Kids Day Event

Yesterday I set up a booth at a Kids Day Event held at our local Market House in town. I was hoping I would do well since most of my items are geared for babies and children--and guess what--I did!! It was such a BIG relief compared to the last show I did (only made $27). The man who organized it is planning to make it a yearly event, so I can't wait until next year! A lot of people were truly interested in my items and a few took my cards so I hope I get more local business from it. My main goal was to get my brand out there locally and I think I accomplished that.

Practice Booth Pics

 It was also a ton of fun! I had the PERFECT spot--right next to all the entertainment! There were clowns that were making animal balloons, face painting, and just entertaining the kids (who LOVED them!). There was also a pretty lady there who danced with hula hoops (she was SO amazing!), a band (which actually wasn't very good at all), and a DJ (who played golden oldies). So I got to watch the kids get their sweet little faces painted, try out hula hooping, and dancing. So cute!

Face Painting

 

Hula Hoop Dancer

 My biggest selling items were hair clippies and pins--mostly owls, flip-flops, and kitties:

 I also sold a bear tooth fairy plush, a couple of Cuddle Monsters, and a couple of aprons (size 3/4 seemed to be the favorite)

Oh--and did I mention the cute vendor apron I made for myself :)

 All in all it was a very good day and I truly enjoyed it!

What's In a Name?

Have you ever wondered where some sellers come up with their names? I know I do. I'm sure there's a story behind practically every name. For instance, I named my shop Lil' Bit Sassy because so many people have called me Lilbit because I'm small. The "sassy" part came because, well, I tend to be a bit sassy too. Hence, Lil' Bit Sassy.  Most people I know say that it suits me well.  I believe that if you have a unique, maybe even humorous, shop name then buyers may be more likely to purchase from you.

The reason I'm blogging about names is because I have been thinking of opening another etsy shop just for my purses, accessories, and non-baby/children items.  All I have to do is think of a name.  Since I'd like to focus mainly on purses and bag, I'd like the name to be appropriate for those items. I'd also like something on the humorous side since I like to laugh. A lot. I have received a few good suggestions such as: Hag Bags, which I really liked, but alas, there is a website called that. Although I may be able to change it a bit. Maybe, say, Old Hag's Bags. Another name suggestion was Sassy Hag Bags. Or Sassy Bags--incorporating my Sassy name. 

So, do you have any suggestions? Would LOVE to hear them!

Out With the Old, In With the New

As some of you know, I have a pattern/supply shop on etsy (http://www.LotsOPatterns.etsy.com) as well as my handmade shop.  I opened this shop because I decided to clean out some of my stash and get rid of some patterns I might never get around to doing. A couple of months ago I found a free selling site (eCrater) and decided to try it out. You can sell anything there--it's not handmade only--so I listed some books, some of my handmade items, and just a variety of things that I can't sell on etsy.  Since most of the items in my Lots O' Patterns shop have been there since I opened it, and obviously didn't sell, I decided to save a little money and list them on eCrater rather than to keep paying listing fees on etsy. So as things have expired in Lots O' Patterns, I've been listing them in eCrater. I only have a few items left and they should be expiring soon.

Now, I've been throwing around an idea about what to do with the extra etsy shop when it's empty of stock. One idea is to move my baby/children's items into it and make it exclusively a baby/child themed shop and to use my Lil' Bit Sassy shop for other items I make such as my purses, accessories, and household items.  If I decide to do this, I won't be able to use Lil' Bit Sassy as the name of the baby/children's shop, so I was thinking Sassy Bug for it and Lil' Bit Sassy for the mixed item shop.  AND if I go with this, should I get new business cards printed? Also--will customers lose me? I suppose I could always write a note in my shop announcement saying that if they're looking for baby/children's items or purses,etc. they are now at...and post a link.

So what would you do if you were faced with this? Any opinions or suggestions would be most welcome!