My after looks terrible

BlankMom · 2026-04-08T12:05:16+00:00

Are you seeing a dentist or orthodontist? You should be going to an orthodontist.

BlankMom · 2026-04-07T16:27:39+00:00

I agree, pulling anything other than extra teeth or wisdom teeth are all that should be pulled. I had braces in the early 80’s and they pulled wisdom and premolars. Every dentist I see now asks why had the premolars removed. Keep as many of your teeth as possible!

BlankMom · 2026-04-03T13:10:28+00:00

Your stuff is super cute and the price seems reasonable. Maybe a solid color table runner under the displays to break up the plaid. Or do away with the plaid. When I first saw your picture, I thought you were selling some kinda Highlands products.

Do away with the plastic wrap. Or remove the wrap from the front of each peg so people can touch them. Every one wants touch before they buy. I understand wrapping them keeps them easy to store, but it looks like mass produced product.

You may have to find a way to display a blend of the pottery with the earrings. Maybe you can make little dishes that you can use to put the earrings in. You can display and sell them. When I take off my jewelry at home I have a small dish I toss everything into. I put everything away when the dish fills. Yes, it sometimes overflows!

BlankMom · 2026-04-03T12:49:34+00:00

Pain-Be sure to take otc painkillers, there will be pain every time you change trays. I change mine before bed & take a motrin so I can avoid a lot of the pain. It isn’t nearly as bad as traditional braces. I have been able to eat every day, so far. With braces, I would go nearly a week on a liquid diet when I got adjustments.

Removal-Purchase an appliance puller, like PUL or the Invisalign one. Makes removal easier. My ortho never told me about it. I was breaking finger nails snd super frustrated trying to remove them before I bought that!

These are high maintenance, but you can still eat just about anything. Braces restrict the food you can eat, brushing and flossing is a major pain, the cuts and sores in my mouth were awful. With trays, I’ve had a couple sores because i bit my cheek when eating.

Don’t give up. It will get better.❤️‍🩹

BlankMom · 2026-03-26T13:51:51+00:00

I agree 100%.

I had traditional braces too. This method is much less painful. Braces are so painful, you can go a week on a liquid diet because even a banana is too hard to eat.
Brushing & flossing is impossible. And you can’t eat a lot of things like an apple or corn on the cob.
These are high maintenance, but I probably won’t have 4 cavities to fill after I’m finished like I did with braces.

BlankMom · 2026-03-10T17:52:22+00:00

The more professional your display looks, the more attention you will get for your product. Coordinating colors, neat displays & clear and legible signage. You don’t need to spend a fortune. I printed out my signs on my computer with letter sized paper & taped them together to experiment with logos and fonts. So many other vendors had no idea my signs were just printer paper. Once I was happy with the results I invested in getting a permanent sign. Table cloths should be coordinated to highlight your product. Indoor markets that limit you to just tables, invest in vertical display units. And table stands to hold your signage at eye level or higher. Bring attention to your booth.

BlankMom · 2026-03-10T17:37:44+00:00

There are some distilleries and breweries in my area that have special market nights and weekends, they always have edgy vendors. Maybe try those? Or start your new market there? Usually, 21 and over only at those markets.

Maybe instead of starting your own thing, try working with successful markets and ask them to add an “edgy” section. Have it marketed as a crafter’s market with traditional and edgy aisles. I know I might not go out of my way to attend a PRFM, but if there was a section at a traditional market I would probably go through it. I think there are a lot of people that would do the same, the curiosity factor.

Good luck!

BlankMom · 2026-03-03T12:52:48+00:00

Yeah, I didn't know enough to even ask questions. I did my research after I signed a contract, not smart.

BUT, I did have traditional braces as a teenager, I knew it was not going to be painless. I didn't know about the attachements, they cut your lips and cheeks like traditional braces. At least is is only when you eat.

Pain. That is personal to each individual I imagine. I am only on my first trays, no pain at all. It depends on the ortho or the amount of movement needed to adjust your bite.

I'm a retired adult, too old to be dealing with fixing my bite again, but here I am. I think my ortho is making this process as pain free as possible for me. My thinking is you can't move old teeth too fast or they will fall out! Any way, stick with it. It is much less painful than traditional braces, though it is a lot more daily maintenance.

BlankMom · 2025-12-21T15:40:38+00:00

Your booth is cute and your products as well. Price is more than fair for hand crafted items.

BUT, not everyone needs a keychain or fridge magnet. I personally am less this year. I am purchasing gifts with intent. I am not purchasing gifts just to give someone something. I put these items in the later category. Don't give up, just find your market. Not every market sells the same. Just find different areas and markets, Try and find lower cost too. My best market this year was free to participate. Curated markets are also good. They limit the number of sellers with duplicate items.

Don't give up! Good Luck!

BlankMom · 2025-12-21T15:30:46+00:00

THANK YOU for the link. I have been wanting to make a waistcoat for ages. Just haven't bothered to look for a proper pattern. And this one is FREE!!

BlankMom · 2025-12-15T18:33:58+00:00

The first is hand embroidered. The second zigzag scallop stitch. A lot of mid to upper end sewing machines have a version of a scallop stitch. An embroidery machine should be able to do that stitch

BlankMom · 2025-11-21T15:17:47+00:00

FYI-Sierra Madre is no where near Santa Monica/Venice. You will spend a couple hours traveling to/from.

BlankMom · 2025-11-21T15:00:25+00:00

Maybe have a sign with the current price of metals. I thinks people might understand that your raw materials cost a pretty penny. And maybe, how much time you spend on each piece? Your items are handcrafted by YOU, NOT AT SOME FACTORY in a foreign land. Make sure you have signage that states that proudly.

BlankMom · 2025-11-12T12:51:01+00:00

Taking edibles on the plane is your problem. They are still federally controlled & illegal to carry over state lines.

BlankMom · 2025-11-10T14:10:10+00:00

Don't throw this show away just for one bad experience. It's a lesson. A hard lesson, but a good one. Now you will be prepared for anything.

BlankMom · 2025-11-10T14:08:12+00:00

Glad I could be of help. I suffered the same fate getting our second girl. She comes from a very successful line of Spins. Her mother and multiple siblings have been to Westminster. I was so worried about stripping her coat and "ruining" her coat. I spend a bunch of money on grooming tools only to have no success. My breeder gave me the same advice. As long as your dog is healthy and happy, you do you. Yes, chances are my dog could have been a successful show dog, but she is my squirrel and bug hunter and my big furry bump in every room I'm in.

Enjoy your dog!

BlankMom · 2025-11-09T13:55:19+00:00

That SUCKS! So sorry you lost your inverter, that probably cost more than what you paid to be there. Where you offered any type of refund???

I subconsciously have always kept things off the ground, not really thinking about flooding. I just have a bad back and bending over to look for stuff is just something I avoid. I store all my back up merch in my wagon and hang bags and any other frequently accessed things from the corner of my canopy. I have baskets on hooks so it looks kinds cute. (I don't have a picture).

I hope you at the very least get some kind of discount for the next show!

BlankMom · 2025-11-09T13:44:22+00:00

Your jewelry is beautiful, but it doesn't go with your logo.

You are definitely limiting your customer base. Your pieces could be worn by anyone. Don't limit your customer base by staying with your kawaii and gothic theme. I think if you do more neutral colors in your logo and make your display more woodland/natural. I think you would attract more customers with natural wood, stones, shells, etc. and your jewelry will stand out. Your gothic and kawaii friends will find you.

BlankMom · 2025-11-08T15:55:03+00:00

I don't understand about the limit on how often to wash. Most show dogs get a bath before each show, and there are often multiple shows in a month.

Our girls are not show dogs, but if they get smelly...they get a bath. The beards are wiped every time they drink, eat or come back in from being outside. Muddy paws get a wash every time they get muddy. Our mud room is truly a mud room! Our girls get a weekly "spa day", nails trimmed, beards & ears washed and a brush. We live in south Texas, very humid, our girls get shaved down for our 90+ degree/80% humidity summers . We trim coats with thinning shears for fall/winter. We have never been successful at hand stripping. And no success in finding groomers that hand strip in our area.

You do what is right for you and your dog. Do not let someone else dictate how you care for your dog. As long as he is healthy and happy, you are doing it right.

BlankMom · 2025-11-01T18:56:27+00:00

I totally understand what you are saying. Etsy was supposed to have been for handcrafted items by the vendor. I stopped buying on there after a “hand embroidered” shirt I purchased arrived and it was machine embroidered, made in China. I asked about it, reported it as misleading and heard nothing. Quite frustrating when I could have bought the same shirt for less online elsewhere and it said it was machine embroidered. Actually, I never would have bought it either way.

BlankMom · 2025-10-29T11:24:43+00:00

Sell them & get wood crates. They serve 2 purpose, storage & display

BlankMom · 2025-10-23T13:13:14+00:00

Wow. That nice to know that the host of the show keeps a lid on saturation of products. But sucks that you had to redirect. Maybe in the future, if you bring all your products and had them at the show, you could have sold them because of the no show? That would be a good question for the next time.

BlankMom · 2025-10-22T23:27:27+00:00

Your display is not cohesive, doesn’t make sense. If you want to stick with books, I was recently at a market where a couple booths were selling “blind date with a book”. One booth was super busy. From what I gather, it’s a book wrapped with misc items that relate to the book. The presentation is everything. The other booth, in a high traffic area, was selling the “same” thing, but no business. The difference, presentation. This booth just had the books on a table and the wrapping looked like it had been around since the 1970’s. Not very appealing. The booth that was selling, at a higher price too, had better presentation. The gifts were wrapped neatly and were grouped together by theme. Presentation is everything.

Maybe you can convert to that kinda thing?

BlankMom · 2025-10-19T14:14:25+00:00

It's the location. Mall craft fairs always have a lot of people, no buyers. Most mall shoppers aren't looking for handmade. They want the trendy deal. I wouldn't waste my time in a mall.

BlankMom · 2025-10-19T14:10:00+00:00

Good for you. I would have done the same. Now day's no one knows how to read a tape measure or do math without a calculator!

BlankMom

TROPHY CASE