Bigger space needed

Well, I have already come to the conclusion that I need a bigger space. I feel like my 240 square foot (that at one time felt ample), is just too small. I had high hopes of setting up a hands-on center for the kids to paint and draw. I just don't have the room.

I have started to look for a larger space, and we aren't even to the Grand Opening yet. I have found a location that is in a newly developing area. It would be perfect. Enough space to have room for easels and work tables for kids, a sitting area for parents, the shop, and a snack counter. I wanted a space that I could have lessons and camps during school breaks. I wanted a place that kids could come to create. A place that I would have plenty of room to set up my equipment and creat. I just don't have that where I am. I feel that I need more inventory to fulfill the need, but yet I don't have enough room for it all. I feel cramped.

I think that I am just getting stressed with the opening this Friday.

Owwwww!

I have this stupid black pole that is in the middle of my boutique (it is an old warehouse converted into shops, so everyone has them). Well, it kind of confines my arranging and displays.

I decided that chicken wire would look really cute. I would staple it to the wall and then to my "pole". It is only a 3 ft gap. Then I purchased the cutest mini clothespins to hang things from it. Well... I thought this was a good idea.

As I was holding the chicken wire to staple it to the wall, the other side kept falling and attacking me. I look like I was in a fight with a cat. It really hurts, so note to self: wear long sleeves when working with chicken wire. And my husband will be angry when he finds out that I did this all on my own. He seems to think that I can't do things on my own sometimes. I am woman, hear me roar!!!

Finally I decided that I can't staple directly to the wall. I can't get the stapler in there tight enough because it is at a T. So, I have to quit for the day and grandpa is cutting me a 1x2 so that I can nail that to the wall, and then staple the chicken wire to the board.

And I was actually going to take pictures today to show the progress, and I forgot the camera at home. Oh, well. Tomorrow is another day...

In today's mail, I received packages from crochetmaggie, tresijas, and lillah.

I must be crazy :)

I have been making my displays all pretty. With things that I sold this weekend, my displays are uneven. I keep thinking that something is missing, and then I remember that I sold that t-shirt. My tree looks weird, oh yeah I sold that necklace. Etc, Etc. My husband says that I might have a mild case of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). I better get over it quick, because things will be selling. I can't keep the boutique looking perfect forever.

And to top it off, my grandpa decided that my nifty card rack will not work. He said that it will use up too much valuable wall space. He said that he is going to find me a round turning one that can still display a lot of cards, but not take up a lot of room. Argh!

Today, I got packages from bagsbymelanie and rubyfantastic. I currently have 43 different sellers, including me. This really is a nice mix and variety.

Oops-Saturday deliveries

I was so distraught over my ordeal with Nate that I forgot to post who all I received packages from on Saturday. I received packages from greekfantasy, purplepetunia, mytinybaubles, and awintermoon.

Beaux Arts-Yeah!!!

Let's say, yesterday I was ready to shut up shop already. Not a whole lot of traffic, and no sales. Tons of traffic outside, but no one was coming inside. My sis-in-law was trying to hand out flyers outside, and people were pushing her hand away. And asking her, "Do I look pregnant?" I was so heartbroken.

Today, right from the start at 10am the traffic was 1000 times better. We had $200 in sales in the 6 hours we were open today, and it isn't even the Grand Opening yet. I handed out a lot of flyers to people who walked in the boutique, and they said that they will definately come back to the Grand Opening and bring friends. YEAH!!!!

Still trying to figure out displays. If any of you have creative display ideas, ones that won't look like a "store" please let me know.

Message to self: Don't do business with friends

Let's just say that Saturday I was in a bad mood. I ranted and got it out of my system in my thread, http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5102056 . I just couldn't understand why Nate had the balls to do what he did, and what he does.

Beaux Arts this weekend

All of the art booths are setting up in the street. This will be a great weekend for a street fair. But since the street is blocked off, I had to find a parking spot and was 10 minutes late.

Being 10 minutes late, meant I missed the mailman. He only left one of my packages, from bunnysdesigns. The others I have to go to the postoffice to sign for, it looks like I have 2 others waiting for me there.

I got a little frustrated today, trying to rearrange to maximize space. But I feel like it was better before. My husband and his friend are coming tonight to hang things on the walls. And really, my Grand Opening isn't until the 25th, so people will understand if it isn't "perfect" yet.

My biggest problem right now is finding something for a counter. I don't want a "counter" persay, I want a workspace that can double as a counter. I don't want to feel like a store. Right now I sit on the floor a lot, and I would like to avoid that if i can find ample workspace. I was thinking maybe an old cabinet and countertop. I only have 2 weeks, it is really creeping up on me!!!!!

Bucktown Madame's advice

The lady that we call the Bucktown Madame (she manages the "mall", and back in the day Bucktown was an area of Davenport that was known for the nightlife and brothels) came in today and gave me merchandising suggestions, and how to arrange the boutique to encourage more traffic. She gave me good ideas, so tomorrow night my husband and I will be rearranging everything for this weekend's art fair.

Well, after today, I have the majority of my packages. The rest will just come in 1 or 2 at a time, so there is no more need for me to go to the post office everyday.

Today I received packages from inediblejewelry, littleladybug, moderncharm, sheepsclothing, and saralibbey.

Starting to look like a boutique

I think that the packages are starting to dwindle down. I only received one from whitestone today. I actually got the time today to do some merchandizing, and setting up displays.

Beaux Arts is this weekend, and I am really excited to show off our new store.

More Deliveries-Part 3

Well, I got a new lady at the post office (the other lady must have had the day off). This new lady was very pleasant as she handed me my boxes.

Today I received pinkkittydesigns, mvegan5, cornflakegirl, primatheart, and oldgraysweats.

I am still expecting 23 boxes before the 11th for the great Mother's Day art fair.

I have my grandpa making a really cute card rack that is inspired by one that I found at Pottery Barn. I LOVE Pottery Barn, but I am not rich. Someday I would like to be able to say that my furniture came from Pottery Barn.

More Deliveries-Part 2

Let's just say, the lady at the post office is getting a little upset with me. I think that she feels that it is not her job to collect my boxes from the back, it is my mailman's job. Well, I would prefer to pick up my numerous boxes up at the post office than my mailman have to take 2 or 3 more trips to and from his truck to bring them to me.

On Friday I received packages from moderncard, allaboutthebuttons, and mjdboutique.

Today I received packages from trashedclothing, mommiesbee, scrap4u, kimbina, jaynee, greenhearts, juror2, bitsycreations, butterflydesign, and sobenarts.

I have a bunch more people that said that they stuck packages in the mail Friday and Saturday, and I should be seeing those any day now. I am expecting about 60 packages total before the Grand Opening.

More Deliveries

I have a deal with the mailman, that for the next two weeks I will be picking up my mail at the postoffice. I don't want to fill up his truck, and he have to take a bunch of trips to the boutique. Well, today he forgot to let his substitute know and she loaded them all in the truck. Luckily, she hadn't left the postoffice yet, and she thanked me and put them in my van.

Well, today I have more great things. I received from andismagicalneedles, creativekiwi, monitageorge, ohboy, cmjewelrydesigns,and bozack80. I'm in a lot of trouble, there are so many things that I want to buy. :)

Store taking shape

I received the first 5 packages today. Exciting, but kind-of overwhelming at the same time, how to display it all. I realized that I am going to have to get creative with displays, but that is the fun part :).

I got packages from tutucuteandmoore, zeldaloo, meekdesigns, scarywhitegirl, and beadedstarlit. All of the things are so great. My daughter helped me unpack the boxes and wants all kinds of things. I told her that she will have to wait for now.

Unsure Sellers?

It has come to my attention, that some people are uneasy about doing consignment. I understand that it is a lot to take. You as a seller need to be faithful that the retailer is not a scam artist and will not screw you out of your things. And this is normal. The few bad people that are out there, make it bad for the rest of us.

I understand that Daisy Jane Boutique is new. I understand that I do not have a whole lot to give you right now, but my word and hope that you trust me. This has always been a dream of mine, and I already have the space. I do not have the revenue to purchase things wholesale, and that is why I have looked for consignment sellers for now.

If at any time you have questions, or concerns do not hesitate to contact me. If you at all feel uneasy working with me, then I would do what your gut tells you.

Promoting at Venus Envy

Saturday, April 28th, Davenport had their Venus Envy celebration. This is a festival that celebrates women in all aspects of art. This celebration was held at the Bucktown Center, the home of the future Daisy Jane Boutique.

I made up flyers announcing the new boutique that would be inside of the Bucktown Center. The Grand Opening of a one-of-a-kind children's boutique with unique gifts from around the world, drew a lot of attention. I made up a lot of flyers, and people were taking stacks to share with their friends.

The overall reaction has been phenomenal. I wanted to stay with all things being handmade, as to not disrupt the art feel at Bucktown. Other Bucktown artists and board members think that this is a wonderful idea and will draw a large crowd. There is no other retail settings like it in the area.

Everything is getting so exciting, and I will be making up advertisements to run in the newspapers the week of the Grand Opening. I have ordered small items from other artisians to use as gifts and free-with-purchase items. I will have excitement all day long for the Grand Opening, as it coninsides with the Bucktown Final Friday event for May.

Stay tuned for more info.