another disappointment---and a quandry

Yours truly at my first-ever Locker Sale

Over 30 families participated in the First Annual Open Market.

Across from me was a very nice couple with three lockers full of various and sundry good quality household goods. They did a land office business all day long. Most likely because of their insanely low prices -- a high-end two-seater stroller in very good condition was sold for $10. Many other fabulous bargains followed suit.

I, however, did not do as well. I sold a grand total of $8 worth of product all day. A $5 pair of earrings and two bibliobeads. Pathetic. Discouraging. Exceedingly frustrating.

In retrospect, this was not the venue for me. True, I was the only person in the building selling handcrafted jewelry but my exclusivity did me little good.

People were looking for bargains --garage sale-type bargains --and aside from quite a few pairs of earrings which I marked down to rock bottom prices, I had none to offer.

It's an incredible amount of work to do any type of sale - but especially one like this where tables and tubs of goods must be trucked upon a dolly down several long hallways. I had absolutely no help and since I'd barely recovered from all the hauling and schlepping of Rock Shrimp, this event was most definitely a struggle.

It's Sunday evening now and I have yet to unload my car!

All last night as I tossed and turned and searched for elusive sleep, I listened to the nagging yada yada in my head telling me I should have taken a cue from that woman next to me at Rock Shrimp and marked everything down to half price. I just hate doing that, though. I feel as if it devalues my work. But I can't help thinking that if I'd done that, I'd have made some sales. I probably would have even made my booth rent and then some.

I hate the clarity of hindsight! I will not sell at this venue again.

That's two disappointing sales in quick succession. It's tough to take.

I don't want to start second guessing myself. I know my work is good - people compliment me on how beautiful my pieces are whenever I do a show. If I got a dollar for every compliment, I'd have come home a happy camper.

But compliments - while lovely to receive - cannot take the place of cold, hard cash.

*SIGH*

While there, I was approached by a man who's opening a similar type sale venue in Jacksonville. He asked if I'd every consider going to Jax for a sale. I hesitated and said, "Depends on what the booth rent is."

I told him how much I'd paid to rent the locker for the day and he offered to cut that in half - and said I'd be the only beader at his event as well. Hmmm. I'll have to think long and hard about this one.

Even though he claims to have had over 1,200 people at their initial sale, I still have to wonder how many of them would be willing to pay the prices I have on my pieces in that type of venue. It's a risky situation.

Anyone have any suggestions?

See pix HERE