Making Connections

Earlier this year I started selling my glassware at a local grocery store/liquor store. This particular store is also a chain and has stores in two other neighboring towns as well. The manager at the store I sell at recently passed my name along to the other stores and I got a nice custom order from one of them!

The other store will be hosting a holiday party and wanted wine glasses with their company logo on them. I had fun dressing up the glass for the holidays :)

 

Maybe next they'll want glassware for their liquor department too! It's all about connections and word of mouth. Hy-Vee has stores all across Iowa as well as Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Just think of the possibilities!

My inspiration for today...put yourself out there and make a connection. You never know where it will lead :)

Sales vs. Networking - Final Show Review for 2012

I actually had two shows this week. That's a first for me!

Sports Team Beer Mugs

The first was on a Wednesday, my first week night show. It was for our local grocery store and they had tasting stations set up all around the building and asked local businesses and vendors to come set up booths. The show was free (bonus!) and it was just a couple hours long. I didn't actually sell anything at this show, but I did a ton of networking! I handed out TONS of cards and even made a deal with the liquor department to set up my etched glassware in their store for them to take orders. We still need to work out the details, but I'll be sure to keep you updated on this great opportunity.

Even though I didn't make any sales, I still consider this show a success and will plan to do it again next year. Knowing that people aren't really planning on buying at this type of show, I might take less items and not do a full set up.

Wine Charms - Wine Sayings Set 1

My other show was this past Saturday. It's a show I've done for 5 or 6 years now and have done pretty well. This was my best year by far and I sold almost 4 times as much as I did last year! And I had an awesome space! I'm kicking myself for not getting photos...ugh! This building hosts wedding receptions, so there is a stage where the DJ or band usually sets up. I had the entire stage to myself! It's only about 6" off the ground, so people were still able to browse from the floor with no trouble. And I was able to stretch out my items a little more. We had great traffic and I was so happy to have ample space!

I sold a nice mix of items. And my jewelry did really well at this show, which made me super happy!

Pink Sunburst Earrings

All of my shows this year were great. I loving getting out and being able to talk to people about my products. And getting them in the local eye is always great!

  But that being said, I'm glad to be done for the season! Now it's time to focus on holiday orders and adding LOTS of new items to my shop :)

Making Connections

At a show I did earlier this Spring, I met a fellow Omaha Etsy Team member named Jenny who runs Black Magic Studio. Her shop is full of beautiful jewelry including beading, wire wrapping and silversmithing pieces. She saw my pendants and thought it would be fun to make a necklace out of one of them. I loved the idea and couldn't wait to see the results. She listed it in her shop this weekend: I love how it turned out! Who knew my simple engraved pendant could turn into such a beautiful work of art! I love the wood beads with the suede flowers...I think they complement each other nicely. And they all tie in well with the butterfly pendant. I hope this piece does well and Jenny and I can work together again. What connections have you made lately?