Summer Sales - How's it going so far?

[Serendipity]

Hi there from Serendipity Crafts

I have noticed that the Cottage Industry part of this wonderful community seems to be rather quiet lately. So I thought I would start a new thread.

Getting back to the quiet board, I am wondering if this means...everyone is super busy and doesn't have time to chat...I sure hope so.

Elizabeth and I have noticed that sales in May were great while June is not too bad but definately down. Has anyone else noticed this.

We seem to have really stuck a cord with our wedding signature platters and special occasion plates. :) Elizabeth has been really busy keeping up with the orders. We have been have alot of fun with the brides. Partly because they are so keen and partly because Elizabeth and I are getting married at the end of August. :D so she is a bride to be as well.

Here is an example of one of more recent wedding signature platter designs.

http://www.serendipity-crafts.com/images/LoonsPlatter.jpg

This one is actual a digital mockup we did for a bride who is getting married at their cottage.

Take care everyone.

Hugh

[Jenny]

Hugh, Congratulations to both of you. Getting married is very special!!! ( I should know -- I've refused to go through with it six or seven times now. :D )

That very exciting for you

As for business -- I've having peaks and valleys, but I am also changing my business a little. Rather than continuing to use the antique bowls, I have just come back from the Homer Laughlin factory with a load of brand new brightly colored bowls in the 1950's Fiestaware tradition. This approach will allow me to increase production. lower costs and still increase my profit margin. Not a bad thing all the way around.

This change also precipitates my creating several new production tools. Previously I cut each hole to fit each bowl -- but now that my bowls are uniform I am eager to standardize the holes.

These changes are necessary to make my product more attractive to the reps who showed strong initial interest.

As for your platters, they are precisely the sort of thing brides and bridal guests look for in a gift -- looks to me like they are commemorative and practical. What not to like?

Very smart. Good show.

Jenny

[Serendipity]

Hi Jenny

Sounds like we both have had a similar experiences. When Elizabeth and I started doing the decorative plates we were getting our plates at a local dollar store (gasp). They were seconds but really nice seconds, they were actual Pottery Barn platters. The price was unbelievable. I mean UNBELIEVABLE.

But (I'm sure you know where this is going) all good things must come to and end. The platters ran out, :( snif snif.

We have been all over hill and dale (including Montreal's Chinatown) searching out suppliers and finally we found one that didn't want a multi-thousand dollar order up front.

So I guess in a way we are standardizing as well.

Ah the trials and tribulations of small business.

I can't wait to see what you do with the Fiestaware bowls, I'm sure your customers will love them.

Thanks for the reply and the kind words.

Take care

Hugh

[Lucille1963]

Hugh - Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

Jenny - I'm really interested to see how the Fiestaware works out. I looked at your site ages ago and thought it was super pretty, but it didn't match my kitchen which is all Fiestaware. Hooray for your new choice! Our dogs have been eating & drinking out of Fiesta for years, even before I had a set to eat off of! You can see them in the bottom right of this pic:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf08b3127cce95908049679600000015 118BbOGjZoxaw

As far as business, mine has exploded over the last week and a half. I came into some really great clothing and the auctions have been going well. I feel like I've barely had time to breathe.

[Serendipity]

Hi Nicole...

Glad to hear you are busy. Elizabeth was really tempted by that butterfly dress you were featuring a little while ago. Unfortunately she didn't think she would be able to let it out enough. Maybe next time.

Take Care

[C'est Chouette]

Hugh and Elizabeth~ A wedding~ How exciting...I love weddings...I even cry when I am watching "Bridzellas" Are you planning 'large and formal' or 'small and intimate' or 'somewhere in between'?:) The wedding platters are fabulous!!

Jenny~ yur new Fiesta ware doggie feeders are going to be great..I understand the need try more of an assembly line approach ( I wish I could get to that point too) but I hope you don't ever ' abandon' the antique ones completely;)

Nicole~ You did indeed find some wonderful vintage clothing!!:cool: Oh to be a size 'sm' ( no more in this lifetime)

[Serendipity]

HI Sharon

Our wedding will be a small, intimate one. This is a second wedding for both us. Elizabeth and I dated in high school, grew up, moved apart and remet 27 years later.

We are going to have a butterfly themed wedding, they have very special place in our hearts (butterflies, not necessarily themed weddings ;)) We are going to be having an evening service at our church with a cocktail/hors d'ouevres reception afterwards.

I have a question for you. Have you ever done a needlepoint pillow with a butterfly design. Elizabeth loves handmade crafts and your pillows are lovely.

I was also wondering about the French in your web address, being from Montreal surrounded by French speaking people your site's title caught my eye...but your location says South Dakota. Just curious

Have a great day

Hugh

[zuzus_garden]

Congratulations Hugh and Elizabeth! I'm very happy for you! :D

I put a new collection online (Artisan Tiles) and will be adding more designs in the upcoming months. AND today, June 29, is our 2nd Anniversary!

Glad to hear everyone is doing so well.

Zuzu

[Serendipity]

Hi Zuzu

Nice to chat with you again... I love your artisan tiles but extremely disappointed though that the butterfly set is sold out...snif snif. Any plans to do more.

Hugh

[zuzus_garden]

Thanks, Hugh!

I am making another set of the 'Butterfly Garden' tiles as we speak (post) - the idea behind this collection is that I will make more as they sell. Another set should be available in a couple of days.

:)

Zuzu

[Serendipity]

:) I'll make sure to check them out.

Thanks

Hugh

[Uptowngirl]

Hey Hugh -
Yes, sales seem to be down everywhere for June...wonder what it is?

[C'est Chouette]

Hugh~
What fun~ My Hushband's Grandmother absolutely loved Butterflies~ that "whole symbol of New Life thing" (LOL)~ she was an adorable woman.
I will check my stock of vintage needleponts to see if I have a butterfly and get back to you.
The reason for the French name is, my teenage daughter fell in love with all things French last year in her freshman French class....now she thinks I am going to pay for her French College education by selling my pillows:) (I had better sell a lot as she is planning to go to Wellesly). We are of Swedish, Norwegian, and German descent- so this love of all things French is new to us. LOL:D

[Serendipity]

Maybe it was the fact that May was so busy for us.

:)

[Serendipity]

Butterflies... are everywhere in our lives. They pop up all over the place.

They symbolize new beginings for us.

That's wonderful to hear your daughter loves French, You can tell her you are messaging someone from Montreal, Quebec...in fact if her interest in French continues a vacation in Montreal is a lot cheaper than Paris. :D

Anyways... I have some work to get so....

Bon soir mon ami :)

Hugh

[Jenny]

Nicole, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner-- I've been tied to the workshop for days and haven't been back here to even peek.
I LOVE your Fiestaware -- and the puppy dishes down there -- I see them. Tangerine? Or Persimmon? They make great dog dishes don't they?!

Good to hear about your business boon. That's always exciting to get a great deal and for it to work out.

Hi Sharon, thanks for the encouragement about the antique bowls. I love them too. I think I will simply have them as an exclusive line and I'll be able to be pickier about my selections.

Hugh, the minute I have my new collection ready for their close ups I'll post photos here. (Oops, that's me, slipping into Show Off mode.)

Jenny

[Serendipity]

Hi Jenny

I look forward to seeing your new stuff...and it's good to show off from time to time.

:D

Take Care
Hugh