| Author | Content |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
November 16, 2007
10:37 AM Post #4199456
| Hi All!
I have taken on a new venture of opening an artisan supply shop here in North Hollywood, CA which will selll all kinds of yarn, leather, jewelry making supplies, soap and candle making supplies, etc.
I was wondering if any of you could give me some opions on various yarns and other supplies that you like and would like to see in most shops. Also, what are your likes and dislikes about some supply or knitting shops, so I don't make the same mistakes. Any all around opionions and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.
kanita |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 16, 2007
11:40 AM Post #4199692
| Congratulations on your new adventure.
About the only thing I really shop for in a "new store" is beads and other jewelry making supplies. The only suggestion I can make there is to have a great selection of natural stones and "exotic" glass beads to work with. I find that those are the hardest things to find around here. And do what you can to keep your components, such as sterling findings reasonably priced. You'll find that more people will shop for other goodies, such as beads and wires, if your good quality findings are priced well. We have several bead shops here in town and the ones with the expensive findings, I usually stay away from, even if they have tempting beads. :-)
My daughter crochets and is always looking for unusual yarns, in both colors and textures. |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
November 16, 2007
12:04 PM Post #4199782
| Thanks Unique! When you say exotic glass beads what exactly do you mean? I found some really pretty silver lined glass beads that I am excited to get my hands on and maybe some Murano from Italy and of course Swarovski. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 16, 2007
12:13 PM Post #4199828
| I was thinking along the lines of the Murano beads. Dichroic and the ones with gold and silver foil inside. Those always made a stunning statement when used in jewelry. While I love the Swarovski crystals, I feel they've been overused quite a bit in the past few years. A good variety of big chunky natural genstones and freshwater pearls is also something I look for. I'm just one person though. I'm sure others will weigh in on what they look for.
Janet |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
November 16, 2007
01:08 PM Post #4200070
| I'm with you on the chunky natural gemstones and fresh water pearls. I thought I was the only one though or so it seems out this way I am. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 16, 2007
01:50 PM Post #4200204
| Whenever I see jewelry with those big chunky gemstones, I know my eyeballs get as big as saucers and turn from blue to green with envy. Not everyone can get away with wearing them. It takes a "substantial" neck to really make them look good. :-) They look horrible on scrawny necks! HAHAHAHA |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
November 16, 2007
02:15 PM Post #4200294
| LOL!!!!! That is so true! |
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO
(Zone 5a)
November 16, 2007
02:21 PM Post #4200308
| Wow, then I should be able to wear really big chunks! I find that I go into a yarn store for basic yarn, then get tempted and buy special yarns, so don't skip over the basic yarns. I love cotton and natural fiber yarn. |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
November 18, 2007
12:10 AM Post #4205518
| Thanks Cathy. I know none of the yarn shops around here carry basic yarns, only $12 and up per small skein. Most of them shun the thought, but I want everyone to feel comfortable and able to afford something when they come to me. I will be carrying a lot of organic cotton, bamboo, soy and corn fiber yarns which feel amazing and are great to work with.
Any suggestions on classes to offer that may be different? |
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO
(Zone 5a)
November 18, 2007
01:49 AM Post #4205710
| Kanita, you will probably scream when I say this, but I taught a group of women to knit on looms. They have taught friends who taught friends, and they all need yarn. We make knitted hats for shelters, etc. Lots of people donate plain old stocking hats, we donate Jazzy cool hats. Try to do something with a charitable note, it attracts good attention to your business.
Hats probably aren't the best idea for LA, haha. How about knit or crochet bags for groceries to go along with the green movement? Some could be donated to food pantries.
I'll think on it some more, going back to bed now. I wish you the best of successes. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 18, 2007
03:17 AM Post #4205846
| Good for you Cathy! What an excellent idea! I read about that same idea in a book by Debbie Macomber and just thought it was wonderful. The story was called a Good Yarn. There's another one by her also, but I can't remember the name of it.
Kanita, Perhaps you'd be interested in having classes on making beaded jewelry. I learned out to wire wrap jewelry and became obsessed with buying beads. I've rarely met a bead I didn't just love. :-) Wire wrapping comes in handy for all kinds of thing besides just making jewelry also.
Janet |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
November 18, 2007
08:50 AM Post #4206048
| Thanks Cathy, awesome suggestion!! By bodycare business is a green company and so will my artisan shop be. I make crochet afgans out of strips of fabric and last year I hand them out on skid row when I would go to the flower mart early Saturday mornings, but i never though about it being a charitable contribution.
How about I set up a monthly "group" section on my website, and different groups from all over can tell me about them, and sort of like a donation, I send them an assortment of yarns and feature their "plight" on my website to get other people to donate? With my bodycare, I do the similar thing with womens shelters and at my retail shows, I offer my customers to "buy" something extra for donation to the shelter and match their donation which does really well year round.
Janet, beaded jewelry I will add to the list as well as wire wrapping. How about if I have tables set up with bead boards and people can sit and "layout" ideas before purchasing their beads? |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 18, 2007
09:09 AM Post #4206079
| That's how one of the shops here in town is set up. It really helps to be able to lay them out on the bead boards. Nothing worse than getting home and not having enough of something to finish the job. Might increase the sales of those bead boards also when folks find out just how handy they are. :-) |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 19, 2007
10:36 AM Post #4209657
| Another idea, have a lot of examples around plus everything the person will need to make the item.
I was in a new shop recently that had beautiful yarns, fabrics and beads. The woman herself used the beads to adorn the knitted pieces so didn't have any of the other things one needs for beading. I wrote that off my list of places to go for beads since all I could get was the beads not even a needle or findings.
I think you are better off covering an area well rather than having bits and pieces of a variety of things. If I am looking for beading supplies I like to be able to get what I want in one place if possible the same with knitting. |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
November 19, 2007
12:40 PM Post #4210126
| Thanks Zen. That makes a lot of sense. I am so glad I asked you all for help, your input is really helping me tremendously. |
katiebear
mulege
Mexico
December 05, 2007
12:14 PM Post #4264061
| Is the shop going to include the candle and soap-making supplies or are they part of the body shop? I think your main focus should be either on the soap and candle supplies or on the beads and other things for jewelry. I like all the suggestions about beads, yarns and findings. I, too, love gemstones and big, chunky beads. I got a bag of large glass beads on eBay and I use them on my gourds. If you are including things for crafts other than jewwelry, you might consider raffia and other "rustic" items. They take up more space and aren't real high profit so it's just a thought.
katiebear |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 06, 2007
06:41 PM Post #4269110
| Hi Katiebear:
The shop does include soap and candle and bodycare making supplies. I am little confused which one do you think takes up more space and has less profit? I got a little lost...lol
kanita |
katiebear
mulege
Mexico
December 06, 2007
06:54 PM Post #4269142
| I was thinking that to include the soap, candle and bodycare making supplies plus yarns and beads was a lot. My thoughts were going to additional supplies for things like gourd decorating and these would include raffia, palm fronds, etc. which were what I was referring to as maybe taking up a lot of space in relation to the possible financial return. Probablly still clear as mud.
Here's my question which might hlep with the other questions: what is your passion? What do you love to do? If it's the candles, soap and bodycare making, then perhaps the beads and other supplies should be presented in a way that supports that, like for decorating gift baskets of the primary products.
I think you don't want to spread yourself too thin in a lot of areas. As Rick Nelson said, "You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself."
If the store highlights the crafts you love most, I think the rest will fall into place.
I hope this makes it clearer. If not, tell me and we'll keep trying.
Others might have opinions on this, too. Speak up, people.
katiebear |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 08, 2007
12:43 PM Post #4274613
| Thanks Katiebear that makes total sense. Okay, I love my soap and candle making, been doing it since I was a child, but also been doing my needle crafts and jewelry making since I was a child to and love each craft equally. The bodycare ended up being the direction I took first to start a business and has done really well for me, but I also sell my jewelry really well at shows also, hence my confusion about should I just focus on selling bodycare and soapmaking supplies, or include an artisan room where I have great yarns and other needle supplies.
Have I confused you now?...lol |
katiebear
mulege
Mexico
December 08, 2007
01:02 PM Post #4274663
| I think we are communicating very well. You might want to make it two rooms, as you mention. My concern is that if you try to cover too many areas you will not get a cohesive look and may end up looking more like a thrift shop than an artisan's supply store.
It's like talking with the artisan's who are painters, photographers or whatever who either specialize or work in series. It provides clarity and focus.
If you are confused about what you are doing your customers may react to that.
I like the idea of an artisan's room in a area separate from bodycare and candle products.
I should say up front I have never had a store but I have shopped a lot!!
I hope other people will add their comments.
katiebear |
susybell
Vancouver, WA
(Zone 8a)
December 08, 2007
01:48 PM Post #4274744
| I'm not really an artist, although I have played with beads and have forgotten how to knit. So, as someone who loves to shop, and likes discovering interesting and unique places to shop, here's what I think.
This is LA you're talking about. Personally, I think with being in LA, you've got more latitude to be funky and fun than you might in other places. In fact, I wonder if you won't have to make sure that you are fun and interesting, because LA has everything, someplace, if you know where to look. I think that including basic stuff can be fun and interesting, and accessible, though, too-that's a good thing.
One thing that I like is a shop that feels "full". You go into some new places and they don't have much stuff, or it's all arranged so poorly that it looks like there's barely any merchandise. That always makes me feel like the store won't be there next week. I think the more cool displays and examples you include the better. Help us come up with ideas or projects we haven't done before-show us your creativity! I think the more creative you can be, the better chance you'll have to be able to combine all your loves. Enthusiasm is contagious.
I'm actually kind of intrigued with having yarns, candles, jewelry, beads, and bodycare things together. The possibilities of combining them are giving me all sorts of new ideas-beaded bamboo yarns wrapped around candles, knitted bead mats for candles, hand-crocheted natural fiber washclothes... Maybe a project for crocheting your own beaded back massager using giant wooden beads, or something.
One thing I wonder, if you combine the bodyshop stuff with the candles & jewelry. Will you be offering samples of lotions? How will you keep people from getting lotions on the yarns for sale? Maybe you could knit up mini sample pieces that people could touch? |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 08, 2007
03:56 PM Post #4275048
| Thanks guys! Katiebear your shopping expertise is invaluable to me. Lots of new food for thought. When I met with rep from Plymouth, she said the same thing as Susybell in terms of putting yarns in the same room as the "apothecary". She owned a shop for 20+ years and said that the more "full" it looks, the more people are intrigued to try new things. She also said it would incourage those coming to pick up their soaps and lotions to try something new.
I am going to work up swatches of each of the yarns for people to see them in use and touch, and that way, I can wash them regularly to "refresh" them afters lots and lots of touching.
Susybell, great ideas you have given me on making some beaded candle mats. I already do the crochet wash clothes with organic cotton which sell really well for me at my shows, almost too well.
I am currently putting together a class list which will include: knitting & crochet (various levels), making handbags, various jewelry including Precious Metal Clay and Polymer Clay, Journal Making & Book Binding and Fabric Painting. I am also going have special "group" nights for the "Knitting Divas" and "Couture Hookers" (Crochet of course). |
katiebear
mulege
Mexico
December 08, 2007
04:08 PM Post #4275079
| I like these ideas. Having samples like the candle with a necklace would help pull the various items together and give a more coordinated look, which is what I was thinking about. You could also have sample gift baskets pulling different possibilities together.
kb |
susybell
Vancouver, WA
(Zone 8a)
December 08, 2007
04:18 PM Post #4275105
| Classes sound fun-sign me up! Oh, wait! that won't work... Darn internet...
What part of LA will you be in? |
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO
(Zone 5a)
December 08, 2007
06:18 PM Post #4275392
| I love crochet wash cloths, do you do simple ones or fancy? This is making me want to come for your grand opening, quite a trip! |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 08, 2007
10:18 PM Post #4276075
| The shop is in North Hollywood, very easy to get to from every freeway. I am going to get a friend to do live video so that I can offer the classes online. For the wash clothes, I do a variety of patterns, some simple and some more fancy so that I can charge a little more.
I got my first shipment in from Southwest Trading of Soysilk, Raw Silk and Bamboo Yarns. I also got another shipment of 100% wool and cotton yarns that are uncolored so that I can dye them myself.
After getting completely inspired by you all, as a test run, I put together a few baskets. One has: a candle, a bag of chamomile tea, hand cream, lip balm, 2 balls of yarn, appropriate size needles and a patter for a scarf and hat.
The other has: a candle, tea, a necklace design instructions, beading wire, clasp and stones needed for the project.
The third has: candle, foot soak, soap, foot cream, knitting needles, yarn and a pattern for some cozy house slippers.
What do you think?
------------------------------------------------------------------
I finished staining most of the wood for my wall shelves. I got some of the shelves up on the wall and ran out of the posts to hold the shelves, so I had to go to Home Depot to get more. I saw some cube bookshelves at Ikea that I thought would be great for displaying yarn, so brainstorm, rather than paying over $200 each for shelves that were not at all sturdy, they look easy enough to build, so the guys at HD looked at the shelves and my situation of wanting to open with as little expense as possible and they went to work pulling plywood, cutting it down to precise size including the 12"x12" partitions for making the cubes, they were so nice! I took them over an hour and they didn't charge me the cutting fee. They sent me on my way with specific instructions, screws, a new air nail gun, stain and polyurethane. We will see how that goes tomorrow.
I tell ya, when I get an idea, heaven help me! But, all of the materials to make 4 shelving units came in at around $100! Oh, and each shelf unit will be on wheels, that was another $24 so that I can move them around. I bought a beautiful piece of wood and some cool table legs from Ikea to make my "checkout" counter. I will post pics for you tomorrow depending on how things turn out.
Thanks so much for the ideas...I wish you all could be here to see what you helped me create.
Thanks
PS Keep the ideas coming.. :) |
katiebear
mulege
Mexico
December 08, 2007
10:23 PM Post #4276089
| I think it all sounds great. When are you going to open?
katiebear |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 08, 2007
10:23 PM Post #4276090
| Oh, I almost forgot, when I was at Home Depot, I also got a bunch of plant, but hey that is a necessity for adding warmth, don't ya think? |
katiebear
mulege
Mexico
December 08, 2007
10:24 PM Post #4276091
| Absolutely need plants. Maybe you can give them beaded baskets and necklaces.
kb |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 08, 2007
10:26 PM Post #4276098
| Tuesday, for the apothecary hopefully. I have a lot of customers wanting orders for last minute Xmas gifts. Everything won't be done, but the first half of the shop will be done and I can close off the other room till its finished. |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 08, 2007
10:26 PM Post #4276101
| Great idea Katiebear. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
December 08, 2007
10:39 PM Post #4276135
| Sounds like you are on the right track. :-) You've come a long way since the last time I checked on this thread. We're all looking forward to seeing photos of your place. We're also wishing you the very best of luck for a very successful business.
Keep receipts for EVERYTHING that you do, including what you spend to decorate the place. Most folks who start up business forget that most expenses are tax deductible. If you aren't a good bookkeeper, get yourself a waybigo envelope and just stuff ALL the receipts in there. Every little thing adds to the overall picture.
|
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 09, 2007
02:18 AM Post #4276588
| Thanks Janet! |
susybell
Vancouver, WA
(Zone 8a)
December 09, 2007
02:20 AM Post #4276590
| Fun baskets/kits! Katiebear's beaded baskets made me wonder-could there be one for that, too?
Looking forward to pictures!
This message was edited Dec 8, 2007 10:21 PM |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 10, 2007
11:25 AM Post #4280502
| I've got a new question for you guys. I had a sales rep suggest to me that in order to be successful, I should invest at least $25,000.00 in inventory right off the bat. Does anyone else think that this figure is crazy for a start up business?
kanita |
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO
(Zone 5a)
December 10, 2007
11:27 AM Post #4280519
| he wants the commission |
roybird
Santa Fe, NM
December 11, 2007
12:03 AM Post #4282841
| Hi, kanita. Good luck on your new store! I liked the idea of the gift basket sets. It seems like those could be neat gifts. I have worked with retail in various capacities for many years and I have never heard that you need $25,000 in inventory to start up. Certainly, you want your store to look full and interesting...but that amount seems high to me, too. |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 11, 2007
11:28 AM Post #4284025
| Thanks guys, I thought so. I found a group on yahoo for yarn store startups. One womany started with 25k in inventory and now realizes what a mistake it was. She bought 5k worth of books alone! That just seems crazy! And of course everyone wants what she didn't buy. I am going to stick with slow and steady. |
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO
(Zone 5a)
December 11, 2007
11:40 AM Post #4284054
| What a neat dream to fufill, I'm going to dream right along with you, please keep us informed. I've always wanted to own a book store, but they don't survive around here. Good luck kanita! when you have a website for ordering, let us know! |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 11, 2007
02:55 PM Post #4284585
| Thanks Cathy. Boy its a lot of work. Today I am working on the website which is coming along nicely. I am also on gate closing duty at my community garden, so I have to stop when I am really getting into things to go the garden and kick everybody out at sundown.
I had a meeting with another sales rep yesterday for Skacel. I love the Addi needles so I will be stocking them in all sizes. She said she loved my space (but then again she is a salesperson), and that it was so easy for her to get to that my only issue will be to advertise as much as possible. But other than that she thought it would be a great location and size.
So I am still plugging away. I am a little nervouse using this nail gun though. Scary thought of missing the wood and getting my hand.
kanita
|
pupilpropogtr
Birmingham, AL
(Zone 7b)
December 22, 2007
03:37 AM Post #4318945
| Your shop sounds wonderful. As someone who has never done crafts, I would love to receive a gift basket like you described. It has goodies and instructions and materials for the project. What a great idea.
Katie's idea of the jewelry on the plants would be sooo cool. You could could use little metal stakes to hang them from if they are too heavy.
How is your website coming?
Traci |
kanita
Los Angeles, CA
(Zone 10a)
December 24, 2007
09:29 AM Post #4324091
| My website and the store are coming along nicely. I am picking a new paint for the front of the shop because I feel like the off white looks too blah! Shelves are finished, and now it is just about decorating. Luckily, I have had customers come in and shop while I am working on it, so hopefully that will improve.
HAPPY HOLIDAY EVERYONE!!!!!!! |
