washcloths with wonderful handmade soaps inside, bracelets, earrings, a couple of knitted toys or "loveys", knitted pouch bags that you can carry on key ring, and two pine needle baskets.....
Sorry to be repeating myself here 'cuz I talked about it in my travel blog, Where's Eldo?, as I mentioned that things went really well at the show. I'm so glad! I felt a little funny that I had such a small selection compared to everybody else. There were a LOT of large picnic bench sized tables filled with TONS of merchandise and smaller vendors had the circular tables, like me. But apparently, small things with price tags set at ten dollars and under, except for the pine needle baskets, sold! Several people commented that it was nice to see such a variety with my things and they appreciated that. I sold several breast cancer people pins and could have sold more if I had some.
Did I make money at the show? Well, yes and no. When making things with beads, I haven't sat down and figured out a per bead cost. I'm a little sloppy that way. For my knitting, I roughly figure out what percentage of the skein or how much a skein is that cost me to knit something, and I put the price above that X two, if it sounds like a reasonable price I would pay for something. You'll never get the time factor figured into your cost of selling something unless you are well established in your field and have been in juried shows. Me, I'm small potatoes, I just was hoping to make a little money for future purchases or a nice dinner out, and I did!
Did I learn something that would be useful to me for future craft shows? You bet!...Got some ideas for things for next time. Did I enjoy myself? I sure did! The face to face interactions with potential customers were fun and friendly. I really love talking to people and sharing what I'm making.
I can't wait to make more things...I'm going to stick with things I would personally buy myself for friends or family, and I'm also going to think about making things for the boomer generation that is aging. I've seen some neat carrier bags for walkers and wheelchairs that I'd like to make. E-reader covers were something I didn't see any of at the show. I'm also going to keep making things to put in my fledgling Etsy shop that I've just started called JeanBeanGifts. Hope you will check it out some time. I will keep adding things as I travel, and eventually hope to work on a "storefront" as far as a pretty photo or logo banner head. Still learning on all of this....
Until next time.....
Great job Jeannie! So glad you had fun and a successful day!
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