2 Down the Lane

2 Down the Lane

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I have a problem. . . . .

Lately, I have been in situations where I have tried to sell “stuff” from my paintings to yard sale items.  I have made a random survey at these events.  OLD ladies like my “stuff”, young people don’t.  Seriously.  My daughter and 2 friends decided to have a yard sale a couple of weeks ago.  I have another house up in the mountains where I had my bed and breakfast.  The house is empty but the Carriage House is still full of “stuff”.   I took my Mini  and filled it with what I thought would be good yard sale stuff. 

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Look at the cute chicken.  It was given to me by a dear friend and I didn’t really want to sell it.   By the time I thought to take pictures, I had sold several things. So that is one reason it looks so bare.

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“The Girls” (my daughter and her friends) are in their mid 30s.  Katy was thinking about selling her house and  had cleaned closets.  She was dealing as nothing she brought was going back to her house. Her friends, Shannon and Lisa were just cleaning out because Shannon had moved in with Lisa. 

At any rate, everything that sold of mine was sold to a person of illustrious age and good looks.  (Well, I am in that age group, too….)  Not one young person looked at my “stuff”.  For the amount of items that I took to the sale, I did okay.  I brought the chicken home and it is sitting on my dining room table (more on that next week for Table Top Tuesdays at A Stroll through Life).  I didn’t want to sell it anyway. 

So fast forward to this past weekend (Labor Day).  My step daughter has opened a little store in a barn – aptly named The Barn Shop.  She does beautiful refinishing and caning.  Her shop has vintage items in it—some really old and some not so old – but great buys.

I took some of my paintings up there and some book marks in the $2.50 range several months ago.  Nothing has sold.  We were so busy on Friday that the shop looked bare by the end of the day.    I offered to stop by the house and pick some of my “stuff” up and take it to fill in on Saturday.

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Sorry about the glare. I promise you, the only comments about my paintings or the items that I brought from the house came from seasoned patrons.  I sold some bottles and a big iron pot.  Not bad---but…..

I made an unofficial survey and learned about my target market. But, I need some advice about how to a. attract another age group or b. make (paint) items that the target market will not only comment on—but PURCHASE!!!!

I know better than most that times are tight……

So, my problem and I promise I really do want comments—I would love to learn what “30 somethings” are looking for in paintings, handmade items, scarves, etc.  I want to hear from the 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.  Help, please.

I have spent a little bit of time on Etsy this afternoon.  There were some paintings that were kind of like the ones I do—I think, if I was a little more funky—abstract—maybe, that would attract a broader audience.  All comments appreciated.

thanks for your thoughts,

See you in a few,

Madelyn

1 comment:

  1. I think research is your friend. Keep exploring Etsy and Pinterest. Check out decor blogs like Young House Love, Apartment Therapy, etc. You are uber talented and once you figure out your what your market wants you can certainly do the art / knitting.

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