Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Markets and discounts for all.....

Did I say NEVER....
Did I really say I was NEVER was doing markets again....

Well I may have used the word a little too liberally, never say never. Just say .... not for a bit. Not quite as dramatic but leaves yourself open for change of mind.

So, I did say I was no longer doing markets and that held true alllllll year. But there is no better way of testing a product in such a busy and face to face environment.
At Olive Grove we only work one day a week, so you only see a small percentage of the customer that is drawn to your stuff on any given day. You don't entirely get the feedback you need.

What colors were they drawn too, did they withdraw once they saw the price, did they say "how cool would that octopus be on a green tee instead" All the important feedback you need and all the different perspectives from a range of people is really important. Because as much as hubby, kids and in laws say they like it all, it is important to appeal to a wider audience and hear what others have to say.

and.....I can tell you, at markets......they don't hold back.
It's almost like you are invisible sometimes. Some shoppers forget, or just don't care that you have spent hours of love and devotion, creating every little thing they look at and quite freely they'll dish out stellar remarks like "how tacky is that" or "you'd get one cheaper at k-mart" Yep I've heard it all.
But it's all good.
Really.
Diversity and difference is what makes Melbourne such an interesting place to live in.

It's what you do with those comments, that can make or break you.
As far as the negative Nancy's go....I say shop at K-mart my love as you were probably brought to this craft market under sufferance from your mum or crafty gal pal, who is the one that appreciates handmade. No point at all trying to argue the value of handmade to someone like that. It's like water off a ducks back. My advice would be, switch off internally, smile and carry on.
The price comments are always good ones to listen too. But you have to keep in mind that people often speak loudly about how something is too expensive, when they are on a budget. If they are shopping for a $15 kris kringle present and your hand screen printed tee is $60. Then it's possibly just an exclamation that it's out of there KK budget.

More so, if you hear rumblings of lets go back to the other stall that had screen printed tee's, his were only $25.......well then you may want to investigate.
Is your quality, technique, fabric choice and artwork comparable to what else is on offer in similar products your fellow crafters produce.
Possibly, you have over estimated the worth of your funky tee's or possibly....comparably... you have used sweat shop free, made in Australia base tee's, as apposed to others using made in china tee's.......you have used solvent free, water based inks, and eco packaging.
The point here is, find your unique point of difference and capitalise on that. The average Jo will not know the difference that sets you apart from Mr. t-shirt in the corner...

Have as much signage or information available, to educate people on what makes your stuff special. Then you can most definitely hold your head high when confronted with "look at the price" comments and be proud that you are not ripping people off, you are offering a little piece of your heart and soul presented in a way that is so you....for them to embrace.

Anyway's I do ramble.....I hadn't intended on a 'why markets are good for sellers' speel, just sorta happened.

My mission today was to tell you, I have taken on board a few markets for the silly season.

BUT.....it is not FINKI as you know it.

You will not see one single thing you saw on my stalls last year. This year it's all new.
There will be diaries, bags, cuff links, ties and tee's for men and children all hand screen printed with my own graphic designs.

I still do all my girly stuff, which you'll find this x-mas at the shop, but men's and children's wear is very new for me. S0 I'm taking it to the streets, to get some honest feed back and hope that one or two people along the way like it enough to take it home with them.

My first market will be this Thursday at Kris Kringle night market. 5.30 - 10pm, Northcote town hall and as per usual....I'm so anxious I just wanna throw up. Yep, I still get stage fright!

But no, I shall write my lists and check them twice to make sure I don't forget anything. And it will sorta be like a crafty reunion with all my market peeps, so It's all good....


I'll be sharing with the lovely Anna from Polly Pratt and most importantly, I'd like to offer you, my bloggy followers and friends a discount.

Just print this little flyer and bring it on market night to receive 20% off any goodies by 'Finki', if you have presents to buy for the girls too, or just need a dose of finki color for yourself I'd like to extend the offer to my goodies over at Olive Grove too.

Some of the funky tee's at Olive Grove... A mix of work from a few of our designers.
*(If you decide to shop at Olive Grove, Don't forget, discount only applies to 'Finki' stuff)

So from now till Dec you can take this voucher to any of my markets stalls to buy stuff for the men or to the shop where my accessories and ladies clothes are on display 'Olive Grove Studios' and get 20% off 'Finki' stuff.

If you do visit the shop, don't forget it is a co-op with the work of 8 other designers there too and your Voucher only entitles you to a discount on 'Finki' labeled goodies.

Hope to see you all at the markets and if you are offering bloggy discounts over Xmas too, let me know. Because...as always, I pledge to only buy handmade for all my x-mas presents and who doesn't love a bargain.
Jay xx

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Abscence makes the stock piles grow bigger.....

Bad blogger am I..... But I'm sure you know my patterns of absence well enough to know, that behind the scenes it's all go..........

I have turned the house into a crazy whirl wind of 'to do' lists whilst gearing up for the busiest time in retail, especially for hand made. I tend to have very long to do lists each day and only get 70% of them done, but 70% is better then none and the reality is....I do need sleep, food and family time.
So I'm not quite the machine, making 24/7. If I was, I think it would quickly get old, balance and writing lists is the key so I can feel as though I am ticking things off each day and moving in a forward like motion.

The store is slowly getting re-stocked with all my faves, whilst I also work away at many exciting new things to hit the shelves very soon.

I will most definitely show and tell all, soon,
But for now here are a few things that have been keeping me occupied:

A new range of summer dresses.

I tested them out in some funky green florals and a blue paisley...now in store.... but hope to have them as an ongoing design made up in basic colors with screen printed contrast trim and pockets.

For a little fun and deviation from the clothing ......

I got all my scrap booking stuff out and made these fun book marks.

Screen printing is always a pleasure, so there has been much more of that too.


New ties....

new tee's, totes and halter tops.


This is my fave new print.


All works in progress, so you won't see them in store till next week.

Much more fun stuff to come before X-mas and possibly a few market appearances too...

Jay xx

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

And the winner is.....

Thanks to all who joined in on my 'end of blogtoberfest' giveaway.


We have a winner...or two actually.

I went with good old random org for the selection.
I was a bit worried how I'd choose one for the red when most people wanted the black but luckily enough, I just hit go and a red selector came up first.

Can you believe it...random org chose number 1:


The first commenter 'Monet Paisley'..... What a lovely reward for being the first to join in.

Next up was:

Number 3: 'Willy wagtail' who chose the gorgeous black one.

So both tee's are going to new homes very soon. Hope you luv them.


Congratulations ladies. I'll be in touch soon, to get your details.