hello, 2010...

for those of you who haven't lost interest yet and are still checking in, i thought i would drop in and leave a quick post to get you all up to speed on what's been going on for The Crepe Confectionary...

christmas sure came on like a freight train, didn't it? it seems like just a few weeks ago i was still raking leaves and carving pumpkins, enjoying the final sunny days of our indian summer. i started the noel season with a ton of ideas for products and projects for the shop, but found that there just wasn't enough time available for a prolonged 'exploratory' process when it came to designing new pieces. therefore, i found it necessary to organize my christmas line so that i had a handful of pieces varying in size, detail, and price point. i made certain that i had a small items, such as ornaments that could be used for display on the tree or as extras on gifts. there were also some midsize pieces, such as fancy word banners and tussie mussies. i even designed and handcrafted my own version of the Eiffel Tower, bathed in glitter and adorned with a crepe rosette. in fact, many of the pieces in my christmas 2009 line were french-inspired, and if you're at all interested, you can still view them in the shop to your right. and then finally on the more involved, and therefore more expensive, end of the line, i crafted some larger, vintage inspired "Putz" style christmas village houses. there were snowy little cottages atop boxes covered in vintage sheet music, as well as larger scale glittered houses and a chapel complete with their own charming little scenes.

the christmas season was also remarkable for The Crepe Confectionary because it participated in its first exhibition/show. while the show was by no means a large scale, full fledged craft festival, it did provide me with an invaluable first time experience as i begin this journey into the craft fair world. the buffalo indie market (buffaloindiemarket.com) is a monthly gathering of local artisans and vendors in a relaxed, casual atmosphere (a brewery, actually). one saturday a month, buffalonians can shop the wares of smaller, independent artisans while sipping alcohol. this, in my humble opinion, is just pure genius. participating was definitely a stress i did not count on for the christmas season, but i am thrilled that i was given the opportunity to set up shop and put myself and my little confections out into the world amongst such talented and wonderful people. it really gave me a sense of community and belonging to something bigger, and i think as an independent business owner/artisan, that is so very necessary. sometimes whiling away in the studio can get lonely, and just plain isolating...

and so, i will try to pick up where i left off...i have a ton of resolutions for the new year, both for myself personally, as well as for my business. i strive to develop a solid business plan...research and apply for grants...establish and stick to a more sensible work routine...refine my packaging...design my show space/experience...and finally, participate in at least five craft shows this year.

tall order? probably, but i think its doable. and really, its necessary. if i am earnest about pursuing this ambition of mine, i need to treat it with all seriousness. so in this coming year, i need to determine if -- and just how -- viable The Crepe Confectionary is...i need to know if i can support myself, at least at some point in the near furture. that, my friends, is my measure of success...