Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Consignment Sales.

I have been sewing and selling my crafts for the past 6 years. My first sales were to co workers looking for baby items for showers and family. This lead to me being invited to a Christmas craft fair at one of our local high schools...it turned out to be a great venue for me and from there I was doing 4 schools in November.

While being a vendor there I met a number of contacts that worked or managed seasonal shops and was invited to put my products in their shops.

I now have my products in a shop managed by my sister at the Wood Island Lighthouse - they like to have mostly nautical themes.




I have a shop on the waterfront in Charlottetown that only takes crafts from local artists and they also like the nautical theme.

Another shop that has my product is the Orwell Historical Village and they look mostly for country themed items.



It is funny how each venue has their own style and what sells for them. They also each have their own consignment fee....it ranges from 20 to 30%. They all have great sales in bibs and potholders!



These 3 shops are shops I have dealt with for the past number of years and they have all been good experiences but there have been a few bad ones as well.

One shop that had my items for one year, returned them all stuffed in a garbage bag.. I never returned to this shop.

Another shop after going there about 4 times I finally got my items back and fly crap and all, so items were faded as they were hung in a window in the sun.

But all in all I like consignment but would advise anyone looking into it to be sure to keep a good accounting of what you leave and be sure to go periodically to check on your products.

I am in the process of gearing up for another year of consignment. I hope this year was a profitable and as good an experience as last.

21 comments:

myminimocs said...

it's awful when store owners don't respect your hard work and treat your merchandise poorly! but it sounds like you've got some GOOD consignment relationships now! wishing you TONS of success this year Mona!!! :)

Sea Flower Studios said...

Sounds like you've had more good experience then bad. I've been thinking about consignment but unfortunately here the going rate is 50%!

Leah R. Hood, Jewelry Designer & Artisan said...

Tough to know which ones will be worth while...good luck!

bountyofbeads said...

Glad to see that most of your experience with Consignment as been good. It's a great avenue if you work it just the way you do. Congratulations and Good Luck.

ByNanasHands said...

I really was sorry to hear someone took such bad care of your beautiful items! Some people just shouldn't be in business....EVER. I hope you have another great Summer of sales!

Unknown said...

It's always sad to hear when someone doesn't appreciate the hard work put into such lovely items. But, I am glad most of your experiences have been good ones.
I am considering venturing into consignment soon and the fact that you have had mostly positive experiences gives me hope.

Linda B said...

That's great that your products are in a couple of shops and are doing well.

I hope this is a good year for you too.

CalliopeCreations said...

Glad you have found some respectful and secure spots for your work.

There are some horror stories out there.

Audrey said...

You are so lucky to have places to consign your items. We don't have anything like that in Manitoba. Maybe we'll have to move east :)

magdamagda said...

glad to hear most experiences were good! may they get more and better!

Lbtoyos said...

It´s difficult to find shops to sell, so you can be happy with yours, more will be coming. It´s hard like a a work find the perfect owner...

Michelle said...

Consignment shops have turned into my bread and butter. There are good ones and bad ones. My suggestion to anyone who wants to submit their product is to do your research. If something doesn't feel right don't put your product there, gut instincts are usually right on this one.

Unknown said...

I think it's horrible when other people can't respect other people's time and work. I'm sorry that you had to experience that. Here's to hoping this year will be better.

Anonymous said...

wishing you great success and plentiful sales ♥

BijiBijoux said...

I am glad to hear that you are doing good in schools shows:) and your work is selling in few shops, congratulations.

Unknown said...

Glad it has been mostly positive for you to consign. I have had mixed experiences with these types of shops! Best of luck to you!!

New Hampshire Gardener said...

I have also had mixed results with galleries and gift shops. My biggest piece of advice would be to stay local where you can do as suggeted here and visit often. My worst experiences have been with galleries that were not in New Hampshire.
Years ago I stupidly sent a whole box of matted photos to a gallery in Texas, I never heard a word from them and never saw a penny or my work again. Live and learn. But that was an expensive lesson.

BeadedTail said...

It's terrible some of the shops didn't take good care of your items but it's wonderful you did find great shops to work with! Hope you have lots more consignment sales Mona!

ElfRenee said...

I'm happy that you are so successful!!

Elizabeth said...

Thats great that you have had such success, despite the setbacks. I hope one day to get up enough guts & inventory to try this.

Southern Mom Finds said...

wish I could sew!! Following you now! - Over The Moon

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