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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

On the Sales Front...


I've been doing pretty well with my Etsy Shop, but contrasting that with my booth....as with most brick and mortar shops these days, the booth hadn't been doing quite as well. Oh sure, I'd been moving lots of smalls, but I hadn't really moved any big pieces yet.
Until yesterday!


Remember these? My killer vintage theatre seats? Well say goodbye to them, bid them farewell and wish 'em happy trails, 'cuz they're heading to a new home this week! I got a call from the antique mall yesterday saying a gent was really interested in them, but they couldn't find a price tag. I swear, I think gremlins come in during the night and remove all my tags, because I am forever getting these sorts of calls! Anyhoo, this was a pretty large ticket item, so I did a little happy jig around the house.

I'd been struggling with whether to continue with the booth after my initial 3 month lease expires in January...my sales have been steady, but nothing stupendous. Etsy on the otherhand, has been a ginormous moneymaker for me, so I debated whether I should just channel all my efforts that direction.


A good pal in the booth over is throwing in the towel after this month. She isn't even making enough to cover her rent, so after three months, she's outta there. It gave me pause, until the phone call yesterday afternoon announcing my big sale.
So I'm staying put.

Bottom line, I love what I'm doing. Selling stuff and making a bit of money is great, but none of this has ever been about the money. I'd miss the people at the antique mall, I'd miss having my "playhouse" to dress and foof up whenever the urge hits me, I'd miss the chance to move to a first floor booth and test the waters closer to sea level...


I haven't taken any booth photos recently, but here's a reminder of what my little playhouse looks like...








If you're ever in the area, I'd love to meet up with ya at my booth and grab lunch!
Have a great week!

25 comments:

Auntie Cake said...

So much fun to see your little playhouse. I am so happy that you had a big sale, just in time for Christmas! Just had to tell you, for the last couple of years, I have hung the same dollar store snowflakes all over my home for winter. They look so fabulous at night, reflecting the candlelight off of them. I am always sad to take them down.
Kate

Diane and Kelly said...

Congratulations on your big sale. Stuff like that really makes your day. I have had a shop for 4 years and, honestly, it is not a big money maker! I pay the bills and have a small profit afterwards. I wonder if it will always be a struggle or if one day it will just take off. Enjoy your booth for the satisfaction it gives you and hang in there.

Kelly
Second Hand Chicks

Debra@CommonGround said...

Yippee, Anne, a big sale! Those seats are totally cool. Will you come up here and put some of your pixie dust on my space? I agree, having a tangible place to play and express myself is more important that the moolah, but as we all know making ENOUGH moolah really is the bottom line. Glad your etsy is doing so well, love that new purse!!
bug hugs,
Debra

Theresa said...

Hi Anne, You can bet your sweet "bippie" if I am ever close by... I am looking you up:) Congrats on the big sale. I have really been wanting to get a booth in our local antique mall. I check on available booths every time I go in but just haven't made the commitment. I actually was about to jump in when my Sister's house flooded. Much of the things I would have sold are now at her house. She needed stuff and hey, I had stuff:) Have a blesse day deary and count that money!!!!!

savvycityfarmer said...

now you can buy us all presents ...


I tink' you can do anything your little heart desires ... you're good at it all ...

I tink' I shall load up vintage on etsy in January ....

I tink' you jiust inspired me

savvycityfarmer said...

I tink' I need spelling lessons

stefanie said...

Boy, do I understand, I also rent a space, its alot of work having two shops..I am glad you are still having fun...and my tags disapear all the time too? hmmmm

Unknown said...

Hi Anne,
Congrats on the big sale. How fun to have vintage theatre seats...lucky guy!

Nancy

red.neck chic said...

Oh Anne!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Do your happy jig AGAIN beautiful lady, you deserve it!!!

On my red.neck accounting sometimes (depending on how much money ISN'T being made in my lil' corner at the antique mall)just SOMETIMES i write "storage fee" instead of "rent payed". LOLOL I need to update my Etsy. I am SEW excited for you and SEW proud of you on your Etsy store!!! You deserve ALL of the happy jigs!!! Now, go do another one!

;-) Robelyn

Six divided by two..... said...

Congrats on your BIG SALE!!! I love those seats. If I had a place for them I would soooo get them.

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

I enjoyed reading this post and seeing your booth photos so much. I have been thinking about opening up a booth myself but can't quite commit just yet. Opening in January would be a touch month to start a business I think. Plus I am not sure I have enough "stuff" to open. Anyway, I will vicariously enjoy your booth!!

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hang onto your playhouse a bit longer! You have great things....congrats on your sale of those super seats!
:) Laura

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Congratulations on your sale. It's amazing how a big sale can come along when you need it the most. I know what you mean about the little stuff moving but not the big things because I am seeing the same thing happening in my booth. I do quite well during the spring and summer because of the high traffic tourist and vacationers in our area, but right now, we are all feeling the downswing.
I'm like you, I love what I do and there is nothing more fun than fluffin up my booth and making it look just the way I want it to.
I feel fortunate because there are other dealers in our shop that aren't fairing so well. So, I feel good overall.
Again, I'm glad you made that sell!

Kate said...

Anne

Congrats!!!! I am so delighted for you. I know that the most important part is that you love what you are doing. I truly am blessed with all that you share with us.

hugs
Kate

Junk Exchange said...

i have a question .. do you leave your Etsy items in your mall booth space or do you take them out and put them on a shelf until they sell on Etsy ..?

mall spaces have never worked for me .. i always had things come up missing .. or destroyed .. or copied .. i just didn't like the idea of my stuff being where others could do whatever to it and i would never know .. it works for some people and i know others who do real well in them .. of it all, i prefer Etsy or Ebay .. where my stuff sits on a shelf until it sells .. then i guess would be doing shows ..
love ya'

troy

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

Yay! so happy for you! I'm glad you sold a big ticket item, and I'm also thrilled that your etsy store is doing so well!
gail

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Hi sweetie!!!! Well HoooRey for the big sale!!! and I'm glad Etsy is working for you! Hang in there a while with your booth...Sometimes it just takes a while to develope a following of people that know your there. Economy and Holidays might all play a factor. Merriest Christmas my friend, xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Polly said...

Hi Anne!

Congrats on your big sale! It is certainly exhilarating, isn't it? Especially because having a shop or a booth is such hard work! I have also been focusing on smalls as of late.....my Christmas stash is just about gone....my booth is soooo picked over right now! I've learned over the past few years of having a booth that keeping it fresh is the key!

Take care, and enjoy the season!!

Polly

Miss Gracie's House said...

Those *big* sales really keep us moving,don't they? I keep thinkin' about doing etsy but when it comes down to it...I love to stage too much...I agree there is so much more to it than the money. loved your ww post too.
merry christmas!
rene'

Yaya' s Home said...

Oh, joy! I am so thrilled that you made the big sale just before Christmas. I have been struggling with whether I should try and sell on Etsy, but with everything else I do, I haven't found the time. Congratulations on your successes.

By the way, I wanted you to know that I have One Lovely Blog Award for you at my home on the web. ~ Yaya
Yaya's Home

V I N T A G E O L O G I E said...

Hooray for Anne ... good job girlfriend!! Hang in there with your space ... online is a great selling tool, but it can't replace the hands on experience decorating the 'playhouse' !!!

I think it's time to start my blog #2 ... remember?? Januray 1st sounds good, huh?

xo
Jill

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What a wonderful and happy place to play. I'd stay put, too. Wishing you all the best in all your endeavors. Blessings :) Tammy

David said...

Mindy and I don't get down to the Kerrville area too often, but it would be fun to see your space. Roadtrip!

Angela Harris said...

I'm so obsessed with those gold filigree mirrors. I find them often in my favorite consignment shop and always buy them..Always!! then I paint them shades of white and grey. Such great finds!
Have a merry Christmas!
~Angela Harris

timelessNchic said...

GIRL - I don't know how to do ()#@*)(#*(#) on the blog....I am irritated...you have all these pictures, etc....I have NO clue...oh well, I will get it ...
What in the world are cats thinking? Ready for this???????? My youngest, Hobo Lobo, decided he was going to start pissing in my SINKS!!!!!! I took him to the vet - I am thinking - bladder infection, diabetes, etc...NOPE..it is all ATTITUDE girl.....what in the world?!?!?!
Well Merry Christmas !
Hugs,
Courtney


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