frequently makes purchases at craft shows. I can honestly say that we appreciate every purchase and that every time someone admires our work enough to purchase it and take it home with them or give it as a gift, it really makes us happy. Support your local independant artist! Visit a craft show or take a "stroll" through Etsy.com.

See you at the next show!
~Melissa~

EtsyNJ Presents Handmade @ Om Baby!

The EtsyNJ street team is organizing its first craft show! We've hooked up with the fabulous owners of Om Baby in Point Pleasant and have rented the studio for a Saturday afternoon of shopping bliss! Get a jump on your Christmas shopping and get a one of a kind made in New Jersey gift for every person on your list!



The following awesome vendors will be showcasing their 100% handcrafted items:
Dragon's Den: http://dragon06.etsy.com

Made By Melissa: http://madebymelissa.etsy.com

Yin Souciant Accessories & Bags: http://yinsouciant.etsy.com

What's Eating Yin: http://whatseatingyin.etsy.com

Yin Vivo Weddings & Photography: http://yinvivo.etsy.com

Beach Chik Designs: http://beachchik.etsy.com

Blue Pie Designs: http://bluepiedesigns.etsy.com

Heart of Nature: http://heartofnature.etsy.com

Copabanans: http://copabananas.etsy.com

Creations By Robin: http://creationsbyrobin.etsy.com

Kit Kat Quilts: http://kitkatquilts.etsy.com

Capital City Crafts: http://capitalcitycrafts.etsy.com

Creations By Danielle: http://creationsbydanielle.etsy.com

Seahorse Designs: http://seahorsedesigns.etsy.com

Lemoncholy's: http://keeshagirl4.etsy.com

BK Designs: http://bkdesigns.etsy.com

Madeleine Bake Shop: http://madeleinebakeshop.com

Carol's heART Creations: http://CarolsheARTCreations.etsy.com

Max Scent Soy Candles: http://maxscentsoycandles.etsy.com

Abbie Road Artful Designs: http://AbbieRoad.etsy.com

The Celebration Boutique: http://www.thecelebrationboutique.com

Visit us from 12 - 5 at Om Baby Studio on 726A Arnold Ave, Pt Pleasant, NJ! The first 70 shoppers will get an EtsyNJ swag bag - so come early!

Spooky Fun for Halloween

I was sitting here thinking, I feel like writing a blog, but what should I write about?? Do you ever feel that way? I'm almost positive I'm not the only one because otherwise there would be no such thing as the Etsybloggers Blog Carnival!! So, the topic this time around is this: Spooky: Tell a spooky story, real or made up. Or present a Halloween crafting project or something in your shop that will give us the creeps .

I don't really have a spooky story, I was never much into telling tall tales of ghosts, goblins, aliens, wolfman or whatnot. But, I did love to read them way back in my pre-teen years. I particularly enjoyed Christopher Pike and Lois Duncan.

Now though, there isn't much time for reading, although Halloween is still lots of fun! This skull necklace would be a great accent to any spooky costume:


And these cute purple spider earrings would be perfect for us who can't get dressed up in costume for work, but still like to show a little Halloween spirit!


Remember, you have to jump on these soon in order to be sure to get them in time for Halloween! And if you visit my shop between Friday night 10/24 and Saturday night 10/25, there won't be much there as I'll be packing up for the Handmade Faire.

Have a spooky day!
~Melissa~

Handmade Faire : Halloween Edition 10/25 Medford, NJ

The Handmade Faire: not your average art and craft show...

A new generation of nearly 100 original, unique indie artists and crafters will be selling their creations at the Handmade Faire in Medford, New Jersey this Saturday October 25 from 10-4. You'll find amazing Handmade finds such as handmade soaps, unique jewelry, paper crafts, metal sculptors, clothing designers, basket weavers, painters, organic pet treats and much more - everything you need to start and finish your holiday shopping! It's no coincidence that the Faire is exactly 60 days until Christmas! It's best to get your shopping done early and this is your perfect opportunity! All items are being represented by the artist that created it, it is truly a wonderful thing to buy a one of a kind item directly from the hands that created it! Check out our vendor list!


The first 100 visitors will receive our signature treat bags, chock full of free goodies from local artists. This Faire is the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping, too!

The Handmade Faire
Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the Flying W Airport Resort
Medford, New Jersey; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
for directions, click here


The ambiance at the Faire will be be festive so if you have been waiting for a reason to put on a costume, now is your chance! Many of the vendors will be in costume and we encourage you to do the same! Abbie Galie and Mother in Law, Pola, the event coordinators will be in costume as well!

Similar to our April Handmade Faire, Abbie has some very special giveaways planned for our shoppers and the vendors have really outdone themselves in the goodies that they are offering. Some of these freebies are special presents all in themselves. Not to mention the amazing Treat Bags that will be given to the first 100 shoppers!

Admission and Parking are both free and abundant! Come do your Holiday shopping and save on shipping AND gas by shopping all in one place!

Shopping not your thing, but your spouse loves it? Don't worry - you can grab a bite and watch the flat screen tv's in the on location Flying W Bar, while your better half is shopping! Or have a scenic lunch while watching the airplanes fly in and out! There's certainly lots to see! Make the whole day a Halloween Extravaganza by checking out the Medford's Annual Halloween Parade after the Faire at 7, on Main Street. A fun day for the whole family!


Top 5 Reasons to Buy Handmade and do all your Christmas Shopping at the Handmade Faire!
#1. Support Local Independent Artists
#2. Be an Individual, not some brand
#3. Own or Give something that is completely unique
#4. Better Gift Giving - no chance of doubles!
#5. Think Green - Not Factory Made
read more about why it's better to shop handmade!


★ Contact ★ About ★ Directions ★ Vendor List ★

Visit me at the Ridgewood Fabulous Fall Festival!

I'll be at the Ridgewood Co-op Nursery's Fabulous Fall Festival on Saturday 10/4 from 10 - 4:30. Its located at Graydon Pool (which is off Linwood Ave and Northern Parkway) in Ridgewood (duh). There's stuff for kids too, looks like it will be a fun outing.

http://www.ridgewoodcoop.org/index.htm
http://www.ridgewoodcoop.org/GraydonMap2008.jpg (I'll be in space C-1)

Made By Melissa's First Craft Show!!!

Wanna see my stuff in person before you buy?? Well, here is your chance! I will be participating in my first ever craft show!

Here's the details:
What: 1st Annual Ridgefield Park Lions Club Flea Market and Craft Show
When: Saturday April 19 from 9 AM to 5 PM
Where: St. Francis of Assisi School Gym, 110 Mount Vernon Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

Come visit me!! Simply print out this blog post and purchase $10 or more from me and get a free keychain or zipper pull (quanities are limited).

I'll have special craft show only sales and I am unveiling some new items. Check me out!!