So this is the busy season for me. I have several Craft Shows coming up between now and December 14th. So I will be MIA for a while. I am currently working on replacing stock from a very successful farmers market last weekend. This is a free market hosted once a month by the local Tractor Supply Store. I almost didn't go, but decided I could use the fresh air. I only took a small amount of stock, but what I did take was flying off the tables. Luckily I had more at home for the next show coming up this weekend in Farmersville, but I still want to replace some of the toys. Luckily they are are quickly made, unlike a blanket or garment which can take a few days or even weeks to create.
I did find a new pattern for a small dragon. Years ago, when my youngest niece and nephew were little I made 2 large dragons for them as Christmas presents and they were a big hit. They also took a couple of weeks to make, because there were a few errors in the written pattern that I had to figure out (2 single chains in each of 6 sc chains around does not equal 15 no matter what math you use). These take only an hour or so to make and use up very little yarn (just under a 388 yards). If I can remember to do so, I will take a picture of some of the toys I make this weekend at the show, and post it, along with the links where you can find the patterns.
So, back to work for me. Will try to catch up even if its just to say a quick hi/bye next week sometime.
Showing posts with label craft shows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craft shows. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Rude Customers Rant
Okay, so I had to wait a few days before I posted this, then I had to rewrite it to make it less vicious. But I have a few pet peeves when it comes to customers, and I had three of those happen Saturday at Two Sisters monthly Swap Meet.
First, was a low-baller. If you have ever sold anything you know the customer of which I speak. They pick up an expensive item, then offer a ridiculously low amount. Now keep in mind I sell both vintage, and handcrafts at the monthly swap meet. In this case the customer picked up a vintage piece of glass, one that regularly sells online for 50 dollars or more depending on color, time of year, and how many people want it. When I find this piece (and it is getting much harder to find) I can sell it easily for 35 bucks at the swap meet, and it is usually one of the first pieces to sell. This person picked it up, looked over carefully (it was in mint condition) then turned to me and said I'll give you 5 dollars for it. I kept my cool and said thanks but no thanks. Then they said I'll come back near the end of the sale maybe you'll be willing to sell it then. Thankfully it sold for full price a few minutes later, so I had the privilege of looking them in the eye and saying, oh I sold that for full price a few minutes after you walked away. (sometimes you get to see karma in work).
Second was someone who picked up a 1 dollar item (I think it was a card of buttons), and pulled out a 100 dollar bill. I did refuse to take it, usually when people do that it is because they forgot to get change the day before. When they said the only other thing they had was a credit card, I said that's okay, I'm set up for cards. Of course they decided they didn't need them that badly and walked away.
And one of my favorites. The three guys who were friends, hadn't seen each other in a few days, and decided standing in front of my booth blocking the entrance was a great place to visit. I let it go for a couple of minutes, then asked them politely to move to one side. They acted like I wasn't even speaking. It took me almost 30 minutes to get them to move. I just kept saying excuse me, your blocking my booth, please move to one side so customers can get in. And actually it was a customer who finally got them to move. The guy was shopping with is kids and the kids wanted to see the toys I had on the handcraft side of the booth. When it was obvious the three were not going to let the kids by, he just walked up and pushed them out of the way, saying my kids want to get in here to shop and your blocking the entrance. I think he actually shocked them into moving (my hero). Although I was thinking, they were lucky I did not have a two by four handy.
So that brings me to my pet peeves that customers do (some on purpose, some don't even realize they are doing it) These are not necessarily in order.
Low ballers - offer tiny amounts of money for items that are already priced.
The I need change people - they will find the cheapest thing in your booth and pull out a large bill, it happens at every show I do. Sometimes I will break the bill, sometimes I say no and offer to take a card. It depends on the time of day. If its late in the day, chances are big bills are all they have left, early in the day, they were just too lazy to get change.
The on my God I haven't seen you for at least a day (month, week, year) and proceed to catch up while blocking the entrance to your booth. Most will move to one side if you ask politely. Some just ignore you and continue "catching up".
The person who picks up the handcrafted item you spent hours making (in some cases days and weeks perfecting the pattern), and taking detailed notes on construction in order to go home and make it themselves. I have started offering the printed patterns for the items I have designed myself for sale, and pointing them out. Most end up purchasing the pattern, a few get upset that I dare suggest they purchase a pattern when they are quite capable of making it themselves.
Then there is the one who runs down everything they pick up. They could make it better, they don't know why the rare piece of furniture is priced so high, when the seller probably picked it up for next to nothing at a yardsale, or my favorite what makes your stuff so special, anyone can crochet, knit, make pottery, or jewelry, or whatever your craft is. These people you just have to ignore, there is nothing you can say or do that will change their minds. Just smile and say nothing.
Then my favorite when it comes to hand crafts the customer who says well I know the materials only cost you x amount, why are you selling for that much. Excuse me, I have time invested into the item, as well as things like rent, utilities, insurance, food, etc to cover as well. All of that has to go into the cost of the item. (these are usually the people selling at the church craft shows and charging only enough to by more materials to make more of their items, you know the ones that make it harder for the rest of us to make a living with our hand crafts)
And I get this one, but for some reason they only tend to show up at vintage shows (I don't do as many of these anymore, but still....)Well I can get it cheaper elsewhere. I actually had a customer tell me they could get a certain depression glass pattern that has not been made (or even reproduced) since the mid 1930's) new for a cheaper price at a department store in town. I suggested that if that was the case they may want to visit that store, because I could not possibly sell the pieces I had in that pattern that cheap, as I had paid more than that for them. It was the first day of a 3 day show, they came back on the 3rd day, waited until I walked away from my booth (not realizing I was in the booth next door paying for a piece of furniture the dealer had put back for me) and bought all the pieces I had left in that pattern (my cousin was running the booth for me while I was doing my shopping). I walked in just as they were walking out. They turned a nice shade of red, I just smiled and said hi, beautiful day isn't it.
But I think the type of customer that annoys everyone, is the person who lets their kids run wild. They don't keep an eye on them, and don't try to stop them from picking up anything and everything they can. And heaven forbid if you say something to the kid. You are the one that gets yelled at. Even if all you said was please don't handle that, its very fragile. I have even had to ask kids not to run in my booth I did hear the best response from a vendor at a show I was shopping at though. The kid kept grabbing expensive glass items off the vendors table. Her husband would quickly take the item and put it back on the table, while saying please don't touch anything, (the child in question was standing on tip toe, and reaching up and grabbing the item off the table, so you can't say the stuff was at their level) After about the 4th or 5th time his wife turned to the mother and said "If your don't stop your kid from grabbing my stuff, I'm going to kick your ass" (that was a direct quote). The mother grabbed the kid and took off. Next time I saw them she still had a death grip on the child's arm.
So those are my biggest pet peeves for rude customers. I'm sure others could add to this list easily.
Maybe next time I'll do a pet peeve for sellers I have encountered over the years.
First, was a low-baller. If you have ever sold anything you know the customer of which I speak. They pick up an expensive item, then offer a ridiculously low amount. Now keep in mind I sell both vintage, and handcrafts at the monthly swap meet. In this case the customer picked up a vintage piece of glass, one that regularly sells online for 50 dollars or more depending on color, time of year, and how many people want it. When I find this piece (and it is getting much harder to find) I can sell it easily for 35 bucks at the swap meet, and it is usually one of the first pieces to sell. This person picked it up, looked over carefully (it was in mint condition) then turned to me and said I'll give you 5 dollars for it. I kept my cool and said thanks but no thanks. Then they said I'll come back near the end of the sale maybe you'll be willing to sell it then. Thankfully it sold for full price a few minutes later, so I had the privilege of looking them in the eye and saying, oh I sold that for full price a few minutes after you walked away. (sometimes you get to see karma in work).
Second was someone who picked up a 1 dollar item (I think it was a card of buttons), and pulled out a 100 dollar bill. I did refuse to take it, usually when people do that it is because they forgot to get change the day before. When they said the only other thing they had was a credit card, I said that's okay, I'm set up for cards. Of course they decided they didn't need them that badly and walked away.
And one of my favorites. The three guys who were friends, hadn't seen each other in a few days, and decided standing in front of my booth blocking the entrance was a great place to visit. I let it go for a couple of minutes, then asked them politely to move to one side. They acted like I wasn't even speaking. It took me almost 30 minutes to get them to move. I just kept saying excuse me, your blocking my booth, please move to one side so customers can get in. And actually it was a customer who finally got them to move. The guy was shopping with is kids and the kids wanted to see the toys I had on the handcraft side of the booth. When it was obvious the three were not going to let the kids by, he just walked up and pushed them out of the way, saying my kids want to get in here to shop and your blocking the entrance. I think he actually shocked them into moving (my hero). Although I was thinking, they were lucky I did not have a two by four handy.
So that brings me to my pet peeves that customers do (some on purpose, some don't even realize they are doing it) These are not necessarily in order.
Low ballers - offer tiny amounts of money for items that are already priced.
The I need change people - they will find the cheapest thing in your booth and pull out a large bill, it happens at every show I do. Sometimes I will break the bill, sometimes I say no and offer to take a card. It depends on the time of day. If its late in the day, chances are big bills are all they have left, early in the day, they were just too lazy to get change.
The on my God I haven't seen you for at least a day (month, week, year) and proceed to catch up while blocking the entrance to your booth. Most will move to one side if you ask politely. Some just ignore you and continue "catching up".
The person who picks up the handcrafted item you spent hours making (in some cases days and weeks perfecting the pattern), and taking detailed notes on construction in order to go home and make it themselves. I have started offering the printed patterns for the items I have designed myself for sale, and pointing them out. Most end up purchasing the pattern, a few get upset that I dare suggest they purchase a pattern when they are quite capable of making it themselves.
Then there is the one who runs down everything they pick up. They could make it better, they don't know why the rare piece of furniture is priced so high, when the seller probably picked it up for next to nothing at a yardsale, or my favorite what makes your stuff so special, anyone can crochet, knit, make pottery, or jewelry, or whatever your craft is. These people you just have to ignore, there is nothing you can say or do that will change their minds. Just smile and say nothing.
Then my favorite when it comes to hand crafts the customer who says well I know the materials only cost you x amount, why are you selling for that much. Excuse me, I have time invested into the item, as well as things like rent, utilities, insurance, food, etc to cover as well. All of that has to go into the cost of the item. (these are usually the people selling at the church craft shows and charging only enough to by more materials to make more of their items, you know the ones that make it harder for the rest of us to make a living with our hand crafts)
And I get this one, but for some reason they only tend to show up at vintage shows (I don't do as many of these anymore, but still....)Well I can get it cheaper elsewhere. I actually had a customer tell me they could get a certain depression glass pattern that has not been made (or even reproduced) since the mid 1930's) new for a cheaper price at a department store in town. I suggested that if that was the case they may want to visit that store, because I could not possibly sell the pieces I had in that pattern that cheap, as I had paid more than that for them. It was the first day of a 3 day show, they came back on the 3rd day, waited until I walked away from my booth (not realizing I was in the booth next door paying for a piece of furniture the dealer had put back for me) and bought all the pieces I had left in that pattern (my cousin was running the booth for me while I was doing my shopping). I walked in just as they were walking out. They turned a nice shade of red, I just smiled and said hi, beautiful day isn't it.
But I think the type of customer that annoys everyone, is the person who lets their kids run wild. They don't keep an eye on them, and don't try to stop them from picking up anything and everything they can. And heaven forbid if you say something to the kid. You are the one that gets yelled at. Even if all you said was please don't handle that, its very fragile. I have even had to ask kids not to run in my booth I did hear the best response from a vendor at a show I was shopping at though. The kid kept grabbing expensive glass items off the vendors table. Her husband would quickly take the item and put it back on the table, while saying please don't touch anything, (the child in question was standing on tip toe, and reaching up and grabbing the item off the table, so you can't say the stuff was at their level) After about the 4th or 5th time his wife turned to the mother and said "If your don't stop your kid from grabbing my stuff, I'm going to kick your ass" (that was a direct quote). The mother grabbed the kid and took off. Next time I saw them she still had a death grip on the child's arm.
So those are my biggest pet peeves for rude customers. I'm sure others could add to this list easily.
Maybe next time I'll do a pet peeve for sellers I have encountered over the years.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Busy Times
So I have been very busy trying to get ready for the next two craft shows I have coming up in October. Just a few more items to make, then I am going to turn my attention toward making Christmas ornaments for the shows I have coming up in November and December. It helps that I did most of the craft items I need early in the year. After my last show in December I will take a month off to just breathe, try to pick out the new designs I want to try for the following year, decide which of the older tried and true designs I want to keep, and start looking for Spring 2020 shows that I may want to sign up for. Oh and I need to complete three wedding ring afghans in that time. One should have been done already, but a couple of shows I wasn't expecting to get into slowed that one down to a crawl, and I still have to purchase the yarn for one of them (thank goodness it doesn't have to be finished before next October, got to remember NOT to schedule a show that week.)
Oh and I also need to get my online store stocked. So this is going to be a busy busy season for me. Better busy that bored though. Although it would be nice to actually be able to see the floor of my craft room instead of open boxes of raw material, in this case yarn, ribbon, buttons, burlap, and t-shirts and funky sweaters waiting to be upcycled into rag rugs and pet beds. Oh well, after Dec 14th I can take a week to clean up and take stock, then I need to make sure all the Christmas gifts are done and ready to deliver. (hopefully that will include one of the above mentions afghans.)
For kicks and giggles thought I'd include some pictures of some of my stock / sale set ups in this post. Enjoy
Oh and I also need to get my online store stocked. So this is going to be a busy busy season for me. Better busy that bored though. Although it would be nice to actually be able to see the floor of my craft room instead of open boxes of raw material, in this case yarn, ribbon, buttons, burlap, and t-shirts and funky sweaters waiting to be upcycled into rag rugs and pet beds. Oh well, after Dec 14th I can take a week to clean up and take stock, then I need to make sure all the Christmas gifts are done and ready to deliver. (hopefully that will include one of the above mentions afghans.)
For kicks and giggles thought I'd include some pictures of some of my stock / sale set ups in this post. Enjoy
Monday, April 23, 2018
update time
Well I did two shows the past two weekends, one I will definitely do again, the other maybe if I don't have anything else going on that weekend. I am also doing a farmers market that is strictly for handcrafted, and homemade items at a local Tractor Supply Store in Dinuba on the 5th of May. We shall see how it goes. Its free to set up, and its only 15 minutes from my house.
I went to a Rusty Roots show Sunday. I found some great display items for my craft room, and for showing off finished products. I am really thinking I would like to try and get into the next one they have in the area. I do believe my products would sell well.
I have booked my room, and signed up for three classes at the Crochet Guild Conference going on in Oregon this July. It will be my first conference, and luckily it is within driving distance (a 14 hour drive but I am breaking it down into two days.) That makes it nice because I can visit my best friend and her family in Seaside for a few days after the conference before heading home. I will probably stretch the trip home out into three days. I really can't wait. I'm told next summers conference will be on the East Coast. If I can swing it I hope to go to it as well. We shall see.
I am working on some different crafts for the next two shows I have coming up. I am going to try and post some pictures of them later this week. Lets just say, flip flops, and buckets.
On the personal front, I lost another pound, leaving only 85.8 pounds to go to meet my goal. I knocked another 11.03 miles off the mileage total I am trying to make, leaving 160.80 to go. And I made 63114 steps, leaving 1893309 steps to go.
I went to a Rusty Roots show Sunday. I found some great display items for my craft room, and for showing off finished products. I am really thinking I would like to try and get into the next one they have in the area. I do believe my products would sell well.
I have booked my room, and signed up for three classes at the Crochet Guild Conference going on in Oregon this July. It will be my first conference, and luckily it is within driving distance (a 14 hour drive but I am breaking it down into two days.) That makes it nice because I can visit my best friend and her family in Seaside for a few days after the conference before heading home. I will probably stretch the trip home out into three days. I really can't wait. I'm told next summers conference will be on the East Coast. If I can swing it I hope to go to it as well. We shall see.
I am working on some different crafts for the next two shows I have coming up. I am going to try and post some pictures of them later this week. Lets just say, flip flops, and buckets.
On the personal front, I lost another pound, leaving only 85.8 pounds to go to meet my goal. I knocked another 11.03 miles off the mileage total I am trying to make, leaving 160.80 to go. And I made 63114 steps, leaving 1893309 steps to go.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
updates
Well the week is going well so far. Had a great Easter with my brother and sister-in-law. The scale has started dropping again, Yay. I am getting stuff ready for a vintage/repurposed sale coming up at the end of April. Then I have a vintage/craft show coming up in May, possibly another vintage show coming up in May, and a craft boutique coming up in June. In between all this I have to finish planting my small vegetable garden, get some tile work done in my bathroom, figure out what color I want to paint my home, and get ready for a trip to the coast at the beginning of May, and a trip to Oregon in July. Oh, and getting stuff ready for the shows I have coming up. Can you say busy.
Any way total for my weight loss 1.6 pounds leaving 86.8 to go, 12.38 miles walked leaving 198.82 to go, and 82054 steps walked leaving 2098236 to go
Any way total for my weight loss 1.6 pounds leaving 86.8 to go, 12.38 miles walked leaving 198.82 to go, and 82054 steps walked leaving 2098236 to go
Monday, January 15, 2018
Weekly Update
This has been a productive week, as far as personal goals go, I am down another 2.5 pounds, walked another 4.63 miles and upped my step total by another 64,270 steps. So new running totals needed to meet goals are:
97 pounds left to lose,
290.51 miles left to walk, and
2,801,249 steps to take.
On the professional front, still trying to work out the kinks in a couple of patterns I'm working on. I hope to have at least one of them ready to post for sale before the end of the month. But It will probably be closer to the end of February. I have got some items ready to photograph and list for sale, just waiting for a nice sunny day to take the pictures. They just don't come out as nice when there is a lot of fog and clouds, both of which we have had in spades the past few days. Maybe by the weekend I will get a chance to actually get outside and take the photos. Then it's just a matter of editing the photos, and writing the descriptions, and listing the items. I will of course do a blog post once the items are live on either bonanza or etsy.
I actually tried spaghetti squash for the first time the other day. It's not going to replace the pasta in my diet completely, but its not half bad topped with a fresh veggie salsa. And I am going to try to eat less meat (sorry not cutting it out completely), but I do like fresh veggies and can see myself doing at least one or two vegetarian days a week.
Anyone in the Fresno/Hanford area that knows of any local craft/antique shows coming up this spring let me know. I have been away from doing the shows since before my Mother was diagnosed with lung cancer (she lost her battle in 2014), and I think I am ready to start wading back into the pool so to speak. Preferably smaller ones for now.
That's it for now. Will try to check in later this week. Next Monday or Tuesday for sure.
97 pounds left to lose,
290.51 miles left to walk, and
2,801,249 steps to take.
On the professional front, still trying to work out the kinks in a couple of patterns I'm working on. I hope to have at least one of them ready to post for sale before the end of the month. But It will probably be closer to the end of February. I have got some items ready to photograph and list for sale, just waiting for a nice sunny day to take the pictures. They just don't come out as nice when there is a lot of fog and clouds, both of which we have had in spades the past few days. Maybe by the weekend I will get a chance to actually get outside and take the photos. Then it's just a matter of editing the photos, and writing the descriptions, and listing the items. I will of course do a blog post once the items are live on either bonanza or etsy.
I actually tried spaghetti squash for the first time the other day. It's not going to replace the pasta in my diet completely, but its not half bad topped with a fresh veggie salsa. And I am going to try to eat less meat (sorry not cutting it out completely), but I do like fresh veggies and can see myself doing at least one or two vegetarian days a week.
Anyone in the Fresno/Hanford area that knows of any local craft/antique shows coming up this spring let me know. I have been away from doing the shows since before my Mother was diagnosed with lung cancer (she lost her battle in 2014), and I think I am ready to start wading back into the pool so to speak. Preferably smaller ones for now.
That's it for now. Will try to check in later this week. Next Monday or Tuesday for sure.
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