It is Sunday morning. And with the heat, I’m in a bit of ‘Sundaze’. That’s when you are a bit exhausted with the heat, and yet you know that this is your last day of weekend. So you have to push through the tired and get busy.

And we’re getting busy around here. Yes, I’ve a pile of soap to label on my desk. Here’s proof!

A pile of soap ready to be labeled! Already for sale on my site! Not visible (behind) is Bamboo & Green Tea. Also shown: Nag Champa, Peaches & Cream, Plumeria, Blueberry Cream, Triple Citrus and Cafe au Lait!

We’re also busy working on the new flooring. ONE  ROOM TO GO. It has been an exhausting time. And I HATE having my house tore up (to coin a phrase) with bits and pieces everywhere. One couch is in the dining room, which pushes the dining room table against the wall. And no one can really use it. So I’ll be glad when this is done. Son and I did about 2/3 of the work yesterday, leaving about 6′ (by width) for today. Here’s what it looks like now.

Here's the new flooring. We have about 6' to go to complete the room!

Finally, it is a remember your blessings day. Seriously, I do believe that being thankful is very important. A long time ago, I had a lot of stress and issues. Going through a bad divorce, and then into the transition phase afterwards, it was an extremely traumatic time. I had to keep it ‘together’ for the kids. but I have to say that I had some emotional sadness to work through. One day, out of the blue, a wonderful present arrived in the mail. I’m a huge fan of the rock group, Styx….always have been. And I’d entered a contest to win an autographed guitar. Never assuming that I’d win anything…

Then, one day, the UPS driver brings me this long box. For the past 7 or so years, this has been hanging on the wall in front of my computer…

Here's proof that wonderful things happen! My autographed Styx guitar!

I know you can barely read the autographs, but the following band members signed it: Lawrence Gowan (keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums), James Young (lead guitar), Glen Burtnik (bass) and Tommy Shaw (lead guitar). Everytime I start to think ‘well, life sure sucks and no one notices me at all…’ I look at this guitar and remember that blessings do come in mysterious ways. And that a good attitude is key to everything.

Hope your day is equally blessed. And remember, you control what happens to you. Maybe not the actual things (though, most of the time, you do) but you always control how you react to them. My philosophical musings for today. But seriously, folks, life is great. Have a good Sundaze! And I hope you make it splendid!

You know it is a rough day when even the dog doesn’t want to go outside. It really is hot here in Texas.

Yes, I’m aware that this is, yet another, of my weather reports. But honestly, weather is a huge part of our lives. Even when we don’t think about it. If it is cold, hot, windy, rainy, etc, we have special clothing to wear (or not!).

Most of our house is tile. Both of the kids’ bedrooms are painted concrete. And we’ve started laying the last floor that will be laminate. No carpet. Okay, a few rugs, but no carpet. I really detest carpet. And although I’m not thrilled that the doggie ‘helped’ with the carpet removal, still, I am glad it is gone.

The animals are telling me that it is hot, though. They won’t lie on the furniture, but prefer the cool tile floor. Already, I’m dreaming of November. That is, around here, when we can guarantee of some cooler temps. While October can be chilly, my kids have trick or treated in shorts before.

As well as coats and hats! You just never know. Which is probably why I’m so smitten with the idea of weather.

Because it is just too hot to do anything outside, we’ve been working inside. First the living room was painted. Then I noticed that the crown molding needed some attention. It was put up by moi about 10 years ago, right after moving into the house. Over the years, the house has settled a bit, and a few spots there was a slight gap. Very slight. And I’m happy to say that. Maybe a 1/16th of an inch? Well, it bothered me, so it got caulked and then the entire trim got repainted. Which meant another touchup on the walls, cause a bit of white did get on the turquoise from place to place…

The first 2 rows are down. Soon the entire room will be smooth and carpet free!

We’re going from a mossy green to a light clear turquoise/aqua color. A huge change but the rooms (where we’ve painted) seem lighter, fresher and much much larger. That’s a very good thing!

Mossy green is leaving. Light aqua is coming to shine! Photo also shows one of my favorite items, the painting where I got the new wall color inspiration.

Of course, the floor is going to be nice when done. And then I have to put up new baseboards. And sew new slipcovers for the couch and love seat. And then there’s the new art that has to be bought/painted/found. As the old art doesn’t match with the new colors. But that’s okay. New is good.

So even though it is hot outside, inside we’re doing what we can to make life sweeter. Hope your life is sweet. And if not, we recommend some paint and a few weeks!

At about 12:30 am this morning, my daughter and I returned from our 4 day trip to Montana. I’d never been there, you see, and I’ve been jonsing to dig for sapphires since I was a wee girl.

Well, I’ve done that now. And while it was fun, it was also a bit anticlimatic. I do wonder if the mine owners go through the stones first and pull out anything really ‘good’. And then, at the time, folks walk around and tell you about ‘the big one that got away’ cause someone else found it.

Yesterday.

Okay, maybe so, but again, maybe not. I’d be more impressed to see a series of photos with dates, with folks holding nice gems in their hands. But if they had that type of general ‘proof and brag’, I didn’t see it.  Call me a bit of a skeptic, but I always follow the money. And it just makes sense that the mine folk go through the rock first, to pick out anything truly wonderful, leaving behind some, and then mixing in more dirt/rock to make the search more eventful.

Local folks, who operated stores in town, told me that many have mason jars full of sapphires and every now and then someone goes to a garage sale and gets a box of stuff that has a jar in it. I’d love that, for sure!

Still, it was fun. Daughter and I went through $60 worth of rock and we each found some industrial grade (cause they were rather cracked) and some gem grade stones. You keep what you find there, and I did find a hot pink sapphire. So I was thrilled. It is, there, a very rare color (any pink is) cause most of the stones found are greenish.

Here’s what I found. The smaller cut stones were also bought there. One of the sapphires stores (there were several dedicated to finished jewelry and selling bags of rock to search through), also allowed me to photograph a display of cut stones, showing the range of sapphire colors.

Here's my sapphire haul!

Above you can see some chunks of stone. The photo doesn’t really show them well, but they are all greenish. Nothing too saturated EXCEPT for the hot pink one in the back. Hot pink sapphires are rare and this one is about a carat plus (raw). So it is a great find!

Here’s what the store had. They were kind enough to take the box out of the case so that I could photograph it. The colors are from nature…maybe a tad enhanced by heat treating (a permanent and perfectly legal method of treatment to enhance color and clarity)…

Cut sapphires from a Philipsburg, Montana store. Sapphire comes in a rainbow of colors...if red, it is called a ruby!

We stayed in a historic hotel in Philipsburg, too. One thing I always notice in antique malls and older buildings is the musty smell of so many old things. This place was remodeled about a decade ago, but stuffed full of books, old furniture and such, it really had a strong musty odor. You did get used to it, after a short time, but even today, my jean jacket has that same ‘old’ smell.  Can I recommend some good candles? LOL…

Here’s a few shots of the main street…

A shot down the street in Philipsburg. I love the mountains in the background. A cute coffee bar (The Daily Grind) is in view behind the outfitter shop.

And another one:

A longer shot, taken up the street from the previous, showing the long row of wonderfully charming turn of the LAST century buildings. A mining community in the late 1800's, this town is full of charm.

Being a small town (about 1000 folks) in the mountains, you do expect to see some wildlife. Well, other than the inn owner’s dog (no shots, sorry), the only ‘wildlife’ we saw was this perky bunny one very early morning.

While on an early morning strol; (temperature about 50degrees!) we found this bunny in a grass carpeted lot on main street between 2 historic buildings.

Well, we’re back home. And relaxing. It is about 2pm and daughter just got up (she did have a very late night!) and now it is back to some type of normality. I still have a few days off…so maybe I’ll make some soap….

And plan my next travel adventure. Chicago, anyone?

Tomorrow morning, my daughter and I head for the mountains. The original plan was to drive through the central breadbasket of the United States (from our home base in Fort Worth, TX) in a huge circle. But then, I figured that I did not want to be sitting in a car for nearly 50 hours with 2 teens (cause son was originally coming, too) and a corgi.

So, I’m not. This is, after all a vacation, not a marathon.

I’ve been ‘rock crazy’ my entire life. I remember buying a book back in the early 70′s called ‘Gems for the Taking’. I devoured that book and noted that there ARE many places in the United States where one can legally dig for precious gems and minerals (such as gold). Sometimes, you need a license from the local government or state. Other times, you just need to go to the right place.

We’re going to the right place. A spot in the mountains of Montana where sapphires have been located. I’m agog with excitement!

(Geek disclaimer: I studied gemology for about a year…)  Sapphires and rubies are actually the same stone–just different colors. Of course, all gem minerals are clear (if pure). It is the impurities of trace minerals (other ones) that create the color. Any corundum that is red is a ruby. Any other color and it is a sapphire.

I love sapphires. Pink ones, particularly. But any color will do. A ’9′ on the Mohs scale (the only harder mineral is a diamond at 10) they are durable and gorgeous.

And I want some.

Okay, to be honest, I have some. I have a ring with very large navette (aka marquise) sapphires in very dark blue. And a pair of blue sapphire and diamond earrings that I bought after my divorce. But I want more. And so I’m going to dig some up, myself.

At least, that’s the plan.

So the daughter and myself will board a plane tomorrow morning very early. We fly to Denver, change planes, and then to Helena, Montana. Where a rental is waiting. For the hour or so drive to Philipsburg, Montana. Not sure what we’ll see on the way, but I know we’ll see different terrain. I do love living in Texas–during the fall/winter/spring. But the summer? OMG, I’d head north in a heartbeat if I could. The triple digit temps, brown grass and baking winds are not my cup of tea. To put it mildly.

I’m sure that I’ll return rejuvenated and inspired for some new soaps. Actually, I’ve poured 8 new ones this week. Two are already on my site (Cafe au lait (http://www.coquettebath.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_34&products_id=200) and Nag Champa (http://www.coquettebath.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_34&products_id=199) ).

Maybe I’ll even have a few special rocks. I hope so. Wishing you and yours a most glorious, safe, and comforting Fourth of July. This is also (July 4th) my father’s 79th birthday.

Happy birthday, Dad. We love you.

Yes, another weather report. It is HOT outside. Even with the AC cranking, I don’t want to spend any appreciable time on the eastern side of my house. Which is the side my bedroom is on, and the living room…oh well. It is nearly 100 degrees every day the past few weeks and I’m exhausted already with the heat.

Today has already been quite busy. It is about 10am where I sit and I’ve already made breakfast, cleaned up, dusted, swept, changed sheets on my bed, ironed my new bedskirt (and put it on), organized my armoire (where I keep assorted things from candle holders to quilts), etc. I have a lot more to do.

Today’s agenda: photography (yeah, I know, but I’m seriously going to do it, because I really HAVE too. No more dodging this one).

I’m also finishing up some mending. You know you pay a lot for clothing and you still have to do ‘stuff’ to it. Like a shirt that needs stitching not to gape at the bosom and streamlining so that you aren’t asked if you’re pregnant.

Seriously. I have this pretty cool top I bought from a major designer (guy name) and it was a bit ‘floaty’ at the hem. Well, I’m not a skinny, and I guess it ‘poufed out’ a bit much. Cause the second time I wore it an older lady asked me when the baby was due! Umm, I’m 51 and let’s just say that if I had a baby at this point in time, I’d be really really nervous. And while I’m a good person, I’m not THAT holy…if you catch my drift.

So, no impending birth, just a bit more fabric than necessary. So I took off 6″ (yep) around the bottom by removing the ‘flare’ and now it fits closer to the body (just as easy to take on and off, by the way) and doesn’t make me look impending. That’s a good thing.

I also made a new decorative pillow for the bed. The bedroom remodel is nearly complete. The new laminate flooring is down and I have to paint and put up baseboards. And I have to paint some new art as the old stuff is….boring to me, now.

AND, I have to MAKE SOAP! I’ve been playing with some new techniques. And I have some new ideas that are going to move in an entirely new direction (can you say, cool new soap tools?) but for the moment, I have about 8 new fragrances to pour in soap.

I’m making (at least) Blueberries & Cream, Espresso, Summer Peach, Bloom and Pink Grapefruit. But maybe a few more. It all depends on mood. Like all of my soaps, these aren’t going to be plain janes. I do have a tendancy to want to overwork everything, and since ‘simple’ (at least my definiton of simple) is my mantra (now…) I’m going to make these simple in design and as usual, simply wonderful to use.

Use code LOVESOAP to save 20% off my entire store! (Jar candles are exempt, sorry, but they are REALLY heavy and I already (with my $4.95 shipping) eat a huge chunk of your shipping cost…)

See you there! Thanks for reading.

I think that’s a song lyric, and seriously, this week I have been so over my head, so exhausted, that I curled up on a floor on Wednesday night and bawled. This floor, to be honest, was the floor that I was attempting to lay.

I’ve done two rooms, with the very same laminate, from the very same store, before. Yes, my bedroom is larger than the front sitting room and the home office, but sheesh, shouldn’t be a problem, should it?

Well, it was. My son and I worked our tails off and when we were about 85% done, I walked over the middle of the floor and heard a ‘cracking’ noise. Part of the floor, right in the middle, fell out of the groove.

Fortunately, I had a number to call. The guy came and gave an estimate. And I choked just a little bit. He wanted cash to take up the old floor (that we’d laid down) and to put down the new. Nope, we can do that. In about 15 minutes, we pulled up 3 days (maybe 8 hours) of work.

He came yesterday (I think he had a helper with him…I was at work….son was here to supervise and good thing as he had to go and get a few things). And my floor is laid. Perfectly smooth. Furniture is back in and I’m putting my stuff away.

And I’m rather pissed. Why? Seems that I did not know a simple method of setting these floors. You have to score the boards, along where they ‘hook’ together with a sharp blade (like a box cutter) to remove a little extra bit of material. On both boards. And then they’ll lock perfectly.

Dammit. I wish I’d known that. I would have like to have kept the cash. But you know, sometimes an education comes at a price. And we’ve one more room to do. And yeah, I’ll do it myself. But this time, oh yeah, I’ll get out the box cutter!

In a few it is back to IKEA to return a few items bought LAST week. And to browse a bit (cause I love the place so). Bringing the son with me for a trip and some conversation. I have been thinking ‘soap’ though. A bunch of new soaps are coming. And I think a new lip balm line. I thought of something fun and cool the other night.

Check back soon, hear?

I am. Really. Because it has been nearly 5 weeks since I posted here. Seriously, that’s a horrific situation. I did not mean to leave you high and dry. Really. I did not. But life often has a way of cramming too much into too little, leaving you gasping for air and refreshment, like a freshly caught fish hauled out of the lake.

I’m involved in a lot of new activities. Some of which I’ve chosen. Some of which have rather chosen me. But it is okay. Really, it is. But until they create reliable clones, I’m just going to do the best that I can with what I have. And time, too little of it, is the key issue.

I’m working on a new website. I’ve never built anything (really) before and this is totally different from this site. At least, in theory. Okay, I know that doesn’t make a whole lotta sense, but what I’m doing with the new site (name to be shared soon) is design a site that will help discerning shoppers find handmade quality items easier. Coincidentally, it will also help the makers of those fabulous handmade items get seen faster and in a wider arena, And that really is the key. If no one knows you are ‘there’, no one will buy your items.

I’m learning how to program/design the site. So far, at least at this point, I’m determining that an August opening is going to happen. A few things have to occur, first, of course. I need photos/clipart. I’ve found most of them. But I still need more of them. I also need to upload the site to a server so that I can get the urls for the pages and set up the links. Then, I have to let other biz know of the site. The goal is to spend 50% of revenue on advertising each month. Which means that the site will have a fee. But I hope it is ‘worth it’ to those who are there.

I started a new team on Etsy called RealSoap. The reason? Soapers had been somewhat complacent thinking that the ‘reseller issue’ that has plagued many online selling venues, hadn’t hit our category. And we were all utterly gobsmacked to see folks buying ready made logs of soap, slicing them and puting a label on them. Well, that doesn’t constitute ‘handmade’ to me. RealSoap is a team that promotes folks who actually make what they sell, like moi. Want to check us out? Search RealSoap in the bar at Etsy and you’ll find different shops. Or, you can browse us by going to the team section, finding us and shopping with our membership. You’ll be glad you did.

I’m designing a new soap line. My first attempt to create the soap in my head did not work out. I kinda ‘mushed’ a few of my current techniques and hoped that I’d get the way cool image residing in my brain, but I did not. So I’ll try it again later tonight (fingers crossed) and see if, this time, I do manage to create what I’m calling ‘Sorbet Soap’. I think you’ll love it.

I’m also completing the design work for a new line of candles. More upscale than my current line, each candle is packaged to make it very ’giftable’. Tucked in a cool box and tied with a ribbon, it is something totally new for me. But still totally within the realm of Coquette Bath & Home™ (accent here on the ‘home’).

And, yes, I’m still redecorating. My home office and front sitting room are totally done. Though I did buy a new item at IKEA yesterday (Expedit unit) that I originally intended for my bedroom. Now, not too sure. I may use it in the front sitting room, in place of the white bookcase already there. With 8 cubicle spaces, it will hold a lot of stuff in a more organized way. I also bought 3 inserts (one with 2 drawers and two with just a door). White inserts in a black/brown (their color scheme…) unit. My only drawback is that it is made of engineered wood. I primarily purchase their solid wood items. But I’ve always loved that basic no nonsense design. If I decide not to use it there, then I will take it back.

And get a bookcase unit for my bedroom. That’s the current room on the agenda. I’ve already painted the walls with silvery blue (pale nearly gray) ‘oops’ paint. You know the paint. When the home improvement center doesn’t blend it precisely right for a customer, or if they do not return to pick it up, the paint is seriously marked down. I love getting $35 gallon paint for $9. I generally only buy oops paint. And this one is fabulous. It is nice enough that I’d honestly pay for the paint in full price. If you are looking for a wonderful paint that COVERS (and this paint covered a vivid jade green in a microthin coating cause I only had 1 gallon and a room that–with regular paint–would want 1.5 gallons) you need to buy the Behr paint that also contains a primer.

Absolutely wonderful. And one coat, as mentioned, did the job. I have enough to do, I don’t need to paint a room twice. And with this paint I did not have too.

Today, if the flooring store is open, I’m going to go and get the laminate for my bedroom, roust the 20yr old son out of bed, and lay floor. He and I have done 2 rooms already. And this one could be done today. We have to shift furniture to do it, though.

This list doesn’t even cover all of the past tax returns and stuff that I need to shred (3 bags already done and waiting for recycle), photos to take (like I’ve made a new lotion bar in peach that is fabulous. No, you don’t see it on the site–but I’m about to add it–cause of photos. I’m seriously delinquent in that arena. I HATE taking photos). And more.

Maybe we’ll even stop in at our new favorite sushi restaurant tonight for a dinner. That is, if we get the floor laid.

Hope your world is equally challenging. Keeps us on our toes, huh?

Part 1 and Part 2 (you can find these posts also in April 2011 archive) explained a bit about craft shows. You probably already know much of it. You have to have a good product. You have to price it correctly. (I also highly recommend very visible signage, extremely helpful). You have to make an attractive display.

What constitutes an attractive display is hard to put into words. It affects your product. Your location, Your pricepoint and also your theme. But let’s just say you’ve done this.

Now what? Now, it is selling time.

And here’s the hard part. Selling is work. It isn’t easy. While you may make the very best fluffy pink widget the world has ever seen, if you can’t talk about it. If you can’t show it off. If you can’t explain why I need to buy it…

Your widget will remain on your table. My money will remain in my pocket. And we’ll both miss out on the glorious Sale of the Fluffy Pink Widget.

Here’s where the salesmanship comes in. And believe me, I’m not speaking about how to force someone to buy something. This isn’t Sleazy Salesperson 101. This is how to communicate effectively with your prospective customer.

And the #1 rule: Tell the truth. And that is the real truth and nothing but the truth. If your widget cures cancer, fine. If it does not, don’t claim that it does. Now, that is a really huge generalization and I mean it to be that way. Because you’d be surprised to know…and I know you’ll be shocked…that many folks do claim that their product does this or that, or is made of this or that, or even comes from this place or that place…and are telling total outright fibs.

Yeah, I know, you’re shocked. At least, I hope you’re shocked. If not, well, you should be. Because telling the truth is the #1 rule of ethical sales. That is, of course, if you want to make ethical sales. If not, this blog post probably isn’t for you.

#2: Be genuine. I guess that kinda goes with #1 (tell the truth) but if you aren’t a little gal from a Podunk town (but rather a sophisticated urbanite working on her fake southern drawl for the junior league talent show) then don’t say you are. Be who you are, and as you are. Genuine folks create genuine reactions. Trust me.

#3: Engage your customers. Remember #1 and #2. I always find something to chat about. And it isn’t ‘HEY COME AND SMELL MY SOAP!’ Okay, to be truthful, I have said something like that. With a big grin. And a joking tone to my voice. And it is actually more like ‘Hey, I have great smells over here!”

Generally, though, I opt to say something like ‘OMG, I LOVE that shirt, where did you find it?’ Or “What a cute little girl/boy/cat/dog/purchase’. But again, per #2, I am genuine. I don’t say it if I don’t believe it (like #1) but that is an icebreaker and folks will generally come closer, smile and be open to chat a bit. If not, they’ll give you a short grin or nod and keep on walking. And that’s fine. They know I’m there to chat them up. To get them to stop. To perhaps buy. They don’t have to do any of it. But engagement is the key.

Well, these are just my rambling thoughts. Hopefully, some of them have made some sense. I know that it is hard to quantify what works because not everything works for all people. Salesmanship is tailoring the technique to your skills and your abilities. Not everyone can sell. And not everyone should.

And that is the crux of the matter. If you make the very best Fluffy Pink Widget ever made, but you cannot talk to folks and sound genuine and feel comfortable—find someone who can. Or don’t do face to face shows at all. I’ve had folks stare at me while I’m at a show. And I can tell they are amazed at how much fun I have. Well, here’s the secret…..   I LIKE being there. I LIKE talking to customers. I plan on having a BLAST. And generally, I do.

So I guess it is a ‘no secret’ that is a secret. Because I fully follow all 3 of my points above. I tell the truth. I’m genuinely interested in the customer and in finding the right thing for them. I engage them. And I have a lot of fun doing it!

One lady at a show last fall, who was also selling (and who was also selling soap, though I don’t think she made it…) come up to me and say ‘You could sell ice cubes to Eskimos’ (take that, please, as a euphemistic comment…) And you know what…?

I probably could. And we’d both have a GREAT time.

Mine would probably be fluffy and pink.

In my inaugural post titled the same (minus the part 2, duh), I went over the general expectations about doing a show. So, let’s just assume that you’ve made the decision to do a show or shows. You’ve got the product. You’ve ordered bags and banners and built displays. You’ve packed the boxes, you’re ready to set the world on fire.

Well, at this time, please take a moment to go back and read my post about having a craft show. Here’s the link.  http://www.coquettebath.com/blog/2010/so-you-wanna-host-a-craft-show/

Yes, this does apply a lot to the organizers, but there is wisdom (well, that’s the intent) here for you, too.

Bottom line: no one is ever going to be able to guarantee you a good show. Anything can/will happen. I did a show at a big high school on the same day that the Texas Rangers were in the playoffs for the World Series. Traffic was significantly down. But that show had always brought in customers, and my revenue actually increased that weekend. But not always does this happen.

Some shows stink. And no matter what the organizer does, they will always stink. Some shows, based on the market or the general ‘mood’ of that group, will never attract the buyers. Let’s be honest, here.  That’s what we want. We want to see streams of folks, in good moods (ever try to sell to a bunch of grumps…? UGH) with good money (or a valid credit card) coming by our booth. They’re browsing, of course, but we are able to have a short conversation. Maybe to show them a few things. And many of them decide to give our great item (or items!) a try. Take them home. Give us the green…

You get the picture.

But while some shows seem to be shopping destinations, others are social events. The ‘oh we’ve nothing to do today so let’s run by this show…and since we’re on a budget, let’s not bring any money with us so that we have no temptation to buy anything’.

Yeah, THAT type of customer/show. And you know what? There’s absolutely nothing you can do in that situation. Except grin. Chalk it up to experience (because it surely is) and make sure that you NEVER EVER DO THAT SHOW AGAIN.

And tell your fellow crafters. At least those you like (LOL).

I did a show like that recently. Lovely venue. Really well organized, though I do have issues with groups having performances during sales time (more on that later, maybe in #3!), but the folks who came in….

DID. NOT. BUY. 

Some of them came with kids. Now, kids love my booth. I have bright colors and lovely smelling things. But when the little girls asked Mom for money to buy a lip balm, I had about 4-5 go ‘Oh dear, you have a dollar, give that to the lady’.

Ummm, lip balms are $3. And even though your child is adorably cute, they’re still $3. Plus tax.

The lady next to me had customers ask her for certain items and she’d happily point to them. And then they’d go ‘oh really? Well, great.’ And walk away. Leaving both of us shaking our heads.

You have no recourse on that show, as already mentioned, except to never do it again. You can also, however, send a link to your blog post to the organizer and hope she gets the message. Cause without buyers, you have no vendors.  And vendors talk to one another. And I’ll never do that show again. And neither will the others around me. So, that show that is depending on vendors to rent spaces…? Yeah, you’ll be looking hard every year to fill your spots. While other shows have a waiting list.

Well, this is running long. So I think I’ll write a #3. And that one will be about having the right ‘stuff’ to do a show. From a vendor perspective. See you there!

A few months ago, I did a blog post called ‘So you want to have a craft show.” I’ve been thrilled and blessed to find that this post is now linked to a lot of quality blogs as a reference. I’m honored, really. It is, after all, just my opinion. But I do speak from the heart and tell the truth.

 And truth always wins, I think.

 So, here’s another one, devoted to my fellow crafters. And this one, as you can tell, is entitled “So you want to sell at a craft show”.

 Like the first article, this may seem a silly question. After all, if you are having a show, or selling at one, you’ve made a conscious decision. But while you’ve made that decision, sometimes, well let’s be honest, not everyone thinks everything through 1000%. And another pair of eyes is helpful. And that’s what this post, like the other, is designed to provide.

So in the same vein as before, here’s my take on this vital question.

 So, the basic answer is obvious. Or so it seems to me.  You want to sell at a craft show because you want to introduce folks to your products, right? Well, of course you do! You’ve spent time and money and invested a lot of effort. And now is the payoff day. Or is it?

 Just because something is made doesn’t mean it will sell. And that can be a very painful learning experience. I’ve had it happen to me. I make what I think is a great product and it just sits there. Like a product I made called ‘Fizz’. Yes, it was a bath bomb, but the product came in a 3pc mini size. It gave the customer the option to use as few as one or all 3pc at a single time. Priced a bit higher than a regular bath bomb of similar weight, I was sure (based on my talking to customers ) that it would fly out of my shop. If you wanted a foot bath: use one. If you had a huge garden style bath tub: maybe 3 (definitely 3 for me) etc.

Ok, this is NOT Fizz! These are some of my new bath bombs...I no longer even have a photo memory of Fizz!

It totally flopped. I mean really. I sold some wholesale and sold a few more retail, but most sold went at a significant discount at shows as ‘discontinued items’. I still love the idea. But I no longer make that product.

 And that’s the truth of selling face to face. Unlike the internet where you can ‘hide’ behind your avatar or shop, in a face to face selling venue you will hear a lot of painful things. You will have folks question whether your products are good enough (Ethel, you can make that yourself, don’t spend money here). You’ll have issues with bad debt (credit cards that don’t go through, even given by other vendors) or dishonored checks. You could even get counterfeit money.

 You’ll have to schlep your items into the venue in all weather conditions. Forget the post office bringing mail come rain, sleet or shine. Hell, they’re getting paid. We don’t have a clue whether we’ll make a buck or lose a hundred. But we do it.

 And why?

Because there is simply no better way, in my opinion, to really learn the nitty gritty. To see what customers like. What they do not. To polish your packaging, your image, your usp (unique selling proposition…I do have a BS in Marketing LOL). Face to face with the consumer is crunch time. It is seeing, first hand, how your items will be received.

 And the huge payoff, of course, is seeing how other folks respond to them. And each event is totally different. You can tweak your message, your setup, everything between one show and the next. Try that with a retail store (trust me, I did….wasn’t fun or easy and did not end well) and you’ll know how blessed a show can be.

 But it is also a lot of work. And worry. And pain. And frustration. I’ve indicated some of them above. But as each person is different, so are the expectations and the feelings and the results.

 I’ll get more into those in Part 2. Thanks for reading!