Getting My Head Together.

In a previous post I discussed the need to develope your stall display each time you do a event or at least as you go along, to keep it interesting for both yourself and the customers.

Today I have a project to share which I have been meaning to do for some time. When I first started making shower hats I needed something to display and photograph them on so I picked up the cheapest polystyrene head I could. I got mine from Myers in Glasgow who represent Retif. (they also sell poly torso’s, hands etc for display)

 

 This head was very cheap – and looks it. It is also a bit lightweight so easy to knock over, easy to dent and very smooth,  so difficult to get the hats to stay on properly. I don’t know where I saw it but I saw a mannequin torso covered in different fabrics and thought that the same idea might be applied to my display head to make it more interesting. I had an old calendar (I usually make thank you cards and gift tags from my old calendars) that was perfect for the job so I got to work.

I tore the images into smallish strips of paper and got to sticking……..

It is best to put the PVA glue (any other type of glue will not work) onto the polystyrene neat and to have some glue in a pot slightly watered down (not too watered down or it will soak the paper and make it tear) to fix the paper. Also before you start sticking you should test the paper for colourfastness or it could get very messy. Then all you have to do is work your way around the head until it is covered and voila…..

 

one Brocante-style head! My head is now heavier, non-slip and less liable to denting. The paper and glue give a really nice finish and it is now easy to keep the hat on the head - it looks pretty too! All it cost was the price of the head (roughly £6) and £1.99 for a bottle of PVA. It is a great way of recycling bits of fabric, old magazines, maps, calendars etc and gives you something unique for your display.

After covering my head I still had some pages of the calendar left and as I already have loads of tags from last years calendar recycling I decided the images would make great mirrors – yes mirror mania strikes again!

Here are a selection that I made up…

 

I always have 2 calendars each year – one for social events and one for work so instead of making yet more gift tags from the second calendar I made some lovely abstract mirror sets.

Both these mirror sets and others are now available in my shop.

I did two events over the weekend and the mirrors were quite popular and a welcome addition to my product range. I think they will come into their own at xmas as they are ideal stocking fillers.

I am feeling very positive after 2 days of craft fairs that although not hugely lucrative were highly enjoyable. I met some more lovely crafters and bought some fab baby gifts for my friends' wee girl who I will be visiting for the first time this week! I have also been commissioned to make a handbag for one of the stallholders I met yesterday which I am looking forward to making. Blogs on both to follow this week!

I have decided to spread the mirror love and give these four sets of one mirror with six gift tags (image below) to the first four people who leave a comment on this post.

What the hell - It brightens up a dull March day!

 

Comments

[Cissie]

What a smashing idea. I have just bought a torso from Ardingly for the shop i haven't even got yet! I can see a little tear and paste will improve it no end. Peacock feathers I think would look great.

[Pebbledash]

Lovely to see you back, and with such energy and optimism too, along with some great ideas!
Diana x

[Bella Bheag]

Wow - very generous! Do I qualify (jacket episode permitting!)? Having seen these lovelies in the flesh I'd say they will start flying off your table once word gets around.

Good to see your regular blogs are back - colourful and nice images too. xx

[Karen]

Yes, it is lovely to see you back here, and full of vim and vigour, too!
I wonder if I would qualify - especially as I havne't yet taught you to knit?!
Thank you for the brilliant ideas, too.
Karen x

[Wee Quilter]

I would love to win these, Saw the beauties at the craft fair on Sunday they are fantastic.