Bob Janka
04-22-2003, 7:03 PM
Folks,
I have to thank you all for your support and encouragement as I prepared for my first Craft sale. I am indebted to Ken Salisbury, Scott Graves, and several others for sharing their experiences.
Yesterday, my company had its first-ever employee Arts & Crafts sale. Over 40 employees and/or spouses were vendors and several hundred employees stopped by during the 3 hours of the sale (11 AM - 2 PM).
I had a variety of slim pens, a few of the flat-top models, and a few key rings. I sold 3 slim pens & 3 flat-top pens and received an order for a slim pen/pencil set. Today, I sold an additional 2 pens.
This sale was a great experience and I had a lot of fun. It helped that I knew so many people and could call out their names. I found that inviting people to "come over and try out one of my pens" was a great way to spark interest. Over half of my potential customers picked up the flat-top pen I made out of "curly" soft maple. (Note to self: find a good source for "curly" soft maple!)
I apparently did a very good job on the pens. Many people were surprised when I told them that I had hand-crafted the pens out of wood, turning them on a lathe. One person even paid me a great compliment: "But it's so smooooth." :D
Today at work, my boss said that he heard that I had sold some pens. He then teased me about retiring soon. I grinned and said that I needed to sell a LOT more than 6 pens to retire. :)
I even had 2 more people ask about purchasing some pens. I sold 2 pens to one and will arrange a discreet meeting with the other once I make some more flat-top pens.
Like I told my wife, pen-turning is a hobby first, a hobby second, and only then a business. If I'm lucky, the money will help me break even on kits, equipment, and supplies.
Thanks again to all for reading this far and for allowing me to share this milestone. I'll post pictures as soon as I get some time on my wife's computer (hers has the USB port).
Cheers,
Bob
I have to thank you all for your support and encouragement as I prepared for my first Craft sale. I am indebted to Ken Salisbury, Scott Graves, and several others for sharing their experiences.
Yesterday, my company had its first-ever employee Arts & Crafts sale. Over 40 employees and/or spouses were vendors and several hundred employees stopped by during the 3 hours of the sale (11 AM - 2 PM).
I had a variety of slim pens, a few of the flat-top models, and a few key rings. I sold 3 slim pens & 3 flat-top pens and received an order for a slim pen/pencil set. Today, I sold an additional 2 pens.
This sale was a great experience and I had a lot of fun. It helped that I knew so many people and could call out their names. I found that inviting people to "come over and try out one of my pens" was a great way to spark interest. Over half of my potential customers picked up the flat-top pen I made out of "curly" soft maple. (Note to self: find a good source for "curly" soft maple!)
I apparently did a very good job on the pens. Many people were surprised when I told them that I had hand-crafted the pens out of wood, turning them on a lathe. One person even paid me a great compliment: "But it's so smooooth." :D
Today at work, my boss said that he heard that I had sold some pens. He then teased me about retiring soon. I grinned and said that I needed to sell a LOT more than 6 pens to retire. :)
I even had 2 more people ask about purchasing some pens. I sold 2 pens to one and will arrange a discreet meeting with the other once I make some more flat-top pens.
Like I told my wife, pen-turning is a hobby first, a hobby second, and only then a business. If I'm lucky, the money will help me break even on kits, equipment, and supplies.
Thanks again to all for reading this far and for allowing me to share this milestone. I'll post pictures as soon as I get some time on my wife's computer (hers has the USB port).
Cheers,
Bob