Monday 3 December 2012

Christmas giveaway and return to sender..


Thank you so kindly for offering pearls of IT wisdom regarding blogger and photographs - I have shrunk these using rinkydinks (!) and this seems to work.  A bit of hassle but at least it seems to work for the time being.  

Thank you also for kind words regarding sadder times - we all have them don't we.  I tend not to talk too much about personal stuff on this blog as this is where I like to 'tra la la' and leave real world far behind.  Here everything is rosy and I am cosy.  

I had bigger and better things planned for giveaway - maybe next year.  Truth be known (what with all the loin girding etc) I have run out of steam a little at the moment.  Lost compulsion to make things on the whole - I did a vintage fair a few weeks ago (lovely to meet you again Eco Ethel and Deborah).  I get it all wrong I think and came away with a £15 deficit/minus/negative equity (and that does not include petrol or the cost of making things etc in the first place so in reality it would be much more).  Most things were £2- 4 so did not feel that I had priced myself out of the shopposphere - I sold a pin tin for £2, a book for £2 and a lovely vintage tin full of vintage buttons for £5 (a few days later I bought a lovely vintage tin full of vintage buttons for £3.....).  Deborah was very kind about my stall and said that it looked very pretty -  maybe too much so and that people did not wish to ruin my display...I may have been glaring a people who did not put things back where they found it (ha ha).  



Not to worry because one of my sisters came to visit and she returned home with the usual car load of stuff - including a Lloyd Loom linen basket (which I had to empty of lovely Witney blankets first!), umpteen vintage tins, some linen tablecloths, a pile of vintage children's annuals  and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.  No space cleared in the house though because as well as the export there was also some imported goods from my sister - a few vintage  books (ironically a copy of the very same one I had just exported!), a very nice tea towel (was in dire need...) and an Airfix fairy doll. 

I had also recently being buying embroideries like fury on Ebay - my friend and I had a plan to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer (previously we have done one of those two days walks in the Peak District.....there must be an easier way I thought...).  There was a fatal flaw in my plan so now have a small mountain to clear....oh dear. I fear that I will never clear the spare bedroom for my grand plan!

Are you Ebay, Etsy or Folksy?   Mmmm - I wonder which you are?  I have not tried selling anything on Etsy or Folksy but as some of you know I sell things on Ebay from time to time.  Just in case those of you who have found me (I like to keep my worlds separate)  and were thinking: 'How can she bear to get rid of that' I tend to deal in multiples so will usually have more than one of something......cripes.....Mind - you might also be thinking: 'She's got a brass neck getting rid of that!' Most things that I sell start at 99p - you've got to risk it for a Swisskit!

Back to the giveaway - a little wreath that I made decorated with vintage Christmas bits and bobs, a pseudo Sindy type fairy doll (?60s I think??), a Peek Frean tin - not a reproduction so comes with original wear and tear (!!!) and a little embroidery hoop with a neatly stitched deer (in truth I have not cut this to fit so can be removed and used for something else if so desired).  



Please leave a comment if you would like this to be yours and also can I request that you are a follower that I can get in touch with  (after my other giveaway my conscience meant that I gave the unclaimed purse to Bronte - so a bit of a shame really).






This was the setting up stage at one of my stalls - not quite 'The Paradise'!

I shall draw the giveaway on the 14th of December (hope that leaves time to post!!




26 comments:

  1. Not just you... I did a Christmas Fair yesterday. Took €13 and the stall fee was €10! Considering I had spent a whole day there and it was 25 kilometres from home I was out of pocket too. Like you, I am now reconsidering what I do...

    Penny
    x

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  2. I used to do bear fairs, some good some not so good, very demoralising. Hope things pick up for you.

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  3. I agree- it is difficult to price things. I have not done any Christmas Fairs this year. Beautiful giveaway [how I longed for a Sindy doll as a child - I used to spend to spend hours sewing dresses for my friends' dolls, cos it meant I got to play with them for a bit]

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  4. I think you should definitely think about an Etsy shop, even if it's just so I can get my hands on some of your vintage goodies! Your blog brings lots of joy to to people, I hope it helps you too!
    Please enter me, I love that deer, and I'm a bit partial to a good tin......I would love an old quality street one from my youth! :)

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  5. Oh what a pretty giveaway! I love the wreath you made. Stop by and visit me, I'm having a giveaway too!
    Dorothy @ www.hensrule.blogspot.com

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  6. What a fabulous giveaway, I'd love to be considered. I found a Sindy doll in the sandpit of our local park when I was little. I swapped it later for a gonk; one of my biggest regrets..... I agree with Ada, you should definitely have an Etsy shop. Your stall, btw, looks gorgeous. xx

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  7. Oh dear ... sorry to hear the fair was not a good one. The last one I did (a couple of weeks ago) was the worst ever so don't beat yourself up over it and hopefully things will pick up. Love the wreath. Hope you have a good week. M x

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  8. ROFl here so its you I've been bidding against on Ebay is it???? Hmm will have to up my bids.............. I too have had "Bad Fair Days" Just keep going, and pray next one will be better. If I win the giveaway I promise to PM you first so we don't bid things up to silly prices :-) Joan

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  9. I've just done a rubbish fair too ... Could be there are too many things on at once, there were hardly any people at mine! Sorry you've had some sad times, I hope you and your family are ok.

    I'm having trouble with my pics, need to get them sorted!

    Enough waffling, down to the nitty gritty! Yes please I'd love to enter your fabulous giveaway ... And I'm easily contacted through my profile!

    Have a lovely evening

    Claire xxx

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  10. Oooh lovely giveaway, please enter me!
    I've always sold on eBay, but am dipping my toe into Etsy at the moment...it all takes time tho' (which I don't have at the moment!)
    I've found that having open house events, both at my home, and also at friends and colleagues houses are more lucrative as you've got a captive audience (ooh that sounds mercenary, but it's so rubbish to pay for a stall, stand there all day, then make a bloomig loss) I offer the hostess 10% of sales to spend on my goodies.
    Sally x
    PS Like you I also use my blog as a tra-la-la hideaway :)

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  11. Can you enter me too! Sorry to hear about the fair, it is a horrible feeling sat there with few sales. I haven't done a fair in a while because of it!I also noticed that quite a few people are not shy about just taking ideas from my/others work. I too would echo the Etsy shop idea, as you can sell vintage pieces. The thing which puts me off is working out all the postage.I've had more success on ebay.Flissx

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  12. I am sorry to hear you've had sad times, sending you all a quiet hug
    x

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  13. Oh lovely Jenny I have been so busy recently, and have only just caught up on your last few posts - all a joyous array of things to see and words to giggle at...apart from the bit about you having a sad time. That is rotten and I hope better times are around the corner. This may seem a bit churlish but please don't enter me for the givewaway - I won such a gorgeous prize last time I think it is someone else's turn! I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the laughs and the lovely photos - especially love the wall of fabric hoops - too too beautiful. Take care lovely lady. Rachel xx

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  14. I would love to be entered into your fab giveaway, Im already a follower.

    I have only done one fair so fair, not great, but at least I made the price of the stall, and spent a morning with my bestest friend so not all bad!

    Hope things pick up soon.

    Helenxx

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  15. Hi Jenny, I would love to be entered in your giveaway please. On the subject of fairs etc we are having a Christmas tree festival and craft market in the village this Saturday. I had thought of having a table, but the pitch costs £10 and most of my items are under £5 and I really doubted whether I would make much profit, so I have decided not to go with it. I'm taking my doll's house along for the bygone toys section (just for show) so I'm still supporting the village!
    I sell my wares on Folksy and get steady sales, I've sold a patchwork cushion this morning - yipee!
    Sorry to hear about your sad times, big hug.

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  16. Oh how I wish I could have been to see your stall - those tablecloths would all have come home with me because, as you know Jenny, I really do need one or two more. I spy a tin of Dorcas pins (I could never get the lid off mine).
    I haven't tried selling on Folksy or Etsy mainly because I haven't got around to it yet. But I do seem to do ok at fairs and I too have a lot of things under £5. I view them as "loss leaders" that draw people in and hopefully I can then tempt them to spend a little more - very Sainsbugs. Philippa xx

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  17. I thought about doing a fair but the table cost £40 and I didn't think it would be possible to even make that money back so I went to the fair to see how busy it was... I was right it was no where near the high street as promised and most people bypassed the stalls and went straight to the cake. But sometimes you just need to try things don't you. Better luck next time, your stall looked very pretty. Hugs Sarah x

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  18. Hugs to you and yours Jenny... sorry I didn't make the last Bazaar... back just wasn't up to it... I would have bought some things from you for sure. There will be a new homemade and vintage event happening near me in the new year in a large village hall, cheap stall prices, easy access if want more info just let me know. I think Etsy could work or just add Big cartel to your blog. Cx

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  19. I would love the Peek Frean's tin, my Mummy and Aunties worked at their factory in Bermondsey in the 50's. Sorry your trading was naff but please don't give up, your market needs you. We also thought your stuff was too pretty and precious to touch but not sure how to rectify that. What about selling to vintage shops, Vintage @ Chi were asking for stock. Keep calm and tra la la on.
    Eco Ethel xx

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  20. ps, check out Custard Hall on Jelly Jam! EExx

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  21. well done for trying the christmas fairs. I'm not sure what the magic receipe is. I don't really think a lot gets sold, perhaps etsy is worth a try although I haven't cracked that either! you stall did look lovely though, don't lose hope, Heather x

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  22. What fun giveaway items and a gorgeous table display!

    Not sure if this helps but I'm currently on Etsy and Notonthehighstreet.com (NOTHS). When I first joined Etsy under my previous shop name I had a slow trickle of sales. After changing my shop name I've had no sales. However, since joining NOTHS I have had a regular stream of sales (more than my Etsy shop), which is great. To date, I would say NOTHS is better as more people can find you compared to Etsy but then I know plenty of people who do really well on Etsy.

    I think with your items, you would do well on Etsy. It's also a good starting point as it's expensive joining NOTHS, so Etsy is a good starting point.

    Best of luck with whatever you decide!
    Jo :-) x

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  23. Hi Jenny, we missed you at the last V&VN, even Maureen didn't turn up ! but there were thousands of people so don't be down cast & comeback with your beautiful stall next year, but don't forget your prices ( you chancer ! ) am still on the hunt for a green scarf if you have one you can bear to part with ? sorry its taken me a while to get in touch I wasn't sure how to contact you via the blog, have had to consult my son for it support ! Debra
    p.s Bea & I love the Blythe photos

    contact me via: http://www.debrabuchanan-lee.co.uk/Contact_Us.html

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  24. Hope things improve! Your stall looked lovely - wish I was nearer, nothing like it round here!

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  25. Hi, I did a local craft fair Saturday and nearly made enough to cover what I spent on other stalls!! But it did seem to be the pocket money stuff that was selling..couple of pound here and there. But we did get to sing some carols and sample mince pies so every cloud...!!
    I would love to enter your giveaway...the stag embroidery would go well with my paper mache moose head that I've draped in fairy lights. Who needs a tree???

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  26. Cool giveaway...hope I'm not too late to enter. (Been a bit of a mad week and blogging was relegated low on the list - again.)

    You know, fairs are nice things to visit but, for me, not so nice to sell at. I wonder if peeps think they will go and find humungous bargains - like, boot fair prices maybe, and are horrified to find that, actually, things are priced at their proper value and, even more shock and horror, the seller hopes to make a profit?? I don't know but so many folk report that their biggest sellers are the very low priced goodies. Not worth doing anymore, methinks. Especially not if you have handmade something and spent hours doing it. I'm an Etsy and Folksy seller and very happy with both of them - Etsy is better than Folksy in terms of sales.

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