A week from the event I just wind me up so much that I almost tear my own hair and cry why do I sign up again? Then I brush off and get busy pricing, organizing, sending e mails to zillian people and finally pack up my van with the tent, stone bags for weights, tables, chairs, suitcases of inventory and go. Phew!.
My hubby helps out holding up the tent and together we put it up, by then the sun has gone down quickly on this Friday fall afternoon.
In the wee hour next morning I start out and zip open my tent,. Yeh! it is still standing erect, nothing has fallen down. I work quickly like a Charlie Chaplin fast forward movie and before I am done hanging the last earring, early bird shoppers emerge.
So this is how Saturday started.
Then there are long pauses of quiet lazy hours. Some browsers come, some play shuffling into the Bargain Basket- where everything is $10. and I do make some sales.
Some feel interested to seeing me knitting with wire.
Some take pictures of my booth and graciously sends me the copy too.
Lesson learned number one is yes, people love going through bargain bin and I made quite a few sales with last years' things that I meant to get rid of any way. Rena is right. Those are the staples that may pay for your booth price.
So I should make more of the low end stuff.
This is when a lady comes and buys one of my most expensive piece.
To be honest, this is my first try of this technique, and I really did not mean to sell it yet, but I priced it and hung it to fill an empty bust. I was awed that it went so fast! On the other hand the ones I thought would be sold by now are still hanging.
A Russian guy likes a knitted jade and pearl bracelet and wants to know if his daughter would like it. He shows me her picture. Cute, young teen ager... but this is a tough question for me to answer. I hate pushy sales people. So I just smile. He buys it any way.
I feel thrilled that my jewelry is going all the way to Russia!
Sunday was slow. But now they have live jazz. A volunteer asks me if I'd like a bathroom break. When I come back I find my two extra neighbors, one an illustrator of children's book and the other an artist are dancing to the music. And I found a sculptor working on his project with a big smile on his face.
What else can you expect?
Fall has fallen. The air is crisp and sweet.
How did I do financially? Not fantastic but not very bad either and did I have a good time.? Oh yes. Indeed.
Did I learn any thing?
Expect miracles. There is no formula really.
5 comments:
Your last comment says it all, Dita. We may as well make what we love and offer it. It is impossible to tell from year to year, or from show to show, what will tempt folks to part with their hard-earned cash!
Congratulations on selling your beautiful, most expensive piece! isn't that how it goes? The things we enjoy and then "let go and let life" -- turn out so well when we focus elsewhere! lol...
I saw your comment about your store having a "shop window" for the Holidays: awesome! I'm looking forward to having links to everyone stores for my shopping all year long. So nice to see all the shops together.
Have a great day,
Happy Jewelry design,
Rita
Love this post, Dita! Exciting that your new expensive piece sold so fast. I'm not surprised - it's unique and lovely.
You've captured the essence of art fairs - the fact that you never know what to expect, but if you go with the flow you will surely have an interesting time and meet some inspiring people! :)
Thank you Rena. I learned a lot from you indeed. Dita.
Very interesting post - I finally have enough inventory to apply to an art fair and you've given me a lot of valuable information to think about. Your pieces are quite unique and lovely!
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