Monday, July 21, 2008

To market to market

Oh. My. God. I have never been quite so overwhelmed in my life. The Design Market was FULL ON. It's full on and jam packed every year but it's a different story when you're on the other side of the transaction. There would have been a good few hours there where I was serving customers non-stop. I think I did okay given it was my very first time doing retail and using an eft-pos machine, and now I realise how easy it is to forget to give someone back their credit card ;)

But, the day was a great success. I was really happy with how my things sold. It was definitely a learning experience (note to self - take 1000's of business cards next time) and interesting/surprising to see which things sold quickly.

One of the biggest surprises was how quickly the fabric mix packs went. I'm kicking myself for not making more! I kind of assumed that a "Design" market was more about finished product than supplies, but I underestimated how many keen crafters would be there!

Here's some pics of our stand just after set-up. Not very good ones unfortunately:




(my stuff was mostly towards the back)

Thanks to everyone who came down to say hello. I was pretty overwhelmed so apologies if I had trouble stringing sentences together! Thanks also to Kylie and Bianca who helped man the fort whilst I took a break.

I'll be updating my shop with the leftover stock soon. And some new fabrics, which I haven't had a chance to list!

11 comments:

Jodie said...

Hi Lara,
that would have been me buying fabric packs. Sorry I didn't say hello but you were flat out with customers about 6 deep. It was kind of crazy wasn't it?

Like Butter said...

crazy as! but the bamakko stall was a standout. congrats!

mizu designs said...

You and Tim were champions Lara! The least I could do was give you a chance to go to the loo :) Yes, it was really FULL ON! So many people. The low ceilings in the car park didn't help the feeling of being hemmed in either. The stall looked beautiful and was one of the most well attended of the entire market. Yay to you guys and to Ben!

CurlyPops said...

Hi Lara, it was so nice to meet you yesterday...I couldn't believe how many people were there....it was fantastic!

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Sounds like you had a great day (if not a bit crazed). Now you'll be set for the next big show!

Nikki said...

So glad that you survived your first big retail show... and sold well at it to boot.

You can rest assured at your next show, that if you sock up on fabric packs then everyone will want clutches and wrist straps....

Nikki said...

I meant STOCK up....

Arthur's Circus said...

It was nuts and I was there pretty early too. Yay for sales... although people say it's not what it's all about it's cool to bring home dollars in pockets rather than piles of your own product and no where to put it.

Anonymous said...

mega huge well done to you and tim lara! i manned the bamakko stall at both markets last year, and it was pretty full on, but this year's seemed like two or three times the size!

Anonymous said...

You're textiles were a stand out at the Market. I've just featured you in my blog.
Also, very excited that you've just started a textile print service, just around the corner from where I work.(If you haven't already, check out the costume shop in the same building. It's huge!)
I know where to go now for hand prints. Keep up the great work!

spices for violet said...

Lara, I was lusting after those clutch purses at your stall but finances prevented me... and so my friend bought one! Jealous! It was MADNESS that day but very inspiring. I'm glad to see I can buy one of those clutches online when the $$ come in next pay!