My First Craft Show!

Last weekend I participated in Innov8ive Knit's very first craft show and man was it something else! I learned a lot, met several people (maybe even you!), and had a good time even thought it was burning up hot hot hot. If you weren't able to come visit here's what it looked like!

Here's some brand new product that hasn't been put up in the store yet! Baby sandals! Keep on the lookout for these coming up soon :)

Here's the big news!

Little sneak peek of how my booth may look.

So this year as many of you know I've set out some goals to accomplish as a new business. One of those goals was to attend at least one craft show this year. 


I've already announced that I am proud to say I'm on my way to that goal and will be attending the Blessing of the Fleet show on May 5 & 6th. Holy moly that's 2 weeks from today!!! You can find info about the show HERE.

Another great piece of information that I've been dying to share is that Innov8ive Knits has been accepted to a 2nd craft show... Drumroll please: The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival!!! This is a juried show and I worked super hard on my application for this one. I must admit I was very intimidated by trying to get in BUT I did and I couldn't be more excited! This is a really fun show in Foley, Alabama with lots of beautiful hot air balloon flights in a lovely part of town. You can find more information about this show: HERE.




I am so thrilled to share and know that I have gone above and beyond my goal this year as far as shows go. Now the really hard work begins. Both of these shows are right around the corner so now it's time to knit through all hours of the night and prepare my booth for all of you to see!!! I can't wait to get the chance to finally meet a lot of my customers in person and get to interact face to face with you. When it gets closer to time, if I know exactly where my booths will be I will let you know. I'd love to see you there at either or both so don't hesitate to come and stop by. I'll be handing out some goodies for those of you who do :)

New Items Galore!

This week I've been working super hard on busting out new product to making it available to you in the store and for some hopeful craft shows. Hand knitting is such a time consuming craft, I've struggled a lot with having a small amount of product because it simply takes so long to make and by the time I finish it, it gets sold! Which is great BUT people who don't know me and see my store can find it as empty. I could just list stuff I have made before and list it as "made to order" like many sellers  to fill my store but I am an impulse buyer and when I want something I want it now. I think a lot of you are like that too and will appreciate the fact that all of my items are made and ready to ship. 


Not only do I want to offer you guys lots of product with lots of colors and sizes - I want to be able to bring that same factor to the table at shows. No one wants to see a naked craft booth! This week I have released 2 new items into the store which is a huge deal for me because that's the most I have been able to create, photograph, and list in that amount of time and am very excited to be able to share it with all of you since I've opened the store. 


Here's my newest 2 items:

Above is my newest knitted necklace. This is made of 100% cotton so although it has lots of layers it is comfortable and able to be worn in any climate. I did this shoot just yesterday in the hot Alabama sun and I didn't feel hot or sweaty at any point. This has the feel of any necklace and I love the way these necklaces look on any outfit. It's a great statement piece. You can find it in my store: HERE

I plan on making several more of these, (currently working on a vibrant blue) especially during the warmer months in LOTS of fun colors. I am even planning on doing strands on different colors for some added fun. If there is a color that you specifically would like to see, let me know and I will add it to my color palette!

Above is another dino-hawk hat! The first one I made for the store was sized for toddlers to children. This particular one is sized for newborns to infants. I think these are just too precious for little boys. Part dinosaur, part mohawk it brings out a fun edge to them that I think is very fitting. The great thing about almost all of my products for kids is that I choose a non-itchy yarn that is MACHINE WASHABLE. You're welcome moms :). I think it's so important to have things that are easy to care for. Who wants more work for a great handmade look when you don't have to. You can find this listing in my store: HERE

I am more than pleased to announce all this new product and am glad to say this is just the beginning of a lot more to come. I am on the hot knitting train and will hopefully be pushing out at least 1 item a week to every other week. I hope all of you guys are enjoying them and hope to see you around in my STORE :)

The Worst Mistake is Being Too Afraid to Make One

OK so now I'm going to spill some of the beans and let you guys in on a little secret of excitement I mentioned this morning on FB. 


As many of you know I recently took a webinar by the wonderful Michelle Ward - the When I Grow Up Coach about my Effective Escape (AKA effectively preparing to leave the lifestyle I have now to follow my real dreams of running Innov8ive Knits full time). Having a solid plan gave me some serious courage! The courage to do a lot of things I would have never imagined I could do!


One of the things I've recently gotten the juice to do is spread the Innov8ive Knits love BEYOND Etsy. I am officially starting to apply for local craft shows right here in southern Alabama!!! A goal of mine this year is to participate in at LEAST one craft/art fair although 2-3 would be even better. It all depends on how the cookie crumbles, and who accepts my applications. I've never done one before and am filled with enthusiasm (and a healthy helping of fear to be honest) about it!

Little Chunk of My Application

 To subdue the fears I will say that my Etsy community and close friends have been beyond words helpful and encouraging about it. More so than I ever expected and it has given me the much appreciated ammo that I needed to go through with it. No one likes being told "No" which is definitely a possibility, but "the worst mistake is being too afraid to make one" (That's not my quote BTW I found it floating around online so I'm officially not taking credit for it LOL) and I'm not going to let that hold me and my blossoming business back. 


I'm cramming for application deadlines as I type because the season is fast approaching. And if accepted (fingers mucho crossed) I'll have to start knitting in my sleep in addition of just before I go to work, when I get off, on my lunch break, and in my car before work starts haha! I'm not announcing which ones I'm applying for yet because I have a couple on the table but I will of course make a humongo announcement if/when I get accepted. I'd love the chance to really put my stuff out there here locally where people can see & touch my hard work; meet customers face to face; and get some real time feedback.


Well there she is- my special surprise. The possibility of great new things, a leap of faith, and hopes that I hear back from good prospects. Here's to sucking it up and going for the gold! Keep your prayers, hopes, wishes, and all other good juju flowing my way through this new adventure. There's so much to learn and so much work to be done if it's going to be a success! On that note I better get to it! ;-)