Event number two...

So I’m getting bored of just posting “here’s what I made” posts, thus you’re probably getting bored of reading them. Also I still don’t have a sewing machine, therefore I haven’t made anything with which to do a “here’s what I made” post :). Instead you get an “event number two” post which was a community cohesion event at the Ronald Gorton centre in Rochdale...

As the event was a community cohesion event it had loads of stuff going on from other cultures... There was African dancing, a Bollywood fashion show, food stands which represented different countries etc. My mum’s friend suggested I go along and bring some of my stuff to sell little did I know I would have competition in the form of another bag stall. Obviously the other bags weren’t handmade, but seeing as there was only one stall separating us I thought I’d make an effort at being civil, so I let the stall holder use my scissors for unwrapping her bags with :)

The event itself was really good and full of variety, people responded really well to the bags, again I did the whole button thing and people loved it... it seemed to draw the kids as well...

Apologies for the picture quality my camera had water trapped in it hence the smudge...

People were amazed that I made the bags myself and I loved the fact that they got people talking... I had a group of girls who were trying to decide their favourites and asked me how I made them etc. I had the community support officer come up and tell me how much she loved them, people told me stories of how they knew someone once upon a time who made stuff like this or that I’d love such and such shop. For me this was what making and selling my own products is about. I loved the fact that I could tell them that I designed and made the bags and that they weren’t from some sweatshop made by a child in India. Ok so I didn’t sell as much as my competition but as I looked over at the stall I couldn’t help but notice people just walking past without saying anything or even looking at the girls who were manning the stall. I don’t think I had one person who walked past who I didn’t make an effort to talk to.

I also learnt a lesson in sticking to my prices from one persistent haggler who was determined to get a large laced edged handbag for a tenner which was half the price I had set them at. She was quite intimidating and add to the fact that she was speaking Punjabi (which is quite an aggressive language and one which I am mildly fluent in) I ended up giving in partially because she had ordered two bags for her daughters (for the same reduced price) and partially because I just wanted to get rid of her. However afterwards I couldn’t help feeling I had been ripped off, I mean a tenner a bag covered the costs of materials etc but it was nowhere near enough to cover labour etc. I did learn a vital lesson though that if someone really understands the hard work and ethical implications involved in buying handmade then they will readily accepts the prices.

Overall I did enjoy the day and did get some orders out of it, but more important than that I learnt a few vital lessons regarding making and selling handmade goods.