Marketing at the Right Price Point

I was reading an interesting article in Gift Focus Magazine recently about getting the price point right for your creations. Gift Focus is a gift ware trade magazine sent to retailers throughout the UK.

In the first edition of 2012, an 'Industry Insight' article was focused on getting the right price point for your goods. A handful of suppliers and retailers were interviewed about the current climate and it became quite apparent that there has been an insurgence in the £10 category in recent months. Customers will not hesitate in spending up to £10 as these are more likely to be impulse buys.

With forecasts still gloomy, the retail climate continues to be a tough one, it is important as a maker to offer retailers what customers are demanding, and at the moment it is gifts valued around £10.

As a maker myself, it is increasingly difficult to create and offer such goods when the cost of raw materials continues to rise. Also taking in to account the retailers mark-up as well as your own! With this in mind, a maker has to sell an item for £4 in order for the retailer to sell at £10. Not only difficult, but also having to compete with foreign, mass produced goods!

The article has been an interesting read and one which I am now taking in to account. It has made me think about reducing my costs i.e., buying in cheaper/alternative materials, without compromising the end product. The key being to create fun and unusual items that customers still believe to be good value for money. It's not easy having to be one step ahead, but the beauty of handcrafted products, is that they are unique and will often stand out against the mass produced. Keep creating!!!

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Trade Show & New Products

Back from the Spring Trade Show in Glasgow this week - this is how my stand looked (above). I launched some new products at the show, here are some of them:

Zebra Wave Clock (above)

Flora Clock (above)

Ocean Clock (above)

Clockworkz (above) - made with metal clock parts

Frit Heart Tile (above) - something for Valentines Day

The show was a lonely one this time around as I had to go on my own. Hubby and daughter usually tag along to help set up etc, but hubby had to work. Although I had some 'me' time, it wasn't the same without them!

I came away with new customers and it was great catching up with existing ones. I also met some great exhibitors and we all keep in touch as we will meet again at other shows. My next trade show will be the British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate in April. Until then, I have plenty of orders to make.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Spring Trade Show - Exhibiting

These are some of my items I have on display at the Spring Trade Show in SECC, Glasgow. I have just returned from the show and had a good experience. It was my first show at the SECC and was quite overwhelmed by the size of the hall and the amount of exhibitors. It was all rather daunting and huge competition.

'Journey' - glass sculpture on wood plinth

Doodle Wave Clock

Curve Clock

Arc Clock - Zebra

I now have a full order book, with many new customers. I will also be contacting some more potential leads over the next week. I met some really lovely people exhibiting around me and managed to catch up with some I haven't seen or some time. All in all, it was a good show and enjoyed the experience.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy Glass xx

Exhibiting at Aviemore Trade Show

Preparations are in full swing this week for the Aviemore Trade Show. I will be exhibiting at the trade only show which gives buyers the opportunity to meet Scottish makers in the art, craft and gift sectors. I will be setting the stance on Saturday ready for business on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The show has proved that it is ideally timed to place orders for the summer season. In the current economic climate we are all aware that it makes sense to leave ordering till the last minute, having the show at the end of April means that buyers know what they need to stock up on after the Easter holiday rush. This means that, at the Shows which take place at the start of the year, there is no need to guess too far ahead - that's the theory anyway.

I have designed a new glass piece for the show called Homecoming - Tartan Wave. It is to commemorate Homecoming 2009, welcoming clans from all over the world to Scotland as they trace their ancestral roots. There are events taking place all over Scotland for Homecoming from galleries showcasing traditional Scottish art to operatic performances.

I sent a press release to the local papers last week and was pleased that the Press and Journal contacted me and sent a photographer to my house for a photo shoot. I had a good write up about my piece for the trade show:

I initially made the Tartan Wave in blues (inspiration from the Scottish flag), but thought I would try another colour, so came up with this one too:

The Tartan Wave can be stood on end or used like a decorative dish.

If you are visiting the Trade Show, please come and say hello.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx