This past week I set up a small display at a local church holiday market. I wasn’t planning on it being a huge moneymaker, but rather a chance to interact with more customers about the benefits of working with Fusion Mineral Paint.
Since I mainly sell Fusion out of my two rented locations, I’m not always around to talk to customers who come into check out the paint. Honestly, I’ve determined that is a major downfall to my business and I have been looking into a few different ways I can do better at connecting with customers.
I’ve tossed around the idea of opening up my own space several times, but just not sure at this stage of life I can manage that. So for now, setting up at some of these smaller markets is one solution I can manage.
The Fusion metallics were a big hit. I think the holiday spirit has gotten everyone feeling all “sparkly”.
I had a larger and smaller version of my Metallic Painted Magnolia Leaf Wreath on display to show one way you could use the Fusion Metallics. One customer purchased a container of Studio Metallic in every color so she could make her own wreaths to give to coworkers as Christmas gifts. I love it when an idea I have is helpful and valuable to someone else 🙂
I did bring a little bit of my “junk” to the market as well. My husband and I cleaned up several more pieces of silverplate flatware to toss into my basket.
I also brought two signs I made using Fusion’s Transfer Gel. I printed off two different vintage postcard graphics from The Graphics Fairy website, had Staples enlarge them, then transferred them to some scrap wood I had on hand.
The portions of the image that were white needed a little more something . . . So I accented those areas with some Pearl and Silver metallic paint and the Pearl Embossing Paste (to create some raised texture).
I painted a little gold metallic paint also on a few places to accent the stars, moon, and candlelight in the photos. A coat of Fusion Wax Finish took off the leftover paper haze and brought all the colors out. I really like how they turned out! I was surprised nobody bought them at the market. I am doing a Fusion product demonstration though in a few days at my ACM location, so I will take them there and use them as a way to show off the Transfer Gel.
There wasn’t enough room to set up any big furniture pieces, but I was able to squeeze in this French cane chair.
It’s actually a piece my friend Katy had on hand, and so we co-opted it as a project–I did the painting and she did the upholstery work. The frame of the chair is painted in Fusion Bedford, with a light dry brushing of Champlain on the top. It was a very quick, easy paint job–Katy definitely had the more time consuming part of the makeover!
So that was the bulk of my week last week–prepping, setting up, selling, and taking down for this 2 day fair. Even though my sales were really low, I’m glad I set up there. I made contacts with about a dozen women who were really interested in Fusion–including a few moms from my boys’ elementary school who were surprised to learn that I have this “double life” 🙂 Running your own business isn’t always about bringing in tons of $$; sometimes it’s just about making contacts and setting the stage for future growth.
It’s been a crazy month for both Lost & Found and my family in general. I’m looking forward to a week or so of just normal business, rather than the over-the-top schedule we have been keeping. To be really honest I am exhausted–definitely feel like I’m burning the candle at both ends.
It’s been hard for me to balance the dreams I have for growing Lost & Found and my Fusion sales in the DFW area with the daily realities of all the rest of my life–being mom to a 9, 7, and 3 year old, cleaning my house and making sure we have food in the pantry, teaching at our church’s women’s Bible study, and maintaining a few friendships (not to mention my marriage!!) I know I am not alone in my quest for “balance” (which I am beginning to think is a myth).
So I appreciate all of you who hang in there with me. Thanks for reading this blog, for trying out Fusion, for leaving your encouraging comments and thoughts. I really do appreciate you all so much.
In the next few weeks I will have a custom furniture makeover to share, as well as a light remodeling project to walk through. And there will be another Christmas Tour of the Antique Company Mall, which is always fun. So check back, and in the meantime, enjoy your week 🙂
JoAnn
Wednesday 18th of November 2015
Hi Melanie. I love your projects advice and ideas. Have you considered making a video of yourself discussing your paint that people can go to on their phone from your display of the Fusion paint?
Sherry Stuifbergen
Wednesday 18th of November 2015
You are an inspiration to me...I THINK I'm busy but I only have to think of you. You do good work!
KJ
Tuesday 17th of November 2015
maybe the santa in chimney image is a "members only" image ?
KJ
Tuesday 17th of November 2015
What a great job you did with the santa images ! Will you please share the exact name of the Santa image on the chimney. I have browsed through the Graphics Fairy all morning, looking at hundreds of images and I do not see it ??? Thank you.
Melanie
Tuesday 17th of November 2015
Thanks! Here is the link to the Santa in the chimney image: http://thegraphicsfairy.com/vintage-graphic-gorgeous-santa-with-reindeer/ I'm not a member, so you should be able to access it :)
Tracy
Tuesday 17th of November 2015
It gets easier as kids get older;) great you can be there for your kids. Love the cane chair! Just wondering what dry brushing is. I have 2 exactly like this that I'm thinking of painting. We readers appreciate you too!