How to Set Up at a Vendor Event

It’s no secret that I’m passionate about not only DIY but Young Living essential oils too so when the opportunity came up to participate in a local women’s health fair, despite my introverted personality, I couldn’t wait to share my excitement, my story, my LOVE for essential oils with the public in the hopes of helping others. Pardon the cell phone pics…it was a busy day!

How to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

Because it’s my plan to participate in events as opportunities arise, I did invest some money into having materials I need to set up a table. Here’s what I did:

1. I’ve attended several vendor events in the past during my career in healthcare but never had to do so on my own dime. I found that most people pocket the freebies (pens, hand sanitizers, stress balls) but don’t really ‘use’ or even ‘look’ at the information on them. So, providing tchotchkes (small promotional items) isn’t necessary, especially when you’re a new business with a small budget with the potential to reach 100s of people. This event provided space and a table for free. Cost to participate was donation of a basket/prize for a Chinese auction to raise money for a local breast cancer support group. Easy enough and fun! I made up a basket using a fall centerpiece I created and a bottle of Nutmeg oil (great oil for fall!). I made up and printed a card about the benefits and uses of Nutmeg essential oil and tucked in a few Young Living brochures/handouts and my business card. 

fall centerpiece @diyshowoff #michaelsmakersHow to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

2. I purchased a promotional table cloth with the Young Living logo. Mine is eggplant with white lettering and a gold metallic leaf/oil drop. Not only does it give my table a professional edge at events but it’s been pretty for when I host essential oils classes/parties too. 

How to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

3. Backdrop display. I covered a tri-fold cardboard table top display with wrapping paper and gold DuckTape and washitape. I enlarged one of the handouts/graphic for a poster as a central focus point (by uploading the image to Staples’ Copy & Print center). The others I printed and laminated myself. I attached them using adhesive velcro so that I have the option to move things around and swap things out in the future. I also used a few extra large clothespins to display informational cards. I topped it off with a  DIY black/gold “essential oils” banner. 

How to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

3. Product. I displayed everything that comes with the Premium Starter Kit: 11 essential oils, my diffuser and literature. I also had the boxes of a few of the kits I had also ordered – Essence of the Season for Christmas and the Golden Touch kit for cold/flu season. I diffused clove + orange for a pretty fall scent. 

How to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoffHow to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

4. Scrapbook. I printed out several informational graphics and put them into a binder/scrapbook. (Great for referring to when answering questions! Good to have on hand for my own use too!)

How to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoffHow to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

5. Raffle. I doctored up a clearance sale wreath from Michaels, (see the Peppermint, Lavender and Thieves essential oils samples tucked in?), made up, printed and attached card about the benefits of those oils. I secured a brochure/business card to the back. I randomly chose a winner from the entries gathered from #6. 

How to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

6. A few inexpensive chalkboard easels. Use chalkboard markers (that won’t rub away easily). I wrote “Join our email list and be entered to win.”  In a word document, I created two columns with lines. One labeled “Name”. The other “Email”. I printed off a handful and attached them to a clipboard. I also let people entering know that I wouldn’t be giving out email addresses to third parties or flooding their inbox. I then sent the sign ups an email introducing more about myself, Young Living, my story, essential oils and information on my next class. 

How to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

7. I also had a giveaway for those who signed up “today” however, things move along so fast that I recommend to sticking to gathering contact info for invitations to future classes or to discuss/meet one-on-one. 

How to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

8. Engage. I stood in front of or to the side of my table, smiling. It took stepping outside of my comfort zone but I made eye contact with people passing by/browsing and asked “Are you familiar with essential oils?” It was a great opening for giving more information about Young Living, essential oils and sharing how my family uses them everyday (more info here). 

How to set up at a Young Living booth at vendor event @diyshowoff

vendor event ideas - young living essential oils @diyshowoff

What IS Young Living essential oil?

Young Living at diyshowoff.com

Good luck at your event! 

*This post contains a few affiliate links. 

Painted Storage Box Craft

Organizing the desk top / homework station for the back-to-school season? A small storage box keeps school and homework accessories within easy reach but not on display. 

painted box craft idea at diyshowoff.com

Materials:

painted box craft idea at diyshowoff.com

What to do:

Tape off a design using your FrogTape. Stripes, checkers, plaid, triangles. So many options!

painted box craft idea at diyshowoff.com

Using a credit card, gift card or just your own thumbnail, burnish the edges of the tape. Meaning: make sure the edges of FrogTape are good and stuck down with no gaps.

painted box craft idea at diyshowoff.com

Now the fun part: paint each section. YOU customize colors to coordinate with decor or season.

painted box craft idea at diyshowoff.com

While paint is still wet, carefully remove FrogTape. Then let the paint dry.

painted box craft idea at diyshowoff.com

Give it a quick light spray of lacquer and let dry.

painted box craft idea at diyshowoff.com

*Optional: embellish with washi-tape and decoupage, add a drawer knob, drawer pull or leather handle, adhere something from the junk drawer or little plastic animal using hot glue, add vinyl decals or stickers. Get creative! painted box craft idea at diyshowoff.compainted box craft idea at diyshowoff.com

Use as a pencil box, for keepsake treasures, to store note or recipe cards, for organizing an essential oils collection, to tuck on a bookcase filled with bookmakers and highlighters, to keep cords handy or for a unique way of wrapping gifts.

painted box craft idea at diyshowoff.com 

It’s perfect for storing 70 15ml Young Living essential oils (more if you’re mixing in 5 ml sizes). Great idea for incentives, prizes or gifts – and YOU customize it to coordinate with your home. 

Young Living essential oil storage box @diyshowoff

 

FrogTape Blog Squad

Disclaimer: I received compensation to complete this project for using FrogTape® products. All opinions, projects and ideas are based on my own experience.

7 Essential Oils for Sleep

Sleepy time! Do you love it as much as I do? I know I don’t want to be operating power tools with a foggy head from lack of sleep.  Not to mention, my family isn’t the most pleasant to be around when functioning on little sleep (me either for that matter). Know what I mean?

In our home: Someone has a bit of trouble falling asleep and when he does sleep, he sometimes snores. No sleep apnea. No medical conditions. Just out like a light when he finally gets there and sometimes, quite the disturbance. Me? I have a bit of trouble with turning my brain off at night so I read until I can’t keep my eyes open any longer. Then I sleep peacefully unless there’s a disturbance from the other side of the bed. 

Young Living sleepy time essential oils @diyshowoff #1836762

Here are the Young Living essential oils that have helped our family get a peaceful night’s rest:

  • Cedarwood – Cedarwood has a warm, balsamic, woody aroma. It is relaxing and soothing when used for massage, and has long been used as a beneficial ingredient in cosmetic preparations for oily skin. He says it doesn’t make him feel drowsy instantly but it does promote a restful night of sleep. He does not like the smell (I don’t mind it) but the odor doesn’t stay around long and it’s a small price to pay for a restful snooze. He simply rubs a drop onto the bottom of each foot.
  • Valerian – He adds a drop to a glass of milk. He does make a face and says it’s like a shot of what whiskey + milk would taste like but it makes him drowsy within a few minutes. It promotes a peaceful night’s sleep. He’s also added a drop to each foot but prefers the “shot” orally. This one smells stinky to me but again, not really a big deal. Valerian root has been used for thousands of years for its calming, grounding, and emotionally balancing influences. During the last three decades, it has been clinically investigated for its relaxing properties. Before we were introduced to Young Living essential oils, my husband occasionally took this in pill form as needed. 
  • Valor – Valor is an empowering combination of therapeutic-grade essential oils that works with both the physical and spiritual aspects of the body to increase feelings of strength, courage, and self-esteem in the face of adversity. Renowned for its strengthening qualities, Valor enhances an individual’s internal resources. It has also been found to help energy alignment in the body.
  • RutaVaLa – RutaVaLa promotes relaxation of the body and mind. It helps ease tension and relieve stress. The blend helps overcome negative feelings while encouraging a positive attitude and comfort. A blend of rue, valerian and lavender. Apply RutaVaLa essential oil blend on the back of neck, base of spine, the feet, or just under the nose before bed to overcome negative feelings and lull the mind into a sense of comfort.
  • Lavender – I add a few drops to distilled water with a pinch of epsom salts to a spray bottle and spritz our pillows and sheets every evening. Lavender has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. Because it is the most versatile of all essential oils, no home should be without it. Lavender is an adaptogen, and therefore can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. It is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime, yet has balancing properties that can also boost stamina and energy. 
  • Peace & Calming – Peace & Calming is a gentle, fragrant blend. When diffused, it helps calm tensions and uplift the spirit, promoting relaxation and a deep sense of peace. When massaged on the bottoms of the feet, it can be a wonderful prelude to a peaceful night’s rest. Peace & Calming may be especially calming and comforting to young children after an overactive and stressful day. This one is my mom’s favorite and she claims a little goes a long way. A lovely oil to diffuse at bed time. Calms everyone…including the dog. 
  • Tranquil Roll On – When I have had a stressful day and can’t even concentrate on my book at bedtime, I apply this to my wrists, temples and a swipe under my nose for promoting relaxation. Tranquil Roll-On is a blend of lavender, cedarwood and roman chamomile essential oils formulated to calm and relax the body and mind. Using the roll-on application, Tranquil provides convenient and portable relaxation. 

No groggy feeling the next day. No side effects. 

7 sleepy time essential oils @diyshowoff Young Living #1836762

*Note: We do not use all of the above mentioned oils every night, all together at one time. He chooses either Valerian, Cedarwood or soon, RutaVaLa…whichever we happen to have on hand. He alternates between them, one a night. I use the lavender recipe to spritz the sheets and pillows every night or when I remember to. I crack open the Tranquil if he’s exhausted after a long day at work and apply Valor before (if I remember). We diffuse Peace & Calming while we’re unwinding in the evenings. I grab the Tranquil Roll On (or Stress Away) if I have a lot on my mind. 

If having occasional trouble getting your thoughts to stop when your head hits the pillow and desperate to try something all natural… I recommend giving these Young Living essential oils a try. I’ve had several family members share amazing results. I hope they’ll help you too!

Want to know more and the information on how you can get your own?Go here

Young Living at diyshowoff.com

Summer Spotlight

summer spotlight

Oh my gosh! Today I’m being featured on the Summer Spotlight hosted by Kenarry: Ideas for the Home, View from the Fridge, Oh, My! Creative and One Krieger Chick. The Summer Spotlight series has been showcasing great ideas from a different creative blogger each Friday throughout the summer months. Thanks to my sweet friend Susan from Oh, My! Creative for choosing me as today’s feature! What an honor!

diyshowoff.com

I encourage you to swing by their sites to check out the ideas they’re featuring from my blog (I cant stop smiling today!) as well as the entire Summer Spotlight series. Time to make some new friends! You can also follow the hosts online to see the great ideas they share year-round because there’s no such thing as too much creative eye candy, is there? Of course not!   

I chose a favorite project from each of these talented ladies to highlight and return the favor today:

Oh My! Creative

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram

A DIY Waterfall & Pond

Diy-waterfall-and-pond at OhMy-Creative

One Krieger Chick

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram

Poolhouse Decor: Watercolor Outdoor Wall Art

Splash-Poolside-Painted-decor-with-a-water-color-effect - One Krieger Chick

 

View from the Fridge

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram

Bathroom Updates

bathroom updates - View from the Fridge 

Kenarry

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Google+

Creating a Backyard Playground

backyard-playground - Kenarry 

Awesome! Thanks so much for including me in this fun series, ladies! Enjoy every last bit of summer! xo 

 

Essential Oils Gift Basket Idea

Looking to share Young Living essential oils in the way of a gift or searching for a fun incentive or prize idea? 

Young Living Citrus Essential Oils gift idea @diyshowoff 

If you’re making healthier choices such as adding drinking more water to your daily routine like I am, you’re going to love this! Of course incorporating more water into your diet is super healthy but how about kicking that up a notch or two by adding a drop of lemon, lime or grapefruit essential oil? 

And since Young Living citrus essential oils are so potent they break down the petrochemicals in plastic water bottles, using glass or stainless steel is a must! I recently put together a gift basket for a friend and it turned out pretty cute so I thought I’d share it here too.

Contents: (some affiliate links below)

Young Living Citrus Essential Oils gift idea @diyshowoff

Great for so many different occasions: birthday, get well, a fun prize, encouragement, thank you, just because, bon voyage, congratulations, Christmas, a great giveaway, promotional.

What are Young Living Essential Oils anyway? Start HERE for more info. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions!

Been sitting on the fence? Today is the day! Sign up with a distributor membership and purchase the premium starter kit using #1836762 and not only will I send you a free Essential Oils Quick Reference Guide, but also a some free gifts (incentives change from month to month!)

Young Living Citrus Essential Oils gift idea @diyshowoff

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

Animal Humane Society Before and After Grand Reveal and Adoption Event

Helloooo, DIY friends! I’ve just returned from an awesome packed few days where I partnered with Purina Cat Chow in assisting with a fun makeover of the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, MN. Exciting and so rewarding!

#purinacatchow #myrescuestory @purinacatchow @diyshowoff

The Purina Cat Chow “Building Better Lives” program is committed to helping improve the lives of cats across the country by supporting 50 cat-focused shelters nationwide – one in every state! – and donating a generous $275,000 in renovation and adoption support, product and monetary donations as well as a possible $50,000 donation to The Petfinder Foundation, for a total donation of up to $325,000. Wow! Purina Cat Chow identified three of the participating 50 shelters for on-site makeovers of their cat facilities valued at $50,000 each or $150,000 total. The makeovers include custom changes and upgrades to meet the specific needs for each facility. Bri and I were so excited to lend a hand! 

The work in progress and awesome team effort:

painting hexagon cat cubbiesbuilding cat furniturepainting honeycomb cat cubbies assembling cat towersinstalling cat towersassembling cat stairsconfiguring hexagon cat cubbieshexagon cat cubbiesworking on cat walk

Purina Cat Chow, a DIY blogger, a skilled contractor and awesome volunteers…we did it! 

Ready for some before and after shots of the cat colony room designs? Let’s go!

before

cat colony room 3 before

after

glass cat colony room after

 Stairs leading up to a shelf that sits level with the window gives cats a better view. Glass walls give potential pet parents a ‘showcase’ view. cat stair shelf

3D hexagon/honeycomb cubbies are fun and interactive for the cats and a clean modern fit for the adoption center’s new look. cat hexagon furniturecat stairs

before

cat colony room 2 before

after

cat colony room 2 after

Three cat towers reach to the windows for lounging in the sun and bird watching. cat colony room 2 makeover

before

cat colony room 1 before 

after

cat colony room 1 after

Stairs to a cat walk give the cats a better view and showcase the frisky felines in the adoption center. bri - cat colony room 1 makeover

from outside the window

cat walk

I love the cat wall murals, don’t you?

cat wall murals

Easy reach cat toy storage for visitors…

cat toy storage

The cats are loving the new environment…

cat hexagon cubby shelvescat on cat walk

So many sweet cats looking for forever homes. 

adoptable cats

And the entire adoption process has been streamlined so that it will feel less like an interview process and more like a conversation. Those looking to adopt will be in love with the center’s changes too.

animal shelter lobby

The Grand Reveal Party and Adoption Drive started with a ribbon cutting ceremony and provided tours, a vintage photo booth, DJ, giveaways, cupcakes and beverages, balloon animals, face painting, food trucks and TONS of super cute adoptable cats and kittens. So.much.fun!

animal humane society grand reveal partygrand reveal party

Purina Cat Chow believes every cat deserves a forever home. The “Building Better Lives” program helps local cats find new homes at all 50 of the brand’s shelter partners.

How can you help? Purina Cat Chow will donate up to $50,000 to The Petfinder Foundation if from now until Sept. 2,  at least 1,500 stories are shared with the brand’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) using the hashtag #myrescuestory. This donation will be used to support 50 Petfinder.com shelters to help support future cat adoption fees. Find out more about the Building Better Lives program at Purina Cat Chow.

Purina Building Better Lives

Thanks SO much to Purina Cat Chow for sponsoring/inviting me to participate in this amazing opportunity to help sweet cats find forever homes and for all of the friendly volunteers and staff from the Animal Humane Society for their assistance and guidance, my daughter and assistant, Bri, for all of her help and support, along with one super skilled contractor, Tim Pond and his assistant, for his brainstorming and building genius. 

Animal Humane Society Makeover #myrescuestory #purinacatchow @purinacatchow @diyshowoff