unknown grandmas

Sarah & I hit the pavement with our crafts over the past two weeks, with a table at Crafty Wonderland and a free spot on the sidewalk at the Alberta Art Hop. And...

I think I got this selling-in-person thing out of my system.

I've been told so many times by people who see my baby sling or things I've knitted for Binx, Oh God you should sell those!  Well, if I had 10 bucks for each of those people, I could have made back the money I spent on all this month's speculative crafting. But I didn't really cover my expenses.  Just barely.

Some have posited that it's because our stuff is a bit too crafty. And by that I mean that these are the wearable art of the babysphere, one-off onesies and bonnets and slings that are made by hand with vintage and thrifted fabrics, from tablecloths to sushi curtains.  They're kind of loud-colored, and folksy, and handmade looking. Not slick like screen-printed onesies or tees.

They're what Sarah and I call the "Unknown Grandma" aesthetic.  Made of materials cast off by grandmas now gone, and found by us at their estate sales or at Value Village.

For example, this little onesie patch mixes new fabric bits with some black cherries from Goodwill and a puff from a bag of thrifted puffs made by someone who gave up before completing their quilt.  In that sense, I feel like I'm finishing something that began a long time ago and has come somewhere entirely different from where it set out to reach. And that seems really cool.

But it's more than you can convey when you have a second of someone's attention at an art fair. It seemed at the Portland events that a lot of people thought our stuff was cute or wonderful, but couldn't imagine it on their own child.  They talked themselves out of buying it.  Often out loud, in front of us. Children would want something, and their parents would say they had to walk around the whole fair before deciding, then not come back. 

Or parents would tell their children they didn't look good in the bonnets. Parents, for shame! Children look beautiful in bonnets. They all do. It's a rule.

And yes, boys wear them too. (Girls aren't the only ones with the sun in their eyes, for Pete's sake). And no, you shouldn't ask your husband if he thinks that's okay.

I think I will expand olive & bea to sell more than bonnets, and just put things there when I  want to enjoy making something for which I don't have an intended recipient. Like my recycled sweater bags. [Note: Girls aged 8-12 loved these. In case of gift needs, make a sweater bag or buy of mine for 10 bucks. :-)]

This has been a fun experiment, and I'm not at all upset by it. We sold about 3 items a day, and had a blissful couple of days in the sun at the Art Hop watching the boys play at the crepe restaurant's sandbox and all over the sidewalk. The friendliness of the event and everyone who owns businesses on that block could not be beat. So it was worth it for the experience.

Now back to crafting because I feel like it, and getting in touch with my inner grandma.  She may not go over big at the craft fairs, but I like her a lot.

Comments

[sarah gilbert]

you pretty much captured exactly my feelings on our experiences. and as i'm sitting on the sidewalk in the very lovely alberta st, i'm thinking about the people who are *right at that moment* looking at us from around the web and thinking, "i have to have a teething bird!" or "all i want in the world is a sushi-colored bonnet!". check out my flickr account :)

[joyflea]

I love the craft/artwork you are making. I am doing a similar thing with my crafting. Making stuff using only reclaimed fabrics and items of clothing etc. Something with a past history, but reworked using old techniques to create a fresh, modern yet humanised product. If my children were still babies I would buy lots and buy often from you, even though I'm on the other side of the world. Job well done!!

[Katherine]

Holy Moley...I love you stuff!! I'm seriously jonesing for that strawberry bonnet with the yellow ribbon for my neice. I'm thrilled to find your blog.

[Shelley]

I think your items are to high end for the places you've been selling. I think First thursday and higher end kids boutiques would be better suited to you.

Who you are selling to makes a big difference i've found.

have you tried etsy?

[LeAnne]

LOVE the bonnets. I experienced similar feelings when I made my niece an heirloom baby dress for this past Christmas. Spent about $60 and 60 hours knitting the thing, and watched in horror as the mother said, "oh cute" as she cast it aside in favor of the much larger box of Old Navy clothing that was opened next. Now, I'm just going to knit because I want to, not for any intended recipient (except if someone asks specifically).

[emily]

Your stuff is beautiful and unique and gorgeous and worthy of any baby out there. That said, I know exactly what you're talking about. I've tried to sell stuff that I thought was so cool and unique using only reclaimed stuff and it only ended up making me feel sort of desperate and really, really tired at the end of the day.

[katie]

LOL. I have an inner grandma, too. =) I love your bonnets.