Doll Clothes, Disappointment and An Opportunity

If you read my blog with any degree of regularity you know that I have been sewing and knitting for American Girl sized dolls for a couple of years.



The table from our first craft fair.

 

Last year I ventured into craft fairs to sell my hand made items with mixed success.  I partnered on a few of them with another lady who was learning to sew doll items.  That also met with mixed success -- in that the partnership met with mixed success.  Agreeing to a plan does not necessarily mean sticking to the plan.  That's all I'm going to say about THAT.

At one of the craft fairs I was approached by a woman who has a store dedicated to dolls.  She asked me to sew things that she would carry in her store.  I agreed, and we settled on a 'wholesale' price.  She told me my work was excellent and my prices were more than reasonable.

Good deal, right?  She wanted everything I had after the last sale. 

Wow!  I delivered my bin of things and she displayed them in her store.  The first month, things went fine.  I was liking this, making back some of the investment I made in materials and notions.

NOT that I was doing it for the money to begin with.  But it would definitely make my possible transition into retirement easier. 

Snowman dress just in time for Christmas

Love making the hats!

Fast forward several months to an open house that did not occur, through store hours that were virtually non-existent to an injury to the owner that took the whole operation down for six months and many unanswered emails and a lot, I'm telling you a LOT of frustration on my part for missed opportunities to last week when I finally got a phone call from said store owner.

Me:  I'd like to know when you're going to be open.  I think I'd like to come and pick up my things.  It doesn't seem to be working out very well.

Her:  OK, yes I guess that's the case.  When do you want to come?

Me:  You tell me when you're there and I'll arrange to be there.

Her:  OK, well come Saturday morning.  Sorry it didn't work out.

Yeah, me too.  She's had some health issues and for that I'm sorry and I've kept good thoughts for her continued recovery.

What girl doesn't love patterned jeans?

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I now have a box of beautiful doll items and no outlet to speak of.  I may try to get into a local craft fair if it's not too late and not too expensive.  Meanwhile, if anyone out there in the ozone is looking to pick up some items for one of their favorite little girls, reach me at the email address in my profile.

Maybe I'll put up a doll clothes tab.  I don't really want to do the full blown Etsy or Craftsy or Craig's List or any of those options.  I much prefer to deal in person so people can see and touch what they're getting and be sure it's quality.

These items are in the box, along with many more... and I promise the prices are still reasonable! 

I might just have to sponsor a give-away... This lovely green and white sweater and a denim skirt to one lucky winner.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, make sure your email address is included, and your name will go into the hat.   Miss A will draw the winner on November 5.

Sew on...