Well, it's all over and to be honest, I'm absolutely shattered! Such a big build up over the past few weeks, then setting up, followed by 3 long days (8.30am - 6.30) - I feel like I could sleep for a week!I really wasn't sure what to expect sales-wise and actually I would have hoped to have done better: there were ALOT of people who walked straight past my stand and that can be very disheartening! But I gave out over 200 business cards, so I suppose there may be leads from them at a later date. Plus I met some fab people - fellow stallholders, craftspeople, and some very lovely customers. Apparently Kirstie Allsopp was there on the first day with her crew, but unfortunately she didn't come to our tent - much to our disgust! (Although her photographer did take a photo of me and my stand - I keep checking my e-mails to see if Kirstie has messaged me!!) And not wishing to name-drop, but my best sale was to this well-known chap! He bought one of my collages and some other pieces!
Though I would dearly love to take a few days off, I have about 250 driftwood cards to make for shops and galleries, so I've got a bit of catching up to do!
BTW, cards and prints of my collages are now available in my Folksy shop!
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Well done. You've got through it and done really well. You can have a teensy breather, surely...
ReplyDeleteThen get your nose back to the grindstone, lady. You've got work to do! Ax
I would not have walked past your stand; I love your work! DebbyMc in California
ReplyDeleteYour stand looks lovely. If you haven't sold the sheep applique, can I buy it please?
ReplyDeleteYour stall looks SO beautiful! Did you sell your gorgeous driftwood wader?
ReplyDeleteKatie, I did sell the sheep picture, and Rose - I didn't sell the wader! I think Steve's quite glad about that though!
ReplyDeleteI would have made a beeline for your stall Kirsty, some people just have no taste! ;) Hope you manage to have a couple of easy days to catch up on your sleep and everything else! xx
ReplyDeleteyour stall looks absolutely beautiful x
ReplyDeleteYour stand looks amazing Kirsty! I've considered doing the Show myself in the past, but the very early start and the very long days have put me off. You must be shattered! It can be soul destroying when people walk straight past, but at a show like The Royal Cornwall there will be all walks of life, and we craftmakers have to remember that not everyone appreciates beautiful handmade things. Believe me, your work will have made a great impression on a great many of the right kind of people!
ReplyDeleteWow Kirsty, your stand looks incredible. I'm sorry to hear that your sales weren't what you expected, it's hard when you put in so much work and not get the response you were perhaps hoping for. I suppose that's why having your own business is so very hard, you work sooo hard initially for little reward. But we in blogland know that your work is superb and those people who walked straight past your stand have missed the opportunity to see the work of an incredible artist. Their loss.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best in getting up to date with your other orders and I hope you find some time for some quiet moments among the chaos and busyness.
Take care,
Anne xx
Congratulations, on having the prettist stall, looks amazing, I can't believe folks walked past, their loss. I certainly couln't have.. it looks so bright and inviting how I wish I lived nearer....
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that your sales were not has you'd hoped. I think that you'll find it's the same all over the country, times are difficut at the moment, people are hanging onto their cash.
But think on the positive, you have plenty of stock ready for future sales, and maybe a visit from a certain television presenter... I have my fingers crossed for you.
Well I expect you are busy with nose to the grind stone this morning, busy making your cards... Which will no doubt sell in a flash, with all the summer visitors getting ready to invade the West Country.
So I send you cheery thoughts from a cold and damp Essex ~ Julie
Can I just say that your framing is wonderful, I am a little green with envey... I am having such troubles this side of the country to get as lovely a frames as yours without breaking the bank....
I did an outdoor Show once, never again, I felt a bit dizzy from getting up so early and about 1000 people walked past, looking at the aisle opposite! I now keep my framed pieces for shops and galleries. If I do a market type stall I put out smaller mounted pieces and teatowels and cards because people could carry them easily. However those who took my business cards did come back to me, sometimes a year later. Plus I met some lovely people. I think you should have a lie down now.
ReplyDeleteWell Done Kirsty! Your stall looked beautiful -like a breath of fresh air. Accentuate the positive eliminate the negative etc. etc.You have got loads of potential customers. Fliss x
ReplyDeleteWell done for doing it at all Kirsty. It all looked gorgeous and I bet those cards will bring in sales over the next weeks x
ReplyDeletewell done Kirsty!, I think you stand looks amazing! I'm sure lots of business will generate from your business cards, hope you catch up and have a very productive day!:)
ReplyDeleteHey Kirsty, hope you've had a bit of time to catch your breath, rest your weary feet and reassess things............
ReplyDeleteIt can be disheartening when sales aren't as high as you expected but with all the cards you handed out and the people you met and spoke to I'm sure there will be some return customers because we all know how great your work is..........
Your stall looked wonderful and how nice to have a 'certain someone' drop by and purchase some of your work, congrats.
I hope you aren't too down about it all and manage to fill your orders after your break ..........
Claire :}
Well done!
ReplyDeleteAt least one of my predictions came true... I knew you'd be shattered!
200 business cards....there's bound to be some business from that surely?
Did you sell the driftwood shoreline bird? I adore that, wish I could buy it and lots of other pieces too.
Hope you recover soon.
Have a great week.
Sandie xx
Wish I lived a lot closer, but thank you for posting your pictures from the show. Your booth looks fabulous. You have such a strong personal style. You would have drawn me in immediately!
ReplyDeleteI've learned from doing shows with my contemporary folk art that it's not for everyone and not to be hurt when people walk by without even breaking stride. When you do find a collector, they're so happy to have found an artist with their sense of quirky taste that it's a big win all around.
Wish I could find shows that specialized in 'our' kind of art exclusively.
Your stall looked absolutely beautiful - so many hours of work to create all those wonderful handmade pieces. Congratulations - will you go back next year?
ReplyDeleteHello my lovely :-)
ReplyDeleteWow! your stall looks stunning and so very professional. It's like a very stylish art gallery. I'm delighted you had lots of interest in your work - of course it had to happen! Now try to find some moments to rest and ponder the blue sky overhead, you deserve some Me-time. I know how hard those shows are, having done the Bath & West with my own stand a few years back - cream crackered is the word that comes to mind ;-)
Take care dear!
D x
oops, meant to ask if the cow embroidery/applique is still for sale?
ReplyDeleteD x
Hi Kirsty, Like Steve I'm glad you've still got the wader - you shouldn't sell it :o)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Rose H
I love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteMy son has worked with your famous customer in an episode of Dr Who! I have helped a friend a couple of times at similar shows, don't know how everyone does it, I needed a weeks holiday afterwards.
As you handed out 200 cards, when people ring ask them where they got the info from and see how many came from the cards you handed out.
Julie xxxxxxxx
Hello Hon !
ReplyDeleteMy package arrived and I'm so pleased with the contents :-) Thank you.
I'd thought to give them to others, but I think they'll go on the wall of my crafty cabin to make me smile.
xxx
Your stall looks stunning! Best wishes!
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Just such a lovely blog and I love your work
ReplyDeleteeverything is so unique and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCiao che brllo il tuo blog mi piacciono moltissimo le casette, baci anto
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