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So, if things work out, I am going to be actively working my small microscopic business this next year. I put my business aside for a couple years to finish a degree, only taking the occasional custom order.
I was sent an email from the merchant coordinator for a large SciFi convention asking me to apply as a merchant. That would be really fun and great money coming in. I will finish my application tomorrow by sending my $100 deposit. That will hurt, but near as much as if I get into the event and have to fork out another $900 in booth fees and memberships for the three of us... not counting the hotel room, gas to get there, food, and oh yeah, the stock to make enough product to not sell out on anything. I will have to do about $5,000 in sales to just break even.
I also find out in the next couple of weeks if I am a vender at a large SciFi convention this spring. That one will only cost me about half to get to money wise. I only have to make about $3k in sales to start pulling a profit.
Scary in this economy, to invest that much money into my business in hopes of sales. None of that counts my labor as part of the costs. I will put in 100s of hours making product for the smaller convention and probably a couple thousand hours of labor into the larger show. Really scary, especially with my failing health.
BUT if I can make my business work again, it brings in pretty darn good money for things I make while watching TV in my livingroom then sell them on weekends at events across the state. It is also quite fun to go to all the medieval and SciFi events.
It is just a lot of work between here and there.. and worse than that is the anxiety of "DID I GET IN??" I have been checking my email and physical mail box like crazy for the last couple weeks just in case the decision for if I made it into the first one comes in a month early. I applied back in August. The application I put in today won't get back to me until end of March... wow that is a long time to hold my breath in hopes.... in fears...
I was sent an email from the merchant coordinator for a large SciFi convention asking me to apply as a merchant. That would be really fun and great money coming in. I will finish my application tomorrow by sending my $100 deposit. That will hurt, but near as much as if I get into the event and have to fork out another $900 in booth fees and memberships for the three of us... not counting the hotel room, gas to get there, food, and oh yeah, the stock to make enough product to not sell out on anything. I will have to do about $5,000 in sales to just break even.
I also find out in the next couple of weeks if I am a vender at a large SciFi convention this spring. That one will only cost me about half to get to money wise. I only have to make about $3k in sales to start pulling a profit.
Scary in this economy, to invest that much money into my business in hopes of sales. None of that counts my labor as part of the costs. I will put in 100s of hours making product for the smaller convention and probably a couple thousand hours of labor into the larger show. Really scary, especially with my failing health.
BUT if I can make my business work again, it brings in pretty darn good money for things I make while watching TV in my livingroom then sell them on weekends at events across the state. It is also quite fun to go to all the medieval and SciFi events.
It is just a lot of work between here and there.. and worse than that is the anxiety of "DID I GET IN??" I have been checking my email and physical mail box like crazy for the last couple weeks just in case the decision for if I made it into the first one comes in a month early. I applied back in August. The application I put in today won't get back to me until end of March... wow that is a long time to hold my breath in hopes.... in fears...
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I feel so dirty and used I was drunk and passed out at a party when I came around some guy was on top of me rapeing me he covered my mouth and told me to shut up afterwards he got up and got dressed and said I better not tell anyone I found my friend and reported that I had been raped after having medical checks and them getting DNA I've taken the morning after pill IAM just so depressed and...
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Upon his departure, he remarked, "I am in many people’s pockets; no one will believe you." Have you ever grappled with the silence that follows sexual assault, where the perceived impossibility of being believed necessitates self-censorship?
I don't like crowds, but it feels very SAFE behind a table just talking to people as they come and look at my wares. I have a zero pressure zone for sales. If you want it great. If not, you are welcome to look, touch, pick up, try on, and put back anything in my booth. As my wares are armor and things like painted drinking horns, I am one of the few places that kids can run rampant without worry. I can't tell you how many times I have assured parents that if their 6 year old can damage my armor, I made it wrong.
the only glitch is if I get into the vending rooms or not... if not, I am not able to invest the $10,000 or so it will take to get my business back into full production. The small events are fun too, but I might make as little as $40 in profit for a weekend after expenses. I good thing is that in about 40 events, I have only had one where I LOST money. Every other event I at least broke even.
Soon I get to build a new house, just as soon as I get this one torn down, replaced and then sold. AFTER all that happens, I get to find a large bit of land, closer to hubby's job, where we are going to build our house... it may take a while to get there, but it WILL be a castle!!
I am so excited I can't breath... why can't these people just send me a note that I made it into the dealer room?? I am so excited. My daughter just dragged her sick self (she has a cold) out of bed and is now screaming about Worldcon.. The HUGO awards are given on there!!! OMG I want to go and vend there!!!
I got an email saying the bank account was overdrawn... which I figured it was, but getting the email made me worry by how much. I checked the account balance online and found hubby's paycheck. why I got an overdraft email when there is a new paycheck in there, no clue. So, I just went back to the application for Worldcon and paid my $100 application deposit.
Apparently that was more than my system wanted to deal with...
I have stuff in my booth that mostly falls into five categories: Under $10, under $40, $100, $300, and over $1,000. Oddly enough, it is the $1, and the $300 and above stuff that sells the best at the big venues. A $1,000 piece of armor has 40 to 60 hours of labor and about $300 in materials.
I have not had time to go into selling online, but mostly because I was also going to school full time. Once I get the house packed, then I will further explore that option... I just have not had the time...
Lilly!! OMG I am freaking out!!!
I am so scared that my health has slipped to the point I won't be able to do this, but I have been able to do the occasional custom piece. At this point it is a waiting game. I still have to get the house packed so we can move out and that has to come first until I know for sure that we are in at one of the events... then I might have to add hiring movers to my list of expenses! I am so much better at making armor than packing the house!!!
So I tried to upload some pics to the pictures, but the whole thing is fighting me right now. If you look at the pics of the Halloween ride I did, you can see a lot of my handywork.
I am wearing my scalemail armor with a lioness inlay.
My horse is wearing a deer skin cloak I made. It fits hubby who is 6'6".
I also made the Cat-of-Nine tails that I trying desperately to despook her with. Those are really popular and I do custom ones in different colors all the time. I just finished one in 4 colors of aluminum, blackened steel and brass.. but my flippen camera would not take a picture of it!!
What else.. My horse has leather reins for steering and wearing a aluminum belt for decorative reins!
Although a totally different venue, my wife and I traveled the pow wow trail for around 22 yrs. I'm well aware how one bad weekend can dang near devisate you, often taking 2-3 pow wow's to recover. So that's always a consideration.
I love your trade. I had a boss/friend that specializes in making Roman helmets, shields and lances. We'd get liquored up throw on the chain mail and entertain the the neighbour. We always did our best not to hit each other with the edge. Got many awesome looking bruises lol
A friend of his does the same as you and his secret was to have lots of small items that people tend to purchase since larger pricier items moved slow, the small stuff was his bread and butter, a larger sale was just bonus.
I came across this site a while that may help you,
www.veteranownedbusiness.com
Starting up is always scary but I hope you do well...