Frit-Happens !

Lampwork => Lampworking Tip n Tricks => Topic started by: pixiewillow on October 30, 2008, 02:06:19 PM

Title: How many sets/focals?
Post by: pixiewillow on October 30, 2008, 02:06:19 PM
I have got major panic going on!!  :-[

I am doing a few bead fairs, the first being chester race course, and I am having a major panic about stock levels!
For those of you that have done fairs in the past or are doing, how many sets/ focals do you take with you?
I seriously don't think I have enough  ???
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: sublimekate on October 30, 2008, 02:27:41 PM
I'd like to know this too.
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: turquoise on October 30, 2008, 02:47:48 PM
This would be a guess really as I have never done a bead fair but from all of the many ones I have been to as a customer I reckon at least 30 sets and then 15 -20 focals and then I like to have a rummage through a orphans bowl too and pick out any random beads. or even a pot of slight seconds.

I may be way off the mark but there is a rough guess from me.

Hope you have a busy time at Chester and the other fairs you are doing.
;D ;D
Vicky.

Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Lush! on October 30, 2008, 04:05:39 PM
Groan .. I am drowning in beads!

I'm just sorting, stringing, labeling, pricing, photographing my stock for the Big Bead Show - I'll go and have a count up for you in a sec  ;D

Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: saffie on October 30, 2008, 04:20:26 PM
Quote from: Lush! on October 30, 2008, 04:05:39 PM
Groan .. I am drowning in beads!

I'm just sorting, stringing, labeling, pricing, photographing my stock for the Big Bead Show


ditto but I don't think I have enough!!! no time left tho!!! OMG what have i done!
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: pixiewillow on October 30, 2008, 05:37:24 PM
That would be great Julie  ;D
Thank you!
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: saffie on October 30, 2008, 07:02:48 PM
Just playing with my layout! This is my first show and I am extremely worried that I have not got enough stock
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aurorabeadz/2986626079/

That display is 33 bead sets, 12 focals, 3 pendants, 2 pots of fugleysand orphans, 12 pairs earrings, 5 bracelets, 4 necklaces and my Belita Beads!

Help Is that enough!
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: deeko1968 on October 30, 2008, 07:07:01 PM
will say hello on sat, you all will do well and sell lots.
;D
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Lush! on October 30, 2008, 07:11:10 PM
Well, I always worry that I have too much stuff!

My stall ends up looking like a jumble sale, cos I just can't help putting EVERYTHING out! Customers always complain that there's too much choice, and I think they're right!

I've just had a very quick count and I think I've got around 40 sets, 20 focals, 10-ish mini-sets, a big dishful of 25mm lentils, loose daisies etc etc .. plus lots of made-up jewellery!

But I've got at least 5 events between now and Christmas  :-[

Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: pixiewillow on October 30, 2008, 07:46:10 PM
Bugger best get my but into gear  :o
i have about 40 sets made but only a handfull of focals, I really struggle with focals, not really my thang  ::)
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: pixiewillow on October 30, 2008, 07:47:17 PM
Your display looks great Sam!
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: saffie on October 30, 2008, 07:48:48 PM
Quote from: pixiewillow on October 30, 2008, 07:47:17 PM
Your display looks great Sam!

Thank you!
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Im a glassy babe on October 30, 2008, 07:51:43 PM
Sam, think the layout looks great.  Will make sure I come and say hello.
;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: TiaraHelen on October 30, 2008, 08:21:56 PM
Getting very excited about Saturday now, looking forward to seeing lots of beadies and meeting their mummies.
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Im a glassy babe on October 30, 2008, 08:27:44 PM
How are we going to know each other?  Apart from the ones with stalls of course  ::).  Would be nice to put names to faces.
;D
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: clasicat on October 30, 2008, 08:29:35 PM
Quote from: pixiewillow on October 30, 2008, 07:46:10 PM
Bugger best get my but into gear  :o
i have about 40 sets made but only a handfull of focals, I really struggle with focals, not really my thang  ::)
Yeah but your sets are amazing  ;D
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: pixiewillow on October 30, 2008, 08:34:23 PM
Awwwwwwww thank you Claire  :-*
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Redhotsal on October 30, 2008, 08:54:49 PM
Oh crikey, everyones got much more stock than me!!! Pants. It's too late now!

BUT for people who have never done this before - bear in mind that Bead Fair tables are NOTORIOUSLY skinny - they're six foot in length but about the width of a plank. So what looks sparse on your dining room table will be cluttered on the average Bead Fair table. Catches me out every time!

GOOD LUCK for Saturday and all the upcoming pre-Chrimbo fairs to everyone!  :D
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: misspixie on October 30, 2008, 10:24:47 PM
Woohoo! I've been saving my pocket money to come play at the bead fair on Saturday - I even didn't go drinking this week... See you all Saturday! ;D
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Caroline on October 31, 2008, 05:44:24 PM
OMG i think i've got too amny beads for Chester

I have around 50 sets, 20 sets of fritties but only 4 focal and 10 silver cores.

But now i feel maybe 50 sets of beads is too many
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Shirley on October 31, 2008, 05:52:38 PM
I think having that number is great, because as they sell so you can put more out. You could pull people back to your table that way too.
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Pat from Canvey on October 31, 2008, 07:17:00 PM
I think you can never have too many. As some sells, you can put more out, otherwise your table becomes barer as time goes by and not so attractive.
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Pat from Canvey on October 31, 2008, 07:19:07 PM
Vicki A. I'm going to be wearing my Frit Happens badge. We all made home made ones for Towcester last year.
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Caroline on November 01, 2008, 09:02:15 PM
Quote from: Shirley on October 31, 2008, 05:52:38 PM
I think having that number is great, because as they sell so you can put more out. You could pull people back to your table that way too.

cheers Shirley, thats a good point
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: pixiewillow on November 01, 2008, 10:07:13 PM
Made some stonkin focals today! Can't wait to get them out the kiln  ;D
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Caroline on November 02, 2008, 11:24:05 AM
i'm avoiding cleaning a huge pile of fritty beads :o

Need to make more focals ;D

I can't wait to see all the lampwork tables at Chester ;D
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: silverlemon on November 02, 2008, 02:00:44 PM
Hiya. I must be a real tart, I just put everything out, and anyone who'se seen my table will probably tell you it's cluttered...as it is! From my experience I find I sell more if I have loads out. If I keep it less cluttered I sell lots less. Totally bizarre, as I'd rather have a posher more designed looking table.

As for focals, I've hardly sold any lately, everyone seems to want sets, so I wouldn't worry about making lots of focals if it was me.

If you're worried about not having enough, why not share your table with a friend?
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Pam on November 06, 2008, 07:50:10 AM
This has been a realy good thread to follow as I too am doing my first bead show in Nantwich in Dec. I am now seriously counting how many sets I have and what I need to make before then.
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: turnedlight on November 06, 2008, 08:17:25 AM
I don't have many beads on my tables, I have mostly jewellery made from my beads.. but I would love to sell more beads on their own, I need some sort of stand don't I? And do people have loose ones in dishes or all of them tied into sets?
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Lush! on November 06, 2008, 08:24:54 AM
Last Saturday I sold roughly 4 times as many sets as focals.

I tie sets together and lay them all over the table, then I group other things together in dishes.

:)
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: silverlemon on November 06, 2008, 10:46:32 AM
I should add that I think I'm not selling many focals as they are at their old higher price that I used to be able to sell at. I've repriced most of my beads for sets at a lower price and haven't restructured my focals yet, but I think they're not in line with my prices for sets, which were flying off the table on Saturday.  ;D

As usual it's making time to do it.......my next bead fair is end of Jan.
Title: Re: How many sets/focals?
Post by: Caroline on November 06, 2008, 10:05:58 PM
Quote from: Pam on November 06, 2008, 07:50:10 AM
This has been a realy good thread to follow as I too am doing my first bead show in Nantwich in Dec. I am now seriously counting how many sets I have and what I need to make before then.

that one isn't just a bead fair, just so you know, it's being marketed as a xmas gift fair so you might wanna make some jewellery or something