a few good things in the forums

i regularly browse the etsy forums and have taken to responding as little as possible.
the forums just aren't like they used to be.

but this morning, i found a post by vadjutka about the pricing of handmade goods.
if you have a moment, stop by and take the survey.
while there are some inherit faults, i still think it is worth the 3 mins it took me and i am interested in the results.

i also found a link to a nice article written by thefunkyfelter on wholesaling. it has some nice general info and some helpful links at the end.

ms market review (part III)

88/366
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

in a nutshell:

-
*the ms market has a definite asthetic which did not seem to include room for mine
*the market (overall) had very low price points which made it hard to price handmade work reasonably
*although minimum orders were encouraged (and should be required at a wholesale show) many vendors didn't have one
*brochures are not cheap

+
*the staff were extremely helpful and professional prior to the event and during the event.
*the market offers a free workshop on wholesaling
*there was lots of different advertising prior to the show
*the market set-up was again very professional and looked expensive
*a good (and remember i am a picky eater) breakfast was served thursday morning and a great lunch was served both thursday and friday with drinks and snacks available during the day

*i had some custom stands made that look wonderful and i can use them in the future
*i got to meet some silly and sweet vendors that made the market a little more exciting than it normally would be
*and, i knit up a scarf and a half a scarf

*oh, and i will have plenty of pieces that will be going up on etsy this week

so, i guess that if your work fits into the average mississippi/southern home, it is worth a try

ms market review (part II)

brochures
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

so, the market did not pick up at all for me today.
i managed to make a take a total of 0 wholesale orders.
i am at a point in my metalworking that i feel confident in my product, but with no positive feedback this week it made me really start questioning my pricing and display.
john, let's call him the marketing guru for the show, came over to offer ideas and suggestions this afternoon. he was super nice and very complimentary of my work and my displays.
of course, this reaffirms the fact that mississippi is not the best match stylewise for my work.

ms market review (part I)

studs
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

last week i spent 4 days out of town camping and got very little sleep.
the beginning of this week i busted my butt on samples for the ms market (wholesale) show.
i was very happy with the quantity and quality of my samples as well as my display.
however, the first day of sales was very disappointing and i hope it picks up tomorrow.

ms market (part III)

115/366
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

yesterday i was outside a good chunk of the afternoon retaking photographs of some of my staple items.
i think i have finally decided (for the most part) how i plan to layout my brochures and what items i will be including.

ms market (part II)

wholesale
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

so, while i have been working on my line sheets/brochures, i have also been working on a batch of stamped minis that the market itself will be putting into some gift bags.
its nice to know that my item was chosen to help represent the market and also to help offset some of the investment that i have needed specifically for this show (like the line sheets.)

ms market (part I)

line sheet
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this week i have been trying to decide exactly what i am willing to offer wholesale and how i can present this in a professional way.
i have no desire to replicate designs ad nauseum.
i think i have found a solution in offering "batches" of things such as enameled minis and flowers.
we shall see how this works in my first wholesale show ever in june.