My show this weekend

[BusyBumbleBee]

First of all - TOO TIRED to post pics at this moment, but I thought I'd post a message about how things went. Pics to come soon.

There was nothing special going on this weekend at the mall to draw customers in, but it's pretty well always busy anyway. Our spot wasn't the best, but still by kids stores (toys, Carter's, another kids' clothing store).

Saturday was a pretty good day. It seemed like the bows and everything sold themselves. There would be crowds of people and then a break on and off the whole 13 hours we were there... yes... 13 HOURS.

Sunday, man... I felt like I had to work for each sale! Sunday's really do draw a whole different crowd of people - people who do not like to spend their money type of people.

All in all we took in over $850, which I'm happy with, considering there wasn't a big event going on and this was not advertised in any way.

I used my new grid walls (which I'll post pics of soon). I really did like how they looked and how the customers seemed to find everything easy. The one thing I did NOT like - my legs are KILLING ME from bending over so much to stock. I was in such a hurry to get the grids up and stocked first thing Saturday morning that the fronts of my thighs are literally bruised from the inside out, so I spent the whole weekend in pain. I had a very hard time getting up and down and restocking stuff the entire weekend. I am only 25 years old and I seriously feel like an old woman.:07:

The things I sold the most of were:
korkers, headbands, and beanies, flower clips, and bow holders, toggle headbands went over pretty well too.

I sold about half of my Christmas bows (around 15 maybe more), only a few solid color bows, quite a few big boutique bows, and 4 butterfly wings (if I had more wings I would have sold more). I didn't sell as many applique clips or ribbon sculpture hair clips as I'd have liked, but I did sell a few. I also didn't sell many of my new "bitty bows," not sure why... they may be too small?? I also didn't sell any tutus, not a one.

[Barbara Jean]

Thanks for the update! Can't wait to see pictures. In the meantime, rest up and I hope your legs feel better soon.

[BusyBumbleBee]

Here's the pics from my show.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04907.jpg
This is the view from one side with my table and grids in the background

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04910.jpg
This is the back. I've witnessed theft at this mall and decided to keep this back wall without merchandise and just my banner and some boas to dress it up and get people to want to look at what's was on the other side of the display.
You can also see there is an extra panel in the front to make an "L" shape. This is where all my solid color bows were on picture frames.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04908.jpg
My table had all the big boutique bows on the mini grid zig zag squares. The tree had clear ornament bulbs with bows in them, and the spinner rack had the toggle headbands on it.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04915.jpg
The back of the table had the Christmas boutique bows

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04909.jpg
Another view of the front grid panels.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04912.jpg
Tutus and bow holders

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04913.jpg
This section had applique clips, bitty bows, korkers, baby stuff (pacifier clips, wipe cases, no slip baby bows...)

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04913A.jpg
Hats, headbands, and flower clips

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04918.jpg
The check out with panels behind and wings and crowns on them

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04920.jpg
The back of the check out with tutu bow holders

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04919.jpg
Just thought I'd share these couple of details - my foam head I made a yarn wig for. The toggle headbands I had at my last show people were confused with and I sold a couple but after making this example for people to really see instead of listen to an explanation, I sold a lot more. So that was worth every penny/min. that went into it.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/CrossinMyHeart/Expos%20and%20Craft%20Shows/DSC04917.jpg
And this other detail I just stumbled onto. Target had these ornaments that were bows! How perfect?! It also had round and stars, but also hearts which also worked out perfectly.

[Barbara Jean]

Nice setup! Good idea using yarn for the styrofoam head. Simple and easy but very effective! Thanks so much for sharing again!

[jhall52]

Wow...your setup looks great! I love your choice of colors. Glad you did so well, too. I'm surprised the Bitty Bows didn't fly off the racks. I think they are so darned cute! Good job on everything!

Joanne

[Chrissiemags]

Great Job! I love your set up and I might have to steal the idea of the yarn hair for my bald styro head. :3: (Why didn't I think of that duh?!?)

[jhall52]

I was looking at your setup again and realized we picked out the same design from Vistaprint for our cards! I love them! I wanted to ask you, too...how did your actual setup compare to your mock setup in your garage? Did you pretty much follow what you had planned?

Joanne

[BusyBumbleBee]

I was looking at your setup again and realized we picked out the same design from Vistaprint for our cards! I love them! I wanted to ask you, too...how did your actual setup compare to your mock setup in your garage? Did you pretty much follow what you had planned?

Joanne

I love that card design! That's why my colors are pink and green to match the cards at my shows. It just seemed like it was a staple design that I could get anything made up with that design - I've gotten a tote bag, coffee mug, banners, business cards/clip cards/bow cards of course, pens, notebooks. I'm extra coordinated!!

My mock was similar to what I had at the show. After setting it up at the show I did notice a few things I'd like to change. It had good flow for people and room for strollers; however, people liked to pass through my stand to get to the stores on the other side of the aisle.... pain.

Next time around I want to set my table up in front of the grids to put a lot of pre-made hats and headbands with flowers and bows on them. Those sell well b/c they are already paired together and I guess people would rather it be done for them. Not many people got on the floor anyway to see the bows/clips towards the bottom.

I also couldn't put anything metal on the hardwood floors of the mall (rules), so I had to purchase those feet and put felt pads under them and people tripped over the feet A LOT. It was kind of scarey b/c you never know if someone gets hurt what they are going to do these days. That's another thing I'll have to work on for next time.

[jhall52]

I love that card design! That's why my colors are pink and green to match the cards at my shows. It just seemed like it was a staple design that I could get anything made up with that design - I've gotten a tote bag, coffee mug, banners, business cards/clip cards/bow cards of course, pens, notebooks. I'm extra coordinated!!

My mock was similar to what I had at the show. After setting it up at the show I did notice a few things I'd like to change. It had good flow for people and room for strollers; however, people liked to pass through my stand to get to the stores on the other side of the aisle.... pain.

Next time around I want to set my table up in front of the grids to put a lot of pre-made hats and headbands with flowers and bows on them. Those sell well b/c they are already paired together and I guess people would rather it be done for them. Not many people got on the floor anyway to see the bows/clips towards the bottom.

I also couldn't put anything metal on the hardwood floors of the mall (rules), so I had to purchase those feet and put felt pads under them and people tripped over the feet A LOT. It was kind of scarey b/c you never know if someone gets hurt what they are going to do these days. That's another thing I'll have to work on for next time.

I just got my banner and "bow card business cards" today....so exciting! I ordered some pens, too. They'll come in the next shipment.:girly:

I wondered if someone would not pay attention and trip over the feet of the grid holders. I wish there were different kinds that didn't extend quite so much, but I guess it's for the stability factor.

You did a great job with your set up and, of course, you have great taste in your design!

Joanne