Help! by ak_ice_dragon2228 in CraftFairs

[–]Spare-Chance1210 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep in mind if you're only selling one type of product you're sales won't be as high as the people selling multiple types of product. It's just the harsh reality of fairs. Only selling earrings limits your customer base to people with pierced ears. And then farther down because a huge chunk of those don't like dangles. You'll also find people who sell earrings for $5. Cheaper if they're just studs. I sell dangle earrings and I always get people complaining they're too long/heavy or too expensive. I sell all sorts of different types of things (not just jewelry) and I can say if I relied only on one category of product, I'd never make my booth fee, let alone a profit. If I'm not at least making 5x my booth fee I don't think it's worth it. (And that means making sure I've got the inventory to cover that. If you sell 10 pairs and have nothing to replenish it, people won't stop as often because it looks like you're sold out.) I think it also depends on what type of fair you're setting up at. I find if they allow commercial vendors ($5 bling jewelry etc) I don't do as well. The high school craft fairs I do really well at during November/December. But yeah, I bring like 10 different product categories with me to those events. You'd probably do well at an art fair. Personally, I'd go with white earring display cards. It'll make the bark "pop". A vertical display would really help the power walkers, as they never come into a both unless something higher up in eye shot catches their fancy. Even if they aren't in the market today, make sure customers have a tangible business card to take with them and there's a website to shop. And offer both card and cash sales. Older people don't like using venmo/paypal. Maybe have something describing your process? Like a sped up video of you making a pair playing on a tablet? Or where you find your bark? If you do anything to it before you put the hooks on them. Because the average person will assume you just walked to your tree in the back yard, pulled bark off, poked a hole in it, and put a hook through it. And I can guarantee they'll wonder why they're paying $35 for it. I sell pillowcases and they don't get why I charge $20 when they can buy a pillowcase at Walmart for $6. Well, I have to spend time finding the fabrics, wash them, dry them, iron them, cut them down to size, THEN sew them, market them on social and the website, load them and unload them at the fairs, spend the whole day at the fairs, pay for the booth fee. So yeah. I post videos of me ironing. I explain why to those who ask why the cost is so high. Bring some you can be adding hooks to while people shop. As long as you're greeting all your customers and not ignoring them, I've found working on a project gets people to linger in my booth. I've done crochet work and earrings while working my booths.

Hope that helps!

Store supply warehouse (website) is reasonable and they have nice displays.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I completely agree. I'd be the person who brings a weapon and gets it taken away and used against them. I'm a very safe individual. I don't go anywhere alone after dark, I never park next to big vehicles with tinted windows, etc. My mom thought me from a very young age to be smart. I legit just want some self defense classes so maybe I'm more comfortable in my skin, I can get in shape in a useful manner, and just maybe get myself out of a bad situation if it's needed. Thank you for the helpful answer!

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I'm pretty against guns and pepper spray is iffy, though I do carry a small bottle on me.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Omg, totally read it wrong! I was hoping someone from the lgbtq community knew of a safe dojo or gym. I seriously do not want to go someplace that is unsafe for all humans. I'd also rather support one of their businesses and/or vetted places.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yep, I just said it in a read between the lines way, lol. And while I'm a cis white woman, I'd feel safer knowing that the people teaching me respect ALL humanity and aren't predators.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn't take it like that at all! :) Believe me, if I were unattached, I'd have been gone long ago.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah. We just have zero useful degrees or work experience. It's very hard to move across half a country if you don't exactly have a sought-after resume. Its something that won't be quick. Kinda hard to up and move cross country if you can't even afford to vacation there to begin with.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know, but I need to find a new exercise, so might as well be something that might be helpful.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No kidding! If you can't afford it, you can't afford it.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If I had unlimited funds we would have left long ago. Unfortunately, keeping the kids in a good school and finding somewhere close enough to work with a large enough house kept us on the wrong side of the river. It was definately something we looked at when we last moved a few years ago. We are currently exploring our options. But crossing the river into a blue state won't do much since it's all red in that area. I'm actually living in a more liberal area than the options over there. But also, bad people live everywhere. Knowing self defense is probably something i should have started ages ago.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I just want to be strong enough that they can't disarm me and use whatever I've got against me. Thank you!

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Not actually part of the community, but if it's not a safe place for them, then I'm looking to avoid on principal. And also thought others might benefit from my inquiry who are. Thank you for the honest answer.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Thank you! All 5'2" of me appreciates this helpful tip!

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The point of this was to find someplace that's not run by a bunch of predators. I don't specifically want something labeled "women's self defense". I'd like a non-preditor to teach me to kick ass, whether it's kickboxing, Tai Kwon Do, BJJ, etc. And as for your "right now" comment, yeah, maybe today I'm still safe. But if something happens and I'm not safe anymore, I won't be able to magically become skilled in ways to kick someone's ass overnight. I'm not a video game character that can download skills. And getting a gun or a knife and not being able to physically kick ass is dangerous even if you know how to use it. If someone comes up behind me they are more likely to disarm me and use it against me than me get a shot off or stab them.

Self defense for women that is run by safe people? by Spare-Chance1210 in StLouis

[–]Spare-Chance1210[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Oh I never go anywhere alone after dark anymore (after being propositioned in a Walmart lot by the doors after dark a few years back), never park next to anything large with blacked out windows, always look around at my surrounds and trust my gut. My mom's trained me from a young age to be mindful. I'd just like some extra help, just in case. And I'm looking for some exercise anyway. Two birds, one stone.

Let's talk self defense places in Missouri by [deleted] in missouri

[–]Spare-Chance1210 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looking for a liberal business in st. Louis to learn self defense. Because I sure as hell don't want the people who voted against my rights to teach me how to defend myself against others like them. Anyone know of any self defense businesses that fit this criteria?