Sunday, July 7, 2013

Commitment


If I had a "classic" piece from all the work I have made, I would say it is this little barn. I have been committed to making this piece for awhile now, and have never grown tired of it. I sold two of them yesterday to a very sweet collector that came out to Saxapahaw during the farmer's market just to pick them up. Michele, thank you so much for giving my little barns a wonderful new home! I have very special customers, and they get this sparkle in their eye when they leave with their package and their little barn. It's hard to explain, but I almost cry every time I sell one of these things. It's so nice to see how happy they make the new owners!!! I only have a few of these left and probably won't make anymore, at least for awhile. I want them to stay special and mass producing them would take away some of the magic in making them and owning them, I think.

So check this out.... I pay $9 each week for my space at the market. Except for one unfortunate week, when I didn't sell one thing, I have had pretty good Saturdays there, it's definitely worth the effort to show up each week. On the other hand, last November,  I paid $525 for my booth at the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Show, plus membership dues, I sat there for three days and also one day set up, and last night I made more in four hours than I made in four days at the CDCG. Unreal! I got to listen to some great bluegrass instead of stale muzak Christmas tunes, I got to soak up some much needed vitamin D, met some great people, and basically had a really good time.

The farmers market is certainly a long ways from the exquisite crafts at the CDCG, there are some really ticky tacky crafts there unfortunately, but there are also some really nice crafts, good food vendors and fantastic music. It draws people from Cary, Greensboro, Raleigh, Durham, Burlington, and there are always folks bringing out of town guests out for the evening. Last night I had a customer that was going back home to England today and another visitor from Australia. It's a fun night and I'm glad that I made the commitment to show up each week. In the past, I would back out at the last minute because it was hot, or I was tired from a busy Saturday, or anything basically to find an excuse not to go. Not this year, I'm showing up!

This year seems to be about commitment all of a sudden. I joined Weight Watchers last Friday as my scale tipped into the zone of no return.... got to get a grip on this eating thing! More later about this topic :)  Now I need to commit to my studio and get some work made! A new week is ahead of me, maybe this will be the one when I actually get something done, ha!


15 comments:

Dennis Allen said...

I'm still looking for a nice steady close to home venue. There is a lot to be said for low cost, and EZ setup.

oldgreymare said...

Happiness peeking through..wOoT..just ride the wave....

Michèle Hastings said...

You can't beat that price for space! We have done better at small, inexpensive shows lately, glad to hear the small venue is successful for you (and so much less stress).
... as for weight watchers, I need to get back on it. It's a great plan that works.

Melissa Rohrer said...

Great. Like you said, some of the stuff can be a little tacky, but a lot is really good- I see that at our market too.
I don't necessarily get excited about showing up week after week at the farmer's market but it is a surprisingly successful venue.

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

I love my "Tracey Broome" barn. It is now sitting on a table in our living/dining room. Looks so lovely when the sunlight streams through. I always have a tender feeling when I see it.

Vicki said...

Your barns really are so beautiful Tracey - from the heart. I loved reading about the great energy interchange between you and the wonderful people who buy them.
Unique collectors pieces and sweet little heirlooms.

I find the regular farmers markets and monthly craft markets are generally good money earners. Maybe because people go to them with some cash in their wallets/cards looking for "that little something", and appreciate going home with gifts for themselves or loved ones.
Also, now, people are telling me they're buying up early for Christmas.
Win, win.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Dennis, easy set up is my mantra these days. Nothing worse than spending the day setting up a beautiful booth and then sit there in it alone for three days!
Suz. yes WoOt !!!! Sales are nice!
Hey Michele, I'm back at Weight Watchers after about ten years away, it definitely works :)
Hey Melissa, yeah the showing up is the hard part, but it's a mental thing, I told myself early to get over it and just go!
Awww, Patricia, so happy to hear you still love your barn, and you have one of the first ones I made, I loved making that piece for the Clay and Blog show, we need to do another one of those!
Hi Vicki, thanks so much. Yes, there is some good energy exchanging with my barns and they are all made with great love. Hope the energy continuew to flow, I like the idea of them becoming heirlooms one day...
I take ornaments every week and yes people are already starting to think about Christmas gifts!

Lori Buff said...

I wonder if the consistency of seeing you there every week is part of what is helping the sales. People trust that they will see you again, they may feel they can really think about a purchase, etc. It seems like a great venue also.

Tracey Broome said...

Lori, I think being there every week definitely helps. Some people come back with money that didnt have it before. I had a friend a long time ago that sold crafts at a local farmers market, everyone there told her it would take a few weeks of people getting used to seeing her there and then she would start selling, they were right.

Amy said...

Commitment- don't know about you but I also love it when things change. Can't imagine using the same glazes for the rest of my pottery days... and then self- care; for me, running has been a great outlet. One day at a time, though. And, congrats on the sales!

ang design said...

ahhh trace a nice turn around, im happy for you!

Tracey Broome said...

Hi Amy, absolutely, can't do the same thing for too long, I get so bored.
Thanks, Ang, yeah nice to have some good sales!

Amy said...

Tracey- just saw a photo by Gerry of Uncle Sam and Moral Monday. SO glad that he was there. Things must change! So disappointed with all that is happening in NC. :( Am going to Moral Monday next week for sure.

Unknown said...

Another positive vote for WW... this aging/metabolism slow down thing is NOT for sissys ;)

What a gift to have customers who cherish your work and let you know about it! I love your committment to the integrity of the barns

Tracey Broome said...

Hi Amy, I would like to go over to the protests,but I know it would compromise Gerry,having to be an unbiased journalist there,and I would most likely get arrested, haha! The NC lawmakers are greedy and OUT of control!
Hi Kathy,yeah,I have always had a very high metabolism, but all of a sudden it came to a crashing halt. Ugh!