Post-Artoberfest
We made it through Artoberfest! It was a lot of fun despite the fact that we ran into a few little problems, not the least that our booth was turned the wrong way on day one! That wasn’t our fault–and we fixed it for the second day. We met some very nice people, particularly the lovely ladies in the booth next to us: Becci King and her long-time friend and show-partner Katharine Spanier. Becci lives in Galveston and knits and crochets her goods, our favorite the child’s long-sleeved boleros. Kathy is a very skilled watercolorist, and Kathy, you need a website! I bought one of her original paintings, and Lisa a print. Both of these women were a delight to meet and enjoy, and we are happy that Becci is coming to see us at the upcoming Christmas Bazaar at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood. She is interested in getting a booth there next year. Cool!
Galveston is a great town, folks. Try to visit sometime if you can. There is loads of history (my own relative sailed with Jean Lafitte, the pirate, who camped out there for quite a while when it was called Campeche) and accompanying architecture. Neighborhoods off the main path are filled with both large historic homes and ancient tinderbox residences, capped off on the corners with a grocery or BBQ restaurant or breakfast cafe. The populace is friendly and relaxed, a mix of traditional and fringe elements. http://www.galveston.com/history/
It was hot but the wind was ever-present, and once the sun traveled its path the first part of the day, the air was wonderful. We sold a comparable amount to our first year at Mary Queen (enough to pay for overhead), but we made so many more contacts, and are now in the habit of handing out gift certificates to everyone who visits our booth. We also give those with purchases. We ran out of business cards–so we have learned how to market better, at least at shows. The compliments were many, and again we heard the references to Sundance: our work is “reminiscent” of what’s in their catalog but we are “much less expensive”. One woman told us that Pot Luck would cost about $385 in their catalog (we sell it for $113)–then she promptly purchased Stacked Hearts Bracelet. That was a popular item, as was Turquoise Wrap and both versions of the Tejas bracelet. We feel like the feedback is sincere and of course that kind of support feels great as we make just what we want to make, not what we think people want.
If you are in town (Friendswood) November 30th and December 1st, please come see us at the Mary Queen Christmas Bazaar, for our third successive year! Email us if you want directions or have any other questions or comments. We are excited to be there again–we have grown very fond of this event and look forward to seeing the friends we have made there in previous years. Happy Holidays, everyone!
