9.12.2012

Renegade!

So in true Susannah fashion, I took a handful of photos right when we set up, and didn't take any other photos for the rest of the festival. Here are the few that I have...
Renegade was such an amazing experience. I am so truly thankful that Beca asked me to share a booth with her, and that she gave me enough confidence to do it!

There were three awesome aspects to the weekend. The first one was (obviously) selling my stuff. It's the coolest thing ever to see people walk up to the stuff you've toiled over, and to see them get excited about it and try it on, and make the decision to take it home with them. That's not something you get to experience when you sell online. I loved hearing people's thoughts and seeing their reactions. I will admit, there were a few times where people were really not into it or said something like "I could make that myself". Beca and I both struggled with that the first day, it was hard to remember the dozens of great responses when there was one bad one in the mix. I think the first day, we were both so full of nerves and excitement that we wore down pretty easily. Chris and I were up until 1am finishing stuff up, and then woke up at 5am to get ready and leave, so we were running on fumes (Beca and Doug had it even worse!). But by day 2, we were feeling loads better. The nerves were gone and the day was way more fun.

The second totally awesome thing about this weekend was getting to meet bloggers and friends from the internet. Janna, Moe, Kaylah, Elycia, Shelby, Julia, the lovely ladies from Louisville who's names are escaping me right now, and the handful of other friends I'm forgetting. Beca and I just kept talking about how weird and rad it is to meet internet friends in person. She and I "met" for the first time on Saturday! We've texted like crazy and Skyped once, but meeting face to face is a different ballgame. But seriously, I'm so so thankful for all the sweet friends that came out to visit.

The third awesome thing about the fair was the confidence it instilled in me. I've never really felt all that confident in my shop. It's not that I don't think I make good stuff, but it's never been something that I'm super serious about. I just like to make stuff and try to sell it because I think other people might like it too. But this weekend made me feel so professional, and accomplished. I'm really proud of all the work I put into it (and Chris too!), and I think it really paid off. I loved my display, and my sign is one of my favorite things I've made to date. I also finished everything I wanted to finish. I would have made more product if I had time, but I was happy with the amount I was able to finish. I made cute tags and labels for everything, too! I didn't forget anything either, I was really nervous I'd show up and would've left something important at home, but I remembered everything I needed!

All in all, it was a pretty fabulous weekend. I'm hoping that I can get into the holiday show, and who knows, maybe this will be a regular thing for me!

I want to end with a big thank you to Beca and Doug. Beca is the queen of pep talks, and her support has seriously changed my outlook on my business. Doug is incredibly rad, and kept us caffeinated throughout the weekend. I'm so thankful to have met these two incredible people, and I'm so happy to be able to call them friends.

I also need to thank my wonderful boyfriend Chris. He tolerated so much craziness from me in the weeks leading up to the show! He stamped, he built, he painted... All while dealing with yarn bits covering every square inch of our house. What a guy!

And thank you to all of you for supporting me and cheering me on! It really means the world to me. This was a huge event in my life, I know that seems a little dramatic, but it really was a weekend I'll remember forever. So thank you!! xo

26 comments:

  1. I'm glad you had such an awesome weekend. Your set up was so cute, your inventory was so amazing, and I was so blown away by how talented you and Beca are. I wanted to ask you how on earth you made your banner! The letters were so crisp and clean I was kind of mesmerized by it haha/

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    1. Thank you Julia!

      For the banner- I used my laptop as a makeshift light box to trace all the letters. The "susannahbean" part is cut out of a vintage sheet and broadcloth, and the "handmade" is painted on.

      So glad you could come out! When I get home later I'll add your link to your name in the post!!

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  2. You're making fantastic accessories for outfits. *_*

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  3. Don't be discouraged with the negative comments, you'll always get that at these shows. What matters is the positive feedback and confidence you gained doing it. So glad it was a success! :)

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    1. The second day I was definitely able to ignore the naysayers! I think it was a combination of nerves and anticipation, plus I had no idea what to expect, that made the first day a little rougher. Still, it was amazing!! Thank you :)

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  4. Hooray! I'm so glad it worked out well for the both of you. I'm really sad I didn't make it up to Chicago.

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    1. Thanks! It was a blast, definitely worth a trip next time if you can swing it :) I think I may have seen that we'll both be at a certain upcoming Tennesee event though? ;)

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  5. Aww, I'm so happy for you! I've always loved and been impressed with your work, so I'm glad you gained a much needed confidence boost! It's my goal to try and make it up to Renegade next year. I just want to visit and see everybody's amazing work!

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    1. Thank you so much! It was really an awesome kick in the pants to start taking my shop more seriously! I went last year as a customer and it was fantastic, it's a great experience!!

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  6. Dammit, I saw your name in the list of vendors afterwards, but I didn't check the list when I was there, otherwise I would have said hello. :( I was there for a very short time on Sunday. The sun was kicking my ass and I had to get to A/C.

    If you end up at the Holiday Show, I will make a point to come by and meet you!

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  7. Glad it was such an awesome weekend for you girls! Boo to the rude comments, they're just jealous. ;) I wish I could've made the trip up to Chicago. I'd love to meet you and Beca and buy some pretty handmade goodness. Hopefully next time!
    xo Mandy
    missindieblog.com

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  8. I love the setup! I wish I could have come to check it out and meet you!

    I know what you mean about the "I can make that myself" stuff. I mean, I do sometimes see something that would take 5 minutes to make and $1 worth of stuff to make it being sold for $45 that I could (and most likely will) make myself, but the crocheted/knit stuff? Yeah, I COULD do that, but I like to buy from others, and sometimes it's nice to not have to toil over the yarn. I prefer to make for people I know and buy for myself. So whenever I'm at a craft show and I hear people say it loudly, or people insulting the work that's being displayed, I want to smack them!

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  9. I wish I could have stayed longer, I totally half-assed the last 20 or so booths after and towards yours! Grr

    The winter fair would probably be better suited for your knitted goodies and I know the RCF can get super crowded around Christmas, maybe that's something new to look forward to. I think everyone that says something along the lines of making it themselves are really not thinking, it's not as easy as it seems! ;)

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  10. That is AWESOME! Sounds like a really great time. I can only imagine how great Beca and Doug are, they seem super rad! That experience to meet all those bloggers would be unreal...I'd probably cry. I do that when I get overwhelmed sometimes haha

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  11. Meeting you and Beca was like a dream come true! Your so lovely and so very kind!!! It was so fun seeing you both. Definitely made my YEAR! :) Your combined booth was so very lovely and set up so sweet! I cannot do what either of you do and love your creativity and taste. Those peeps that say otherwise are just poo spreaders who are mad they don't have an awesome booth full of sweetness...like you. :) You should be very proud...and it was my extreme pleasure to meet you. Hearts, Janna Lynn

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  12. That skirt is so cute on you! I absolutely love that color :)

    ♥ Naomi {Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups}

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  13. Congrats on the success! Sounds like an awesome time. :)

    -Lindsey

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  14. So much congrats on the success, I adore your creations, that hot pink infinity cowl is making eyes at me. I wish I lived nearby so I could have bought some of your goodies.

    <3Honeysuckelle

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  15. Glad to hear it was such a great time! I've been doing craft shows for three years now and agree the negative comments are awful. I used to get a lot of people telling me my items were overpriced to which I'd reply, "well that did take me about 10 hours to make so $38 is a steal!". Luckily since I've moved to Victoria the comments are more positive and I'm getting better at taking things with a grain of salt! Congrats again! Loved this post!

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  16. That sounds like such a good weekend! I'm glad you had a good experience and that things looked up later on. It stinks how people take mass produced items and try to compare them to handmade. Sure you could try and make something and may think it is overpriced, but a crafter put a lot of hard work into making that something and you deserve to show it off and sell it!

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  17. Oh Renegade...that looks like so much fun! Glad you had a great time, and gained confidence too. I know I'd be slightly terrified if I had a table there.

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  18. Oh wow it looks like you guys had an absolutely amazing time!

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  19. Just got around to reading this but I'm glad it went so well for you! I'm looking forward to winter weather so I can purchase one of your comfy looking cowls!

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  20. Susannah

    Just got around to catching up on blogs, I'm so bummed that I didn't get a minute to mosey over to your booth, the pictures look great! Hopefully someday we'll get to meet in person we live so close to each other, keep up the great work!

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  21. How exciting. Don't get to worried about people say 'I could make this'. It's just what crafty people do. I use to say that all the time (but to myself). Then I realized I never ever did. I would see all these great things but never purchase them because I knew I could make it if I wanted to. The thing is, I NEVER did. After years of this I finally realized that I'm not going to so if I really like it buy it.

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Hey there! Thanks so much for your comment! I read every one I get, and I try to reply as much as I can. You can also email me if you want! susannahbean AT gmail DOT com.

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