Spring Bloom Boutique

[sawdustus]

I was invited to participate in a semi-annual boutique sale run by a nearby arboretum as a fund raiser. I was invited to show there last December but did not have the time to get ready. It is on a consignment basis and I asked all the right questions when I spoke to the woman in charge. It runs for three, three day weekends at the end of April and beginning of May, I don't have to be there since their volunteers do all the selling. They are insured, keep accurate records, and since they are a non-profit, do not have to worry about sales tax. They charge a flat % of the sale as a commission, but I set the price of each item. If I help out for a total of 6 hours, they reduce their percentage by 5%. The only drawback is that they can only provide 3' of table space for each artisan. I can display vertically and may be able to get some wall space for hanging stuff. This will be the first time I am not completely in charge of my display and sales and I hope it works out.

george

[wood-n-things]

Best of luck and by all means go vertical if at all possible. Looking forward to a report on success and a few pics of how you mange such a small space.

I was asked by a lady who has a local gallery, last minute this past fall to place some items in their gallery on consignment. I was amazed when i showed up with a lot of items and they had a small table a little larger than a TV tray for my assigned area. I too asked to be placed against a wall so I could go vertical. I was very pleased 3 days later when she called and asked if I could please re-stock and that she was allocating a larger space as my items were getting a lot of attention and flying out the door. So you can do it too.

Try to have a good variety and price points in your small area and do not forget business cards or a flyer with contact information if allowed.

[sawdustus]

Thanks for the additional advice Mike. I will definitely make use of it. They will call me if they need to restock my items. Fortunately, the arboretum is only about a 30 minute drive from where I live.

george

[JimSawyer]

Woohoo George...!!!

Get some pics if you can.
I'd love to see what you can do with 3'....

[SawingSue]

Congrats! I'd also like to see pics of your display.

[sawdustus]

I will definitely take some pictures of the display once I figure out how to best set it up. I am not sure if it is left up for three weeks or if it has to be reset each weekend. Just another question to ask them.

george

[sawdustus]

Sorry about the delay folks, but gardening and granddaughter sitting got in the way of posting pictures. I set up my 3' x 2 1/2' of display area last Sunday. The bookcase folds for easy storage and transport and was borrowed from my daughter. It turns 2 square feet of area into six square feet of area. I personally think I made it a bit crowded but we will see. This is the first of three three day weekends for the boutique. I am going to try to get down there today and see how things are going. My spare stock is under the table in the boxes. I was not able to display any jigsaw, tray or standup puzzles for lack of room. If they manage to sell much of what I brought, I will put out some puzzles for sale. Mike, again thanks for all the advice. It came in handy.

george

Wagner show setup 1.jpgWagner show setup 2.jpgWagner show setup 3.jpg

[wood-n-things]

How about the lost space on the outside vertical ends of your display? You can hang a few items on the ends as well. Nice variety. I hope you have a great deal of success.

[JimSawyer]

Wow...NICE looking display...!!!!
Way to use 3'...
You have a really great looking assortment of work there...
Much success...!!!!!!

[sawdustus]

Thanks Jim, but I had to leave several varieties at home (notepads - standup, tray and jigsaw puzzles; bud vases).

Mike, I did put an assortment of blades and a picture of myself using them on one side, but hanging more pictures on the sides is a good idea. Thanks.

I did get down there yesterday and they had sold a dozen or two small items but nothing big. I do have to cut some more frog bookmarks as someone bought all 12 of those I left there. Just waiting for the shipment of 1/32 ply to come in this week.

george