[antannie]

ok. Here is my sad story. Our Farmers Market started a few weeks ago and I have only been taking greens, onions, herbs and eggs so far. People kept asking for my gnomes and yarn. So this week I only brought fibre. I had wonderful yarns and fun needlefelted things and I only sold one thing. A little needlefelted radish for $3.00. And then a woman came along and picked up one of my little ducklings which are about the size of a thumb and which I sell cheap so little kids with a couple of dollars in their own pocket could buy them (also only $3.00) She asked me how much it cost and I told her and she said humph and put it back down.

:

Last year nobody wanted to buy my lovely fine yarns so I made lots of fatter yarn and this year everyone is saying "do you have any fine yarn? I only like to knit fine yarn."

I think this was my worst market EVER!

I almost sold enough yarn for a sweater and several people asked if I would be there again but geez....it was a sad experience and dp said "we can't afford to subsidize the market"

I helped my daughter make dog and cat treats so she can have her own little business and she made $19.00 which was great for her first time.

Please respond with offers of sympathy and sound advice.

 

[Frithweaver]

Heilsa Annie

I'm so bummed for you! I was actually going to ask you about your items, I don't needle felt, and would love to have some of your precious little things for my baby's second birthday this year. I LOVE your things! Next week will be better I'm sure!

In frith!

:

 

[antannie]

oh thankyou! I hope to have pictures up soon of my recent stuff. Pm me if you like but I have to admit I am a bit behind at the moment.

 

[Frithweaver]

Heilsa!

Aren't we all?

Her birthday isn't until September. Can you make strawberries? Oh my, how she adores strawberries. I really adore your little gnomes. What size are they generally, and how much do you generally charge?

In frith!

:

 

[maeveypoo]

Oh Annie! That's awful

Next week will be better! Most people just have no idea the time involved in handcrafted items. My DP merchants at SCA events selling fabric and he's found that the more variety you have the better you will do. I'd imagine that will hold true for your wares as well.

 

[antannie]

I love to make strawberries. They are one of the little things I make for kids to buy and my gnomes vary in size from about 4 inches to 8 inches and prices vary according to how big and how complicated.

And Maevypoo I didn't have a lot of variety this week and there was a big nasty fiasco at setup and a fellow board member (I am on the Market board) was very rude to me and I think I was just not focused. I don't think I did my display well this week.

Thank you both for you support!

 

[Frithweaver]

Heilsa!

YAY! Oh goodie, she will LOVE those!

I would be interested in one or two (cost) 4" gnomes I think, with good detail, It's not something I'll be buying again. I don't have much to spend, and try to make sure each thing is special and worth it. Last year we gave her an organic "Waldorf" doll from UtN. She loves it so much! I still feel bad that I didn't make it myself, but I'm so burnt out on sewing. Ooh, I'm babbling

In frith

:

 

[antannie]

pm me and I am sure we can wok something out.

 

[paganmum]

I'm sorry that the farmer's market didn't go well for you this week.

I used to work my mom's farmer's market booth (she did knitted goods) and there are going to be weeks like that where it seems all the grouchy picky folks are out. I have to agree though that the more variety you have the better you will do. The weeks where my mom didn't add to or replace items that sold we didn't do as well. And trust me She made a *lot* (we're talking 4-6 rubbermaid bins, like the big ones, full of sweaters and baby blankets in all colors and patterns.....)

But then again most people just don't understand the work that goes into hand made stuff so they will poo poo the price.

 

[antannie]

A few years ago one of the bakers at the market who thought I was complaining about my sales (I wasn't) called me up to tell me that artisans can't expect to get paid $20 an hour for making stuff. I told her that nothing could be further from the truth because....I

assist, nurture ewes and babes
feed, water 2 or more times a day in all weather and in all health (mine)
clip feet
castrate when necessary
gather poop for testing
haul hay
build and maintain fencing
clean barns and feed troughs
do most of my own vetting inc shots, pulling and resuscitating lambs
shear
sort
wash
tease
card or send off for carding
gather dyestuff
dye
spin
felt
knit
put up with the nagging of a 2 families covered by wool (one family baas)
Get pushed around by sheep. My ram broke my leg this year.
worry about them and love them
pay the feed, maintenance of equip and vet costs
constantly reflect on the most responsible and ethical way to raise my animals

I PAY to have this life, not get PAID!

 

[dillonandmarasmom]

I am so sorry people are so finnicky about their money. How silly...
I think your felted things are amazing! And, I think I want your life

. I read your list of jobs nad that would be a dream for me (okay, *not* the broken leg part

)...
And, it definitely is not a life one would make money from, is it?! I know from experience, you knit, felt, spin because it is what you have a passion for..not to make millions.

Don't give up. I think exposing people to needle felting and natural toys and items is sooo valubale. They'll get it eventually, KWIM? I have pondered selling little things at our market, too. I would do it simply to feed my yarn addiction, not for money.

 

[antannie]

I feel much better today. I have a special order and just bought a garbage bag full of fibres for $25 from someone whq came to my table and I am full of ideas. I have to dye roving and batting though. I am really low on colours.

I knew I would get the support I needed her in Yarn Crafts. As a person who never had a DDC I consider this my home!

 

[antannie]

I just wanted to tell you Darcy about my life after I posted my last post. I looked out the window and saw a lot of bloody sheep walking around so out I went and discovered one of my dark chocolate ramlings (who is sold I had hoped) had lost his horn sheath and there was a 4 inch bright red bloody oozing stump with the horn sheath hanging done in front of his face. Of course all the other lambs would have checked it out so they all have bloody faces and I haven't het figured out who he was fighting with. I can't catch the little b***er either. I got a baggie of flour to dip the horn in and when I went back out he had lost the sheath. He looks miserable and his head looks like something out of a a sacrifical themed horror movie. It is even going to look worse after I catch him and douse the horn with flour to stop the oozing.

I probably need to post a sign out for the neighbouts saying

yes we know about the blood. No, none of them is seriously hurt. Yes the little guy will survive, I know they will all be stopping by when they see him in the field.

So I just had to share my idylic country moment with you. Just in case you were getting too distracted by the thoughts of growing your own wool!

 

[LifeIZBeautiful]

**I have been there...years ago when my mom and pop bred goats. we had one who fought naything that moved

.

 

[flapjack]

Oh Annie

I am so sorry that none of your market customers had enough taste and decency to buy your stuff. I think, though, that you just have to believe that it was a bad day, and you'll have better.
Don't forget that knitting with wool is a seasonal sport- you can probably expect to sell a little less in high summer than you would with winter peeping around the corner.

 

[antannie]

Well the good news is that as of last night at 4pm - market opening I have had $125 plus dollars in orders, some needlefleted and some raw fleece, a bag of exciting assorted fibres offered and accepted at a fantastic price and a small leclerc loom loaned to me on speculation to buy. I also think at least 2 women will be back to buy yarn and one family coming back for handmade wool felt sheets. I bumped into some favourite customers at a coffee shop and they will be there next week. little Johathon is one of my best customers.

All your encouraging comments have energized me and I sat down to spin this morning, took dyed mohair locks to tease at work and plan on spinning all evening. I bought myself a bottle of whine (oh that was a freudian slip!) and if I don't drink too much I should get some new finer handspun ready for next week.

Thank you everyone (although this is no means a suggestion that you stop sending me lovely notes!)

 

[dillonandmarasmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by antannie I just wanted to tell you Darcy about my life after I posted my last post. I looked out the window and saw a lot of bloody sheep walking around so out I went and discovered one of my dark chocolate ramlings (who is sold I had hoped) had lost his horn sheath and there was a 4 inch bright red bloody oozing stump with the horn sheath hanging done in front of his face. Of course all the other lambs would have checked it out so they all have bloody faces and I haven't het figured out who he was fighting with. I can't catch the little b***er either. I got a baggie of flour to dip the horn in and when I went back out he had lost the sheath. He looks miserable and his head looks like something out of a a sacrifical themed horror movie. It is even going to look worse after I catch him and douse the horn with flour to stop the oozing. I probably need to post a sign out for the neighbouts saying yes we know about the blood. No, none of them is seriously hurt. Yes the little guy will survive, I know they will all be stopping by when they see him in the field. So I just had to share my idylic country moment with you. Just in case you were getting too distracted by the thoughts of growing your own wool!

Oh my gosh, that sucks...but, I still want your life

.

 

[maeveypoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by antannie Well the good news is that as of last night at 4pm - market opening I have had $125 plus dollars in orders, some needlefleted and some raw fleece, a bag of exciting assorted fibres offered and accepted at a fantastic price and a small leclerc loom loaned to me on speculation to buy. I also think at least 2 women will be back to buy yarn and one family coming back for handmade wool felt sheets. I bumped into some favourite customers at a coffee shop and they will be there next week. little Johathon is one of my best customers. All your encouraging comments have energized me and I sat down to spin this morning, took dyed mohair locks to tease at work and plan on spinning all evening. I bought myself a bottle of whine (oh that was a freudian slip!) and if I don't drink too much I should get some new finer handspun ready for next week. Thank you everyone (although this is no means a suggestion that you stop sending me lovely notes!)

Fantastic! I'm so glad to hear things have brightened

 

[JustJamie]

I just looked at your blog, and your creations are WONDERFUL!!!!

I hope you get more pictures up soon!

 

[malyita]

People are often jerks about handmade things. I hear a lot of "I could do that"s at markets, and my thought is always, "maybe, but you won't." People don't realize how long it takes for handwork, and forget the might actually need to pay you for your time. Basically, you just have to ignore these guys and know that you make excellent things of value. It sucks that the whims of the market have turned on your yarn. I guess my best advice is to take a deep breath, try not to take it to heart, and enjoy your daughter's success if nothing else. That is totally cute.