Continuation of the First Craft fair
We have no phone and internet right now. Our line with mucho static apparently signaled the police last night and they came at 1 for the 911 call we didn’t make. Hard way to wake up. But I would much rather have it that way than have an emergency and they not come. We are down at the library parking lot to get our mail and for me to upload this post. Luckily I had written it already. I will catch up when I have internet again.
Two days ago I started the story of our first craft fair if you would like to read it. We worked lots and lots to get lots of prints, cards and matted images all ready to go. I made up little display tags to show the prices. We didn’t know enough to bring our own table at the point, but we did bring a card rack that we had bought from a local bookstore (who sold our cards and they did very well there) … so we dragged it all in and then had LOTS more in the car still. We took both cars to make sure we had enough to sell everyone who wanted our work.
Ah, the naive hope of the inexperienced!! We did sell some .. but it wasn’t much for all the work. Besides the hats, scarves and potholders, there was also homemade fudge for sale … did I mention we bought fudge? Many of the other sellers worked there and so had established relationships with the customers.
But it was some exposure. We watched very carefully who looked at what … doing our market research … And we met incredibly kind and generous other sellers, particularly one woman who works there. She gave us advice and let us know about other fairs. We are all still delighted to see each other – she is just a gem. The second year she also insisted on giving Susan and I each one of her scarves.
She was was one of the biggest silver linings. Also the work we donated for the raffle (do I hear a theme here?) was utterly appreciated by the residents. I will continue.
By the way, these are some of the new ornaments I put into my CafePress Shop.
~ Diane Clancy
Technorati Tags: craft fair, donations, CafePress, merchandise
It’s great to meet other sellers with ideas and experience to share.
She sounds like a lovely lady.
I am really concerned. Are you still at home or have you traveled? Thinking of you….ihope you do get this email 🙂
Some people really have tough winter weather. We sure don’t have anything like that here. Take good care of yourself, I hope you manage to stay warm.
I imagine you in the snow this morning, hopefully snuggled down in your warm bed. Snow is such a beauty and I miss it. We hardly get any winter weather anymore and if we do it is just enough ice to make the roads hazardous but not enough to make the trees glisten.
It’s very cold here too and I think somebody said there will be a 20% chance of snow in London for Xmas day, which hasn’t happened for many years. Great you braved the weather and did something like this. It takes a bit of nerve going out and selling your art, the commercial world is quite hard-nosed. Glad you met the nice lady.
Hi All,
I am just going to take a quick moment here to answer Neda’s question,.
We have phone and web back – yippee!!
There is much snow here … not sure how much but the snow blower guy has been here twice in the last 12 hours. Susan is outside clearing off the car. Today is my every 6 week trip to the hospital for a chunk of the day for treatment. So it is not very optional, I will post when I get home if I feel well enough.
Hugs to you all and thank you for your concern!!
~ Diane
I’m sorry to hear about the scare in the middle of the night — but hey, you know how well your Emergency Service works now.
Marketing is such a Mystery! Who buys what? When? Why? By the time you get done with these shows, you’ll possess a remarkable Secret.
I should have said, “these first shows”. Hopefully they will give you the insight for lots of subsequent ones, lots of *successful* subsequent ones.
Glad everything is ok and don’t let the craft fair get to you. Sometimes they are good and sometimes they are bad, but some of my best friends are people I met through my craft shows. I wish I could say they get easier but sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t.
Glad you have your electricity back. And the totes are lovely.
Hooray for fudge!
I hope you get all of your communication back online soon. Stay warm and be well.
Kris
Hi Nicola, thank you, yes, she is a lovely lady and it is always good to see her.
Hi Neda, we never went to Boston because of the weather. I think we will be able to this week. The weather is supposed to be bad Sunday … but I will stay home and Susan’s work is close by. We are ok … thank you!!!
Hi Irene, thank you for your good wishes!! You stay warm too.
Hi Bobbie, I do love the snow when I am snuggled in bed! And the trees look so gorgeous when they are covered in snow or when they glisten with ice!!
Hi Beverly, I hope you have a white Christmas if that pleases you!! It does take a lot of nerve to go sell work – thank you!!
Hi Debi, that is so true that they sure responded when they thought it was a 911. And that was what got the phone company to fix it! Hopefully I have learned a lot in these processes … but I have so so much more to learn!!
Hi Debra Ann, I am so glad you like these totes!! And thank you for your good wishes. Yes, I am sure you are right about the craft fairs … I need to figure out how to get to a different level.
Hi Kris, Yes, fudge!! Thank you for your good wishes!!
Thank you!
~ Diane
Just wanted to stop by and agree