Beth and I survived the sale! It was up and down and surprisingly we didn’t do very well during the day of the open house. 
Hundreds of people came through and all had nice things to say, but I think it was just too crowded and congested for shopping.(Here is a table full that Beth brought) 
We had a lot of inventory, hand made or vintage.
And although, sales weren’t THAT bad, there sure seems to be a lot left over!!
See how cute this stuff that Beth made is? Why is it still here?
And I still have a treeful of ballerina fairies.
We had our theories on why the sales were so up and down. Friday was great. All of our regulars from the mailing list came. They always show up when we open and want to be first in line!
Saturday, the weather was terrible, plus there were so many activities going on around town.
On Sunday, the home tour was for 4 hours, with 7 homes to see and people were rushed. The ones who did stay and linger, bought some things. I ended up selling furniture on Sunday and my husband was sweet enough to load it up in one of the trucks from his collection (we have 3 for some reason) and follow the lady home to deliver a dresser.
I should have taken a photo of the packed room, and you’d see what I mean about it being too crowded to shop. We sold a lot during lulls when the room was bearable, but when hordes came through, we simply passed out treats and chatted as they filed through. who would have ever thought that having too many people at your sale was a bad thing?? A lot of women were asking what my hours were so they could come back again when they could shop more comfortably. But I doubt I I’ll be doing this again for a few months.
I’ll be listing a BUNCH of stuff on my Etsy shop tomorrow and at bargain prices too!
I can’t say the day wasn’t a success. People were so kind about my home and had so many nice things to say. And I got my house cleaned up! Every room all at the same time. Of course, it won’t be that way tomorrow……
I had people asking if they could hire me as a decorator. That was flattering.
Of course, all my stuff is from a garage sale or a dumpster or a flea market, I called it the recycled house. I take things no one else cares about and make them into something pretty.
My husband’s office was open for show today too. I didn’t decorate much up there, just some berry vines on the lights and above the windows.
And to me, this is one of the prettiest things I saw today, my little boy, Ryan.
I took tons of photos and will show more later if you are interested.
Plenty of blog-fodder for the "what do you love about your Holiday Home" party on the 12th!
And don’t forget about our monthly drawing!
I’m a couple days late, but things have been crazy around here. I picked a name from the comments left this month and it is:
What a fitting name to draw for a holiday prize!!
Joy, please send me your address and I’ll send a giftie to you up there in Canada.
All comments left are eligible for the drawing each month. Thanks to everyone who comes by to visit, I enjoy hearing from you all.
Oh, here are a few more wonderful things Beth brought, and she did sell out with these, I think. And what a cool display she brought for me to hang them on.
I think she’ll be listing some leftovers on Etsy too.
You know, the sale really was fine, and the home tour was fun, I didn’t mean to complain. I am simply so PROLIFIC in what I produce, that sometimes I feel like I am drowning in stuff. I still have a studio full after the sale. But there was just so durn much to start with!!
I was giving stuff to friends who came by after the event to drink a glass of wine and tell me about the other homes they saw on the tour. My last few shoppers were getting extras thrown into their bags for free too. I just wanted it GONE at that point. I am ready to move on and make more stuff, not just keep staring at the stuff I made last week.
I have an idea! Another giveaway. For my Party on the 12th, I will have special prizes. All comments that day will go into a drawing and I’ll use you guys to dump my excess inventory on- ( I mean, I will give gifts to readers and participants that day)
Hey there; I’ve been wondering how things went, so happy to see a post from you!! Hmmmm….. sounds like we might benefit from lots of leftovers! Can hardly wait to see what you put in your etsy!!
🙂
Well it sounds like you enjoyed your weekend. Everything looked lovely for the crowds!
Enjoy tomorrow and take a break if you can.
mahala
Oh yes and congratulations to Joy!
Karla, I am scanning tags left over from my boutique and reading blogs while they load. Our sales were down out here too. We sold tons of dollar items and not much big stuff. I did much better than some of the ladies. Some of them only sold a few things. I also didn’t do as well as women who had lots of things like reindeer poop, elf pillows, etc. Your open house looks absolutely gorgeous and I wish I could have gone shopping there.
Love all your beautiful things. Looking forward to the house party. Thanks for sharing with us all.
Karla, your humor cracks me up! As always your home looks terrific! And about those leftovers? I LOVE THEM! They are always better the next day too!
OH boy! Lucky us! What time are we talking here for the update on etsy? Morning noon or night? I don’t want to miss anything! I keep thinking about that ballerina jewelry box you posted awhile back. Did you sell it? Can hardly wait to see. Sorry it was a bit of a bummer. I know what you mean about wanting to clear out though. I’m sure we bloggers will be more than happy to help out!
I’m sure you did do well. My Christmas Shop party felt quite ho hum but sales were ok, its as you said just so much left!!! I love leftovers so will be looking forward to going in the draw!
Hi Karla, your boy is very handsome! And your house looks great…sorry your sales weren’t what you expected…that can be a bummer…i’m sure you’ll sell out on etsy!
congratulations to Joy!!!!
I wish that for one day I lived close enough to your house because I would have helped reduce your inventory big time! I’ll have to be content to shop via Etsy, though. Your’s and Beth’s things are so lovely.
Karla…not to worry…You know all of your blog and etsy friends would love to have your goodies! PS Your son is very handsome!
I love left overs…food or painted. Send them to me. I will love them and pet them and let them follow me home. 😉
I will never forget when I was on the Tour of Homes in Arkansas…it was the best my bungalow ever looked and most exhausted I ever was for Christmas. NEVER AGAIN! I had over 300 people file through in two hours. I wasn’t sure my floors would hold up. It was a 100 year old home at that time!
Ok Karla I wish I could have come to your sale. Everything was so beautiful.Sorry Sat. weather was bad, but people will remember next time about the sale and will come. Your home is lovely.
Dona
I won?!!!!
Woo-hoo!!! I am thrilled Karla – can’t believe my good luck! 🙂
This was a great post full of goodies, just by looking at the photos I know there were lots of things I would have picked up. You and Beth are two talented ladies.
p.s. What a great pic of your handsome son. My little guy loves his t-shirt btw!
I’m sure all of those people are still talking about what fun they had! Maybe some will come back and shop.
I love Beth’s display on the old lampshade 🙂
I know I enjoyed the Sale and can’t wait to see what you list on Etsy… I bought a lot but felt like I still left things behind that I really “needed”!!! Love it all! Your house looks beautiful and your son is gorgeous!
I’ve been anxiously awaiting your report! I’m a firm believer that too much stuff can overwhelm customers. Everything kind of blends together and nothing stands out so it makes it hard to choose. On the other hand I totally understand your desire to “cram” as much stuff in there as you can to entice a sale! It’s a dilemna for sure!
Cutie pie Ryan definitely stands out in a room!
LOL about dumping your stuff. Anyone would be thrilled to death to get some of your stuff dumped on them.
That’s interesting about it being too crowded to shop. I think the occasional sale is a good idea since it gives the shoppers a sense of urgency knowing they can’t think about an item and go back next week and get it, but if there are too many people, then who can see it to even think about it? There were probably a lot of people who simply were not interested in shopping, but were just along for the tour.
Karla your booth looks smashing !!! xoxoxo Clarice
Karla,
Everything looks great and I love leftovers! You must be relieved it is all over for now though too…
Cheryl
Dump over here!
I am looking forward to your party. I have been taking pictures and making slide shows…
I bet there alot of people who are sorry they did not buy more of your gorgeous stuff. Have a great day Mary
Well I would have spent far too much had I been able to attend. Your house was brimming with wonders! Thanks for sharing the experience with us! – Amy B
So much beauty. Who knows why it didn’t all go though you seem to have some good theories. Looking forward to Dec. 12!
Karla
Now see, Beth and Karla… had I lived any closer I would have left with BAGS of your treasures! Now I’m gonna watch those etsy shops of yours with baited breath… =)
I just wanted to tell you that SugarWings is the prettiest baby I have seen in a long time — just adorable! Then I saw the pic of your son and now know where Sugar Wings gets those beautiful eyes of hers. I sell at shows in the KC area and all sales this year have been done compared to last year, so don’t feel too bad. Let’s hope 2008 will be a better year for all of us.
What an excellent open house it looks, wish I could have seen it in person!
oh my goodness so glad to see you have a blog!!! i LOVE your home!! it was definitely the show stopper of the home tour. you have no idea how excited i was to get to see your place! i LOVED my father’s daughter when it was downtown and probably spent a good portion of my income there. 🙂 i was so sad to see it close, and didn’t even know you had another shop! yesterday was the first time i’d seen your new store and yes, it was so crowded i’ll have to come back later to really get a good shopping experience. what hours are you open?
thank you for letting us all trample through your home! i love everything you’ve done!
WOW- just stumbled across your blog and am blown away. What wonderful photos of wonderful things!! Can’t wait to see you etsy goodies! Happy Holidays!
I love leftovers Karla! LOL! Can’t wait to see what you put in your etsy listings!
How old is that gorgeous son of yours Karla? I have a beautiful daughter who is 23 and soon to be 24……. LOL!
Barbara
You are just the sweetest Karla! I hope if we both go to Silver Bella next year I’ll get to spend more time with you!!
Can’t wait to go visit your Etsy shoppe!!!
🙂
Wow Karla…Look at all the goods!
I wish I lived closer I would have loved to have gone too!
Will have to check out the goods on Etsy…
Priscilla
OH.. Look at you two!!!
Why cant you both just live accross the street from me?
Everything looks BEAUTIFUL! I could have looked for hours.. (and probably spent a fortune.) lol
Of course everything was beautiful and it is distressing when there are leftovers. I’ve done home sales in the past and each day is different…depends on who is shopping and who is just “browsing”, weather conditions…everything. Sometimes I’d think maybe there was just too much to choose from…but it is the experience that counts!
Karla,
I was having blogger issues and couldn’t see any pictures. So I put off leaving a comment until I could see them. And I’m so glad that I waited. You surely had a lot of eye candy to peruse and enjoy. I can hardly wait until the 12th! Not because my home is all that to look at, but because I’m sure there are homes out there that will knock my socks off.
Love,
Julie
Your open house looks wonderful! I wish you would have sold more, your crafts and decorations are beautiful! I’m going to check your etsy shop now. Happy Holidays!
Donna
I should’ve read this one first before today’s! But first impressions are usually a little exagerated… I think you should be thrilled with the numbers who came! I did this years ago and I was always so happy for the people who just came through the door! And there were 5 of us together selling things. The pictures are great– and that son of yours…cute!!!
FABULOUS! Thank you for sharing and making me drool I feel like a little girl dressed in pink sitting in an ice-cream parlor! Love it all I wish I could come to the sale! Good luck Merry Christmas! Hugz Grace
SO lovely. The pics of the items for sale are wonderful and what I could see of your Christmas decorating, fabulous! Can’t wiat to see MORE AND MORE AND MORE AND MORE. So glad you don’t have to leave sugarwings. That would be awful. What a nice husband you have.
Beautiful goodies & such pretty pics of your home, Karla! Oh how I wish I could have been there! I would only have visited YOUR home!!! It would be fun to meet you & Beth!
Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents