Sunday 15 March 2009

Cockadoodledooo!!!!!!!!!



Hello Blogland !!!

OK, so that's a hen not a cockeral but as you might be able to tell,
I'm quite upbeat this morning.

The sun is shining again and it looks like it's going to be another lovely day.
We had a sale at the church hall yesterday, and it was brill!
We opened for 3 hours and there was someone there for every minute.
We didn't make loadsamoney, it's obvious that people are
really feeling the pinch, but the atmosphere was really good,
very friendly and we did sell some of our newer stuff.


We decided we needed to make things that are lower cost
(because of the credit crunch) and it worked.

Claudia made a whole batch of new earrings to sell for under £3 (most under 2) and sold 14 pairs!!!!!!


My DH has been beavering away making wooden items for us,
and he was chuffed when I told him we sold something of his.

And I sold a chicken!!! Not even one of the brighter ones either,
and a set of scissors,
so together with all the other little bits and bobs
we were quite busy.

Thankfully, we still have lots of goodies left which means
I'll be able to stock the blogshop soon.


We're doing a coffee morning next Saturday, just one table, much easier,
and we're looking forward to that.
And in the meantime I have an order for cards too.
So all in all lots to be positive about and thankful for.


For our next "big" sale we've decided to ask the church if
we can run a full craft fair.
The church will get the rent from the tables, and probably have the usual cakes stall etc. And this is where my lovely blog friends come in.

I have organised several fetes etc, but never a craft fair.
Can anyone offer any advice please? Obviously there will be the usual advertising, but I'm wondering how widely I should advertise?
What sort of radius? 5miles? 10? How far would people travel for a craft fair?

And what about hired stalls? Should I stick to just handmade?
Or would vintage work too?
I don't really want just jumble-type stalls, I've been to those and where there's jumble people want to pay jumble prices for the crafts too.

Should I ask what people make and aim for a variety?
or just take the rent and not worry?


I know, so many questions so early in the morning, so I'll stop there. But seriously, I will appreciate any advice, so get your thinking caps on, please.

With love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

9 comments:

Lajoni said...

oh I'm so pleased it all went so well for you, not that we had any doubts as your work is amazing Elaine...and I love DHs chickenboard
As for the craft fair....how far would you travel?, i think keen crafters will travel I would say 10 miles and would not expect junk stalls but would gladly support vintage stalls lol
I believe seasoned craftfair customers assume that prices will not be cheap so a few lower priced items would bode well ...keep us informed and well done
xxxxx

Elaine said...

Thank you Laj xxx

Not having transport I only go to very local events, and they are very sparse. Maybe 2 or 3 a year spread over the whole area. Which is why we thought something more local, but with cheaper (to rent) stalls might work.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pixiedust said...

Lovely stuff BM, love the goose and hen. xx

Anonymous said...

Hi BM ... just to let you know that you won my Mystery Giveaway.

Please would you pm me your address via the Shabby Chic Cafe?

xxx

Lajoni said...

oh well done BM I'm dying to know what you've won :)xxx

mitmot said...

Well done on the fair, all of you things are lovely and i am sure if maney was not in short supply to people at the moment you would have sold out

MM xx

Trish said...

glad it went well for you sweetie xxx

Elaine said...

Thank you Sandie xxx
It's the first thing I've won, it's so exciting!!!

Lace hearts said...

That's fantastic, and I love the triangular chicken! I'm so pleased so many pairs of the earrings sold as well. I think people are a bit strapped atm with cash, so you did well.
Organising a craft fair is a good idea - I'd have not a clue, but from the one I sold at, I know they were quite careful to vet stalls so they had a good mix... you don't want endless stalls offering the same sort of thing. Consequently, there was a glass etcher, me, a local shop that buys in cheap and cheerful stock, a card maker, jewellery person, a person who did these amazing cakes out of sweets and other bits and pieces - essentially there were no duplications. I think it worked really well. xxxxxxxxxxxxx