Aussie patches is a great artist blog with lots of interesting information, art and advice. check out this post where she discusses how to package your art/craft/designs to sell at craft fairs and stores.

First of all why package at all?

1. Professional appearance. I wanted people to focus on my items rather then be put off by the fact there was no packaging. Most people buying products expect to have some sort of packaging for the item - that is the day and age we live in. A consumer society where some things are just in our subconscious and we don’t often think of them.
2. People won’t buy gifts without packaging.
3. Protection of the item. Protection during shipment was very important as well as protection when the items are in stores. Just image how many fingers will touch your works. For me it was important that my mirrors and badges were protected as dirty fingers can really impact negatively on the items.

And some points to consider when packaging (read the full article here)

1. Your packaging should reflect and enhance your work without distracting from it. The items should ‘match’ and remain consistent as a way of reinforcing your brand image.
2. If you sell clothing or plush toys do you want your brand to be recognised with a sewn in label? Do you need to invest in ribbon labels? What about iron on labels, or sewn in labels?
3. Can the buyer see the product without needing a display item? I found that when people were looking at my magnets and mirrors they always wanted to see the back of them, so I needed packaging that could be see through.

[as one commenter said - please be aware of the environment when considering packaging - don't over package and please try and use recyclable or recycled materials in your packaging]

first annual Great American Craft Off! It will start Nov. 1 - This unique contest calls for American crafters to present a one-of-a-kind creation that exemplifies their personal vision of what America is all about – whatever that may be. The winner will be awarded a prize package valued at over $6000!

4th Handmade market next Saturday Nov 3rd in Raleigh, NC. - The Handmade Market: Because “MALL” Is a Four-letter Word
Shop for unique handcrafted goods and support independent designers at The Handmade Market in Raleigh, NC.

The Holiday Softie Awards - entries close October 31st!. check out the current entries and enter yours under one of these categories (make sure you check out the rules about entering) Categories are: Deck the Halls, Animals Dressed for the Holidays, Nightmare Before Christmas and Let it snow - other categories that need your entries are: Holiday Smorgasboard (food) (come on guys - where are all those soft food makers, Under the Tree (toys) - more toys - come on - come on, The Worst Gift I Ever Got (this could be really funny and fun), Doll Dress Up (come on you know you want to) Holiday version of a Softie from the Softies Book.

This month’s whiplash them is fibre & mixed media inspired jewellery - to find out more about how to enter - go to the whiplash page - to post your link go this forum thread and also see and comment on the other entries.

We are offering some prizes for this months Whiplash (last day to enter is NOV 15) one copy of French inspired jewelry: creating with vintage beads, buttons & baubles by Kaari Meng, Published by Lark Books and kindly donated for this whiplash series by the author Kaari Meng and to go with the book a really beautiful bracelet kit from Kaari’s store at french general.

I am really excited that Kaari Meng has generously agreed to give one of our whiplash entrants one of these books and this is what inspired the current whiplash theme. Mixed media jewelry, found jewelry, fibre and textured and free form jewelry. I love all that - so get your thinking caps on and let your creative juices flow to be in the running to get your hands on this great book.

Kaari has a store in Hollywood, where she sells vintage buttons and notions, French fabrics and linens and textiles as well as bath products and other romantic and vintage inspired homewares. Her shop, books and style have been featured in Martha Stewart Magazine, on Oprah and she has designed jewelry for Anthropologie. Has anyone been to her store - it looks just wonderful and her online site is pretty too.

This first image is a page layout from this new book French inspired jewelry (the last three photos are taken from the jewelry kits on the website but the first two of these are also in the book), while Kaari does not live in France (she lives in California) she travels a great deal and picks up wonderful finds from flea markets and out of the way village stores in France - what a wonderful lifestyle that would be. And this book reflects that romance and mystery and history of Europe. In the very last chapter of this book Kaari says that when in France she visits lots of churchyards and is inspired by the feeling of history in these places, the churches often have collections of old handwork and she is interested in the women and their quiet industrious lives from times gone past. This last chapter was inspired by recollections of these women with jewelry using religious iconography, mother of pearl, vintage beads, lace and old photographs. I really love the page layout of these pages too, with the jewelry and beads and buttons photographed with paper ephemera, textured linens and fading photographs.

Other chapters focus on flowers, gardens, vineyard, fancy court ladies, the orchard and the flea market. One of the other chapters though that really captured my imagination was Le Circe (the circus), with the page layouts consisting of various old circus memorabilia like magic cards, and tickets and advertising postcards, as well as the amazing array of fancy buttons and beads with comedic and colourful combinations. Most of the jewelry in this section is centred on the eclectic menagerie of the charm bracelet.

Technically speaking the instructions are pretty clear. Even for a jewelry gumby like me, no experience needed, just a keen eye for detail and a steady hand. There are lots of technical instructions in the front of the book, as well as explanations of all the materials needed - what sort of adhesives and stringing materials, advice on design, beads, findings and tools to use.