MH's Christmas Fayre (Fair?)

[Emmie]

I've got another Bowen thingy tmrw morning so might not be about much so just in case I'm not about or I forget or something I thought I'd wish you luck for the Fayre/Fair on Friday (it is Friday isn't it?!)

Try not to worry too much, just remember that your stuff is gorgeous and you're fab :-)

[suzi]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ exactly what she said!!!

[mummyhill]

Thanks girls yes it is on Friday.

[lizzie]

good luck mh for friday

[katyjane]

Good luck for Friday MH

[lostfriend]

you'll be fine just keep your head up

[mummyhill]

OK it is tonight and I am now worried 1) what if nothing sells, 2) what if I don't have enough stock, 3) what if I panic and so much else spinning round my head.

[seaspirit]

Mh your crafts are fab of course they are going to sell, If you don;t have enough stock then A) you should be mega pleased that it all sold B) Next time you will know to take more. These things are all trial and error hunni I am sure you will have a fab time. xxx

[suzi]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ couldnt have said it better myself!

[Emmie]

Big deep breaths and calm MH, if nothing sells (which is unlikely) look upon it as a marketing exercise, people will see your gorgeous stuff and will think of you next time they need something you do! If everything sells take orders and be very proud!

And 3) you won't panic, you will be a swan if needs be, paddle furiously but pretend you're all calm! Trust me if you can do a toddler group a Christmas fayre is a walk in the park!

[mummyhill]

I love you guys, you allways seem to be able to say stuff that makes me feel better. Right need to tidy up for cpn visit then need to print off price lists, sign for free personalization of selected cards, Order forms(?) a sign saying that if you can't find what you want ask and I will take an order and give you an estimated completion date. How much of a deposit should I take on orders? I will need to make a sign for that too. Anything else I need to do? Have boxed scarves, blankets and cards, stamps and inks for personalizing, to transport them, I have a small cash tin with a bit of change in it. Any suggestions welcome. I might take some knitting or crochet so I can sit and do it between customers?

[mummyhill]

PS can you tell I am still flapping a bit?

[Emmie]

You're not flapping, you're getting organised!

Order forms(?)

I'd get some ready to be honest just in case, esp as you're offering personalisation/general ordering. You'll need to know name, address, what they want, how much they've paid and how much they're due to pay you. I can't think of anything else off the top of my head for that.

How much of a deposit should I take on orders?

I've been mulling this over and I'm not sure either. I'd be tempted not to bother with a deposit but since you mgiht need to money to purchase the materials, er, I'd say since all your stuff is going to be various prices perhaps 50% (pay half now and then I'll collect the rest when I deliver it? asssume you're planning to be respsonsible for getting it to them). If I was buying soemthing I'd find that reasonable. I figure as long as you keep track of who's paid you what you can always negotiate that if you need to!

I have a small cash tin with a bit of change in it.

Change wise, I'd base that on your prices (so if most thing are 1.50 or what-have-you, make sure you ahve millions of 50p), make sure you know how much float you start of with and figure on that you can never have too much! (you can always put it back in the bank!) Ask as many people as you can if they've got the change (in my experience most people will just chuck you a note figuring you don't want to wait, just keep smiling and people and tell them you're happy to wait for change it's a prized commodity! Trust me!), I recommend loudly anouncing that you love small change to someone when there's a few people around it works wonders!

I might take some knitting or crochet so I can sit and do it between customers?

That sounds a fab idea esp is it's something that looks really complicated! And if it's something you sell, we sold loads of weaving by doing it at people, you end up explaining it and then they buy it becuase they're impressed with your talent! It's best to still try and look welcoming though, anyone who comes near smile and say hello :-)

Er, sorry, I've be forced to sell a lot of stuff over the years!

[suzi]

I love you guys, you allways seem to be able to say stuff that makes me feel better.
thats because we are right! Right need to tidy up for cpn visit then need to print off price lists, sign for free personalization of selected cards, Order forms(?) a sign saying that if you can't find what you want ask and I will take an order and give you an estimated completion date. How much of a deposit should I take on orders?
Take at least 10% of total cost.. id do 50% but thats coz i want to know they are def wanting it and if they dont that im not going to be out of pocket! I will need to make a sign for that too. Anything else I need to do? Have boxed scarves, blankets and cards, stamps and inks for personalizing, to transport them, I have a small cash tin with a bit of change in it. Any suggestions welcome. I might take some knitting or crochet so I can sit and do it between customers?I think you have most things covered.. what about a drink and a snack for you? I assume the kids arent coming? Taking knitting is a great idea so you can show them this is what you do.. make sure you chill out!!!!

[suzi]

LOL cross posted with Emmie - nice to know we are both on a similar wavelength! LOL

[lostfriend]

just keep up the good work, sound like its going to be fun, wish i was there.

[mummyhill]

I managed to sell £15 worth of cards and trinket boxes. So I covered the cost of my table and made a small amount on top.

[katyjane]

Well done MH :clapping: - are you pleased??

[suzi]

well done Wendy!!! did you have any orders? did you sell any blankets or knitting or crotchet bits too?

[mummyhill]

No didn't get any orders and the knit and crochet didn't sell. I am not gonna give up though. I am going to keep hold of stock till next year and start making some hat scarf and glove sets, small jumpers and toys, bags and maybe some jewellery for next year as well as working out a better way to display stuff.

No one did exceptionally well last night. It doesn't help that people have to move from one room to another to see all the stalls. Alsoit seemed quiet comparred to last year and people didn't seem to be spending iyswim.

[suzi]

do you know what? I think the most important thing is that you went. TBH Id still be exceptionally proud of you if you sold nothing, but still went! Its a huge achievement. You should be proud! Well done you!

[seaspirit]

Mh you did very well hun and if you are having similar weather to us then people probably didn;t want to brave it. I know I would rather have stayed at home the other night instead of going to the school xmas fayre which turned out to be a waste of time everything was in different class rooms and everyone was pushing and shoving I only stayed 10 miins as I couldn;t handle it.

[seaspirit]

do you know what? I think the most important thing is that you went. TBH Id still be exceptionally proud of you if you sold nothing, but still went! Its a huge achievement. You should be proud! Well done you!

Exactly :clapping::clapping::clapping:

[Emmie]

do you know what? I think the most important thing is that you went. TBH Id still be exceptionally proud of you if you sold nothing, but still went! Its a huge achievement. You should be proud! Well done you!

And agreement from me too, you really did do fabulously well :-) :clapping::clapping:

[rainydays]

That's fabulous Wendy - well done :clapping:

[katyjane]

Well done MH -I agree the weather will probably have put people off going - but you did well and keep going your stuff is beautiful :)

[MaraUT]

Congrats on going and keeping a great attitude, Mummyhill! I know it took courage and stick-to-it-ive-ness!