Crafty Wonderland 2016

Happy Autumn! Plus holiday show schedule info!

It's the third day of Fall, and here in NW Oregon, the rain has just arrived. We had a very hot, dry summer, so it feels like everything is taking a deep breath now. I baked some muffins this morning and put on a flannel shirt. Finally, working with wool all day makes sense. :)

Fall is such a paradoxical season: a fresh start and a winding-down, a time to gather cozily in and a time to gear up for the holidays! I love this part of the year; for me and House of Moss, this season is the busiest and most vibrant time of the whole year.

I've been working hard making busy-season inventory for my shops across the country, as well as making sure my online shop is well-stocked! We've also been spending lots of evenings at local parks, collecting acorn caps from the oak trees there.

One thing that feels quite different this year is that I have not been dealing with the holiday craft show hassle as much! Normally I would be applying to 6-9 weekend shows for November-December. This year, I'm taking a different approach to holiday sales: My wholesale and online sales have been picking up, and this way I get to stock the shelves of shops across the country while managing to keep some weekends open for family time & holiday celebrations.

There is a certain part of me that dearly loves the weekend excitement of waking up early in the morning, packing up my shop, driving to a venue, setting it all up, and talking with my customers all day. But it's also incredibly time-consuming, and Erik and I definitely overdid it last year, with full work-weeks bookended by weekend-long shows– we were nonstop for 2 months, and we were too busy and exhausted to enjoy the holidays!

So this year, I'm doing one show only: my favorite, the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale, on December 12th + 13th (with a special ticket-only pre-show event on Friday evening if you're hardcore like that or want to avoid the weekend crowds!).

But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves! Fall is here, and there is a certain sweetness to the early Fall that quickly gets eclipsed by the holidays as soon as Halloween approaches. Happy Autumn, friends!

2014 In Review + End-of-the-Year Gratitude

I saw another blog where the author used the word "memorable" to describe 2014. I am going to use it, too. It seems like the mildest way to describe a year that was nearly too much for me. So much change (moving twice, Erik's new job) and a few legitimately tough life things (unexpected expenses, chronic health issues, my parents and cat moving 3 hours away). Of course, 2014 was also full of joy– I got engaged in March and married in August, as well as paid off the last of my student loans– but as a whole it seemed entirely too overwhelming.

[The tattoo in the photo above is my present to myself for surviving the year– a reminder and a mark, because things will never be the same. Side note: it seems that since college, every three years I have a traumatic year. 2008, 2011... 2014. :/ I have a tattoo from each of those years.]

But enough about the circumstances swirling around in my personal life. And I'm not just saying that because this is my business blog– it's because House of Moss has been a rock for me this year. It truly brings me so much light in life: it's something I can turn to for distraction, success, and a sense of control. My business is like a safe little corner of the world where things make sense, where the energy and care I put in grows into something worthwhile. In many ways, 2014 has been House of Moss's best year yet.


Here are some notable highlights of 2014 for House of Moss (in no particular order):

• I introduced heart garlands, seedlings in gold pots, chicken ornaments, and new colors of cottage ornaments and pebbles in the shop.

• I interviewed 8 local makers for my blog series, We Make Portland Awesome.

• I finally joined Instagram.

• My work showed up on the Etsy Front Page 5 times, including twice in one day!

• I made it to my gross sales goal for the year– my highest ever– as well as my goal of having 400 active listings in my Etsy shop, and 1000 sales in my Etsy shop!

• I opened other online storefronts at Storenvy and The Scoutmob Shoppe, and on the wholesale site Self to Shelf.

• My work was featured in a Scoutmob email blast, a promo video for The Happy Cabin in Australia, in Presents of Mind's Valentine gift guide, on The Frosted Petticoat Blog, on Faerie Magazine's website, on SpoccaDeals, as Scoutmob Shoppe's holiday section header, in Alpine Lily's holiday gift guide for hikers, and in Retailing Insight Magazine. My website was featured as part of a promotion for a SnapPages/SquareMarket integration campaign.

• I was interviewed as a featured brand on Storenvy, in a Storenvy email, on the OPB website, on Tender Loving Empire's artist page, and on the Anna Attard blog, and some of the business tips I submitted were included in an advice post on Create & Thrive and in an article for the Etsy Seller Handbook.

• I cultivated relationships with quite a few wonderful new stockists across the country.

• UncommonGoods picked up my acorn ornaments for the second year in a row.

• I participated in Crafty Wonderland's Spring Sale and Holiday Sale, as well as 6 other holiday shows around the Portland area.

• I celebrated my anniversaries of 1 year self-employed, and 4 years in business.

• I finally launched my official website, HouseOfMoss.com!

...So, as you can see, I channeled all my frustration and angst from 2014 into my business, ha.


But I also want to emphasize that, while I am a one-woman business, I am so grateful for the support and opportunities extended to me by my network of awesome family, friends, and fellow handmade business owners (alliteration!). And my wonderful customers and stockists! You guys are so positive and encouraging. There are many reasons why I love running my own creative business, and the support of this community is definitely one of the biggest. Thank you for following along with me and House of Moss.

Much love and smooth sailing to everyone in 2015! <3 <3 <3 <3

Siren Nation Art & Craft Sale 2014 Tomorrow!

The Siren Nation 2014 Art & Craft Sale is tomorrow! Visit us at McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland from 10am-4pm for an awesome day of shopping from local women-run businesses.

This show is extra special for me this year. Not only is it the first show of the holiday season, but its location has become dear to my heart as Erik and I were married at Kennedy School in August. Our reception was held in the very same room as the sale will be!

So stop by, say hello! I will be wearing an outfit significantly less formal than the last time I was there. :)

Crafty Wonderland Spring 2014 in Review

We had a great time at Crafty Wonderland's Super Colossal Spring Sale on Saturday! We saw many of our vendor friends, and got to put faces to many of the names you see in my We Make Portland Awesome blog series. Also, thanks to our friends and family who stopped by to hang out with us!

This was the third year in a row that House of Moss has participated in the Spring show, and I could not believe the impact that the weather has on something like this. The previous two years, the Saturday of the show had been the first real sunny/warm day of the year, and shoppers were sparse. Even us vendors just wanted to be outside in the sunshine, not cooped up in the Convention Center all day! But this year, the weather was drizzly in the morning. And the aisles were full of shoppers! You could definitely tell when the weather outside cleared up, though... around 4pm. The place was empty once more. So interesting how something like that makes a difference!

It was nice to have a chance to try out my new backdrop, too. It seems like every single show I change something about my display! This time I used my new weathered-wood printed fabric instead of my 6-foot-tall mushroom sculptures. I like the atmospheric effect of having a more solid wall behind my display.

I hope you are enjoying our amazing hot weather this week! The high for today is predicted to be 91!! When it's this hot out, I tend to do more computer work (and staring out the window at the gorgeous blue sky!) than making felted wool...

Upcoming Show: Crafty Wonderland Spring 2014

This Saturday, the day before Mothers Day, is the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale! As I'm sure I've mentioned before, Crafty Wonderland is an all-time favorite of mine.

Here's a hint for you: If you like to purchase House of Moss items from me in person at shows, and you don't want to wait all the way till the fall, you should come to Crafty Wonderland this Saturday! Because Erik and I are planning our wedding in August, I have trimmed my Spring/Summer shows down... to just this one.

Here is a map to help you find House of Moss in the huge Hall D in the Convention Center:

As you can see, we have an awesome spot this year! Right near the entrance! So stop by on your way into (or out of) the show– we would love to see you!

A Wrap-Up of Holiday 2013 Craft Fairs

Having done Crafty Wonderland this weekend (a record-shattering success!), House of Moss's official craft fair circuit is now done for the year! It was a full schedule, with 5 of the past 6 weekends holding at least one show.

Even as tired as I feel, my heart is full of warmth and gratitude for the way this season has gone. There have been so many wonderful shoppers and visitors whose smiles have encouraged me. I have met new maker friends and enjoyed the company of (and the shop-talk with!) those I already knew. And, at least for now, my choice to quit my day job to focus on House of Moss full-time has proven to be a good one.

Thanks for a great holiday selling season, everyone! I can tell you from my own experience that your support of the local handmade community makes a real difference.

And although the craft shows may be over, you can still get your House of Moss fix before the holidays: My Etsy shop is still open for business! Order by Wednesday (12/18) to ensure that your items will arrive by Christmas. Happy holidays, everyone!

Upcoming Show: Crafty Wonderland!

Crafty Wonderland is this weekend! It's the last show of the season for House of Moss this year. The other shows have been amazing, the past few weeks have gone by in a blur, and now I find myself just days away from my favorite event of the year. After that, I can finally settle down and celebrate the holidays with rest and activities besides felting. ;)

The Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale 2013 is this Saturday & Sunday, December 14th & 15th, from 11am-6pm both days.

House of Moss is booth #211, and you can use this handy map to find me:

I'm also told that Nikki McClure, one of my very favorite artists, will be signing books on Sunday from noon to 2pm. I hope I have a chance to meet her myself!

Oh! And for you early birds, they are giving away their famous goodie bags to the first 150 shoppers both days– and 50 of them will have free acorns from House of Moss! The line has been known to snake all the way through the building by the time the doors open, so get there early if you want one!

Crafty Wonderland gets better and better every year, and I always end up doing most of my own Christmas shopping at this show! So stop on by and say hello– we hope to see you all there!

Upcoming Shows: Capitol Hill, Trillium, and Laurelhurst this Weekend!

If you're looking to get your Christmas shopping done this first full weekend of December, I know of some good places! ;) House of Moss will be participating in the holiday bazaars of several local elementary schools this weekend. Feel free to stop by and say hi to us! Here are the times and places:

6 December (Friday), 5pm-8pm: Capitol Hill Holiday Market, Capitol Hill Elementary School, Portland

7 December (Saturday), 10am-4pm: Capitol Hill Holiday Market, Capitol Hill Elementary School, Portland

7 December (Saturday), 10am-5pm: Arts & Crafts Spectacular, Trillium Charter School, Portland

8 December (Sunday), 10am-5pm: Arts & Crafts Spectacular, Trillium Charter School, Portland (I will not be physically present at this one, as it is set up like a boutique)

 

 

 

 

 

8 December (Sunday), 9am-4pm: Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar, Laurelhurst Elementary School, Portland

Upcoming Show: Vancouver Farmers Market Holiday Market

Next up in House of Moss's holiday show schedule is this one, put together by the Vancouver (Washington) Farmers Market. The market will be held at the Hilton Hotel, right across from Esther Short Park. Come visit us there this Saturday and Sunday (11/30 and 12/1), 9am-4pm!

Upcoming Show: Holiday Market at the Portland Waldorf School

 

I'm very excited about this weekend's show! It's the Spring Creek Store's 2nd Annual Holiday Market at the Portland Waldorf School! I've loved the Waldorf style of education ever since I was first introduced to it 3 years ago when I was working as a nanny.

It'll be happening from 10am-4pm this Saturday, November 16th. Check out their Facebook event to learn more, see which vendors will be there, and get directions!

Holiday Show Lineup 2013!

Alright, everyone! Here is House of Moss's show schedule for the holidays. It's going to be a crazy couple of months, for sure. I have scheduled 7 individual shows (11 selling days, for all intents and purposes, since some shows overlap and/or last more than one day) in a span of 7 weekends. This is an even fuller schedule than last year, when I challenged myself to do 5 shows in 6 weeks.

You have a lot of wonderful shows to shop at this year, friends. ;) Stop by at any of these and say hello!


• NOVEMBER •

10 November (Sunday), 11am-5pm: Siren Nation Art & Craft Sale, McMenamins Kennedy School, Portland

16 November (Saturday), 10am-4pm: Spring Creek Store Holiday Market, Portland Waldorf School, Milwaukie

30 November (Saturday), 9am-4pm: Vancouver Farmers Market Holiday Show, The Hilton Hotel, downtown Vancouver


• DECEMBER •

1 December (Sunday), 9am-4pm: Vancouver Farmers Market Holiday Show, The Hilton Hotel, downtown Vancouver

6 December (Friday), 5pm-8pm: Capitol Hill Holiday Market, Capitol Hill Elementary School, Portland

7 December (Saturday), 10am-4pm: Capitol Hill Holiday Market, Capitol Hill Elementary School, Portland

7 December (Saturday), 10am-5pm: Arts & Crafts Spectacular, Trillium Charter School, Portland (I will not be physically present at this one, as it is set up like a boutique)

8 December (Sunday), 10am-5pm: Arts & Crafts Spectacular, Trillium Charter School, Portland (I will not be physically present at this one, as it is set up like a boutique)

8 December (Sunday), 9am-4pm: Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar, Laurelhurst Elementary School, Portland

14 December (Saturday), 11am-6pm: Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale, The Oregon Convention Center, Portland

15 December (Saturday), 11am-6pm: Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale, The Oregon Convention Center, Portland


• ONGOING HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOPS •

14 October - 24 December, 10am-6pm Mon-Sat & 11am-5pm Sun (closed Thanksgiving): The Red Sled Bazaar, Sherwood

15 October - 23 December (see their site for hours): The Crafty Fox Holiday Shop, Forest Grove

Upcoming Show: Siren Nation

The crazy season of holiday craft shows is beginning! I know, I did that other one a few weeks ago, but this is when it really starts. And I will be posting the full lineup very soon. But until then, plan on this one!

Siren Nation is one of my very favorite shows of the year. It stole my heart last year, and it's in one of my very favorite venues, McMenamins Kennedy School.

Siren Nation is this Sunday, November 10th, from 11am to 5pm. Check out their Facebook event for more details.

Artisan Market @ McMenamins Kennedy School

 

Thank you to everyone who came and saw us at the show this weekend! The 2nd Annual Artisan Market at McMenamins Kennedy School was a good time. We can't complain about a show with free beer and great neighbors!

Upcoming show: 2nd Annual Artisan Market @ McMenamins Kennedy School

 

Portland friends! House of Moss will be kicking off the fall show season with this one. It looks to be a good time, and it's at one of my very favorite venues, McMenamins Kennedy School. This show is put together by the amazing Shannon of GlassCast. You may remember reading about her in her We Make Portland Awesome interview in June.

So if you're in NE Portland on Sunday, stop by and say hello to Erik and I. Sunday, October 6th, 10-3.

Our San Francisco Mini-Tour

Cable cars! Definitely worth the 45-minute wait in line.

Lombard Street, the "crookedest street in the world," is just as wonderful on foot as by car

The beautiful moody fog and the Golden Gate Bridge

Erik inspects the cables

This sight gave me a bit of a scare: Grace Cathedral was undergoing construction for floor repairs! I had so been looking forward to walking its labyrinth, so we tried the door anyway... and it was open! And the labyrinth was still in place!

Not only was it open and the labyrinth was still there, but there was a gorgeous installation of ribbons hanging from the ceilings. It was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.

The ribbons make an already-striking space seem even more otherworldly

Chinatown and its lanterns!

Pier 39 and its musical staircase and its crowds. :) We ended up here about 3 times in 4 days.

Alcatraz is the ever-present background of the area of SF we frequented

"Postcard Row," indeed

This past weekend we took a road trip to San Francisco for Renegade Craft Fair. We tacked a couple of extra days on, and made it into a sort of "working vacation." We made a mini-tour of San Francisco, which is one of my favorite cities in the United States.

With the exception of the Golden Gate Bridge and Postcard Row (and Alcatraz, of course), we explored all of this on foot and by cable car. Thanks to a well-located hotel, we could even walk to and from the show! Not only did this save money on parking, but walking is my favorite way of getting to know an area.

The weather was cloudy and a bit chilly, but it was a welcome break from the hot weather here in the Portland area and especially from the über-hot winds of the drive down through northern California!

It was wonderful to get away. Both Erik and I have spent most of the summer very busy with work, so the change of scenery and pace was much-needed. It's amazing how much living you can pack into one day when you try. I'm going to try to remember that, to get the most out of this summer, before the insanity of fall and the holiday season begins.

Renegade Craft Fair Summer 2013 in Review

Thank you, San Francisco! Renegade Craft Fair was a resounding success. It was my first experience with Renegade, and I'm won over.

We spent Saturday and Sunday inside the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion with 250+ other makers, as well as hordes of handmade-appreciating shoppers.

This was my first experience with a U-shaped booth. Usually I go for a single table at the front of the booth, but since we were sharing a spot this time (with the best booth-mates ever: Laura and Julian of Yes & Yes Designs!), we improvised this shape at the last minute. I had brought only minimal display pieces because of my tiny car, but we used what we had and it worked out wonderfully!

It was a goal of mine for House of Moss this year to do an out-of-state show. It turns out, getting a temporary California seller's permit to collect and submit sales tax sounds a lot more complicated and intimidating than it ends up being.

Erik and I also stretched the trip out by a couple of days so we could explore the city. I'll post some of our tourist pictures soon.

This weekend's show: Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco!

Good morning, everyone! Show alert: House of Moss will be selling at the amazing Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco this Saturday and Sunday, July 27th & 28th, from 11am-7pm both days!

I'll be debuting a brand-new part of my display, too. Ever seen a 6-foot amanita mushroom? No? Then step right up and see mine! We're booth #147.
 
Any San Francisco friends, or anyone who happens to be tourists like us in that city (no shame!), please do stop by and say hi!

You can find out more about the show HERE.

Crafty Wonderland Spring 2013 in review

Well, several days later I am finally writing about the show! Saturday was Crafty Wonderland, the next day was Mother's Day, and a busy couple beginning of the week at my day job have led me to a Wednesday review of a Saturday show.

Scheduling craziness aside, it has been decent. Crafty Wonderland was good. It was definitely better than last year's CW Spring Sale. <-- Oh my, you should definitely check out that link. My display has changed so very much since then, and I didn't remember that we'd had a crazy May heat wave last year too.

Many of my favorite people were selling there this year, as well, including:
Pepe of Muluk,
Andrea of Travelust,
Michele Maule,
Agnes of Betty Turbo,
Torie of Totinette,
Jackie of Scrumptious Suds,
and so many others!

Many thanks to those who visited, to those who support my business with their time and encouragement as well as with their purchases!

TOMORROW: The Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale!

 

Great news for everyone looking for something fun to do tomorrow: Crafty Wonderland's Spring Sale is happening! There will be aisles and aisles of handmade amazingness, as well as crafts, a new wedding-vendor section, and cats. Yes, CATS! Cats with handmade bowties, available for adoption! What could be better, seriously. 

And if you're one of the first 200 shoppers, you'll get a goody bag... some of which have free House of Moss acorns in them (similar to these from the Holiday show). You'll have to get there early, though, as the line has been seen to line up around the corner!

If you're not so lucky (or you just want to sleep in a bit), stop by at BOOTH #88 and pick up your own acorns. I will have multitudes of them, as well as other felted wool home decor and treasures, including hearts, coasters, terrariums, nests, pebbles, and more! I'll bet your mom would like a pocket-sized felted wool heart. :) Or just stop by to say hi, or to check out my new cube packaging for my little bottlecap gardens.

Here is a map to help you find me tomorrow:

Plan plenty of time, because there are SO many amazing makers lined up to be here. Lots of my good friends, as well as new ones at this show! So, stop by tomorrow (Saturday, May 11th) from 11am to 6pm, and immerse yourself in the awesomeness.