finally! My show report- I am sure you were all holding your breath, right?
This past Sunday I was at the South End Open Market with my Etsy street team, Boston Handmade. I feel as though I passed some test because I survived my first rainy set-up. Real life doing an outdoor market. Here is a photo of the booth- mostly ready. I used a tent and thank goodness I had the sides, but the water pooled on the roof and dripped through in places. My banner got wet but survived just fine.
The rain poured down all through the set up time, but mostly stopped by 10:30 or so and crowds started showing up around 11.
I had a great day. My sales expectations were low since my prices are a lot higher then casual impulse buying. I sold a few things- that sweet yellow swaddled baby and one tiny world- both to repeat customers. The people who sell and the people who show up to buy are cheerful and enthusiastic. It is always fun. I know that if I approached things differently, I would sell better. If I want it to work for me, I need to go regularly and then people would get used to my work and the prices- that is how it works for me on Etsy and my blog. I just don’t have the energy to focus on both live markets and the internet marketing right now. And so, everything is in my Etsy shop.
The highlight of my day was a surprise visit from Kristin! I knew she was going to be in Boston for a job and I am so glad she found the time to come to the market. I haven’t seen her in 2 years! Hurray for internet friends!
Here is our Boston Handmade sign, before things got going in the morning.
Next show- Boston Handmade Marketplace on July 11 in Union Sq. Somerville. Guess I better get back to work!
how funny things work, mimi. right as i was clicking on your link from my blog i was thinking about our paperbag swag project from last summer and vowing to take photos of it all and blog it, but realizing that i needed a fair amount of time to do it. and then i started wondering how kristin was since i had seen here around in forever. well, not only did i find out that she was alive and well (lucky you two to get to meet up again!), but i got to see your awesome set-up. everytime i see your work, i am always amazed. i actually think that your prices are probably not at all proportionate to the amount of time that you spend on each piece of art. and i will have one of your girls…one day!
xxx, cathy
Your booth looks so cute, Mimi. Shows are fun, but I agree that it is hard to have the energy for shows and online marketing both. Especially when everything is one-of-a-kind rather than a print or mold.
Absolutely wonderful to see are your work as a group rather than one at a time. Really wonderful display!
Yummy, yummy eye candy! I wish I lived closer and could drool at the collection together.
BUmmer about the rain, you still made it look like buckets of sunshine, though. Grea work!
Dear Mimi,
I am a big fan! I love your dolls. I think your work is worth every dollar. One day, I shall save enough and own one of your dolls.
-Sonya