Make 75 large fat quarter bags in two weeks?
#11
This woman wanted to 'steal' your time and materials My question is if she wanted to sell these at a craft show, why wasn't she making them herself? This is not charity work. You were right to tell her no.
#12
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,991
At this particular show the amount of items needed by one vendor is huge. They can sell out of hundreds of items in two days. Unless the person makes the items for a year then they have to hire them made. This year the craft fair is expecting a tremendous turn out, first big craft fair since Covid. This lady waited way too late to start gathering her 'hand made' inventory for sure.
Last edited by Onebyone; 05-22-2021 at 09:23 AM.
#13
I wonder if she stocks her booth completely with items made by others.
I think she and most others do that. . Lots of the jewelry or one of a kind items are mass produced but only one of each of the many in stock are shown to make it look custom made. You want one like that?Ok I can get one for you if you want to pre pay. Learned that trick from a boutique owner. It's not fair to the crafters who do make each item but seems the pro vendors do it more and more and the clueless can't tell the difference! That is what they depend on. The last big craft show I went before Covid I was very disappointed. Looked more like the Sunday flea market vendors.
I think she and most others do that. . Lots of the jewelry or one of a kind items are mass produced but only one of each of the many in stock are shown to make it look custom made. You want one like that?Ok I can get one for you if you want to pre pay. Learned that trick from a boutique owner. It's not fair to the crafters who do make each item but seems the pro vendors do it more and more and the clueless can't tell the difference! That is what they depend on. The last big craft show I went before Covid I was very disappointed. Looked more like the Sunday flea market vendors.
I had a bad experience last year. I bought a wreath. When I received it it looked old. It had dried flowers on it and I know what they look like because I grow them. These were faded and brittle. But when I turned it over and saw "Handcrafted in Mexico" I really got mad. That was blatant misrepresentation from reading the entire listing.
This may be a bit off topic but you mentioned mass produced but the buyer thinking "one of a kind".
It's the worst review I ever gave on Etsy but they deserved it.
I still love shopping there.
#14
Wow. That's crazy! My mother is a tole painter and has done lots of craft shows. I spent lots of time as a kid helping her. She even found crafts for my sister and I to sell. We made lots of 'kid money' on pet rocks, small pillows made out of 'Snoopy' sheets and the like in the 1970's. To me a craft show should be about hand-made. I want to enjoy talking with the person who is making the items and selling them in the booth. It's a human connection!
#15
Exactly. But I just cut my own stash because I haven't purchased fat quarters.
#16
I received one as a gift years ago and I love it. Thanks for the pattern. I never knew the name of the bag and unfortunately the lovely lady who gave it to me has since died.
75 bags in 2 weeks? Don't believe it is even possible if you worked 24/7. $20 per bag? Was the crafter supplying fabric, etc.? You'd think since she is in the craft business she would know how expensive supplies are. Glad to hear you said "no".
75 bags in 2 weeks? Don't believe it is even possible if you worked 24/7. $20 per bag? Was the crafter supplying fabric, etc.? You'd think since she is in the craft business she would know how expensive supplies are. Glad to hear you said "no".
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Posts: 9,475
That is such a crazy request. I guess if you wanted to work 24/7 and no sleep or eating this may be done. LOL That would have been a lot of pressure and you handled it with grace in denying her the request.. Good for you
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,543
I agree. Totally crazy. Your response was very nice. I probably would have said "so how much are you going to sell them for?" You better believe she was gonna make a bundle off your work.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Gaylord, MN
Posts: 3,950
I get what you are saying. I have been asked to make certain things for others, and I have my own policy that I do not work for hire. I sew for family and gifts for someone that touches my life in a certain way. For instance when we moved to town from the farm, one of our new neighbors was so inviting that I felt the need to make her a quilt and that is the kind of quilting I do. I agree that non sewers do not know what is involved, both time and money, into making quilted items.