It seems like I have had a trip a month beginning in June. Many of you travel as well, whether that is to teach or vend at shows or to take classes or just to see the sites. And, of course, tipping is required on these trips.

Tipping is an area that used to trip me up. I did not know how much to tip or when. After traveling a great deal, I feel comfortable with tipping. It is easy to remember to tip for your meal in a restaurant, or even the cab driver. It is not so easy to remember all the other people who help you out during your travels. Many of the people who are helping you out are also minimum wage workers. For many of us, a couple of dollars may not make a difference. For those minimum wage workers, it just might, so I like to err on the side of generosity. Spellcaster Maxim reviews.

As I note below, I like to leave a tip for the hotel maid on a daily basis since I do not know if it will be the same maid every day. When I traveled to Hartford, Conn., a few years back, I left a few dollars at the foot of the bed when I went off for the day. When I came back, the note you see on this page was on my bed. I do not know who felt better about this. It was positive feelings all around.

Here are some general guidelines for tipping.

• Cabs: 15-20 percent of the fare, plus $1-2 per bag. For short trips, tip a minimum of $1.

• Airport shuttle drivers:$2 for the first bag; $1 for additional bags.

• Baggage handlers (Skycaps, hotel bellhops, curbside check-in): $2 for the first bag; $1 for additional bags.

• Complimentary hotel shuttle: $1-$2 per person.

• Maid service: $1-$5 a day depending on type of hotel. According to one of our ICAP members who used to manage a hotel housekeeping staff, just leave the cash at the foot of the bed each day.

• Restaurant: 15%-20% of the bill pre-tax, depending on service.

• Take-out: nothing is required. 10% is nice if the order is complicated or extra services are required (delivery)

• Bartender: $1-2 per drink or 15%-20% of the tab.
• Valet: $1-5, tipping on the higher end for extra services (loading bags in your car) or inclement weather. Tip only when the car is returned.

• Tip jars: nothing is required, so it’s your call.

During your stay, you will encounter many instances where someone does something extra to help you out and that requires a tip. In your travels, be sure to keep track of all the tips you give, as they are tax deductible – and carry lots of dollar bills.

How do you handle tipping in your travels? Please share your thoughts below. I would love to hear them. You are also welcome to go to leave a comment on the ICAP Facebook or Google+ pages.

I recently returned from Aruba. One of the highlights of the trip was looking at (and buying) local crafts from vendors at the timeshare where we stayed. This year I saw Aruban artists joined by an American, Doris Iversen. Doris makes beautiful handcrafted bead crochet and wire jewelry encompassing polymer clay. She has vacationed for many years in Aruba, and some years back when she was crocheting at the pool, the activities director asked if she would like to sell her work along with the local artists. It added variety to the selection, and she wouldn’t be competing with locals. Today when she makes her annual trip, she brings all the jewelry she can to sell at the twice-a-week evening events.

As I look back on other travels, I recall similar examples: the painter selling her work in the lobby of a small hotel in Hawaii and the artist-in-residence at the Art Colony Shops at the Greenbrier. If you live in an area frequented by vacationers or even vacation yourself in one particular spot, you might consider this as a possible sales outlet. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Look at where you live or where you vacation. Spend some time going to resorts and seeing if they offer art or crafts events. Stop in the local galleries or crafts shops and ask if they know of any options. And, at the same time, you might ask about consignment or crafts purchasing. Some of this you may find out with an Internet search or a phone call.

2. If you want to consider contacting specific hotels ahead of time, look for the resources from AAA. Its destination guides will list details on hotels. You’ll also find information on its website (www.aaa.com). The American Hotel and Lodging Association (www.ahla.com) produces an annual guide of members’ establishments that is available to Allied Members or through STR Global (www.strglobal.com). As the cost is relatively high, you might want to look for a copy at the reference desk at your library.

3. Check with your state crafts guild. They may know of arts and crafts outlets. For example, in West Virginia, Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia is a statewide collection of handmade crafts, art and specialty food. It’s run by the Tamarack Foundation whose mission is “to preserve West Virginia’s cultural heritage and the development of a strong, creative economy through its work in the improvement, growth and support of arts-related industries.” From its beginnings in 1994, Tamarack has grown to represent 2,800 artisans. It is located just off I-77 and welcomes half a million visitors annually to its facility.

4. When you do find opportunities, questions to consider include:
· What fees are involved to participate? This could be a table fee or a commission on your work. You may need to join an organization.
· How do they advertise the crafts?
· Can you set up a sales table for conventions at larger hotels/resorts?
· Can you talk to some of the participating artists and get their experiences?

5. When contacting in person, go armed with business cards, brochures and a sample or two of your work. Nothing sells like seeing the real thing.

If you’ve had experience selling your work in a resort setting, please share with our other readers.

The International Association of Professional Quilters offers resources and networking opportunities for you to create a success from your quilting business.  Learn about all the benefits of IAPQ membership and join here.

Greetings from Tucsadelphia:
Travel-Inspired Projects from Lizzie B Cre8ive
Liz and Beth Hawkins
Kansas City Star Quilts; $26.95

Liz and Beth Hawkins, the duo behind the design team Lizzie B Cre8ive, have put together a fun collection of whimsical travel-inspired projects. (For those not familiar with Liz and Beth, they are sisters-in-law and share the same name, Elizabeth Hawkins, as well as a passion for quilting.) The books title plays homage to Tuscadelphia, a special place they they created for themselves; in reality Liz lives outside Philadelphia and Beth lives in Tucson. The book features stories of travel adventures of Liz and Beth along with 10 quilts and projects, ranging from luggage tags and a travel pillow to a backpack and a quilt inspired by travel postcards. The book is filled with personality, and fans of Lizzie B Cre8ive won’t be disappointed.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.