November 7, 2010

My Booth is Ready for Christmas Shoppers

My booth at Orange Tree Antiques Mall in Orlando is ready for Holiday Shoppers.

Those of you who have booths know this is a huge undertaking.  Usually about 3 times a year I take just about everything out of my booth and start over.  Christmas is one of those times.  It keeps the booth fresh and this is the time that I reevaluate prices and merchandise.   Somethings that have not sold just need to go back to the thrift store where they came from!

The whole process takes about 4 hours, but it feels so good to have it done.  I thought I would share some pictures.


In my excitement over buying vintage linen I often don't see holes and stains.  I quit kicking myself and now I just see it as an opportunity.  I cut around the bad parts and make aprons out of the table cloths.  I price these at $10 and sell out every year.


My holiday linen is a very good seller.


Here is the candles I made on this post.
(3 of these have already sold, if you have a booth, get these in.  They were a huge seller for me last year)




This was just an Ok sign, I wish I was better at sign making.  I typed the word Noel and then ran some sheet music threw my printer.  I then sat outside with a match, burn't the edges, and used some paint for a little distressing.


Throughout the year I collect Avon Christmas perfume bottles.  I can only price them at $3-$4 dollars so, I never pay more than $1 for them.  I do think they add a nice touch and they always sell.


Christmas plates are a hard sell for me so, I buy very few and only buy plates made by Lefton, Fitz & Floyd etc.


If I have any old quilts with holes or stains, it is really easy to make them into Christmas stockings.  I price them at $9 and I think I sold a dozen of them last year.


So, there you have it.  My booth and online store are ready and waiting!  Here's hoping I have the right items, a good mix, the right prices, and lots of customers.......That's a lot of hoping.

Is your booth or on-line store ready?  What is your best selling Christmas item?

Happy Creating!
Carol









30 comments:

Unknown said...

Nice job Carol, Isn't it good to have it finished except for re=stocking! Hugs, Marilou

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Carol, Everything looks wonderful! I love the stockings made from old quilts.
hugs, Sherry

La said...

It looks wonderful, Carol. Best wished for a successful holiday season. La

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Carol,
Your booth is lovely and awesome! So many goodies to pick from! Great ideas about making aprons from not so perfect linens! I need to sew!
I bet you do sell MANY/All of your Christmas items!
I'm still working on my room and pricing stuff! It seems whatever is "cheap" for Christmas sells. My vintage cards sell well...1 to 2 bucks for a vintage card is good!
Thanks for sharing your booth! Loved seeing it!
Warmly,
deb :)

the old white house said...

It looks perfect Carol! The aprons and stockings are wonderful, I bet you'll sell out of them in a hurry! I love the candles, and really need to go dig mine out of the Christmas boxes to pretty them up! I've tried the burning on the edges of signs before and I find it too difficult to control so now I use Distress Inks in antique linen or tea stain instead. If you scruff up the paper with an emery board or sand paper then rub the ink on the edges you will get the same look without the fire hazard... unless you need to tell us about your pyromania history! I try and make everything I do look older (except my make up in the morning) Hope you sell out! Theresa xoxo

Jane said...

Your booth looks wonderful and very festive! I'm sure you will have a very busy and successful couple of months ahead.
Jane

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

That is a lot of work! But it all paid off becuase it look's wonderful. Thank's for sharing....Julian

PEACHES said...

Looks like Santa's Workshop is up and running full force! Flocked, glittered, and looking FABULOUS!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Your booth looks great, Carol...I LOVE the Christmas aprons!

Vintagesouthernlife said...

It looks so festive. Wishing you much success!
Annette

Lost in Translation said...

Looks lovely Carol. :)

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Carol,
I was reading your blog last night and was interrupted by two wild kitty cats! LOL. So, I'm back to check out your booth one more time.
I just love the look you have created with the pretty Christmas linens. What a great idea to make aprons from the Christmas linen fabrics!!
Love your candles too. I'm glad that you thought to do something wonderful with them.

I think you are going to have a very successful Holiday Season.

hugs
Sissie

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Looks so inviting ! Who wouldn't want to stop and shop with you ... I know you have a lot of repeat customers. You have the best ideas too.
(())

Debbie said...

I'm going to visit your booth some day. I want to see and touch (and I promise to buy!) your beautiful stuff. You have the best... The BEST... eye for remake that I have ever seen. I just love seeing what you do with "mistakes."

I'm going to bip to the online store as soon as I catch up from my entirely too busy weekend.

Tammy said...

Looks awesome. And even though it took four hours wasn't it a fun four hours? I love redoing my booth - so much that sometimes I forget and get a bit miffed when someone moves something..funny isn't it?
I love your candles - might have to try some of those. My best sellers are my spindle trees - but this is the first year in a booth space- I usually do a show..so we'll see how it goes this year.
thanks for the visit.
tammy

Leo said...

Great photos....love your displays. really quite pretty. hope you sell all your things.

My Cottage Charm said...

Hey Carol! Glad you liked my fabric finds at Goodwill...I sure was blessed that day! :)
Your booth looks wonderful and I LOVE the candle idea...I'm gonna have to make me some of those! I LOVE LOVE LOVE vintage ornaments...anything silver or pink! Be still my heart! :) Think I might go look at my local mall today and see what kind of pretty pink things I can find today. (or maybe another trip to Goodwill..maybe I'll be lucky again and find something amazing!) :)
Hugs!
Missy

Anonymous said...

Yes, I am wonderful so you need to come on up for a visit! LOL....xoxo Carol, your booth is just fabulous. Love the Christmas aprons and the candle redo's. I still have not heard a word yet on getting my booth...blah!

Debbiedoos said...

I adore the holiday Linens...I would be scooping some of those up,as I rarely see nice ones as you have. Looks great Carol!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Carol. Just beautiful! You do such a fantastic job! I would love to see your booth in person some day!!

Hugs,
Debbie @ A Debbie-Dabble Christmas

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Hi there, thank you so much for visiting me.
I love your booth!!! You gave me an idea with the sheet music in the printer. I still love those candle sticks and sure appreciate what you do with the old table cloths and quilts. Great job!

{oc cottage} said...

Crikey! Will you be selling any Christmas aprons in your on-line shop?

m ^..^

Something Special said...

Wow, that is an undertaking for sure. I have had craft boutiques, but not for a while. I simply love your Booth. Wish I lived close to Orlando, so I could come to that Antique Mall. You really know how to make it Special. I am so glad to get to visit your blog and good luck with your Booth.
I especially love those aprons so so much!

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Hi Carol!

Well, your booth looks absolutely magical. Everything is so pretty. Love the stockings and aprons. And your prices are wonderful. I hope you sell out!!

Unknown said...

Hi Carol,

Oh how I just love your blog. Your booth is beautiful! You obviously have good taste and know how to make a presentation. It's so funny because I am going to be in a fair on the 19th and was trying to think of things to put on display and make it look pretty. So you were a big help to me. I am going to get a few baskets to put my handmade ornaments for sale. I wish I had some pretty candles like you have. It's good to know what are hot seller items. Thanks for visiting me. And have a wonderful weekend!
xxoo
Janet
Janet's Creative Pillows

Unknown said...

Your booth is gorgeous. My favorite is still those vintage electric candles you altered. I found a few at a thrift store last week and I will use your tutorial. Anyway, since you mentioned your Xmas plates are a hard sell I thought you might like to turn them into pedistal dishes. Bond them to candle holders (either glass, crystal or painted wood) and voila. The smaller ones can be used as cookie or cupcake holders. Maybe they will sell better. Let me know what you think!
Roselle

Caroline said...

I love your candlestick idea. My MIL just gave me a bag of these and I can't wait to try this! Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas. I just became a follower and can't wait to check out more.

Debra Ganas said...

LOve the tips and photos of your booth. I will do a redo in the new year. My motto is buy low and sell low. I like to see things MOVE. Other dealers tell me to be patient but i do not want it to stay around too long. LOL
Thanks for the sweet comment you left about my parents 50th. Yes, that is a long time.

Debra

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