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We are currently running a sock monkey drive and it seems to be working! We've had more online sales that ever before. I am very excited. We also discovered that we cannot ship products for Christmas (meaning: any parcel sent in the mail today will not get to the city by Xmas) outside of Toronto. This Friday the 16th is the deadline.
As for the shows this year: Not great. There were a number of 1st-time-ever craft shows that just couldn't bring in the traffic. Very limited turn outs. 3 duds. Oh well, such is life in the world of crafting. I think that Canadians need to increase their appreciation for handmade crafts... like in the US. Mind you I think that the sheer number difference in population has a direct effect... I am ranting. I am looking forward to having a break from crafting.
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We've almost come to the end of the craft shows. Only a couple more to go. We are excited to sell all of our stock. We shall see what happens. (this was a short note.)
Yesterday, we were at our annual craft show at the Runnymede United Church. We love the neighbourhood and the people are great! I feel we did really well considering the current state of affairs economically. We also had to drop the price on the necklaces... there is just too much competition... We are even toying with the idea of moving away from traditional jewellery and focusing on all of our other products.
I am hoping that my efforts to gain more followers on Twitter will help with sales. So far, there are more followers but nothing in terms of feedback or sales. Such is life. I am sure its the website. I dont think that it's as friendly to use as I thought. There must be something that's turning people away... maybe the lack of merchandise. Oh well. That's the catch with original work. Each piece needs to be built then photographed then photoshop-ed then posted and maybe sold. We have been building as much as we can. Today 8 necklaces. Tomorrow, re-tag everything before the next show. Oiy.
So the mad blitz has begun...sitting in front of the TV watching Weeds on Netflix we’ve been crafting. In a matter of weeks we will be hitting our busiest time of the year. 4 craft shows in 2 weeks. Nothing yet for December but we’ve got enough happening in the next little while. We’ve worked on sock monkeys, jewellery and hats. I don’t know if we have enough inventory but we will have to make do with what we have.
There is so much that we should do but we just don’t have the will power. Working all day with our kids and then crafting at night is starting to take a bit of a toll. I am pooped and so is Lulu. We need to sleep but that’s not really possible especially for her considering that she has to wake up every 2 -3 hours to feed the baby. I try to help but I can’t do that much at night. The boy sleeps through the night. I get him in the morning but recently he’s been feeling under the weather. Makes him a moody boody for a 2 year old. We will see how the shows go. I have to admit its a major challenge working on the business and working with the kids. Z is starting to show signs of frustration and anger with the arrival of V. Nothing too bad just the occasionally toss of a fruit or utensil. V is always congested. So, wearing her is the best option. We are finding that it is still possible to craft, we just have to adjust our schedules and reformat our craft room... like, bring in the TV so that we can catch up on our shows and still fabricate.
So, after the last show, I was wanting to figure out the price I should set on the Kimonos. I've set it at $30 but I am not sure if the price is right... The kimonos are made from either 100% cotton or 80/20 cotton/poly blended sweatshirts. They fit 10 mos to 3 yrs old boys and girls (depending on their size) Please comment below and tell me how much would you spend on a kids kimono. Lulu and I started out working together which lead us to our union. Right from the start we began to think of what else can we do other than our jobs. I've always enjoyed running something on the side and it seemed that Lulu did as well. First, there was "Pink Peppercorns"; a personal chef catering business for people on the go... specifically lunches and the occasional dinner. Then, "Ginger J" was formed; women's jewellery. That stayed with us. We expanded into childrens things when we started to plan for kids. Sock monkeys joined the business then aprons, booties, and now clothing and hats for kids. It's been an evolution. Somethings didn't work, while others are still around. I think that this season, the "re-claim-ed" clothing and hats are going to be successful. Or at least I hope.
I love working craft shows. There is a certain type of people you always come across at a craft show... "of like mind". Creative, caring, driven and entrepreneurial crafters. They are quick to help out, offer suggestions and just chat. I must say that I really enjoy meeting other crafters and makers.
Had a great time at the brick works today selling our new stuff... the kimonos and hats and trying to sell the other things as well. Also, I got a chance to meet Shirley and Susan who run the website www.100milefinds.com. The hats, monkeys and jewellery went really well. The Kimonos were ignored for some reason. I will have to bring pictures of the clothing being worn.
Also, Lulu was with the two little ones at home on her own while I was at the show. It was a great day for both of us. Looking forward to the next craft show. |
Authorslulu & mika craft and make many beautiful items. Always creating and working together. Archives
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