At the last farmer's market the first item which sold was one of my sponge holders. I placed the holder on the bottom shelf without a sponge. A woman came into the booth and immediately picked it up and said she wanted it. She said she'd been looking for a sponge holder which was narrow for the back of her sink.
The last sponge holders seemed unstable with feet so I made these new ones without feet. I made these slightly larger hoping a large sponge will fit as well as a small sponge. I also added an extra row of texture for glazes which break. From the last group I threw away one and I held back the one in the first photo.
The next items which sold were a couple of my mini tiles. This time I've used stains on greenware and intend to put a transparent glaze over the top.
I've inserted nichrome wire as a hanging mechanism in the top of the tiles. I like to think of these items as price leaders. Inexpensive items which draw customers into the booth and hopefully encourages them to return for future pottery purchases. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Love the sponge holders. I have never seen them here and they would be very welcome. Very, very welcome.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks, I only use sponges in the studio not in my kitchen but I know lots of folks use them. I always think that a sponge may trap bacteria since they are moist. but I guess a sponge holder would keep them from staying moist all the time.
Deletelove the colours in that brown sponge holder... feet can be tricky on slab built pots... hope those hanging tiles work to bring in the buyers :)
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks, we get a lot of tourists here in the mountains hence my touristy type wordings. Ha.
DeleteGood merchandizing ideas, Linda!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, thanks, I couldn't believe the woman knew what my sponge holder was, since they are most often in the round shape, - who knew someone wanted a more rectangular one.
ReplyDeleteAlso puts me in mind of a letter holder, I know they are becoming redundant, but you still do get the odd ones
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty, thanks, oh but don't bills still come in the mail? could be a bill holder too. ha. it is nice to get a card or letter every now and then from a friend though isn't it.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to make a sale, no matter what it is. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks, you are so right, a sale is a good reward for all my hard work.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, I like the sponge holders. Do you think if you made holes in the bottom that it would help keep the sponges from staying wet. I do this with my soap holders.
ReplyDeleteAlso... just a thought, but instead of a wire, why not just put a hole in the top of the tile. I bought some this way and it's easy to make a wire stand to insert in the hole.
Hi Rian, thanks, I think I'll make some of the sponge holders both ways. What do you mean by the wire stand ? If I put a hole in the tile I have to be really precise on the centering otherwise when the tile hangs it can be wonky. I am trying to make these quickly since I sell them inexpensively and just the underglaze and leaves take a while to apply.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean for you to make the wire stand. But if you make a small hole in the center of the tile, a S or u shaped wire (coathanger?) (made by the person who purchases it) can be inserted in the hole and the tile can either hang from a hanging plant or stuck in the ground for potted plants. Just an idea...
Deletethat's the center of the top of the tile... for clarification.
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