Tippies & trickies: market place know how

So last weekend I did my third etsy marketplace. It was a two day event and it was the best so far! 

I thought for this post I would give you tips and tricks into how to set up & decorate your booth... I only wish I had read something like this when I was first starting out! Instead I had tablecloths made out of bed sheets and burlap! (Because, you know, burlap will cover multitude of sins) Oy vey! My problem the first year was that I sweat the small stuff. But I wasn't detailed. I didn't have a plan. And I was unorganized. Fortunately for me, the first time I made a good size profit. But the second time I did it, I made just enough to cover the booth rental. Not good! The second time, my booth was so chaotic, I'm surprised people actually came into my booth! It was like something blew up! Terrible merchandising! I was so focused on making a profit, I wasn't thinking of the customer.  I had bits and bobs but I didn't have the whole picture. But I needed to think LIKE the customer. I had to look at it through a different perspective.

And one of my favorite things to do is, when I'm out shopping, I like to look at anthropologie's, madewell's, small boutiques that I love the decor of, take not and added it to my to-do and possibly make something like it for a display. 

When I'm shopping I like the racks to be neat and orderly. Not a chaotic explosion happening. I also like there to be a flow and a calm color palette! 

I'm also intrigued with how other vendors decorate their booths. So I keep an eye out for that too!

This time around, I put some thought into it! (And money) which definitely helps! 

But if you're on a budget, which I was too, don't get me wrong, I would invest in some of these things...

-Table cloths. Worth every penny! And those pennies weren't too pretty either, for 2 tablecloths that I can use over & over again only set me back $30! (That was with shipping included!)  www.tableclothsfactory.com

-Banner with your business name on it. I actually had a chalkboard made for me. But you need something that greets your customers and onlookers and shows them who you are. But, I suggest you, A. Make a banner yourself B. get one off of vistaprint or C. Do what I did and invest in something you'll use again, whether it be a chalkboard, dry erase board, etc.

-Chairs.  Chairs for you to sit on. I actually re-upholstered those ugly padded folding chairs, but you're more than welcome to use any chair. But you need a chair or two, to rest. Because most likely you'll be standing a long time on concrete flooring if you don't bring a chair... Ouch! 

-Business cards. Best investment ever! For the customers you have and for the onlookers that say they'll be back. It's always nice to send them with your info in tow. Just in case... They don't make it back to your booth. I get mine from www.vistaprint.com 

-Well made displays & accessories for those displays. So so important! I bought pegboard, then I had a large frame that I inherited from my grandpa, then I let my ever so clever brother in law, put it together for me and I bought the pegboard hangers, and that was probably one of the best ideas I've ever had! And my lovely friend Mary let me borrow her easel! Perfect! Also it's nice to have the perfect packaging. I ordered a stamp online that had my business name on it, then I used that for all of my packaging. So streamlined, organized & adorable.

Also, befriend your booth neighbors. They'll help you the most throughout the weekend! And also have friendly people working at your booth. Everybody likes a friendly face! And when you need to go potty the other person can watch your booth and vice versa...

I will say this, let Home Depot & hobby lobby be your friends. It'll help. Also think over the details. And imagine what you want your booth to look like and draw it out. Have a sketch of how you want you tables to be set up, where you want your displays to go and what not...

If you haven't noticed, I wanted my booth to have a touch of rustic, anthro vibe to it! And I definitely achieved it!

Oh and and I'd say, depending on how big your booth is, you should have 2-4 people help with set up & tear-down. It was perfection who helped me. 

If you have any questions, you know where to find me! Just comment below or email me: maudecclothing@gmail.com : )

-Ryn

Soul searcher: my life in the last 7 days...

I've had a whirlwind of a week! Like you don't even know! It was interesting...which you'll find out why I didn't post my Wednesday blogpost...

Last Monday: I woke feeling crappy. I had sore-ish throat. Needed to take it easy yet work on things for my upcoming show that next weekend. I was also co-babysitting my baby niece who is just the cutest! Then my friend Jenny came over to help me package my jewels. What a blessing. Then when she left I became very overwhelmed and had anxiety get the best of me. Cried to my mom (more like sobbed) and then went to bed.

Tuesday: Before bed I had planned to sleep in a bit. Since I was babysitting my niece, I couldn't sleep in much later. So that morning my sister barges into my room and yells at me "GET UP, MOM'S HAVING A STROKE! Not a very fun way to wake up from deep sleep. Well, I screamed and scrambled out of bed. And started praying in tongues from the get go! I reach the living room and I look at my mom and she's mumbling and her face had fallen and her arm isn't working properly. All true signs of a stroke. My sister's on the phone with 911, saying yes to EMTs coming. Then after a few minutes, she comes out of it. Heather cancels the EMTS. Well, you can't just cancel the EMTs without a follow up from the sheriff, so the sheriff comes out and starts talking with her. Then it happens again. This time the sheriff calls in the EMTs. I'm sent to my room with my niece and the dog and I get ahold of my pastors and we pray. The EMTs take her away. My brother in law takes my niece and I hurridly get ready. We then drive to the hospital about 25min away... Then she was admitted to the hospital.

She wanted me to stay that night, but I wasn't feeling well  and hospitals are the dirtiest place and I needed to finish a few things. So opted out of it. But I stayed til 10:30 or 11:00.. 

Wednesday: I go to bed around 3:30... Then I wake up sobbing. Uncontrollably sobbing! I text my sister, dy, and text with her awhile. Then heather was picking me up later, but I asked her if she could come earlier. She could and she's now on her way. Then she gets here. We play with Emma for a bit then I get ready. Feeling exhausted and asked if I could take a short nap before going to the hospital. And so I get into bed, but SLEEP. Whether it was only 45 minutes or 9hrs, it felt heavenly! That whole day was a teary eyed day! I also I brought work with me to keep my mind occupied.    I stayed at the hospital till 12am Or 1am.

Thursday: I head to the hospital. She had and MRI yesterday. The doctor comes in, and tells her that indeed she had on e stroke. but he also said that it was the perfect stroke. She walked away practically unharmed. She's getting discharged today! Yay! We leave the hospital around 2:00 ish. Then we come home. I finish what I need to get done. And freak out a little! My friend Hannah comes to the rescue!

Friday: Funkyfinds set-up day! Heather comes to the house with the truck. We load up and head down to the poultry barn at will rogers in Fort Worth. Then my other sister, Camille, picks coffee up and cookies and meets us there! What a godsend! We set up and we came back to the house. 

Saturday: I get up pretty early, Hannah is picking me up with time to go to Starbucks! The we head to my booth at funky finds! We sell sell sell and then heather gets there and takes over Hannah's post. Then we sell more! 

And then we go home.

Sunday: my dad takes me down to the poultry barn. My friend joy helps out that day. We sell even more! Hallelujah! And then afterwards we tear down! 

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday: it's a combination of uploading things on etsy, taking care of my mom and resting.

So there ya have it! It was a very busy week! And it was also a great weekend! 

The devil tried to steal & destroy that week from me! But with Gods grace and protection we survived and thrived! And we are continuing to, too!

 If you've been walking in weeks like this, I suggest you lean on to God and he'll give you the desires of your heart. He'll restore your soul if you let him. 

I may have left out a few details from that week but you get the gist of it! 

If you can, would you keep my mom in your prayers? Please & Thank-you!

-Ryn

Thankful Thursdays: schedules

I'm thankful that my schedule will be back to normal soon! I'm sorry y'all! It's been crazy busy! Also it's harder than I thought to add another day of blogging to the mix! But I have enjoyed it! 

But for the past 2 days, my days have consisted of this wittle face!

Which isn't a bad thing at all! 

She is so precious! I'm also thankful she doesn't burst into tears when she sees me anymore! Thank the Lord! 

And then I've filled my days with preparing for Funkyfinds next week!! And then I will also be adding items to my etsy shop soon too, so those of you who will not be coming to Funkyfinds can still purchase some incredible items for you & loved ones. I'll also try and post pics of the booth!

Also, I've been celebrating my friend for 16 years (time flies) as she gets married TOMORROW! wow just wow! I'm so thrilled for her and husband to be! 

So hopefully by next week I will be back on a schedule! And by the next week I should have a new DIY for ya! 

Love y'all! - Ryn

Beauty Find: current favorites

Here are a few of my favorites right now... 

Some I've had for awhile and others, I've only had a short bit. But all of them I currently liking...a lot! I have kind of categorized each product. Let me know if you have used any of these products, I'd love to know your opinion on them too. 

Hair:

I first heard about this hairbrush from Zoe from her YouTube channel Zoella. Then I saw it in ulta, and knew I wanted to try it, but didn't get it. Then I was in there again, and decided to buy it. Glad I did! It's great! So soft & so gentle! And it does what it says with the pamphlet it comes with, which states: promotes healthy looking hair by noticeably increasing shine, leaving it looking silky smooth after styling.  I would recommend it to anyone, it's that good! 

This stuff is so awesome smelling! Mmm, it smells floral-y/fruity, but it smells really good! And it gives my hair an extra oomph. My hair can last about 3 days of no washing, it was only doing 2, until I used this stuff! But this stuff costs $18.98! Eek! But it's really good!

Make-up:

This is one of my neccessities for leaving the house! I try to never leave without my bold brow! This is great! And the price tag is only $3.00! Ya can't beat that by much less! But it lasts all day, it doesn't smudge and it gives me the look I want!

I just bought this mascara and I must say it's amazing! And it doesn't have any of the harmful things that normal mascaras have in them. It's a vacation for my eyelashes! The formula is so soft, it doesn't flake & it's so easy to wash off! But even though it's healthier, it's still voluminzing and lengthening! Amazing product! It will set you back about $30. But hopefully it will last a long time.

This is my go-to shade for fall & winter! It's perfection. The perfect berry shade. 

All because a girl came into my booth last year at Funkyfinds with this shade on! I wouldn't have known about it if I hadn't of asked her what it was! Back to the color, it's such a deep color, but it's still soft enough for you to dab it on your fingers and rub it on your lips. 

These two NYX products are great. The wonder pencil is awesome for your lower lash line. It brightens it well. And the HD concealer is great for spot concealer & under the eye. It's a great pick-me-up eye concealer!

Last but not the very least, this blending sponge phenomenol! I really like sponges. I received this last Christmas and I thought I didn't have a use for it, but I finally figured out that I do and I've been using it non-stop! This is not the beauty blender. But I still like it!

Body:

I bought this last year and I really haven't used it much until recently. It's been great for my underarms. They have been a bit irritated with the other deodorant I've been using so I decided to try this again and so far my underarms feel great! It an awesome product!

Apps:

Two apps that I have been enjoying are: scrabble & kindle! It's nice to work out your brain! I recommend both apps! 

And there you have it! Hope you enjoyed it! Leave comment below, if you like any of the products or if you have any questions or statements! Love y'all! -Ryn

Soul Searcher: what's happenin'

So, for today's blog I wanted to show you a mini haul I purchased from oldnavy & beauty brands... But since I haven't received them yet, I'll have to do so next week! 

Also I have worked out 3 consecutive times this week! Yay! I have been rebounding, to cleanse the lymph and to condition my body! Super healthy! Unfortunately I haven't cut all refined sugars out of my diet yet... Still working on that one!  

Hmm what else... Oh I have been asked to do at least two events next year, so I'll have to fill you in on that at a later date! 😄

I am also going to be at Funky Finds Fort Worth, selling Maude C. Items November 9th & 10th!!! So if you can be there I would love see you and meet ya! 

I've been a busy beaver, because I have been producing new jewels and things, but also I have been packaging them also! Gosh I love it! It's so me yet so professional looking! 

See? It's awesome right?

Soon enough they'll be in stores! (Madewell & free people...among others!)

Also, next week, I'll be starting my #thankfulthursdays on ze blog & Instagram... So please stay tuned.

Another thing, I would like to see what y'all are wearing each week or day and I thought it would be fun if we uploaded pics to Instagram using the hashtag #sbrwhatwewore! This is so we can be encouraged & inspired and see what we are all wearing! My Instagram is: @RynB I'd love for the follows! Thanks y'all! Oh and guys are included! Hah! But please keep it modest! Thanks! : ) 

So that's definitely an update! I'll have a cute DIY for ya Friday & more thing thrown your way next week! 

Love ya! -Ryn