Iguanadon Posted December 4, 2016 Report Posted December 4, 2016 I see that I wasn't the only one ending the year today. My final event of the year was mediocre. I sold 20 pieces, which is below my average of 26. I can't complain, and it was my first indoor event which I was most thankful for. It was a great first year for me. I started in June and in just 6 months I sold 500 puzzles. A big thanks to the brain trust here at SSV for helping me with all of my questions and guidance as I was brand new at all of this. I'm glad to be just about done with cutting for a little while. I have some to make for friends and family this coming week, but then I'm done. I'll take a couple of weeks off but then it's time to start stockpiling for next year. I know my top 15 selling items and I'll make about 10 or more of each of them. I have two events lined up in April and then the summer farmers market starts up. It'll be here before I know it. Thanks again to everyone! Iggy wombatie, hawkeye10 and 125 CSL 3 Quote
Lucky2 Posted December 4, 2016 Report Posted December 4, 2016 Iggy, sometimes mediocre isn't all that bad, I think that selling 20 pieces is pretty good results. Things do have a tendency of cooling off, once they've been out there for a while. If your presenting your work in repeat venues, you have to expect to not do as well as you previously did. You have a great selection to pick from, and you were set-up on a corner with two tables. There's no reason I can see why you didn't sell more, all of your work looks great. Len Quote
hawkeye10 Posted December 4, 2016 Report Posted December 4, 2016 Great looking display Scott. I am going to give puzzles a try before long. Who do you think for the most part are your customers buying for? Like kids, them self's, or may giving them as gifts. Quote
Iguanadon Posted December 4, 2016 Author Report Posted December 4, 2016 Great looking display Scott. I am going to give puzzles a try before long. Who do you think for the most part are your customers buying for? Like kids, them self's, or may giving them as gifts. Good question... I'd say it's a mix. The kids dinosaurs are my attraction for the kids to drag their parents over. The folks buying dogs are usually for themselves, but I do hear a lot of comments "Oh my mom has a Bichon, she'd love this..." I also have the luxury of being in a tourist area (beach) so I have a fresh batch of customers every week. Sure, I have locals that shop as well, but the tourists are probably 75% of my customers. Good luck and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have as you start up such as the most popular breeds, etc. Quote
Scrolling Steve Posted December 4, 2016 Report Posted December 4, 2016 Glad to hear your year was a success , Scott ! Iguanadon 1 Quote
Rob Posted December 5, 2016 Report Posted December 5, 2016 Enjoy the break Iggy, you've earned it. I do like your display stands, I must make something similar. What wood do you use for the stained Dinosaurs? Rob Iguanadon 1 Quote
Iguanadon Posted December 5, 2016 Author Report Posted December 5, 2016 (edited) Enjoy the break Iggy, you've earned it. I do like your display stands, I must make something similar. What wood do you use for the stained Dinosaurs? Rob Thanks Rob. I have a mental list of things to do this off-season including making a couple more stands. They're great space savers so I can display more breeds of dogs and types of animals. After trying several things to "paint" the dinosaurs, I'm now using ... Food coloring. Watered down. The colors are nice and vibrant and of course are safe for the little kids that may put them in their mouths. Parents are thrilled to hear it when I tell them what I use. Edited December 5, 2016 by Iguanadon Quote
amazingkevin Posted December 5, 2016 Report Posted December 5, 2016 Good question... I'd say it's a mix. The kids dinosaurs are my attraction for the kids to drag their parents over. The folks buying dogs are usually for themselves, but I do hear a lot of comments "Oh my mom has a Bichon, she'd love this..." I also have the luxury of being in a tourist area (beach) so I have a fresh batch of customers every week. Sure, I have locals that shop as well, but the tourists are probably 75% of my customers. Good luck and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have as you start up such as the most popular breeds, etc. Scott i'll be interested in good pattern books of all things animal like you do. Quote
amazingkevin Posted December 5, 2016 Report Posted December 5, 2016 I see that I wasn't the only one ending the year today. My final event of the year was mediocre. I sold 20 pieces, which is below my average of 26. I can't complain, and it was my first indoor event which I was most thankful for. It was a great first year for me. I started in June and in just 6 months I sold 500 puzzles. A big thanks to the brain trust here at SSV for helping me with all of my questions and guidance as I was brand new at all of this. I'm glad to be just about done with cutting for a little while. I have some to make for friends and family this coming week, but then I'm done. I'll take a couple of weeks off but then it's time to start stockpiling for next year. I know my top 15 selling items and I'll make about 10 or more of each of them. I have two events lined up in April and then the summer farmers market starts up. It'll be here before I know it. Thanks again to everyone! Iggy you've definitely put your good foot forward ,no backing down and it's worked out great for you.Great cuts! Quote
Iguanadon Posted December 5, 2016 Author Report Posted December 5, 2016 Scott i'll be interested in good pattern books of all things animal like you do. Kevin, the dogs, horses, zoo animals, etc are all patterns by Harvey Byler from Wooden Teddy Bear. He has about 600 patterns available including cars, tractors, etc. Here's a link to the categories. http://www.woodenteddybearonline.com/x/home.php?cat=100 You never know when someone will ask for an Aardvark. LOL The dinosaurs are from a book. It appears they have released an updated version. Here it is... https://www.amazon.com/Making-Wooden-Dinosaur-Toys-Puzzles/dp/1565238907/ref=oosr Quote
daveww1 Posted December 5, 2016 Report Posted December 5, 2016 congratulations, seems like you've had a good year. Quote
Rob Posted December 5, 2016 Report Posted December 5, 2016 Thanks Rob. I have a mental list of things to do this off-season including making a couple more stands. They're great space savers so I can display more breeds of dogs and types of animals. After trying several things to "paint" the dinosaurs, I'm now using ... Food coloring. Watered down. The colors are nice and vibrant and of course are safe for the little kids that may put them in their mouths. Parents are thrilled to hear it when I tell them what I use. Thanks Iggy, I actually asked what the wood was but I think you mentioned Poplar in a previous post. Rob Quote
Iguanadon Posted December 5, 2016 Author Report Posted December 5, 2016 Thanks Iggy, I actually asked what the wood was but I think you mentioned Poplar in a previous post. Rob Oops, sorry. I use plain, untreated pine for the colored dinosaurs. I use poplar for everything else I make. Rob 1 Quote
Dan Posted December 6, 2016 Report Posted December 6, 2016 Great puzzles! I find them fun to make but 500! YIKES! your display is outstanding. Iguanadon 1 Quote
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