My little demo area was all set up and ready to go.
And my able assistant was smiley and welcoming.
There were hundreds (if not thousands) of people walking through from 9.30 am until 5 pm. They loved the sock monsters... laughed at the tea cosies... admired the embroidery. And this is my stall at the end of the day.
Can you spot the difference? Mmmm... a couple of tea cosies and a couple of sock monsters but not a lot else is missing. It has felt like a long day and lots of weeks making stuff for not very much sold. But I'm not disheartened as it seems to be a general trend. Craft items are a luxury during a recession. And on the bright side the show was successful, a great day out for lots of people and I've still got lots of stock for the next time. Not sure I can be bothered to restock the Etsy shop... but if you see some thing you like do let me know.
p.s. Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last post wishing me luck... I've not replied because I was still stitching buttons onto sock monsters til 11pm last night. But thank you... all read and appreciated!
Glad you enjoyed the day, even if sales were less than stellar. But your Etsy shop could be full in time for the Christmas rush....
ReplyDeleteAh, Gina, I'm sorry the sales weren't so good. It is disheartening ... but your Etsy shop would look lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteYour stall looked very attractive as did your glamorous assistant! I'm glad it was an enjoyable day, it seems it is a really difficult time for selling just now.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry it wasn't busier at your stall - but your Etsy shop would look fantastic if you could be bothered to stock it!!! Lucy xxx
ReplyDeleteAs others have said Christmas is coming. The stall looked great, wish I could have been there.
ReplyDeleteYour table looked so good I'm sure no-one looked at the tablecloth. Such a shame more people didn't buy things when you had worked so hard. Even houses aren't selling just now - there are two for sale in our road and normally they'd be snapped up in no time. Glad you enjoyed the day anyway, and that's a lovely photo of your and your husband.
ReplyDeleteOh Gina, what a shame! Join the club... I now look on craft fairs as purely social occasions, just a day out with like minded people when I take a lot of stuff with me. But your stall looked wonderful, you had a nice day out and lots of people found out what you do!
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame, but glad you can be so upbeat about it after all the time and effort that went into stocking your stall....
ReplyDeleteYour stall looks lovely and it was nice that you could spend the day together :o)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry it didn't go better for you, Gina. I think many of us have probably experienced the deflation of a day like that - but as many others have said, you've got a great ready stock there for the Christmas rush. For what it's worth - your stall looks lovely :) x
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that the recession is hitting everyone so hard, all that hard work you put in! Maybe you could use some as Christmas presents.
ReplyDeleteYour display area looks lovely, Gina!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the economic times...less of a budget for luxuries and harder to buy impulsively. But I think doing a show is an investment - gives people a chance to see and touch the creations, and talk to the artist - and perhaps pick up a business card? Back at home they think, "I should have bought that" - that's what I do, anyway! If they know where to find you - online or as a regular exhibitor at the same show - some of your visitors may yet become customers. :)
Everything looks good enough to buy to me, it's just a downturn in spending cash at the moment. Are you doing a Christmas one somewhere, I might be able to make that one.
ReplyDeleteOh I know that feeling...
ReplyDeleteI've 3 events booked for November/early Dec and I'm trying to work out how best to stock my stall without over-investing time and money - tricky balance. However the surplus can always go into The Riverslad Gallery or Etsy/Folksy.
Times are tough - I can fully understand that you'd rather be investing time in developing your beautiful art-textiles.
Celia
xx
Glad it was a nice day for the Show and your Assistant must have kept you company. Craft fairs are funny things they either go one way or the other - and people always seem to want something for nothing! The sock monsters look gorgeous and the little pony tail flowers are great.
ReplyDeleteGina, thank-you so much for posting - your stall is beautifully set out and I am going to steal many ideas :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like we must have both been at the same place on the week-end - just different hemispheres . . . .
And I received the best comment ever from an online buyer today which made it all seem worth while. Like you I hate the production line approach, enjoy the process of creating but hate the stress of "getting ready for market". If only we could find the balance . . . .
Your table looked lovely. It's such a shame you didn't have a good day but as everyone says you will be ready for xmas.
ReplyDeletewell it can be so disheartening but you seem to have come out of it with a happy heart which is good.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling...which is why I dont do fairs any more...its so much work and stress...I think everything looks lovely...and I agree that this is a reflection of the recession....but you will be ready for christmas..
ReplyDeleteHello Gina, looks like you had fun on you stall. Just wanted to let you know that you won my litle giveaway. I will have to get in touch to get your address.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Sam :)
Sales are tough these days, which seems to be consistent across the continents. People are just not buying. I hope you are not too discouraged.
ReplyDeleteOh your stall looked wonderful, especially with that cheerful bunting. I was at the Quy show whilst you were at Ashwell. Pretty much all the stallholders were commenting how sales were down - even the jam-making lady next to me. It helps to know that everyone's struggling doesn't it, but it's still a bit disheartening. I love the quilt under your demo area.
ReplyDelete