skip to main content

Crafts & Decorations

What did you make during the good old days of craft fairs?

18 years ago

Patti, you said you did craft fairs for 22 years. What did you sell?

I'd love to see pictures of what all of you made and sold years ago. I'd also love to see what you enjoy making now.

I made this doll cradle for my daughter in 1977. My grandkids play with it now. It's one of the first things I ever made out of wood. It's funny how having no money can end up being the best thing that ever happened to you. Out of necessity, I made EVERYTHING that Christmas. In the process... I realized I loved doing it. Woodwork was my specialty at the craft fairs.

Country Sampler was my favorite magazine!

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

pattico_gw
18 years ago
Country Sampler and Country Marketplace were my two favorites.

I did country things. I sewed, and stuffed and painted.

I don't have a lot of thing left because I have a problem of giving my things away when a birthday or something comes up.

I designed a muslin doll with hi heel shoes that were a part of the body. I then painted the muslin. Painted an old lady face and dressed her like a bag lady. Some of them had two different shoes painted on because that was all she could find in the dumpster. But they had class...Black velvet hats with a rose on it. A once beautiful sweater with a few holes in it. Nice warm wool plaid skirts, so what if the moths were a little hungry. They each had a bag full of goodies they had rummaged. I think they were my favorite things I've made. Sure wish I would have kept one. They sold like hotcakes.

I made lots and lots of snowmen. Crafted some out of old quilts, some out of chenille,Many out of muslin and then I painted them.

I've painted lots and lots of santa's and snowmen on old pieces of overly weathered wood. I had a pile of old wooden palets out back that were falling apart. That is where I got a lot of my santas. Fence boards with snowmen painted on them. I still have two or three of them. And I still have a santa painted on an old ironing board.

I also painted country snow scenes on big old coat button and made them into pins.

I was thinking about painting little ghost trick or treaters on some buttons for little gifts for some friends this year. But haven't gotten it done...maybe next year.

Oh and screens...I painted snowmen on screens.

Did lots of wooden signs.

Way back when nylon sculpture was big I made old lady heads. I live in Iowa and one of them was bought for a gift for some lady who owned one of the big newspapers in D.C. I always wondered if she liked it or not.

I made long eared bunnies before anyone knew what they were. People were always asking...what's this a pregnant kangaroo?....(mine had chubby bellies)

I have somewhere a picture of me and a bunch of the heads. I'll have to see if I can find it and scan it to post.
I'm one of these who stores all her pictures in boxes...I hate scrapbooking...lol

The cradle is cute. And so is the baby in it. I've only made one of those. not a cradle but a bed. For my grandaughter. I think she still has it and she is 14 now.

patti
Related Discussions
Craft Fairs - Comments and Ideas Rattling around in my head
Q
Comments (8)
I haven't done a craft fair for years but when I did, I always had an inexpensive edible gift for people to buy. I figured buyers might not have the $30.00 for the doll cradle or whatever it was I was selling that day... but they would always have a dollar or two for something yummy. I had a dozen different sucker molds... and it was soooo fast and easy to melt chocolate and pour it into the molds. This is my grandson, Jackson showing off his creations. Once the chocolate was set I'd stick it into a tiny cellophane bag, put a cute sticker on it, and tie ribbon around the neck. Once I was at the fair I'd put the sucker tree on my table and typically sell out. This was my big edible seller: They're clear boutinir boxes (25 cents at my florist). Half filled with Easter grass (10 cents per bag after Easter). Tied with Costco ribbon. The bows don't need adorning... that's just something my grandkids like... and this was the only picture I had of them. Inside of one is a miniature loaf of bread... which is cheap and easy with a breadmaker. And inside the other are five dipped chocolates. One big brownie or piece of cake looks great in them.... a few homemade cookies. Whatever. If it's gooey use a paper doily so it won't stick to the grass. When I go to craft fairs I always buy the edible stuff :)
...See More
Today's craft fair report ....
Q
Comments (6)
Hi, I have a craft show tomorrow at Kenyon College in Ohio. First time I've done this one. It has an Austrian marketplace theme. My son built me a booth out of barnwood and I have to dress in an Austrian costume. Sounds fun. I'm hoping I do well. I know what you mean about crafts from a catalog.....last year I was across from a lady that had stuff right out of an LTD catalog(I know that because I had the catalog with me.) She said she bought them and embellished them, but she didn't. Makes me mad when I spend so much time on original stuff. Oh well....wish me luck tomorrow!!!
...See More
The good old days.... Maybe not always so good?
Q
Comments (21)
Sexual abuse, wife beating, inequality of women were always with us and no doubt always will be. Things were different back then, but "better" is open to debate. Nostalgic reminiscing is fun, though. It can depend a bit on your age - where in the old millenium you spent your childhood and formative years. After WWII when the vets came home, married, built or bought a house, started families just about anyone who wanted a job had one. (Not like today!) The future looked promising. Budgeting, saving, paying one's bills and meeting obligations was what people did even if it was difficult... and it often was. We kids played with toys that didn't do all the playing for us; spent a great deal of time outdoors both in the summer and winter. We used our imaginations and learned to amuse ourselves; learned to transport ourselves by opening a book. Hard to believe now that getting the old piece of furniture black & white TV was life changing! Kids today are a lot more cosmopolitan and worldly wise than we ever were, but many are going to be struggling to find a decent job - or a continuous string of decent jobs - and the money to move out of the folk's basement. Even with all the electronic toys, they're not going to have it easy by any stretch of the imagination. Although I had a very pleasant childhood and life, in general, was good, I have no desire to go back.
...See More
Keeping Soaps Fresh during Outdoor Craft Fairs
Q
Comments (2)
If your soap is double packaged, then I would think you wouldn't have a problem at an outside fair. We have them all of the time at the out door crafts shows; they come in block form and you can buy by the slice, cigar band soap, and packaged the way you described. In the southern states, in extreme heat, some have problems with the humidity and sometimes the soap may collect glycerin drops; but I do not live there so I have no experience, it's just what I have read. The drops will re-absorb out of the humidity though.
...See More

Related Stories

VALENTINE’S DAY Tell Us: Why Did You Fall in Love With Your House?

By Vanessa Brunner

What was it about your house that made your heart flutter? Share your photo, and it could make the Houzz homepage

LIFE 10 Ways to Work Through Grief Triggers During the Holidays

By Shelly Miller Leer

A year after losing her sister, she was facing another holiday. Here’s how one woman learned to find joy again

LIFE 10 Ways to Cope With Grief During the Holidays

By Shelly Miller Leer

If you are experiencing loss, take it from an experienced griever — life has changed forever, but it does get better

HEALTHY HOME What to Know About Controlling Dust During Remodeling

By Mitchell Parker

You can't eliminate dust during construction, but there are ways to contain and remove as much of it as possible

HOUSEKEEPING 10 Chores You Can Whip Through During Commercials

By Becky Harris

Use ad time for getting tasks done, and it’s like fast-forwarding your house into cleanliness

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Where Did Your House Get Its Look?

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Explore the role of architectural fashions in current designs through 5 home styles that bridge past and present

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Pros and Cons of Making Your Bed Every Day

By Leonora Sartori

Houzz readers around the world share their preferences, while sleep and housekeeping experts weigh in with advice

BASEMENTS Room of the Day: Swank Basement Redo for a 100-Year-Old Row House

By Annie Thornton

A downtown Knoxville basement goes from low-ceilinged cave to welcoming guest retreat

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: Craftsman Bathroom Gets Its Good Looks Back

By Becky Harris

A bathroom renovation in a century-old home combines era-appropriate style with updated touches

BEDROOMS Room of the Day: An Island Bed Makes Way for a Reading Niche

By Mary Jo Bowling

This designer’s bedroom wasn’t working until she set the bed adrift

Sponsored

Schlabach Woodworks

16 Reviews

Franklin County's Reclaimed Wood Professionals

More Discussions

Need an idea for this tile ornament craft

0