Exciting news on the craft front was the extension of my sewing room in the garage so that it is now twice the size with two more large tables and a sofa so many happy hours have been spent out there lately with room for the whole family to craft, study or read - I love it!
And with this extended crafting space there has been a dramatic increase in my crafting output - so much so that I have decided to dip my toe back in the water of craft fairs and selling - something I haven't done for quite a few years.
I can't say it has gone tremendously well! The first sale was ok - I had a few patchwork wallets, some crochet corsages and a couple of cushions but most of the visitors were elderly and either said "Ooh Betty could make those!" or "They're a bit young for me dear!" ;o) But I did sell about £60 worth of stock which was good and then my lovely boss bought a lot of corsages for Christmas presents too. Yesterday's sale was less good and I only made £12.50 on top of my stall fee (which was only £10 - so yes, I only took £22.50!) But it was a nice day and I was there with one of my closest friends who had a stall next to me. It wasn't really a craft fair - we were the only two actual "crafters" there and the focus of the day was more on winter family fun - but it was good to try laying out my increasing stock on the stall. Afterwards we went to stay with mum and dad so the children could help with the Christmas cooking and when I showed mum my things she fell in love with one of the cushions and a corsage and wouldn't let me give them to her but insisted on buying them which was so kind.
I have a stall at the girls' school this Thursday evening and one at our village infant school on the following Thursday, then a local coffee shop have said they will sell my things for me. I'm going to make a few more pencil rolls for the infant school sale but unless I have some dramatic sales I don't think I will be increasing my stock much further. It has been fun trying to sell again but I don't think I have the drive that I used to have and as I'm not making commissioned personalised items anymore I don't think I have the appeal that I used to have.
One good thing about yesterday's sale was that I had plenty of time to start knitting Grandpa Biscuit's Christmas present socks - I'm up to the heel already (they're dk thickness so I haven't done all that much knitting really but I'm pleased to have started!)
So that's my news - oh, and I forgot to tell you, you know that lovely metal cabinet that I blogged about in the last post? It turned out that it didn't fit in my sewing room after all so I ended up selling it in the next auction! It was far too stylish for me anyway! ;o)
P.S - yet more news! I've lost 3 stone and have celebrated by having all my hair chopped off so I no longer look like a scarecrow
15 comments:
I'm so happy to "see" you, even if I have to imagine the photos of your lovely creations and new 'do!
Hello Locket!
The great thing about our blogs is that they're always there waiting for us when we're ready :o)
Good luck with your next couple of craft sales, it's always so hard to know how much to make but it sounds like you're doing well. Maybe time to open an etsy or folksy shop to sell anything you have left?
I'm beginning to think I need to start making things to sell again, especially as I have my eye on a rather fabulous new sewing machine and need to save some serious money if I'm going to get it!
Well done on that fantastic weight loss and, having seen the hair, I have to say it looks rather gorgeous :o)
xx
Three stone?!? Brilliant! Well done you!
Well done on being brave and committed enough to start selling again. Hope that the next sales go well for you.
Looking forward to seeing photos of your new crafting space - it sounds lovely.
So lovely to hear from you... three stone and a hair cut... we want to see you too!!! Good luck with the craft fairs. It's years since I've done one and I've got a stall at a local church fair next w/e.
Hello you! Three stone - blimey. And good to see you're making away happily again.
wow, well done you on all fronts ... go Lucy xx
Exciting Lucy! Good to read all your news
Love the new hair!! Very brave. I keep looking at my lank locks and thinking it's time for a change, you may just have inspired me!! Happy selling x
A change is as good as a rest don't they say and three stone and a new hair do is certainly that. Don't be too disheartened with your craft fairs. I find you have to do the same ones two or three times in order for people to come back and for the word of your beautiful crafting to get around. I am about to celebrate my first year of craft fairs and it was slow to start but with christmas around the corner I have now had to close my order book until the new year with two more fairs to go before Christmas. Good Luck 2013 may well be your year. M
Good to hear from you Lucy, and to see you, and I had just envisaged that you were 6 all these years! I had a market last Friday with my plants. Didn't know if anyone would buy, but they did and it was fun. Lots of prep though. Keep blogging Lucy, we miss you!
Lovely to hear from you Lucy, my blog mojo has disappeared again!! I'm hoping Christmas might rediscover it.
Well done on your sales and your glam new look and very well done on losing 3 stone - respect!!
Twiggy x
How lovely to see your beautiful smiling faces Mrs, I love your new hair and am hugely impressed at you loosing 3 stone. I need to loose about that but can't seem to summon up the will power to get off my bottom and get some exercise! Maybe that will be at the top of my new year's resolutions list!
Craft fairs and the like are tough - it's often hard to make much money and I always found it hard to listen to people discussing my makes like I wasn't there! Best of luck with any more you do.
It's lovely to catch up with you again xxx
oops - not faces but face! what am I like?
xxxxxxxxx
LUCY! How fun to see you -- you look so cute with your new do and color. And Big Fat (haha) congratulations on your weight loss -- what an accomplishment. Good Luck with your craft fairs -- I've never done one, but I think they must be a lot of work!
Fabulous darling...well done!!
Love Helen xx
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