Thursday, June 23, 2016

Where To Find Makers On Hudson This Weekend

Two Summer Markets To Explore


The upcoming first weekend of Summer offers two opportunities to find our makers in New York and New Jersey. 

Hudson-Athens Lighthouse note cards, by Kmiotek Art Works

If you like the outdoors, you'll love The Summer Market, down at the waterfront in Hudson, N.Y. This is the forth year for this large market featuring vendors, vintage goods, music and food. The park is right on the river, with plenty of easy parking.  Two of our very active makers will be there. Paul, of KmiotekArtWorks, will be bringing his note cards and art work based on his original pen and ink drawings. Sarah, of  SO Handmade, will also be there with her unique assortment of products for children and the home.


Organic Playmat, Handmade Playmat, Boys Birthday Gift, Natural Toys, Organic Cotton, Eco Friendly Toys, Natural Kids Gifts, Toddler Birthday
Organic Play Mat by SO Handmade

 On Sunday only, in Ramsey, N.J. you can meet Devon, of Gourdament, at the Shady Grove Arts and Crafts Show. The event takes place at the Adorno Fathers' Seminary on their lush and beautiful grounds. Devon is an award-winning artist who creates one-of-a-kind hand painted pieces for the home and garden.  So, with a bit of planning, you will be able to treat yourself to an art-full weekend, enjoying the early summer sunshine, breezes, and shade. See you there!

Gourd Birdhouse -  Cat Birdhouse - Painted Gourd - Bird lovers gift - Garden Art -  Wren House - Natural Decor - Black Cat -
Gourd Birdhouse by Gourdament
 

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

In My Studio: Launching New Products

So Handmade Train Play mat

I have been working on some new products in my studio this last couple of months and realized it would help me enormously if I listed all the steps I take to get a new product launched for the next time I want to develop and launch something new. I figure that a lot of makers have their own processes and development strategies but this could be useful to others and can be adapted to fit different specialties.

These are the steps I took before launching my new Construction and Train Play Mats:

1) Idea: That light bulb moment when you come up with a great new idea or concept. I tend to think about a new product for quite a long time before putting pen to paper- or fabric to the sewing machine. The idea can come from anywhere- by adapting something you make already, fulfilling a need for something in your own life or from being inspired by outside influences.

2) Prototype: The next step I take is to make a mock up of the product using scraps of fabric I have lying around. This may happen a couple of time before I get it right.
My Play Mat prototype

3) Design: Once I have the prototype mocked up I start designing on paper doing a few rough layouts before drawing it out properly in pen and ink. I do my designs in black on white to be able to transfer them onto screens. 
My drawing board where I design my new products

4) Supplies: Around the same time that I am designing I think about the supplies I am going to need to make the new products. How many am I going to make, which fabrics will I need and how much. Also will I need any fastenings such as buttons or velcro. In this latest product I decided to use organic materials so sourcing and ordering was a little more challenging.
Organic fabrics and threads ready to make my new play mats

5) Printing and making: I usually start a new product with a run of about 30 to insure a good supply for craft fairs and Etsy for a few months. After hand screen printing the fabric I cut it out and sew them together.
My sewing station whilst watching the Great British Sewing Bee on the Ipad!

6) Photography: Once the first few have been made its time to photograph them for use on Etsy and on Social Media. When photographing them a good tip is to remember to take a few shots using holiday styling to switch out when the time comes.


7) Listing on Etsy: Keep in mind how you will be packaging your new product when you have to ship them out. Will you need any special packaging supplies and will you need to create a new shipping profile.

8) Promote these new products on your social media accounts (instagram, pinterest, Facebook etc) and remember to post in the Makers on Hudson new and renewed items chat thread.  

9) Copyright: I have been making it a habit to copyright my new products right after I launch them. It is pretty quick and easy to do on www.copyright.gov website and well worth the small investment.

10) Display and Marketing: Think about how the new product will be displayed in your craft fair booth or at any of your sales outlets and if any new displays will be needed.

Construction Play Mat by So Handmade


Good Luck and Good Making!
Sarah

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Where To Find Makers-on-Hudson This Weekend

The Weekend Starts Early: TGIF

(Pssst...Dad would love these gifts)
Lumberjack Soap
Lumberjack Soap with Avocado Oil by Hudson Naturals

Our members are welcoming the weekend starting on Friday this week. It's also Father's Day Weekend, so take Dad out to celebrate. The Kingston Night Market is where Christina, of Hudson Naturals, will be setting up shop. It will be a great evening to get out for a stroll and meet the vendors at this pop-up event. The Night Market takes place every third Friday in the Historic District.


Campfire Candle
Campfire Soy Candle by Hudson Naturals

On Sunday, make your way to another charming market in Warwick, N.Y.  Patti, from Get Glassy, will be at the Warwick Makers' Market from 9 - 3. A great place to find that special handmade gift for Dad!


Gold n Green Key Ring Dichoric Glass Key006
Gold and Green Dichoric Glass Key Ring by Get Glassy

Piano Cheese Board and/or Cracker Tray Set Fused Glass Platter Cheese Tray Serving Dish 0073
Piano Fused Glass Cheese and Cracker Set by Get Glassy

Friday, June 10, 2016

Where To Find Makers-On-Hudson This Weekend

 Make Haste While the Sun Shines


Couples Matching Peacock Green Brocade Masquerade Masks With Peacock Feathers
Couples matching peacock green masks by Daragallery

Makers-on-Hudson will be enjoying the beautiful weather at two very different events this weekend. If you love The Renaissance era, then hasten thee to Altamont, N.Y. near Albany, on Saturday and Sunday for the NY Capitol District Renaissance Festival . There you can partake in all the festivities, and also meet Dara, from Dara Gallery, purveyor of beautiful, handmade masks and accessories. Dara uses both paper mache and leather to create her gorgeous masks, eye patches and hair accessories for men and women

Tea Lover's Gift Set ~ Organic Tea Tin ~ Teaspoon ~ Teabag holder Gift Set
Tea Lovers Gift Set by BeauTeaStudio

While you are "hastening," don't forget to meander over to Dover Plains, in Dutchess County, on Saturday only, to visit Jules and Olya of  Beau Tea Studio at the Crown Maple/Organic Hudson Valley Food and Arts Festival . Their tea shop and apothecary features organic teas, body products and lovely vintage tea cups. Perfect gifts for anyone.  We're sure you will enjoy these two unique events and meeting two of our talented makers in person. 

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Where To Find Makers-On-Hudson This Weekend


Green Frog Note Cards
Green Frog Notecards by Kmiotek Art Works

This weekend five of our members will be out enjoying the lovely late spring weather at three Hudson Valley events. On Main Street, Fishkill, N.Y.three members will be participating in a long-established show, The 23rd Annual Fine Art and Craft FairLook for JoAnn of Lollypups Designer Pet Wear, Hester, of Hester's Studio, along with Paul, of Kmiotek Art Works

Cheese Board and Markers
Cheeseboard and Markers by Hesters Studio


Boyfriend Jean Harness vest from repurposed denim
Boyfriend Jeans Pocket Vest by Lollypups Designer Petwear

Sue, of Digilio Designs, returns to the Country Living Fair 2016, at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck Friday through Sunday. 
 

June Birth Month Flower Rose - Art Print - Gift for Mom - Birthday Gift - Present for Teacher - Floral Print - Pink Flower - Summer Flower
June Birth Month Flower Rose by Digilio Designs

Sarah, of SOHandmade heads to Albany for the Art on Lark street fair, now in its 20th year. 

Unicorn Coin Purse by SOHandmade

So many options, so little time! Grab your sunglasses and head out for an adventure this weekend.