My Grand Christmas Craft Fair Adventure: All About Promoting Passion!

Well, hello there, friends! I’m absolutely bursting with excitement to share the details of my recent adventure at the local United Church Christmas Craft Fair. If you caught my video, you’ll know this day was a huge success, but perhaps not in the way you might expect a typical vendor fair to go!

My goal for the month of November wasn’t about selling projects; it was about connecting with you all and spreading the word about my website, Fran’s Friends! I wanted to get people involved in the spirit of crafting and show them that they, too, could create the wonderful projects I had on display, all through the tutorials on my site, which now boasts over 91 videos!

The Fran’s Friends Display

I packed up some of my favourite creations—my mini bears, my project books, and other samples—to really show off what’s possible. It was important to let everyone know right away that the items weren’t for sale. Instead, they were inspirational examples with a story, leading people to the “how-to” on the website.

To make the table visually engaging, I featured some of the AI-generated pictures of myself, especially the ones for November and December showing me as a crafter. Those went over really well and sparked a lot of conversations!

I’m thrilled to report that I gave out well over 200 of my business cards throughout the day. The engagement was tremendous, and I think people were especially impressed by my focus on crafting from a recycle and sentimentperspective.

Crafting with Heart: My Projects and Motto

What I truly love about my projects is that they mean something. They aren’t just a generic doll or decoration; they’re infused with memory and love. I showed off my little mini bears made from my son’s old scout shirt, and the more recent ones I crafted from a t-shirt he brought home after graduating with his master’s. I also displayed a graduation owl and other items made from my son’s Rock City School t-shirts. The idea is simple: everything on my table has a story, and the tutorial is waiting for you on the website!

To guide every crafter, new or experienced, I prominently displayed my official Crafting Motto. This is what I live by:

1. Incorporate Yourself: Always incorporate your own personality and passions into your creative projects. Make your own signature! And remember to research, research, research before you even start cutting.
2. Do Your Homework: Plan the details! Think through the fabrics, the colors, the patterns, and the resources you’ll need. Preparation is key.
3. Take Your Time: This is my favourite saying: “A stitch in time saves nine,” and remember, this is not an assembly line. These are gifted patterns and projects that you can cherish forever.
4. Laugh at Yourself: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! You must laugh at your mistakes because you always, always learn by them.
5. Love What You Do: Enjoy the process. When you love what you do, the finished project truly shines.
6. Have Fun! This was the major focus of the day. Crafting should be enjoyable!

Inspiring Collaborations and Future Ideas

The best part of the day was the wonderful, unexpected conversations I had. I met people who are as passionate about crafting as I am, and a few key discussions really got my mind racing for future videos!

First, I spoke with a woman from a local hospice who was captivated by the idea of incorporating loss into crafting—specifically, making memory bears or projects from items that belonged to a loved one. She was so taken with the concept that we are hoping to get together in the spring to film something on “crafting with sentiments” to help people keep their memories close to their hearts.

Second, the lovely lady next to me was a retired kindergarten teacher, and she had a brilliant idea about teaching crafting to young people in a progressive way. She suggested starting with no-sew ornaments, moving to sewing a straight line, then to a curve, and finally onto more advanced projects. I was so excited about this structured approach for brand-new crafters! I think a video series on that progression would be absolutely wonderful.

A Truly Successful Day!

All in all, it was a fantastic day! The whole experience was well-appreciated by the community, and I came away energized and inspired. Over 200 cards, countless conversations, and wonderful collaborations with other crafters—I really couldn’t ask for more.

So, here’s to more crafting adventures and spreading the joy of handmade sentiment!