Hmmm.

[ysobelle]

I just got a contact through my site from someone who's involved with Faerie Fest. She wants to know why I don't try for it.


Hm.



Hmmmm.



Well, why not? And I ask that seriously. It's hard to get it, I know, but is it worth it? I hear wonderful things, but I've never been there.

Comments

[silverstah.livejournal.com]

The hardest bit would be building up the backstock to have on hand. I can tell you from personal experience that folks are willing to custom order stuff - but they are MUCH more likely to buy if they can try it on and take it home, then and there.

If someone FROM the festival is contacting you, you can probally get in. ;)

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

She contacted me as a query about a corset, then mentioned the faire. But oo, I'd love to get in. But it's getting a pop-up, renting a van, getting STOCK.... Still. Have to take the plunge SOME time, right? Where did you start?

[silverstah.livejournal.com]

I started super small with one of our local Pagan Pride Day events. It gave me a good taste of working with the public and kinda an idea as to what folks were looking for.

When I vend now, my biggest problem is *still* working up backstock. I've learned through experience that focusing on a few items (I have 3-4 dresses, 2 bodice styles, cloaks, 2 doublet styles and a jerkin, plus basics pants/shirts/chemises/skirts that I try to have in stock for shows) and having a wide variety of those items available helps immensely.

Be sure to remind folks that you can custom craft what they're looking for - our mantra in our booth is that this is "just a representation of what we do - if the dress you like isn't in your size/color, we can custom make one just for you!"

It's a big plunge, but lots of fun. The initial investment is a bit of a PITA - the pop-up, the garment racks, hangers, signage, booth decorations, etc.

If you think you can build up a decent bit of stock, I'd say go for it. The worst that could happen is either:

A) they say no.
B) they say yes, you do it, don't have enough stock, and just take custom orders.
C) they say yes, you do it, and you sell out on the first day, and just take custom orders. ;)

In any scenario, it's either no loss (if they say no) or you get great exposure and experience. :)

[meekay.livejournal.com]

Use condoms.

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

I'm curious as to what, exactly, you think I'd use them FOR in the present circumstance.

[transversecity.livejournal.com]

You also just got a contact on your site from someone at the Wicked Winter Renfaire. You could try for that, too - Alison put in a good word for you. ;o)

~Jeff Mach

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

Just responded to you. Oh, yes, I'm interested. Yes, I am.


If the woman weren't in bloody California, I'd kiss her. As it is, I owe her hookers and beer.

[daemionfox.livejournal.com]

Like silverstah says. Hard part is the backstock. However, one of the nice things about backstock is it can double as your demo pieces. (lots and lots of demo pieces)

People are also more apt to order custom work if they can take a look at your workmanship, try stuff on to get a feel about sizing and talk to you face to face.

As a second note, have a scrap book done of all your custom work, and arrange it from your most recent pieces in the front to your oldest in the back. And date the pages (this is a tip I picked up somewhere that I've yet to do).

And don't do what I did when I started making stock. Which was to grab a few friends to base a pattern off of and arbitrarily call it a size. (My sizes have since been standardized, but years ago, jumping between one size to another required a lifestyle change. (my small was about a 6, medium had been about a size 8, and a large was a size 18... Not good.))

Okay, off the soapbox, who's next?

[daemionfox.livejournal.com]

As a second note... Whatever _doesn't_ sell, and you will bring things home, can be used for the next show. Muahahaaha

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

I know-- having a few on hand has proven to be quite profitable. But we'll see. And I know about the size issue. Oh, trust me. Thankfully, though, I have a pretty hefty backstock of patterns at this point. I can pick quite a range.

[silverstah.livejournal.com]

Yep. I have *mumble mumble mumble* boxes of garb in my basement that need to be gone through, aired out, and organized so I can start my list for the spring shows.

[42redmonkeys.livejournal.com]

the only issue I see is time.....lets be honest....you dont exactally work FAST. (and I mean that with the utmost LOVE and admiration!!)

you HAVE to have stock to take, can you make enough to have enough to make the vendor fee and make the trip profitable?
I know you can sell stuff....koz you FUCKING ROCK!!!

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

The time thing may be less of an issue soon. We'll see.

I'm not sure I WANT a lot of stock. I honestly prefer to do custom work. But we'll see. I'm not looking to make a big profit the first few shows. Maybe even the first year.

[delynfirebrand.livejournal.com]

Just echoing a little, but sizing-by-actual-measurements is so much nicer than s-m-l-xl.
If time is an issue, you could always start stocking up now and do it next time, ne?

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

Well, I have time now to do a few. I have about a half-dozen more corsets to make, then things should slow dramatically. So...it's possible. Quite possible.

My vending experience being a bit different,

[irishcoyote.livejournal.com]

Cause it's limited to hauling chapbooks cross country, a family experiment at Starwood one year (that didn't end well, lets leave it at that), and sleeping with a leathersmith from Austin (there's a hung jury there), I personally have no interest in attending a Faerie Fest unless it comes with Nac Mac Feegle. But then, I have no idea where it is or what. I'd suggest picking up a few copies of the magazine with the really nice shot of the red one (and that cat), to use for display purposes. I saw that in borders and the clerks back in kids heard me yell "Sweet!"

But speaking of festivals, if you want to do say, Starwood, or Sirrius, I would be happy to help set up the shop. Hell, technically I should still have acess to some huge canopy thingy.

[hennabee.livejournal.com]

Well...here's the thing...you will have TONS of people see your stuff. Perhaps...perhaps...you could have some ladies show up to model for you? You've mentioned multiple time that you sell corsets when ms. Foxglove doth stand approximate to your location and can show them off, why not have them on living, breathing models? Not only that, make sure they aren't twiggy girls! Speaking as a bigger gal, it tickles me to see clothing that looks nice on someone who actually eats food.
That being said, throw together a few test pieces to take with you, possibly sell, and try that out. Have a HUGE stack of business cards. Because people will see you, but not buy that day. But they might also call you up when they get birthday money and want to look just utterly damn fabulous for a party.

That's funny. I was just swearing this morning I wasn't going back to Faerie Festival because of the rudeness of certain individuals running the event. But if you need me there, or Foxglove needs a chauffeur, I shall come! (Or, if it's made and paid off in time, hell, ~I~ will come model for you!)