Fun and Frolic With Long-Term Love
- Thread starter Bluebird
- Start date
Bluebird
Well-known member
I only managed to finish one headband today. In the morning, I had an appointment with a bookkeeper, who I ended up hiring. They’re going to do pretty much everything - I just send in my receipts and give them access to my Square account, and they file my quarterly sales taxes and give me the numbers I need for my income taxes. I’m relieved to have that handled now!
Equally amazing news, I stopped by a local craft store afterward, and they want me to sell my stuff on consignment there! 80/20. The owner is part of a business networking group with me, and she had seen my socials and my items. I am less convinced that I will be able to sell stuff in a retail setting, but of course with the invitation, I am absolutely going to try! They’re going to give me two shelves on an endcap- each about 3 feet long. They might do more, depending what I bring in to sell.
I am very excited at the opportunity, for sure! I’m hoping to be able to figure out the look I want, and which pieces to take over there tomorrow. I have the contract and it’s short and to the point, I think. Wowwwww!
I spent the afternoon making a new black & purple tentacle headband, in between bouts of increasing nausea. I had my Mounjaro shot late this week (Wednesday morning instead of Tuesday night) and the timing was correct for the side effects. The only issue for me is that I had a leftover greasy burger for lunch, and it did not go over well.
I ended up vomiting like every single thing I’ve ever eaten in my life. I feel better now, but definitely worn out.
Bluebird
Well-known member
My well-being is much improved today. I think I puked up everything that was causing me issues last night! MisterMoonbeam has had diarrhea all day - he should have vomited like me! 
I’m sad for him.
TheEngineer came over this morning and together we went and visited my first-ever poly-partner, D. OMG how long ago was that? 2013?! Anyway, when I was helping TheEngineer clean his basement a bit last week, he had a washer & dryer (both working) to get rid of, and my old partner ended up taking them both. It was interesting to see him. Zero attraction. lol He’s a nice person but whatever was I thinking?
After the appliance errand, we went back to my house and snagged the bag of stuff I put together for the craft store. I drove us to Primanti Bros for lunch, and then we went to set up the two shelves I was offered to showcase my headpieces. Y’all, I ended up with the entire endcap! I was not expecting that, so I went back home to get more items.
MisterMoonbeam came with me when I went back to the store (TheEngineer had to pick up his son from daycare at that point) and took some pics of me next to my space. I can’t help but be super excited, even though I’m not confident stuff will sell there. The manager said she was very happy to give me the room to show more stuff, and she loves it. When I left to get more items, she suggested I showcase some kids’ things, as they don’t currently have anything like that, though they host kids’ camps and children’s art classes. So I brought my basic lasercut clips and the fabric unicorn horns that have elastic on them.
I also brought my acorn lockets, and the purple tentacle headband I finished yesterday. TheEngineer suggested I bring some 3D print horns and tentacles to offer - it is a craft store! I thought that was a great idea, honestly.
The store is going to add price tags that match their store branding, and I might go back and put up a small sign with my logo, though I did leave some business cards.
I’m sad for him.TheEngineer came over this morning and together we went and visited my first-ever poly-partner, D. OMG how long ago was that? 2013?! Anyway, when I was helping TheEngineer clean his basement a bit last week, he had a washer & dryer (both working) to get rid of, and my old partner ended up taking them both. It was interesting to see him. Zero attraction. lol He’s a nice person but whatever was I thinking?
After the appliance errand, we went back to my house and snagged the bag of stuff I put together for the craft store. I drove us to Primanti Bros for lunch, and then we went to set up the two shelves I was offered to showcase my headpieces. Y’all, I ended up with the entire endcap! I was not expecting that, so I went back home to get more items.
MisterMoonbeam came with me when I went back to the store (TheEngineer had to pick up his son from daycare at that point) and took some pics of me next to my space. I can’t help but be super excited, even though I’m not confident stuff will sell there. The manager said she was very happy to give me the room to show more stuff, and she loves it. When I left to get more items, she suggested I showcase some kids’ things, as they don’t currently have anything like that, though they host kids’ camps and children’s art classes. So I brought my basic lasercut clips and the fabric unicorn horns that have elastic on them.
I also brought my acorn lockets, and the purple tentacle headband I finished yesterday. TheEngineer suggested I bring some 3D print horns and tentacles to offer - it is a craft store! I thought that was a great idea, honestly.
The store is going to add price tags that match their store branding, and I might go back and put up a small sign with my logo, though I did leave some business cards.
Bluebird
Well-known member
I’ve ordered a bunch of little things to make my display better. I’ve got thoughts. lol I’ve already sold some things, so I will be heading back to the store later this week to add signage and more product.
I’m starting to feel anxious about creating inventory for my show at the end of May. Once again I feel there aren’t enough days - I need more time! In June only have my own personal Damsel swap & shop day and the one morning at a farmer’s market, and then the huge event mid-July, so I feel like I will maybe be able to finally have a large amount of inventory then!
I’m hoping to hear from the Ravenwood Ren Faire soon, so I can make October plans. They messaged me last week to say they were making determinations this week, but so far there’s been nothing. I’m also supposed to finally talk to the lady who has booths at Pennsylvania Ren Faire this week - she says she wants to hire me for all of the weekends in August & September for her headpiece business. Well, the weekends I’m not already booked (I’ve got one event in August and one in September already).
Anyway, today I have another tentacle headpiece to finish. I need to glue up one more after this though, as the purple one I made went to the store end cap, and I want to have 5 with me at my next event. So I am now behind schedule for that. This week my focus is going to be on the thin grapevine headbands with small flowers - $15, lots of ribbon, and for casual Rennies who just want a pop of festivity. I’ve never made these before but they seem simple. I wanna make like 50 of them, I think. So that’s 10 a day next week? We will see tomorrow how difficult that is! I’m hoping they are easier than expected. I need to buy more grapevine though, and more ribbon. Shit. Better do that today!
I’m starting to feel anxious about creating inventory for my show at the end of May. Once again I feel there aren’t enough days - I need more time! In June only have my own personal Damsel swap & shop day and the one morning at a farmer’s market, and then the huge event mid-July, so I feel like I will maybe be able to finally have a large amount of inventory then!
I’m hoping to hear from the Ravenwood Ren Faire soon, so I can make October plans. They messaged me last week to say they were making determinations this week, but so far there’s been nothing. I’m also supposed to finally talk to the lady who has booths at Pennsylvania Ren Faire this week - she says she wants to hire me for all of the weekends in August & September for her headpiece business. Well, the weekends I’m not already booked (I’ve got one event in August and one in September already).
Anyway, today I have another tentacle headpiece to finish. I need to glue up one more after this though, as the purple one I made went to the store end cap, and I want to have 5 with me at my next event. So I am now behind schedule for that. This week my focus is going to be on the thin grapevine headbands with small flowers - $15, lots of ribbon, and for casual Rennies who just want a pop of festivity. I’ve never made these before but they seem simple. I wanna make like 50 of them, I think. So that’s 10 a day next week? We will see tomorrow how difficult that is! I’m hoping they are easier than expected. I need to buy more grapevine though, and more ribbon. Shit. Better do that today!
Bluebird
Well-known member
I received another commission last night - this one for a standard $48 floral crown. My seamstress is going to a faerie festival this weekend! I told her I would be interested in a barter, if she would agree to alter one of my corsets in exchange, and she quickly agreed! I’m so happy to do that!
I have a bunch of stuff on my to-do list today. I need to go shopping for ribbon and possibly grapevine wire. I have two items to return to Amazon through the UPS store. This evening I need to get my canopy up to measure part of it so I can order a new longer banner.
I made some prototype “cheap” flower crowns to sell at RenFest Southern Maryland next month, and at the Farmer’s Market in June. I hated all 3, but two of them I am going to move forward with to make a bunch. They just look bare and not something I would ever buy! But they are going to be attractive to someone who just wants a simple circlet because they wanna participate at an event, but don’t want something huge on their head. I guess. Overall, they take like 20 minutes to make each. I think I am going to price them at $15 or 2/$20.
I have a bunch of stuff on my to-do list today. I need to go shopping for ribbon and possibly grapevine wire. I have two items to return to Amazon through the UPS store. This evening I need to get my canopy up to measure part of it so I can order a new longer banner.
I made some prototype “cheap” flower crowns to sell at RenFest Southern Maryland next month, and at the Farmer’s Market in June. I hated all 3, but two of them I am going to move forward with to make a bunch. They just look bare and not something I would ever buy! But they are going to be attractive to someone who just wants a simple circlet because they wanna participate at an event, but don’t want something huge on their head. I guess. Overall, they take like 20 minutes to make each. I think I am going to price them at $15 or 2/$20.
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Bluebird
Well-known member
Finished the commission crown this afternoon, and bought a bunch of grapevine wire and ribbon. MisterMoonbeam and I went out to dinner tonight together, but he’s still not feeling the greatest. He’s going into the office tomorrow, so he is feeling a little better.
TheEngineer and I are heading off tomorrow to check off another butterfly on my state park list. This next park is two hours away. There’s just nothing closer!
I read a cool short story this morning called A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck. I do recommend it! Well written and fairly interesting.
TheEngineer and I are heading off tomorrow to check off another butterfly on my state park list. This next park is two hours away. There’s just nothing closer!
I read a cool short story this morning called A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck. I do recommend it! Well written and fairly interesting.
Bluebird
Well-known member
Whoo hoo! I only have TEN more parks to visit and I will have hiked at least a mile in each Maryland state park. Yesterday I went to Franklin Point and it was gorgeous out. TheEngineer and I did 2.5 miles on an easy trail and I wasn’t even a little winded. That said, my blood sugar wasn’t happy.
Today I dropped off the commission crown before therapy.
I like how it turned out! This is the size I love making, though it is somewhat difficult to hold myself to this shape and price point, because I can very quickly get exuberant and then it becomes MASSIVE. This size is my standard $48 piece.
I now have expanded my product line for my next show. I’m going to take ten different crowns in this size, five fabulosities, and then 40 small and mid size crowns. Today I made all of the bases for the 40. I also glued up 10 of the smalls, and completed 5. I really dislike them, but I am certain that they’re needed.
Basically the small and mid size are “participant” crowns. They’re intended for someone showing up to a festival wearing normal clothes but once there, they want to get into the spirit of things by wearing a headpiece. This sort of person would probably balk at paying almost $50 for one, but at $15, they’re in!
The $15 crowns I am actually going to put on sale forever, at 2/$20. They’re literally just a grapevine wire wrapped in ribbon, with hot glued little flower heads.
My mid size crowns are $25, and they have bigger blossoms, but they’re not as filled in as my other pieces.
Here’s a quick picture graphic to showcase the differences. I’m not publishing this, I made it to ask my friends if they thought it was clear by the photos why the price was more for each.
I think I’m happy at these price points for the time being. I’m definitely making good profit on each item. These just show the product line for crowns. I also have my headbands ($25) and 3D print headbands ($68).
I didn’t plan for this post to be photo heavy, but I guess I had some to share!
I have a few more, so that means new post!
Today I dropped off the commission crown before therapy.
I like how it turned out! This is the size I love making, though it is somewhat difficult to hold myself to this shape and price point, because I can very quickly get exuberant and then it becomes MASSIVE. This size is my standard $48 piece.
I now have expanded my product line for my next show. I’m going to take ten different crowns in this size, five fabulosities, and then 40 small and mid size crowns. Today I made all of the bases for the 40. I also glued up 10 of the smalls, and completed 5. I really dislike them, but I am certain that they’re needed.
Basically the small and mid size are “participant” crowns. They’re intended for someone showing up to a festival wearing normal clothes but once there, they want to get into the spirit of things by wearing a headpiece. This sort of person would probably balk at paying almost $50 for one, but at $15, they’re in!
The $15 crowns I am actually going to put on sale forever, at 2/$20. They’re literally just a grapevine wire wrapped in ribbon, with hot glued little flower heads.
My mid size crowns are $25, and they have bigger blossoms, but they’re not as filled in as my other pieces.
Here’s a quick picture graphic to showcase the differences. I’m not publishing this, I made it to ask my friends if they thought it was clear by the photos why the price was more for each.
I think I’m happy at these price points for the time being. I’m definitely making good profit on each item. These just show the product line for crowns. I also have my headbands ($25) and 3D print headbands ($68).
I didn’t plan for this post to be photo heavy, but I guess I had some to share!
I have a few more, so that means new post!
Bluebird
Well-known member
I finished putting together an outfit for Virginia Ren Faire in June. I’m a chicken! I bought teeny-tiny little resin chickens to hand out as part of trinket trading.
This headpiece is the very first one I ever made, isn’t it just insanely fabulous?!
I also got my more recent Damsel in this Dress order in on Monday. I missed out on the phoenix /dragon skirt I really wanted, and omg she shipped me one for FREE. There’s a section on the order form where notes can be written and I just wrote please, please, please if you have more, I NEED one. Bam! Free $89 mini fairy skirt.
I was shocked but super happy!
This is me just throwing on a bunch of my stuff - when I actually wear this, things will be different. For one, MisterMoonbeam will want to match me, so he will most definitely get the hat, and I will make a flower crown. But also, the corset I am wearing is called Firecracker, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Only, you can’t see it because I have too much covering it up! So I will probably at least lose the gold obi (belt).
I need to do work in my garb room - it still looks like clothing exploded in there. I have one outfit planned for RenFest Southern Maryland, but I need to figure out another. I won’t be wearing the oriental style garb - it wouldn’t match my booth.
Oh, I have to share! I got a message from an Instagram follower and they asked me if I could design a phoenix headpiece! Well, yeah - especially since I need one myself. I put together a collage of ideas and I am excited to get started. The flames will be 3D printed. They need it in July, and I need time to mess with it, so I am going to table it until June. Still, it’s exciting to get another commission!
I’m really enjoying making different pieces. I never thought I would have a creative career but I’m definitely moving forward. Tomorrow afternoon I have a scheduled conversation to cement me doing work at the Pennsylvania Ren Faire for the entirety of Faire! I’m really excited at the opportunity. I’m not sure on details yet, but I was personally asked at Ocean Renaissance if I would come work for the headpiece business there in August and September. We’ll see how it shakes out tomorrow!
This headpiece is the very first one I ever made, isn’t it just insanely fabulous?!
I also got my more recent Damsel in this Dress order in on Monday. I missed out on the phoenix /dragon skirt I really wanted, and omg she shipped me one for FREE. There’s a section on the order form where notes can be written and I just wrote please, please, please if you have more, I NEED one. Bam! Free $89 mini fairy skirt.
I was shocked but super happy!
This is me just throwing on a bunch of my stuff - when I actually wear this, things will be different. For one, MisterMoonbeam will want to match me, so he will most definitely get the hat, and I will make a flower crown. But also, the corset I am wearing is called Firecracker, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Only, you can’t see it because I have too much covering it up! So I will probably at least lose the gold obi (belt).
I need to do work in my garb room - it still looks like clothing exploded in there. I have one outfit planned for RenFest Southern Maryland, but I need to figure out another. I won’t be wearing the oriental style garb - it wouldn’t match my booth.
Oh, I have to share! I got a message from an Instagram follower and they asked me if I could design a phoenix headpiece! Well, yeah - especially since I need one myself. I put together a collage of ideas and I am excited to get started. The flames will be 3D printed. They need it in July, and I need time to mess with it, so I am going to table it until June. Still, it’s exciting to get another commission!
I’m really enjoying making different pieces. I never thought I would have a creative career but I’m definitely moving forward. Tomorrow afternoon I have a scheduled conversation to cement me doing work at the Pennsylvania Ren Faire for the entirety of Faire! I’m really excited at the opportunity. I’m not sure on details yet, but I was personally asked at Ocean Renaissance if I would come work for the headpiece business there in August and September. We’ll see how it shakes out tomorrow!
Bluebird
Well-known member
So much going on, so little time to write about it.
We just got a wedding invitation in the mail for MisterMoonbeam’s niece, up in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Thank goodness it’s for the one weekend in October I don’t have anything on the calendar - and it includes the Friday he already has off from work! Last time we visited we drove and it was about 7 hours one way. I’m going to check prices for flying, but we probably will drive again.
I’m busy the other weekends in October because I got into Ravenwood Faire! I’m super excited to vend there. It’s Fri-Sat-Sun two different weekends, and I bought a 24x24 space. I’m not sure what to do with all that room, but it was only $100 more total for both weekends. Honestly, I need to reach out to the coordinator because I feel like they meant to put 12x24. We will see. I signed the contract, asked my insurance agent for my insurance certificate, and paid my fees.
I guess I should make sure I am legal in Virginia. I know I was for my September show, but that’s a different county/city in that state. Laws and procedures are different EVERYWHERE.
I had a good phone conversation with the PA Ren Faire person, and they don’t want me to work there! Instead, they want to place a wholesale order of 50 of my Fabulosity floral crowns. I’m kinda shook. It’s like, solid validation that my work is good.
I told her I would let her know by early next week. I’m working it out whether this is even possible for me! I would have to pretty much create one every two days to make the delivery date for their Faire, and that’s a whole lot of flowers to float cost for materials for, with the economy being uncertain, with the tariffs and such. Like, what if I can’t get that many flowers on sale? Gah!
Also, the price she offered per crown is too low. I definitely need that to come up a tad. I’m going to make one today and one on Sunday to make sure my time spent making them is accurate, so I can give a solid wholesale price that doesn’t leave me broke. I need to make a profit at these!
That said, she said I definitely can advertise that my items are at the this faire, and plus she is known in these spaces, so having this in my network is good in the future. It adds a kind of gravitas? She is sure to open doors for me to other events in the future. We got along just fine at Ocean Renaissance already!
The other thing is that I just don’t have the reach to have events where I can sell this much all at once. Fifty fabulosities is more than I was going to make and sell all year on my own - by a lot! I made and sold two at my first show, and planned to take 5 with me to RenFest Southern Maryland. To be paid a big chunk like this for my work will be amazing, and to know that my stuff is being worn by that many people - wow!
We just got a wedding invitation in the mail for MisterMoonbeam’s niece, up in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Thank goodness it’s for the one weekend in October I don’t have anything on the calendar - and it includes the Friday he already has off from work! Last time we visited we drove and it was about 7 hours one way. I’m going to check prices for flying, but we probably will drive again.
I’m busy the other weekends in October because I got into Ravenwood Faire! I’m super excited to vend there. It’s Fri-Sat-Sun two different weekends, and I bought a 24x24 space. I’m not sure what to do with all that room, but it was only $100 more total for both weekends. Honestly, I need to reach out to the coordinator because I feel like they meant to put 12x24. We will see. I signed the contract, asked my insurance agent for my insurance certificate, and paid my fees.
I guess I should make sure I am legal in Virginia. I know I was for my September show, but that’s a different county/city in that state. Laws and procedures are different EVERYWHERE.
I had a good phone conversation with the PA Ren Faire person, and they don’t want me to work there! Instead, they want to place a wholesale order of 50 of my Fabulosity floral crowns. I’m kinda shook. It’s like, solid validation that my work is good.
I told her I would let her know by early next week. I’m working it out whether this is even possible for me! I would have to pretty much create one every two days to make the delivery date for their Faire, and that’s a whole lot of flowers to float cost for materials for, with the economy being uncertain, with the tariffs and such. Like, what if I can’t get that many flowers on sale? Gah!
Also, the price she offered per crown is too low. I definitely need that to come up a tad. I’m going to make one today and one on Sunday to make sure my time spent making them is accurate, so I can give a solid wholesale price that doesn’t leave me broke. I need to make a profit at these!
That said, she said I definitely can advertise that my items are at the this faire, and plus she is known in these spaces, so having this in my network is good in the future. It adds a kind of gravitas? She is sure to open doors for me to other events in the future. We got along just fine at Ocean Renaissance already!
The other thing is that I just don’t have the reach to have events where I can sell this much all at once. Fifty fabulosities is more than I was going to make and sell all year on my own - by a lot! I made and sold two at my first show, and planned to take 5 with me to RenFest Southern Maryland. To be paid a big chunk like this for my work will be amazing, and to know that my stuff is being worn by that many people - wow!
Bluebird
Well-known member
MisterMoonbeam and I went to a Silent Disco tonight and I had a blast!
If you’ve never been, it was super fun. We were met at the door and given light up headphones. We could choose between three different stations, and the colors would glow signifying which stream was being listened to. The room was full of dancing people, and everyone is listening to different stations.
MisterMoonbeam recorded me dancing when he sat to take a break. These were from the second to last song and the floor had cleared out.
I really felt connected to my sweetie. Especially since we had amazing sex in the morning - I haven’t been woken up for a romp like that in like, a couple of years at least!
The day itself was pretty great too! I had time to make a headband for myself to wear to my next vendor event, and then TheEngineer came over to hang out. He and I went to see DarkKnight perform in his choral arts group. They sang some secular songs like The Lion Sleeps Tonight, and then did a “gospel mass” which was not something I had ever heard before, so that was really cool. Anyway, I was so happy he came to see me, even though hanging out on hard church pews isn’t the most fun. He had to leave after to get his kids pizza as planned, so DarkKnight and I had time alone together at the dinner reception afterward.
Bluebird
Well-known member
Someone in the chorus had Covid, and now a second person has tested positive. The original person didn’t stay for the reception as they weren’t feeling well. Ugh. DarkKnight had a fever yesterday and didn’t feel much better this morning. He masked up to go to work - he tested negative both last night and this morning though. Gah!
I launched my business Pinterest yesterday and I have a goal now of getting all of my creations onto that by the start of next week. I’m planning to upload 25 photos a day - I have no idea how many there are, but I do know that my phone is no longer uploading to the cloud because I have too much garbage on it.
I sent a message to the Ren Faire person this morning and I want to pass out from both excitement and dread over waiting for her to respond. I am focused and positive I can meet her requirements and request for 50 fabulosity crowns.
Here’s what I created yesterday - 3 headbands, 2 bud crowns and a fabulosity.
I’m hoping to have the same output today!
I did already finish my Pinterest uploads, and then I caught up on messages. I also filled the bird feeders, but that’s not business related. I guess I am headed downstairs to my craft room to get started!
I launched my business Pinterest yesterday and I have a goal now of getting all of my creations onto that by the start of next week. I’m planning to upload 25 photos a day - I have no idea how many there are, but I do know that my phone is no longer uploading to the cloud because I have too much garbage on it.
I sent a message to the Ren Faire person this morning and I want to pass out from both excitement and dread over waiting for her to respond. I am focused and positive I can meet her requirements and request for 50 fabulosity crowns.
Here’s what I created yesterday - 3 headbands, 2 bud crowns and a fabulosity.
I’m hoping to have the same output today!
I did already finish my Pinterest uploads, and then I caught up on messages. I also filled the bird feeders, but that’s not business related.
I guess I am headed downstairs to my craft room to get started!
Bluebird
Well-known member
I’m low key freaking out. I just did math. Here is all the math written out.
General rule of thumb is that vendors should aim to go to shows planning to make back 10 times their booth fee. Also, about 1-3% of attendees will purchase at a booth.
Those are the numbers I should be using to plan how much inventory to bring to my upcoming shows.
Okay, well, I did math based on those figures.
I paid $125 for a booth fee at my upcoming show. (It’s over two days.) $125x10=$1,250 is 10 times my booth fee. However, there are 2,000 people expected. 2,000x2%=40 people will buy from me $1,250/40=$31.25 would be the average receipt if this is accurate.
Only this doesn’t feel accurate to me.
Ocean Renaissance, my first and only show, I paid $187 in booth fees (It was over 3 days.)
$187x10=$1,870.00 this is estimated 10x the booth fee. I actually made $1468. So that didn’t compute. This was actually a little less than 8 times the booth fee.
However, Square says my average sale was $50.85. I was told 700 people attended. 700*2%=14 should be the number of people buying from me, but I had 16 credit card sales and 12 cash sales - 28 total sales. So I actually had (700*4%=28) 4% of people buying from me.
Soooo if this upcoming show follows the same general pattern, 2000*4%=80. I should expect 80 people to buy from me. And if my average sale is 50.85, 80x50.85=4,068 - I will prolly make this amount.
Holy crap. I don’t have that much in inventory yet. I had 32 people buying previously and now potentially 80 people later this month. 80/32=2.5 - this will be more than double the people I handled at Ocean Renaissance. So I need to have more than double what I had in inventory last time?!
Right now I have:
Fabulosities 5x$88 =$ 440
Bud crowns 24x$15 = $360
Flower Wands 12x$10 =$120
Acorns 20x$10 = $200
Tentacle headbands 5x$68 = $340
440+360+120+200+340 =$1,460
I have a long way to go to get $4,068 worth of inventory.
I plan on making 20 Blossom crowns: 20x$25=$500
I plan to make 10 Flourish crowns:
10x$48=$480
1460+500+480=$2,440
4068-2440=$1,628 so now I need this much more in inventory.
My headband & corsage sets sell for $35 each.
$1628/35 =46.50
I need to make 47 headband & corsage sets to take with me - in addition to what I listed above, the 20 Blossom crowns and 10 Flourish crowns. AND if I get this Ren Faire wholesale gig - 10 fabulosities.
In 16 working days.
That’s 3 headbands & corsages each day. Doable. Knock that out in the morning. Each set takes me about 45 minutes.
Afternoons, do the 10 fabulosities. On the 6 of 16 days I don’t have to do a fabulosity, let’s say I do the 10 Flourish crowns instead. I can spread the Blossom crowns over those same 6 days as well, since they take a little over the amount of time together that a fabulosity does.
I got this. Let’s go!
Someone check my math though. It’s definitely based on me getting 4% of people to buy instead of 2%, which I successfully did at Ocean Ren. BUT there I was not the only headpiece seller. At this next event, I am the only one…
I have a bunch of lasercut clips and earrings that are coming with me, and probably at least a dozen headbands & corsages already made but I’m going to leave them out of the equations. I sent a stack to the end cap last week so I don’t know the actual numbers.
Here’s the two fabulosities I made yesterday & today though:
General rule of thumb is that vendors should aim to go to shows planning to make back 10 times their booth fee. Also, about 1-3% of attendees will purchase at a booth.
Those are the numbers I should be using to plan how much inventory to bring to my upcoming shows.
Okay, well, I did math based on those figures.
I paid $125 for a booth fee at my upcoming show. (It’s over two days.) $125x10=$1,250 is 10 times my booth fee. However, there are 2,000 people expected. 2,000x2%=40 people will buy from me $1,250/40=$31.25 would be the average receipt if this is accurate.
Only this doesn’t feel accurate to me.
Ocean Renaissance, my first and only show, I paid $187 in booth fees (It was over 3 days.)
$187x10=$1,870.00 this is estimated 10x the booth fee. I actually made $1468. So that didn’t compute. This was actually a little less than 8 times the booth fee.
However, Square says my average sale was $50.85. I was told 700 people attended. 700*2%=14 should be the number of people buying from me, but I had 16 credit card sales and 12 cash sales - 28 total sales. So I actually had (700*4%=28) 4% of people buying from me.
Soooo if this upcoming show follows the same general pattern, 2000*4%=80. I should expect 80 people to buy from me. And if my average sale is 50.85, 80x50.85=4,068 - I will prolly make this amount.
Holy crap. I don’t have that much in inventory yet. I had 32 people buying previously and now potentially 80 people later this month. 80/32=2.5 - this will be more than double the people I handled at Ocean Renaissance. So I need to have more than double what I had in inventory last time?!
Right now I have:
Fabulosities 5x$88 =$ 440
Bud crowns 24x$15 = $360
Flower Wands 12x$10 =$120
Acorns 20x$10 = $200
Tentacle headbands 5x$68 = $340
440+360+120+200+340 =$1,460
I have a long way to go to get $4,068 worth of inventory.
I plan on making 20 Blossom crowns: 20x$25=$500
I plan to make 10 Flourish crowns:
10x$48=$480
1460+500+480=$2,440
4068-2440=$1,628 so now I need this much more in inventory.
My headband & corsage sets sell for $35 each.
$1628/35 =46.50
I need to make 47 headband & corsage sets to take with me - in addition to what I listed above, the 20 Blossom crowns and 10 Flourish crowns. AND if I get this Ren Faire wholesale gig - 10 fabulosities.
In 16 working days.
That’s 3 headbands & corsages each day. Doable. Knock that out in the morning. Each set takes me about 45 minutes.
Afternoons, do the 10 fabulosities. On the 6 of 16 days I don’t have to do a fabulosity, let’s say I do the 10 Flourish crowns instead. I can spread the Blossom crowns over those same 6 days as well, since they take a little over the amount of time together that a fabulosity does.
I got this. Let’s go!
Someone check my math though. It’s definitely based on me getting 4% of people to buy instead of 2%, which I successfully did at Ocean Ren. BUT there I was not the only headpiece seller. At this next event, I am the only one…
I have a bunch of lasercut clips and earrings that are coming with me, and probably at least a dozen headbands & corsages already made but I’m going to leave them out of the equations. I sent a stack to the end cap last week so I don’t know the actual numbers.
Here’s the two fabulosities I made yesterday & today though:
Bluebird
Well-known member
Thanks! That was my cheapest one so far. $14 in materials (most flowers bought at Michael’s for 70% off). Took me an hour and 20 minutes. I pay myself $15/hr so time +materials is $34 on it. I sell them for $88. I going to take it to my next event but if it doesn’t sell there it most definitely will at Pride! Not sure if I shared that, but I am now going to have a booth at my local Pride next month.
Bluebird
Well-known member
I am writing this from NY - DarkKnight’s birthday is today and we are taking a driving trip to see my nephew’s play. He doesn’t know we’re coming and DarkKnight is excited.
I am too! We made zero plans or reservations, so we could do what we wanted. Tonight we stopped to do an escape room and visit a board game room.We lost the escape room in a spectacular fashion. Like, wow. It was not at all linear and the puzzles were not intuitive. We still had fun.
I am looking forward to going to JoAnn Fabrics up here tomorrow and seeing if anything different is available. Flowers near us are 60% off now. My Ren Faire contact messaged me and said they were reviewing their numbers and would get back to me today or tomorrow with an answer. So I am still waiting but I am hopeful!