"But, really, why does anyone create? You feel a... a restlessness inside, a need to make something new, something no one has ever seen before. You want to add to the beauty and the richness of the world with a gift, an offering that is uniquely yours. It's an act of selfishness and generosity, all rolled into one."

-- Bruce Coville,
The Last Hunt

Sunday, September 18, 2011

How the Sale Went

My mom just e-mailed me to let me know how the sale went. Not everything sold, of course; I didn't expect that it would, considering how much I made. But she estimates that the tatting brought in about $200-250, which I think is pretty good. It also brought attention to some of the other jewelry and increased jewelry sales overall. The small earrings-- hummingbirds, dragonflies, treble clefs-- did really well, as did bookmarks. My ornaments also did well, but I'm not sure if that really counts, since my mom bought most of them!

Here's the story of how one of the pendants sold, in my mom's words:
My very favorite, the pale lavender with silver and purple beads, was purchased by a woman with a young daughter---probably around 4-ish---who is going to be receiving the necklace as a Christmas present. The mother did a lot of whispering over the kid's head while she distracted her with a cheap felt ornament, and I had to sneak the necklace out of the display, then in to the mother's purse!
Correction: This pendant, not the one made from Jane's pattern, is the one she was talking about.


It is Marilee Rockley's "Belle" pattern, from the book Up and Tat 'Em. Although it looks a bit pinkish in the photo, it is really shades of lavender.

Several tatted items were purchased by people I have known all my life, including a couple of women whose fiber arts skills are really top-notch, so it's nice to think that they like my work.

As you've probably noticed, I've been taking a bit of a break from tatting the last couple of weeks. However, I am already making plans for next year's sale. I'll make some more of the small earrings since they did so well, some ornaments that I wanted to make for this year but didn't have time for, plus, since I have a whole year, some doilies.

9 comments:

  1. Oh, my gosh, that's my pattern. The only reason I recognised it is because I decided two days ago to use it as the basis for another design. I hope we do hear the end of the story and that the little girl liked it. Hopefully she'll want to know how it's made and will want to make one herself. What a lovely story.

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  2. Jane, yes, you're right, and I totally forgot to mention it in the post! Sorry, I'll fix that right away.

    It is a testament to your prolificness (is that a word?) as a designer that you can't remember all your own patterns!

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  3. Oh, you daft moo. I couldn't give a toss whether you mention me or not. It just came as a surprise to me as I'm just re-visiting this one again!!!! No need to apologise at all and I'm delighted you're using it.
    Good word - prolificness - let's add it to the Oxford Dictionary, eh?

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  4. Congratulations on your successful sales! The pendant by Jane is a favorite of mine also!!

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  5. Well done on your sales! Nice to get tatting out there, and raise funds for a good cause.

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  6. Miranda, What a lovely post. Congrats on the sales.

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  7. Congrats! That is lovely to hear! Yah, for Tat-land!

    Of course, they liked your work - what's not to like?

    Love the look of Jane's motif in those colours.
    Fox : )

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  8. Congratulations on your sales, and well done, not easy selling these days, but I think you did well.
    Lovely pendant.
    Margaret

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  9. Congratulations on the successful sales (but I'm not surprised!) - and thanks a lot for sharing that sweet story.

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