Additions to Little frog products.

I decided to do a little towel hood. These are smaller than my original hooded towels. They have some of my original hooded towel designs as well as some newer looks. I started with monkeys and pandas when I made them.(More to be posted soon)

One thing that has been stuck in my head this year, like one of those songs that you cannot stop humming, has been sock monkeys. The tall human sized Sock Monkey and friends that can be seen in a car commercial make me smile. I actually had not been a fan of sock monkeys but some how they have grown on me. One day I just could not help it, I took an old pair of socks and just started cutting and stitching.

My cat does not find this white sock monkey to be his friend. Of course white sock monkey does karate chops/ kicks and flying attacks on him. Which leads to a wrestling match of cat v.s. sock monkey.

I found some socks that had interesting colors and patterns. More pictures of sock animals to be posted.

I'll be at Neal Blaisdell this weekend!

Reindeer...

I'll be at Aliiolani this coming Saturday(12/5) in the cafeteria again.

I've sketched this over and over again. Pondering the color combination... the antler shape... etc... There are different shaped little antlers scattered in my work space. I had antlers pinned onto the mannequin head so that I could see how they would stand up.

The time in between the end of the year craft fairs that I attend leaves me little time to create and make new creations. But I really wanted to have these available this year.

Moo, moo, moo...

I finally took the time to make a black and white cow. I decided to use the stumpy horns. To make it different from the brown and white cow, I made one ear white and one ear black. Both ears have a inner ear color of black. The horns are an off white color.

I was at Aiea Elementary School this past Saturday. The day started off on the cooler side but soon became hot. There was a slight drizzling rain that made the day humid.

The next craft fair I will be at is in Kaimuki. There is a craft fair at the NBC this weekend, hopefully I will have time to go as a shopper.

Pock

Aliiolani this past Saturday was interesting. The weather was not as cold as I would like. It rained a bit but all that did was make it a little more humid. The cafeteria is on the cooler side and my table was close to the doors where occasionally there was a nice breeze.

I have two hats that I have not had the time to post about...

Mouse

A mouse in gray. The mouse was sitting in pieces as I was still debating on making it light brown or gray. Then there was the shape and size of the ears. I went big with the ears with a slight fold to give it some dimension.

Chicken

I had the same issues with the chicken, color of white or brown. And the shape and size of the comb. I went with white and a small red comb.

Monkey

This last picture is of the monkey hat. I've been using the picture of a small size monkey which does not fit on the mannequin, this will be the updated picture. I've also decide to change the look of the ears. It will no longer be dark in back and light in front. The ears will be all light colored on both sides.

*I almost forgot to explain my title. I grew up with chickens. And I have always thought they said pock pock. I know people will usually say cluck cluck or bwak bwak. If you have the chance listen to a chicken, and see what you think. *grin* *pock pock*

Craft fair at Aliiolani November 14

I'll be in the cafeteria at,

Aliiolani School(6th & Waialae Ave.)

Nov. 14 8 a.m- 2 p.m.

SBC @ NBC October 2009: Day 2 & 3

Towel display

I'm placing day 2 and 3 together because I find that the three days are actually all blurred into one. Or maybe it is just that my memory isn't as good as it once was. *sigh*

The second day was +10 hours at the Neal Blaisdell Center. I met many interesting people. A few people were dressed up for Halloween. I also saw shoppers that I remembered/ recognized from last years craft fair. I had some repeat customers, thanks for coming back and shopping at Little frog's pond.

The day went by quickly as I said "Hi" to people, and I watched as their faces changed to a smile. Those smiles really make the day go by faster. I did get a few people saying to me "it's too hot here," or gave a 'you're crazy' look. But as I've said before I use my hat or scarf instead of a jacket. The air conditioning in the NBC would have made me cold if I wasn't wearing my hat. But it seems most of the shoppers were feeling hot walking around.

Last year I didn't see the almost empty room, since I had an easy pack up and was able to leave right away. This year as I was waiting with my last load of stuff, I got to see the curtains being taken down. And the +200 vendors leaving. The room seemed vast in its emptiness.

All the booths packed up and leaving

SBC @ NBC October 2009: Day 1

This is my second year at the Season's Best Craft fair at the Neal Blaisdell Center. The day did not seem as long this time, because this time I had an idea of how time can stretch out longer than it is when sitting in a booth. It also helped that I knew where I was going since I was in the same booth as last year.

I actually do not remember much of the first day, just that it was a whirl wind of packing up things and trying to fit everything in for transportation. I also had a bunch of other things that I just realized the day before that I had not done. Like redoing my Photo book.

Yawning frog

I got a new picture for my collection and photo book. What a cute frog. Couple months old in an Extra Small hat.

End of October

I'll be at NBC this weekend. Hopefully I have the fair hours correct.

Neal Blaisdell Center

Oct. 30 5 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Oct. 31 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Nov. 1 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

October seems to have flew by. This year my items will be packaged. My brother bought me clear bags while he was in Japan. I've been looking for something to package my hats in. I wonder if I had mentioned it to him or he just read my mind.

I also will have a new item. I made a stocking stuffer coaster. If you are looking for that little something to add on to a gift or something to stick into a stocking. Below are just some of the colors and prints that will I have.

Aliiolani

Aliiolani cafeteria

Here I am in the Alliolani craft fair. The cafeteria tables are made for young children so they are fairly low.  I should probably stand and greet people, but seated I am able to get to my boxes of hats more easily.  Due to the limited space I have only a few hats on the table for display. 

Nothing much. Another fair coming up.

Really not much to say lately...

Just been busy restocking the different hats.  I think I have been doing fairly well keeping up with any hat orders that I have gotten.  

Working on sketches.  I usually do a pencil sketch that evolves over time.  Then I do a few color sketches.  I do my hat creation process(make a pattern, cut and sew) and do a few more sketches of the hat. 

Also did some drawings for my Website.  Yes,  I have been taking sometime to work on my website.  I still have not decided to change the banner or keep it as it is.  And although my E-store is not yet in working condition,  I do take orders and  will be using PayPal.  PayPal works for me right now since I will be able to send a pay button by email.

Ponds

This coming Saturday I will be in Kaimuki again.  I will be in the Aliiolani cafeteria, the table I will be at is more toward the center of the room this time.  

Craft fair at Aiea.

Today was the craft fair at Aiea Elementary.  I was on a lanai space.  Which is basically on the sidewalk outside of the classrooms.  There was a tent in the grassy area in front of me selling very nice prints of sea life.  The lady was named Rita, and I do not remember her husband's name.  He was the artist of the prints.  

Once again I failed to take pictures.  I do not know what happens to me.  Maybe I should stick notes on various things that I bring with me to the craft fair, that say "TAKE PICTURES."

I talked with many interesting people.  Many buying hats as a gift for someone in colder climates.  I still get the "you are crazy" looks from people.  As well as many more people saying 'cute.'  

Many people asked about my website, which I have been neglecting to create.  And it was brought to my attention that when doing a search of San's Little frog it shows the url of my banner page(and only the banner.) I will hopefully be able to fix this soon.

I also received pictures by email tonight.  I will be posting them tomorrow.   

Kaimuki

I would like to start this post by thanking all new and returning Little frog hat owners.  NBC craft fair was a whirl wind for me and it took me a little while to recognize a few of you that came to visit me again.  I hope those that are going on trips have a safe and fun journey, and that your hats keep you warm.

Today was the craft fair at Aliiolani.  Once again I failed to remember to take pictures.  I did not even take out my camera.  *sigh*

I would like to warn all you new crafters out there doing craft fairs... if it is at a school and says 9 am that is not really when it starts. Hehe.  The instructions I got said that all unloading was to be done before 8 am... which is actually early for me on a Saturday.  My plans were to get there at about 7:50 am, figuring I only needed a few minutes to set up.  I was able to carry every thing in with Kent's help.   I took a smaller amount of hats with me, being that it was only a five hour craft fair and I had a table inside the cafeteria.   To my surprise there were already shoppers walking around browsing when I got there at 7:55 am.

Many people said 'cute' today, but the hats were not able to bring as many smiles to people's faces as at the NBC fair.  Maybe because I was not the silly girl in a frog hat.  Today I was wearing a pink beret that I beaded with one line of seed beads to make it a little sparkly.  I must be one of the few people that feels cold in Hawaii.  I like using my hat instead of putting on a jacket or sweater.  Sometimes on a rainy or windy day I wear shorts and a tank top with a hat or scarf.  I used to work at a place where the air conditioning was set at a low temperature and would use pants, a sleeveless shirt and one of the yarn scarves I knitted.  I find using a hat or a scarf to be less bulky than carrying around a jacket or sweater. 

P.S.

Thank you, Julio and Mindy for stopping by and ordering a bunny hat, and for the short chat break.  

Craft fair at Aliiolani

Another Craft fair is coming up this Saturday at Aliiolani Elementary.  My pond will be located in the school's cafeteria.

I have been working on orders and have not really sewn any new hat.  I did make a red devil hat that was ordered. 

Horns

I also found a different green to make frogs with.  So hopefully I will be able to get a few more things done before Saturday. 

My F.C.F.- Part four: Day three, Neighbors, Bun Bun, etc.(4 of 4)

On Sunday I think I started to calm down and think about making a list of things to remember to do.  Such as... Maybe asking for pictures. Personalizing my bags.(Decided to do this on the second day.) Taking orders (For the first two days I had forgotten I had printed some order forms.) Changing my table layout.  

Neighbors

Julitsa in the Nilma Hunter Creations booth.

There were many vendors around me.  I mainly spoke with the ones adjacent to me.  Next time I will have to wander a bit more out of my pond.  The booth on my right was Nilma Hunter Creations,  Julitsa, Nilma and Kaleimaeole sell jewelry and paintings.  If you click on their names it will lead you to their websites/ products.  Julitsa's painting is located on Nilma's site, scroll down to the bottom of the page I linked to her name to see her paintings. 

Julitsa

Julitsa was dressed as Audrey Have-a-burn(Hepburn) I got a great picture of her. On Saturday she was wearing a white dress and a veil.  

Allen

On the other side of me was Eiselin Imports, Allen sells curtains, table runners, photo albums, etc.  The curtains are cotton in a linen weave.  I thought it was linen when I first saw it.  But the feel is definitely cotton.  The loops are velcro, but the decorative buttons make it seem like they are buttoned on to the curtain rod.

On the last day Shabri of Hawaii, Inc. gifted Kent and I with some cookies.  I opened the chocolate chip one yesterday.  It has large chunks of chocolate and macadamia nuts.  Without realizing it I had three of them.  I had to store them away or I would have ate the whole bag!

Bun Bun

There were color request for the bunny.  One in black(Soot) and the other in brown(Chocolate.)

Soot

I rather not refer to the hats by color(i.e. black, brown, etc.)  So I am going to try to name them all.  This might get confusing,  I will have to just test it and see.

Chocolate

I was going to name the brown one Coffee but it reminded me of a chocolate bunny.  Which made me think of how people like to start by breaking off the head or ear, of those chocolate bunnies at easter, to nibble on.  Maybe I should name it Nibbles.  

This is the last of my long posts about my first craft fair.  I am sure I will alway remember it. 

My F.C.F.- Part three: Day two and more(3 of 4)

~~

I forgot to mention that the last item I sold on day one was a Jack.

~~

There were so many more things that happened on the second day.  The first day was open to shoppers for four hours.  The second was ten hours of shopping time.  I did think ten hours sounded like a long time.  But until that day progressed I did not realize how long it really could be.

Kent and I

Black Cat in London

My hat will be visiting London!  I find this to be quite amazing.  A young lady came to my pond looking for something warm to wear for a London trip. She decided on a black cat with ear flaps.   If you are out there reading this, could you please send me picture of yourself in London with your Little frog hat?  Have a safe and fun trip!!

Friends and Family- Thank you for all your support and encouragement.

Me(San) on Day one

Days 1-3

Matt and Dean were in booth 221 selling their merchandise.  Matt sells DVDs, games, game accessories, etc.  Dean has cards and other collectables.

Diana came by all three days to keep me company in my booth so I would not be alone.  She brought her son Sean on day two.  He was helpful in modeling my hats for those people that were not sure about a child's hat size.  Sean is almost five but I think his head is on the larger side.

Kent was at the fair for the majority of the time.  On Friday I sent him to pick up my camera and a couple thing I had forgotten.  Saturday was the e-waste recycle at UHM campus.  Where he was able to safely dispose of a computer monitor and a few old UPSs.  I am not sure if he had an okay time or not.  I appreciate his support in my venture.  He helped keep my tables in order.  He also sold one hat on the last day, while I was walking around looking at the other booths. 

Day 2

Jon came for a short bit.

Val stopped in for a chat and she did some shopping.

Kent's parents came by and insisted on paying for a hat. (frown)  I hope Kent's niece enjoys the frog hat.

Last visitor on Saturday was Mom.  He snuck in to the craft fair.  The picture above of Kent and I was taken by Mom with his phone's camera. (There is no 'mom' in his name, Mom is just a nickname that I gave him.)

~~

Second to last hat sold for day two was a Jack!

~~

Day 3

We saw Mark, Erica and Allen(I think that is his name, Mark's roommate) walking around the craft fair.  They probably came to visit Matt.  Mark was wearing one of Matt's badges.  They were in their nursing scrubs so maybe they were on their way to work.

Gina(Dean's wife) came to look at my booth.  The night before at dinner she was asking me about the craft fair.  She thought I was sharing a booth with Matt and Dean.  When I told her I had my own booth she was surprised because she had walked around and had not seen me.

Roni and wife(Kim) showed up while I was taking an order so they came a back few minutes later.  Another Little frog- frog owner!  Kim ordered a frog.

~~

No Jack was sold on Day 3.  But I think that was okay since the Jack original owner came by.

~~

 

My F.C.F.- Part two: The Booth and First day(2 of 4)

I would like to start the day out by thanking everyone that has become a Little frog hat owner, as well as the soon to be owners.  I am working on completing those hats as soon as possible. 

The Pond

The Booth

I had no idea of how long it would take me to set up so I arrived around 3:00 pm.  Set up time started at noon, but I was still sewing and running around preparing for the show.  I think it took me less than 30 minutes to do my table set up.  So I sat there till 5:00 pm (when the show started) sewing bunny ears.

I really wanted to have a bright light green table cover,  but as life is you do not always get what you want.  The fabric store did not have enough of the light green for me to cover two tables.  So I went with a light blue.  The length was about four yards short of what I would have liked. Which made me decide to also get the dark green.   It took me about half the day to make my table covers and pads.  And in the end it all came together,  because I think I created something that I liked more.  I got a pond like effect.  My hats sit on green lily pads on a pool of blue.

First Day

The first hat to sell was a black cat.  I really should have gotten a picture.  I wished I has taken pictures of the people buying hats or asked people to send in pictures.  This is something I will do for the next fair I am at.

Another person that made an impression on me was a nurse that bought a pink cat hat.  She told me about her costume she wore last year.  She had seen a T-shirt at the San Deigo Zoo of a Zebra painting all the animals with black and white stripes.  But the Giraffe was too tall to have his neck and head painted.  So she had on her scrub as her shirt and wore a giraffe head, with a zebra striped skirt and black leggings.  I wish I could have seen it.

What I enjoyed the most is how my booth made people smile, laugh,  or chuckle.  Some people as they walked by and smiled said 'cute.'  

I think I need to make a new sign,  since many of the people seemed surprised when I said I sew all of the hats myself.  Yes, it is a bit crazy that I sew so much. 

My First Craft Fair- Part one(1 of 4)

San's Little Frog

Here I am at my first craft fair.  Kent took this picture right after I set my tables up. I am going to blog about the craft fair over the next few days because today was the last day of three, and I am sooooooo tired. I think it was more than twenty- three hours of craft fair in the last three days.

I had funny watching the people walk by and smile, point, or tap a friend.  I also met some really nice people.  Some friends also came by to see my booth.  Tomorrow I will write more about it. 

 

Spots, spots and more spots.

On one of my trips to the fabric store I saw red and was inspired.  Well... my original idea has not materialized yet.  Instead I ended up with this~

Lady bug

The spots nearly drove me insane.  I did twenty hats with six spots on each hat.  Yes... that was 120 spots.  I am not sure what I was thinking when I cut those out to sew on to the hats.  The Lady bug hats turned out okay.  It does not photograph as well as I would like it to.  

~Visiting two more Ponds~

Aliiolani Elementary

  December 6 Saturday 9am- 2:30pm 

Aiea Elementary

  November 15 Saturday 9am- 2:30pm

Jumping in.

So you could say I will be going for a swim soon.  I have signed up to be at two different Season's Best Craft & Gift Fairs.  The first one on October 24, 25 and 26.  This will be at the Neal Blaisdell Center.  The second is at Aliiolani Elementary on November 8.  I plan to sign up for a couple more craft fairs, hopefully soon.

Neal Blaisdell Center 

October 24 Friday 5pm- 9pm

25 Saturday 9am- 7pm

26 Sunday 9am- 4pm

Aliiolani Elementary

November 8 Saturday 9am- 2:30pm