Another Sales Outlet

I have been looking for somewhere to sell my cards / gifts – a physical shop – for some time. I have asked around a number of retail spaces but have been struggling with finding the right location. With some gentle encouragement from a friend, I have now found a local outlet. My local newsagents is now stocking some of my cards!

First card display

They stock quite a good selection of cards, and mine now add a ‘handmade’ alternative to mass produced printed cards. I have a small display stand which I am updating on a weekly basis, trying different styles to see what works.

This is quite a nerve-wracking experience. Seeing my cards on display in somebody else’s shop is great, but now comes the hard bit – what if they sell too quickly and I can’t keep up with demand? Or worse, what if they don’t sell at all?

As this is a completely new venture for me, I have put together a list of the cards I have taken to the shop, giving them all a reference number to aid with identification. I have also set out a couple of terms and conditions for an agreement. They are basically being sold on a sale or return basis and I have set a flat fee commission for the shop. This makes it far easier for me to keep track of. So my fingers are crossed and hoping that my weekly visit to the shop will provide a few sales, or at least some feedback for me to work on. My first comment from the shop owner’s young daughter is to make some cards with butterflies on! I will need to get busy!

Wish me luck.

Happy crafting
x

New knitting shop

I was driving home from a day out a couple of weeks ago and happened to notice we have a new knitting shop at the bottom of Walmersley Road. Hoorah! It’s so nice to see a new crafty shop not too far from home.

With the end of the holidays looming and my running out of things to do with my little one, I decided a trip down to ‘Debs Cable Knits’ would use up some time and give me the chance to have a browse at all the yarns in stock. We walked the mile and a half, on the promise that we would go to the park on the way home. I wasn’t disappointed. The shop is small, and packed with yarns and handmade soaps. It smells lovely when you walk in.

The owners are very welcoming. We bought a box of soaps and bath fizzers as a present for my friends daughter. We were encouraged to smell everything ( my daughter loved this) and we made up the box with items of our own choice. In addition I had a look at the yarns and could quite happily have spent a small fortune. Great quality. I bought a lovely lilac baby yarn and some cream cotton. I’ve also got my eye on a crochet pattern book.

They are also stocking local makers work, and have offered me the chance to sell some of my knitting and crochet as ell as some of my cards. So I’m going to work on a basket of goodies for them to stock. Hopefully when all are back in school I will be able to get back into some concentrated making.

Lets hope that this shop stays in business and we have a well visited local artisan shop.

Happy crafting
x