The one we just finished, A Community Affair, has been going on for over 30 years. I can't remember if they said '32nd' or '37th'... they kind of sound the same. I can't say enough about the helpful staff and the wonderful organizers! They made us feel welcome, they had lots of helpers there to wheel in your stuff or bring you chairs, and they had runners to deliver lunch orders and coffee, and even desserts in the afternoon!
The crowd was fair-to-middlin' as they used to say. I thought there were too many lulls but maybe that's how it goes when it's drizzly and cold. There were a lot of people who walked by our table, admired, and walked on.
I thought we had awesome stuff!! Our booth was very attractive...
...although it was crowded because our booth partner had big stuff, those are deco-mesh wreaths.
We had everything from dresses and sweaters to doll jewelry.
Socks and slippers and mittens...
Sleeping bags and pillows...
And robes and PJs... and that's a basket of tutus.
Who knows what people are going to want and what they're not... we sold no robes, one dress and one tutu! We had adorable leggings to go under the tutus. People bought the leggings...
What went? I have to do a final inventory but we sold sweaters, slippers, PJs, sleeping bags and pillows. Oh, and hats. Lots of hats!
We were competing with three other vendors selling doll items. They weren't exactly alike, but one vendor had made hundreds of party dresses and fancy coats and costumes. She said she was disappointed in sales but I have no idea what she was measuring that against. Another woman had lots of doll furniture and some sports-themed stuff... Badgers and Packers. She also expressed dismay at her sales.
There were lots of people walking by with no packages, but we weren't near the exit so maybe they bought once they passed us.
The two extremes: The woman next to us sold NOTHING. Not a blessed thing, all day. And the woman across the way was selling little people made out of old cans like there was no tomorrow.
We did OK... that is we made enough to earn back the registration fees, pay for lunch, and take home a respectable amount split between us. I wish it had been more, but oh well. I just enjoyed myself a whole lot in spite of it!
We did learn a few things... we need to get some better display racks, since ours kept falling over. We need to get our own booth; sharing a space with someone selling other merchandise cramps our style and doesn't allow us to display to our best advantage.
And despite our best efforts to colorize and make 'outfits', little girls will always want the red, white and blue sweater with a pink hat.
Our inventory is pretty good for the sale coming up in two weeks. Maybe this weekend I can finally get to sewing something for myself!
Sew on...
