Let's Go Shopping: Housing Works Bookstore

It's a brand new week & June is coming to an end.

Sigh, time really flies so quickly.

Anyway, this week on blah to TADA!,

we're going shopping!

I'm taking you to one of my favorite bookstores,

Housing Works, in New York City's SOHO district.

Here's what's so TADA! about it -- all the books

are donated, the staff consists of volunteers &

all the proceeds go to folks affected by AIDS.

Isn't that great?

There's also a cafe' inside with quiet corners

to enjoy your book & coffee.

The space can also be rented for special events.

I've seen the place used in TV commercials &

shows like Gossip Girl!

These gently-used books are neatly arranged by

category (ex. fiction, travel, children's, etc.)

Here's the section that I'm always drawn to:

sewing & crafts.

And here's what I bought:

It's a fun little book by Patricia Caskey.

I paid only $4.00 for it!

When I got home, I quickly flipped through the pages

and picked crafts that were faithful to my

blah to TADA! philosophy.

Like the one on page 79, teaching readers

how to make COLLAGE GLUE.

It's a good alternative to Mod Podge.

To make it, you will need:

3 parts white school glue

1 part warm water

Combine the glue with water in

a jar with a screw-on lid.

Shake until well mixed.

Brush a thin layer on paper

and smooth out.

Here's my application:

I need to mail a gift & decided to recycle this box.

I used old magazine pages to turn a blah box...

...into a TADA! box!

I treated the printed page like gift wrap and the

cut out flowers as accents, using the collage glue

to stick & seal everything to the box.

Here's what the back looks like.

All I need now is to add a mailing label at the

top of the box and mail.

I'll tell you what's inside in a future post!

Headband Stash

Hooray it's Friday!

This week, I took you to the Renegade Craft Fair

to get some ideas on how to display crafts for sale.

Check out this booth selling handmade headbands.

It's similar to the earrings organizer I made

a few weeks ago.

Today, let's make our own headband rack.

Blah: An empty oatmeal container.

Add an empty toilet paper roll that's cut to size

{We'll use them as feet for our rack.}

Cover all the parts in a neutral-colored felt or fabric.

Attach the "feet" securely with hot glue.

TADA!: Instant headband rack!

It will work for kiddie...

And adult headbands, whether they are for sale

or just your personal collection.

Have a happy weekend!

Tray Magnifique!

Thanks for stopping by today!

I was at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn and got so inspired

with crafting and maybe making a business out

of crafting someday.

For you who have taken the leap from hobby to business,

I've showed you some ideas on how to display

your handmade jewelry using very simple materials.

I've got a few more!

Here's a good peg -- use vintage jewel boxes,

drawers & cigar boxes. Make sure to have

a mirror handy for those who want to

try before they buy.

You can also use plates, bowls and platters

to organize your wares.

Here's another easy DIY idea:

Blah: A shoe box lid.

Wrap it in fabric or if it's as colorful as this one...

Just flip it over!

Add a layer of felt.

Use all black to give shoppers the feeling of being at the

poshest jeweler or go crazy with the wild colors.

Then add small to medium-sized accessories on your inventory.

Use it for vintage pins.

Or these retro rings.

You may also use this display box for buttons, hair pieces

hand stamps or stationery.

An Array of Earrings

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Inspired by a trip to the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn,

I've come up with some blah to TADA! ideas for you

crafters out there who are selling your creations.

Today, I'll show you how to display the earrings that

you're putting on sale.

If you don't have a stand like this one, let me show you how to

make something like this.

Blah: Stacks of old cardboard.

Cut, paint and decorate.

TADA! Just add the earrings!

Make a slit or punch some holes to attach the earrings.

The little frames highlight the beauty of each piece.

Use the space below to showcase more

jewelry like rings.

Please stop by tomorrow for another idea!

A Necklace Stand

I went to this awesome craft fair on the first weekend of June.

You must check out their website to see if they'll be in your city,

and if they'll be there, do yourself a favor and go -- lots of

craft love, handmade goodies & inspiration!

Here's one of the booths selling one-of-a-kind necklaces & earrings:

Cute display, don't you think?

If you are participating in a craft fair, street market

or selling your jewelry online, I have an

idea to show off your handiwork.

Blah: old pieces of cardboard.

Cut the cardboard to mimic a woman's upper body.

Trim an empty toilet paper roll...

This will act as the stand to elevate the cardboard.

Secure in place with hot glue.

Cover the cardboard "bust" in scrapbook paper.

Use a plain color so the jewelry you'll be putting

on it will stand out.

TADA! A great way to display intricate neck pieces

like this bib necklace or one with a fancy pendant!

If you sell online like on Etsy or ebay, this technique

will give potential buyers an idea of the necklace's

size, length & how it will look when worn.

And if you sell at shops or markets, have a few

of these bust stands to shine the spotlight on the

necklaces that you yourself crafted.

Every artwork needs a pedestal!

Craft Fairs & Jewelry Displays

Howdy Everyone!

Let me tell you about this fabulous craft fair

that I visited early this month.

It's called the Renegade Craft Fair held annually at

the McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

There were free stuff like magazines & buttons...

Live music...

A photo booth...

Craft workshops...

And over 300 booths of spectacular crafts from clothes 
to jewelry to home goods, bags and paper products!

Craft fairs & flea markets are on my "To Do" List this summer, but as a shopper rather than booth owner for now. This got me thinking, maybe some of you will be participating in fairs & markets to sell your handiwork. I'd like to help you out with some ideas to display your wares using the blah to TADA! philosophy.

Blah: empty rolls of tissue & paper towels.

Find the center of an empty paper towel roll

then make a hole using a pair of scissors 
or craft knife.

Insert one end of another empty paper towel roll into 
the hole and secure with hot glue.

Make several in different heights.

Cover neatly with felt or fabric.

Mount on a thin yet sturdy piece 
of wood with hot glue.

To keep it from being wobbly, I did a sandwich system

from the bottom up: wood + glue + small piece of 
cardboard {directly under the paper towel roll} + 
glue + felt + paper towel roll.

TADA! A necklace & bracelet rack!

Add your handmade necklaces & bracelets

for a neat display.

{Avoid using this for heavy, chunky pieces.}

Even if you aren't participating in a 
craft fair, you can use this at home 
to organize your jewelry.

See you tomorrow!