Okay on the Day

On the day of the stall we decided to meet at the student union at 9.30am to set up for 10am and give us time to solve any problems which might have occurred (thank God they didn't!)

Me and Hayley went to get the table and then set up the stall with fabric across it to make it look nice and welcoming. We decided to have different levels on the table so the products could be easily seen instead of any hiding at the back, so arranged shallow boxes underneath the fabric to create steps in which to place the photo-frames. We also put a shallow upturned box underneath the cloth to hold the key-rings and filled baskets with the brooches and hanging-hearts (which we later decided to hang off the front of the table). The cushions were placed on a piece of material in front of the stall, the bath bombs were scattered over the table as decoration, and the sweets were pride and place at the front of the table.

At first custom was quite slow, so Hayley and Leah went around the university handing out business sized cards with sweets attached which said where our stall was and what it sold whilst Lisa and I manned the stall. Me and Leah later swapped roles and I went with Hayley holding a basket filled with photo-frames to try to sell a few around the uni.

Business later picked up and between around 12pm and 4pm we had steady custom including both people walking through the student union without prior knowledge of the stall and those who had come especially after hearing of the stall via facebook, posters and handouts. Our customers included both males and females which was mainly due to us advertising and reminding people mothers day was coming up, otherwise I don't think we would have received quite as much male custom. We did however get a few males needing gifts for their poorly girlfriends, (there must have been something going around!)

The Price is Right

Before I blab on about how the stall went, here are the prices we decided to sell our goods at after researching similar products whilst taking into account the cost to make and the time taken to make them:

Small Photo-frames: £2.50

Medium Photo-frames: £3.00

Large Photo-frames: £4.00

Brooches: £2.50

Key-rings: £1.50

Hanging-hearts: £2.50

Cushions: £3.00 - £5.00

Bath-bombs: £0.50

We also printed out various price tags incase we needed to lower the price if they weren't selling.

Setting up Shop

For this creative business elective I am in an all girl group with Hayley, Lisa and Leah. Our group is making photo frames, key-rings, brooches and hanging hearts (which sound gruesome but are actually fabric hearts to hang from your door handle).

Our company is called 'Buttons and Bows'. I created a logo incorporating both button and bow whilst using an elegant typeface and delicate colour to show what our stall is about. This logo will be used on posters, small information cards with sweets attached to hand out around the university on the day of selling, the picture for a Facebook group and inside each picture frame.

We have each taken to particular jobs, for example Hayley has made most of the photo-frames, Lisa the brooches, Leah the hearts and me the key-rings. As someone who is a terrible sewer, I have found making our products difficult, time consuming and sometimes quite painful (those needles are sharp!) I also hope I will never have to wad anything ever again.

As the only one not in the same class, I found the communication between us was constant and there was no horrible surprises along the way. I was always kept informed of any decisions and found it easy to put my own opinions in and as well as the others make positive changes, as we have all brought designs and ideas to the table.

In terms of money, we each contributed £20 towards buying materials and decorations and individually went shopping in order for input to be fair and all our wants accounted for. As not all this money was needed, we are using the remains as change for customers on the day of sale before dividing it between us again.

Our aim is to hold the stall on Friday 12th March. We have chosen this day as it is right before mothers day, and as our products are mainly aimed at girls, we hope this will bring in the male shoppers who may buy want to buy something for their mums. (We're also hoping a bowl of sweets on the table will drag a few over). Our stall will take place in the student shopping area which will hopefully target our specified audience.

So far, if I was to do this project again I would manage my time more evenly as I have found it hard balancing the elective with classes. I would have taken into account the time it takes to make the products and tried to fit more in at suitable times rather than trying to find full days to make them which has proved impossible. I would also try to learn how to sew in my sleep which would be very handy.