I am starting a new page now.  I will frequently come here and update what is going on with Princess Purses.  I hope you will visit often and keep up with what is new, where I am showing, and my general thoughts.  Thank you.

The first thing I want to add here is that recently I was asked to write an article on craft shows and the economy from my perspective.  Since I am new at this, I wrote it on deciding to do craft shows. 

Here it is for you to read:
Being a new crafter and new to the craft show world, I set out on a venture to see what I have gotten myself into.  The economy is declining and small businesses do not have a high success rate anyway, so am I really making the right decision at the right time?  Am I setting myself up for failure before I even begin?  Well, I went ahead and plunged in with both feet and am moving full speed ahead.   I have done some research, talked to vendors and crafters and customers and I believe that I can be a success in this business, even with the economy as it is.

Yes, the high price of gas has affected every craft show business person.  Some costs are as high as four times what they were previously.  A lot of crafters are traveling less distance for their shows, and others continue to hit many different states.  For me, I can find a show within 75 miles just about every weekend and can do a show without the overnight expense of a motel.  That is a huge savings there.   For me, I have never intended to travel any further than this.  I do not have plans to have to fill out taxes in more than one state.  I can see where the full-time crafter who travels to all the high-end shows may find this to their advantage, but to be a beginner, this just is not the beginning stage.  I have talked to vendors who travel as many as 16 states and many who travel in a motor home.  Oh, that would be nice, but fewer are doing this, as the price of gas cuts so far into their profit.

There are other reasons why I feel like I can be a success now.  One is that I have a unique product.  Many, many people are saying that the customers are still buying;  they are just being more selective on what they purchase.  It is not necessarily the less expensive items that are being bought, but the item that appears to have the highest value in the customer’s eyes.  That value might be a higher end painting to spruce up a room rather than completely remodel, or it might be a more expensive priced piece of jewelry because they can see the value of the stones, or as human beings, they buy what looks best on them.  For me, I sell little girl purses, and there is no high value in these, other than they are all unique and nobody has seen anything like them, therefore, the value to them is the one-of-a-kind gift they  give that special little girl.

From what I have learned, promoters are having a harder time filling the venue and the venders are having a harder time selling their product, but with the proper booth display that is inviting and eye-appealing, the customers are still there.  When a vendor adds the ability of taking credit/debit cards, they increase their sales, as that is how shoppers shop now.  A vendor cannot sit back and expect the sale to come to them, they must be visible, personable, and knowledgeable and being a salesperson is required.  Even with the price of gas being up, the cost of hotels and food, and the higher cost of booths, many, many vendors are seeing a sales increase this year.  This gives me hope and confidence that I can be successful, despite the economy challenges.   Even though a lot of the shows have a lower attendance, it appears as those who do go are going with the idea that they will find a good deal. 

People are taking fewer vacations this year and finding other things to do as a family and with their money.  There are a lot of entire families that attend a show as “family time”.  Without spending money on the vacation, they find it justifiable to buy their child something from the craft show as a souvinour of their day out.  The craft show shoppers are staying closer to home, preferring to spend that sacred dollar on something they want or need opposed to spending it on gas.

Yes, the economy is tight.  No, there is not a lot of extra money floating around.  Yes, people are tightening their money belts, but I still see the need for a place where the public can get that unique, one-of-a-kind, made in the USA product.  I see a future in this and I am glad I am where I am today.
 
I hope you enjoy reading this.  I enjoyed writing it.  I forgot how much I enjoyed writing.

I do have some upcoming shows where you can see me.  Anybody telling me they saw my schedule on my website and shows up, I will give you a 10% discount, and anybody with you.

Saturday - August 16   9-4   Lafayette Peach Festival,  Lafayette, CO

Saturday - September 13    Evans Fest, Evans, CO

Saturday - September 20   Broomfield Days, Broomfield, CO


August 30, 2008
Things are going great!  I am starting to ready to get in gear for the Fall/holiday season.  This will be my first busy season with my purses.  I am starting to get several internet orders.  I am very busy trying to keep up. 

I am working on some new purse designs, yet the same.  I have designed a satin bride's cosmetic bag.  It is just like my bride's money purse but I inserted compartments for lipstick, mascara, eye liner, etc.  This sells for $25.  This would also be a nice gift to give to bridesmaids in the color of their dresses.  I am about finished designing a bible bag.  This is just a little different as it has to have a bottom to the denim, yet it still is similiar in style.  A picture will be coming soon.  I am also working on some small coin purses.  These are not in the same design but will remain in the same themes.  Again, pictures will be coming soon.

At the peach festival it rained and poured and rained some more.  It was not a very successful day for selling, but it did get me in the mood for some fresh peach cobbler.  I do not know where I got this recipe, but it is so good that I want to share it with you.

Peach Cobbler

1 stick oleo
1 c. sugar
1 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 c. milk
1 c. peaches

Melt oleo in baking dish.  Mix flour, sugar, baking jpowder and milk to make a batter.  Pour half the batter on the oleo.  add fruit and top with rest of the batter.  Bake at 375 for 45 min.   MMMMMM good.
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