First Craft Fayre

I had no option but to prove the pomander naysayers wrong.  I had a crafty plan to re-invent the scented spheres much favoured of old ladies, and I was determined to make it work - not least to shut the old man up.

With the help of Maryann from One Stop Pamper I got organised, and booked my first ever stall at a craft and vintage fayre.  In hindsight, I should have given myself more than 10 days notice, but I'm eternally grateful to Maryann for pulling out the stops to supply her gorgeous aroma beads, and for calmly dealing with my panicky emails - I shouldn't have fretted, she came up trumps.

My plan was, to upcycle and present the vintage floral style of the pomanders, but team them with modern, fresh fragrances. Personally I can't stand musty, fusty old pot pourri.

I selected the beautifully fragrant Fresh Cut Rose, heady Antique Lace, clean, fresh White Tea and Ginger and floral China Lily.  I've purchased candles from One Stop Pamper before, I know the scents are high quality and long lasting.  Spending an evening scooping, weighing and bagging up fragranced beads into little organza bags, I did feel like a deranged fragrance drug dealer.

I ordered some round stickers from Moo.com to seal the bases and we were all set.

The aroma beads were presented in my handmade crochet baskets, and as luck would have it our stall was positioned right opposite the entrance so customers were greeted with the scent as soon as they walked through the door.

Although the fayre was quiet, I did sell plenty of pomanders, with One Stop Pamper's smells stealing the show.  Customers seemed to really enjoy the participation of selecting their favourite ceramic ball, picking their perfume and then allowing me to assemble it.  I added hanging ribbons for those who wanted them.

Yes! I knew it was a good idea.  I mean, who would ever have thought a few years back of putting a candle in a tea cup?

Along with the pomanders, I was selling a few bits of vintage homeware, and handcrafted items including rag heart wreaths, cushions and doily bowls.

I spent most of the previous week buying up all the Dylon products I could get my hands on, and dyed vintage crocheted cushion covers in China Blue and Powder Pink.

Ditto with vintage crocheted doilies, which were made into bowls - as described in a previous post.

It's a long time since I used the Image Maker, but I made some cushions, which I'm secretly glad I was able to bring home because I've grown rather attached to them.

The cushion covers are handmade, the images added and then finished with a ribbon 'frame'.

It really was a shame that there weren't more customers through the door. A case of bad timing I suspect because as we were leaving the village I spotted a school fete going on up the road, which was literally heaving with people.

I persuaded my mum to come along and sell her stained glass.  I don't think she enjoyed it too much as nobody seemed to be in the market for glass.  I honestly don't know why because her suncatchers are beautiful. 

I can't say I made my fortune, but still, I'm glad I had a go. I might even be tempted to do another one if I can find a willing helper - it's not really an activity to do alone. You wouldn't be able to nip to the loo, or pop off to stock up on tea and endless slices of cake. Or even visit the delights on other stalls.

Thanks to Originate Craft and Vintage Fayres and to Samantha Hughes for her great vintage vocals throughout the day.

Huge thanks also to Maryann at One Stop Pamper, Maggy at Red Ted Art for her encouragement and even suggesting I could sell my handmakes, and to Karen at The White Approach for helping me with pricing.

If anyone would like to purchase a pomander mail order, please give me a shout! Likewise, those that have already bought them, please get in touch if you want the bead sachets. I can organise a price for the fragranced fillers and a sticker seal. x

Viva Pomander.

Linking up with White Lily Green's Handmade Thursday.