In-store sales= S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

Electric Blue 100% Alpaca with Vintage Rhinestone pin.

Chocolate Brown 100% virgin wool with hand-dyed beet juice flower.

Grey 100% eco-wool cap with hand-dyed beet juice flower.

After only a week and a half being displayed at the local yoga studio, THREE of my hats have sold! Whoo hoo!  I am so happy to hear that they have been so well received.  Since the weather is slowly warming up, I don't think I'll be making any more winter hats (unless I get a special order soon), but am presently looking into some spring hats/jewelry ideas.  Please, if you have any ideas, drop me an email.  I was thinking about trying my luck at making a sassy 1920's-ish flapper cloche.  I just need to find a nice pattern.  This past week I've been making some necklaces using large brass buttons as pendants on chains.  I am also doing my share of research on spring craft fairs.  I had a such a positive experience at an Indie Crafts Fair last November that I am looking forward to the next show.

This is the hat I sold to a really nice mom at the Tae Kwon Do studio.  It look great on her.

Oh yeah, I also sold a hat today at my kids' Tae Kwon Do Studio.  A mom overheard me talking about my etsy shop and asked me about my hats.   I told her about my shop and she told me that she was in the market for a new hat.  As she was talking I was thinking about a hat that would be perfect for her.  I was going to drop it off at the Yoga Studio, but instead brought it in to show her today. She loved in and paid for it on the spot.  I am slowly, but surely learning to "move and shake".  Nice.

And don't forget, if you like what you see, special orders are always welcome.  Just email me.

Thinking Global, Acting Local

Viking Ship cuff links made from Antique Pewter Buttons

View from back

                                          
                                        

 Necklace made from Antique Sunflower Button on 14K gold chain with magnetic clasp (circa 1860-1880).

 Earrings made from Antique Glass Buttons on 14K gold posts.

 Vintage snowflake earrings made from rhinestone buttons (circa early 1900's-1950's).

Ring made from Antique Cherry button (circa 186-1880).

Below is the set up for display at the yoga studio.

Well, as the title of this post has alluded, I was thinking globally when I opened up my  esty shop in October and now I am acting uber-globally by making my pieces available at the local yoga studio.  I am so excited about this move. I'm saying, "Yes friends and neighbors, this is me.  Your local artisan.  Support me if you and can, and hey, I take special orders, too."  Those of you who know me, know very well that I am not shy at all.  I love meeting new people and love being the center of attention.  Yet, since starting this new business, I realized that I could  be shy when it came to promoting myself.  I just didn't want to be seen as a salesman  (my apologies to all of those salesmen out there).  Thankfully, those days are over.  I confidently showed the owner of the yoga studio my pieces and very skillfully came up with an organized inventory sheet that tastefully described, labeled, and priced my pieces. She loved my work and we came up with a business plan that we both found positive.  After leaving the studio that day with a deal sealed  I felt like a legitimate small business owner..  Yes!

Next week I plan on checking in a the studio to see how my pieces are selling.  I will keep you posted.  Until then, get out and enjoy the meltdown (in New England at least).