Friday 25 November 2011

The Final Tally.

In the end...
...I made...
...seven...
...owl ornaments.

I apologise a little for the glut of owl pictures, but I'm pleased with how they've turned out and they do make rather nice photographs together. Tomorrow they'll be on sale at the school fair so it may be the last time they are altogether.

I'd be interested in knowing what the general opinion is as to how much they'd sell for at a school fair. I have a price in mind which I hope isn't too cheap, but also isn't too pricey bearing in mind it's a school fund raising event and not a craft fair. So please, what do you think Joe Bloggs would pay? (not what they're worth, which to me is far more!). If I make them too expensive and they don't sell then I can always drop the prices a little for the nursery fair next week - I don't actually want to sell them all as I don't really have time to make many more.

As an alternative to the ornament form...

I turned one into a little scented cushion, full of cloves, cinnamon sticks and allspice berries, and gave him a little branch to sit on. I've cut pieces to make another of these which I think I will keep for myself.

I had some luck in a charity shop recently. Some good looking books including the Twilight Trilogy which I've yet to read (or see on film) and a big ball of crochet thread which is perfect for snowflake production.

So, this is my final board of Christmas craft donations for the fair. I seem to have have felt personally responsible for stocking the entire craft stall and have gone a bit daft perhaps.

Actually, there's more...

...in addition to felt decorations and crochet snowflakes...

...I made...

... lots of mulled wine sachets using fresh whole spices - cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and ginger. Our house smells lovely just now!

To finish, as a break from all this crafting, I'll share a few photos from a recent walk. It was at our local country park and was just as daylight was starting to fade. N felt rather cheated as he was expecting swings and slides after hearing we were going to a park. A wasn't keen at first either but really enjoyed the walk up the hill and the views. Both enjoyed Gruffalo hunting the the deep dark woods on the way to the hill.


19 comments:

Lynne said...

Oh boy, I do love those owl ornaments! The colors are great. You should keep a few for yourself! The pictures of the park are beautiful, I like that row of bare trees.

Diane said...

All totally wonderful! xxx

Julia said...

What a lovely stash! Your owls are great, love the colours and what a scoop to get those books AND a big ball of crochet thread! Brilliant!

Love Julia x x x

Simone said...

You have a knack for making owl decorations! The blue owl with purple wings is my favourite. It is difficult to price them up because you would never get their true worth back as in the time they have taken to make. Anything between 3 to 5 pounds each sounds reasonable to me. If you were talking 'Country Living' fair you could double the price! I love the mulled spices sachets you have put together - you are an asset to the school's fund raising!

June said...

You're a real trooper making things to raise money for school funds. I'm a bit rubbish at that! Hope all goes well and that lots of money is raised! Price - I wouldn't know where to start! Maybe do the tricks that shops use and call it £3.99!
June

YarnRoundHook said...

I'm afraid I can't help with pricing of your owl ornaments, but they look good - I bet they sell well. The snowflakes look fab too.

Jacquie said...

I love all your makes ...the owls are just gorgeous !! so beautifully made and fabulous colours. I hope they sell well . As you say pricing is difficult as they are so labour intensive . Love your outdoor pictures too ....what a stunning place.
Jacquie x

rockinloubylou said...

I don't know how you can bear to part with those little owls. So full of character. I paid something like £12 last year at a xmas fair for a little stuffed cushion full of spices with a felt robin appliqued on it and didn't feel ripped off. I'd feel I was getting a massive bargain at £6 or £7 an owl for such hand stitched loveliness. And if they don't sell then they were destined to remain yours.

rockinloubylou said...

PS I see Attic24 is recommending the same xmas crafting book that you recommended in your last post. I bought it as a result of your recommendation and am now planning some little owls of my own. Just one or twhooo.

Anonymous said...

Sadly I don't think people are prepared to pay much at all at these events! Selling stuff at fairs etc people even turn their noses up at 20-50p for a book in really good condition. If you say a glass dish is 50p they will walk away and then grudgingly pay 20p for it.

Personally I would rather donate the money and save myself the hassle! Luckily you don’t think like that and have made some beautiful things. As it is people will moan at any reasonable price, one which doesn't even cover your materials. I think people are mad as they will quite happily pay £2.00 for a coffee but will haggle over something as gorgeous as your owls. Whatever you get for them it won't be what they are worth or even what people would pay in a shop for a mass produced one (I don’t think but hope I am very wrong – maybe your school is full of lovely and generous parents).

I think people will expect to pay £1 and buy one for their children which is ridiculous. Whatever happens please don't be upset! They are totally beautiful and very well made, it is just people expect something for nothing. (Well many of them). I would not put a price tag on them for less than £4 and I agree that £6 or £7 would be very reasonable but probably not viable on this occasion.

Sometimes, putting a higher price on things makes a person value things more. So with a higher price you might find that instead of being considered knick knacks for their children, they would be thought of with more respect and purchased perhaps as a gift for someone who will appreciate it. It is weird how the context and environment can make a difference to how we see something. I bought a ball of wool from the £1 shop yesterday which is a gorgeous colour but it was really hard to see its potential slung as it was in amongst cheapo socks and knickers! Now, at home I see its lovely colour and how soft it is. Your stall is lovely but it is probably a little oasis in amongst other chaos, so that will affect prices I think.

It is very difficult as I understand the dilemma - you want to raise money for the school and you also want them to sell, but it is very tricky getting it right. In the end I would go with your own feelings as you know this particular market best. I would see if you could get a good price first and then maybe bring it down if you have to.

I have that book also and I absolutely love what you have done with the owl to make your little square. I think it is gorgeous and think I may well make one to use as a pin cushion.

Whatever you decide, good luck with your sales; everything you have made is beautiful and whoever gets an owly will be very lucky.

periwinkle said...

I'm rubbish at pricing things so couldn't help you there I'm sorry, but they are really lovely and well made x

Lyn said...

I always sellway to cheap I think if you can get £4 for one you go for it but expect to be selling some next week, you never know it might be really busy and they all fly off to new homes, hope so. They are so pretty.
xxx

Nic B said...

Beautiful items..I organise the school fair, , spend sleepless nights over it!! Your items are beautiful...we all need people like you/us!!! I have baked for the first time EVER.....sorry...nicked your smartie/flower idea. Went down a storm!! We don't get this time back.....enjoy...love your stuff!! (Found you via Di- Heartshaped)

**Anne** said...

Your owls are adorable!!!
Anne xx

jo said...

I Love those owls! The snowflakes look good too!

YarnRoundHook said...

Just to let you know I received the book this morning - I love it and have started on the owl already. Thank you!

driftwood said...

they are so lovely and I think £3 - £5 is a reasonable price at a school fair, your mulled sachets are a great idea too, I hope all your hard work is appreciated x

Peeriemoot said...

Love the owls! I don't know about pricing really - I agree with those who've said that unfortunately at school fairs people are reluctant to pay much. People don't really think about the amount of time and work which went into things like that!

Mrs. Micawber said...

Your owls are so beautiful, Anne. Those eyes are perfect. What a labour of love.

Those pictures! I love the tree trunk (or is it a fence post?), the view up through the bare branches - just like lace - and the row of trees with the family in front.

P.S. I would have guessed perhaps 5 pounds for the owls? I'd certainly pay that. Pricing is so difficult.

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