06/09/2009 by Gary Gummer.

Is it worth it?

Is it worth the ache I have in my legs from spending the last three days standing next to my display of unique eco-friendly aromatherapy products. I still think it IS worth it Fortunately, I am selling all that I display, and yes, that is good news for me, but for other crafters the story is not so happy, some are not even making the cost of the stall, why is this?

I really am of the opinion that the recession is affecting everyone, over the past 18 months I have attended quite a few craft fairs and I have experienced a decline in purchases, visitor attendance has been low, with fewer purchases, other craft holders are saying the same.

Is it going to change?

I’m going to have the rest of September and most of October away from craft fairs, taking a break before the push for Christmas

I hope that those who do still remember my free gift in their wallet or purse, will connect with me for that last minute gift!

Speak soon

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03/09/2009 by Gary Gummer.

Hi all,

I’m off to Oxford Castle tomorrow, my second innings, I wonder if my comments tomorrow will be any better than on Tuesday evening!?! The weather looks a bit better, I’ll take my waterproofs just in case.

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02/09/2009 by Gary Gummer.

Hi all,

So it was my first day at Oxford Castle Craft Market.

What a day!

Having a stall outside was a first too.

For most stall holders being outside does pose a few problems, wind and rain, and being out in all weathers.

Today was one of those day, from the start of the day the wind was a cause for concern, a few stalls had there contents blown around, and around lunchtime it rained, this was just a shower, but it was accompanied by some wind. Fortunately for me the stall has canvas sides and back with a pull down canopy over the front. As I say the first shower was mild in relation to the next, at one stage during the torrential downpour I noticed that people were standing in the restaurant opposite my location taking photos of the sheets of water that seperated us, it was absolutely awful.

And to cap the whole day off I sold one vial of Cedarwood essential oil for a £1.

I’m at Kelmscott Memorial Hall tomorrow!

On Friday I’ll be at Oxford Castle again, I’m a glutton for punishment!

Speak again soon

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01/09/2009 by Gary Gummer.

Big day tomorrow I’m really excited, I’m going to have a stall at the Oxford Castle. It’s going to be a new experience as it is outside, but a covered stall is provided, and hopefully the position of the stall is in the sun, if the sun does show it will be a nice day, its going to be a good day anyway.

I’ll be there every Tuesday for the foreseeable future, up until I get so cold I can’t continue, going to take my thermals just in case!

If your in Oxford and want to come and see me, I’ll be there from 11am through to 6pm, would be nice to meet someone who reads this blog!

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07/07/2009 by Gary Gummer.

One of the objectives of this File is to gather therapeutic remedies of essential oils from you the individual, the person who is reading these words from wherever you are on this planet

I would really appreciate your input to my file on what you personally use essential oils for?  

My display at craft fairs, and my website has approximately 25 essential oils that have been produced from all over the world, Eucalyptus-Austalia, May Chang-China, Lavender-France, Basil-India, to name just a few. These essential oils are all used by individuals like yourself to help them through their life. I use Lavender essential oil to help me sleep, What do/would you use it for?  

If english is NOT your native language, but you can understand the words that are written, please send your  replies and I will endeavour to translate it into english.

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30/06/2009 by Gary Gummer.

Craft fairs are an ideal opportunity to engage with people and talk to them about my creations that I have developed over the past 10 years.

With all inventions that are successful one has to show that individuals and companies are willing to buy what you have made, obviously, ‘it is the proof of the pudding’.

By attending craft fairs, I have face to face interaction with total strangers, who may or may not know anything about aromatherapy and its wonderful healing properties, and know absolutely nothing about my creations that are on the stall.

People say, ‘first impressions count’ that is so true, especially when competing with other creations that have been handmade and are on display right next to your own.

I personally think that a craft holder has to think competitively, their display should attract the eye, but is not too cluttered, and the crafter must interact with the visitor to the stall, it is to the detriment of all the hard work if the stall holder sits on their bum and doesn’t talk. I always stand throughout my allotted time at a craft fair and give a free gift to everyone who shows interest in my stall, I will not tell you what it is, you will have to come to one of my events to experience it (check out my dates and venues)

Fortunately, my creations do sell quite easily once the interested individual realises that I am providing an introduction to essential oils and their uses in aromatherapy.

I have been a craft stall holder for nearly two years, and during that time I have sold quite a few of all of my creations, and the most rewarding experience is when I have repeated sales. It is hard work, it is very tiring standing for hours, but is it without doubt one of the best ways to display your goods and keep your overheads to a minimum.

Note: If you are thinking of inventing something, make sure you protect it with a patent, and don’t believe that putting your idea in an envelope and posting it to yourself is enough protection, it is not.

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24/06/2009 by Gary Gummer.

Hello, and Welcome to my file of interesting bits and pieces about aroma4u. If you want to come and see me personally, and sample our products before you buy, then please look at my craft fair list. I attend craft fairs that predominately have an eclectic mix of hand produced items made by master craft persons from Oxfordshire and surrounding local areas of the south east of England.

I am next attending Woodstock Craft fair on 1st/2nd August, if you enjoy visiting beautiful rooms with handmade tapestries depicting life through the ages, the Woodstock town hall is well worth a visit. The visit will also enable you to sample my essential oil free gift! Hope to see you there. 

July Wed 22nd, Location: Kelmscott Memorial hall, Oxfordshire, UK [website: www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk] (afternoon)

July Friday 24th, Location: Didcot Civic Hall, Didcot (evening 7 -10pm) Pamper evening.

Aug Sat 1st & Sun 2nd, Location: Woodstock Town hall, Oxfordshire, UK (allday)

Aug Wed 5th, Location: Kelmscott Memorial hall, Oxfordshire, UK [website: www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk] (afternoon)

Aug Wed 19th, Location: Kelmscott Memorial hall, [website: www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk] (afternoon)

Sept Wed 2nd, Location: Kelmscott Memorial hall, Oxfordshire, UK [website: www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk] (afternoon)

Sept Sat 4th & Sun 5th, Location: Woodstock Town hall, Oxfordshire, UK (allday)

Oct Sat 31st & Sun 1st, Location: Woodstock Town hall, Oxfordshire, UK (allday)

Dec Sat 5th & Sun 6th, Location: Woodstock Town hall, Oxfordshire, UK (all day)

For more up to date craft fair dates please contact me through our website contact form here: www.aroma4u.co.uk/contactus.html See you there!

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