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The Knitty Gritty
X Ric Rac Recyler This column in the Philadelphia Examiner by Jennifer Lethbridge caught my eye: A roundup of some of the best online sites for instructions on making flowers out of bits of ric rac. As a child of the 1970s, I remember well how my seamstress grandmother's answer to many an undecorated blouse or skirt was "let's use some ric rac!" Thankfully, what Jennifer reports on are much more contemporary — but still a lot of fun.
Tip: Going vintage can evoke happy memories for customers. This can also get them in a spending mood. (Ric rac is officially on my shopping list!) What's old can be new again. Look at your inventory with this in mind. A one-off class using Wrights' pattern for braided barrettes, for example, could bring in moms who remember wearing them in the '80s, their teenage daughters looking for something kitschy to wear and their younger daughters to enjoy just because. Plus, you not only build loyalty and potentially new customers; you also get rid of some ribbon!
X Cross-stich gets its mojo back? In a similar vein, Britain's venerable The Sun newspaper has pronounced cross-stitch as currently being "achingly hip" among teens who are creating designs based on the style of a graffiti artist and of old-school arcade games. Check out the slide show and see whether any of these patterns resemble something currently in your inventory!
Tip: Watch what catches the eye of your younger customers. Even if said "customers" are just tagging along with Mom or Grandma as she browses the aisles, it couldn't hurt to have an endcap aimed squarely (no pun intended) at tweens and teens. Pay attention to what gets noticed. Even if it's not carried to the register, you've planted the seed. (Perhaps don't pay too close attention — the stereotype of the teen shoplifter is a sensitive one!) If nothing else, it could be an easy sale for when a regular customer muses out loud how she'd like to get her kid/grandkid/Scout troop interested in the needlearts, but is not sure where to start.
X "Cheap and cheerful" seems to be another crafting manta this summer. With the economy still south, it may mean less Swarvosky sales and more shiny happy discount beads. The Toronto Star notes that people are turning to beading as a way to entertain themselves, be creative, make a custom product and use colorful pieces that evoke carefree times.
Tip: Tone down the flash, play up the fun. Take a look around your store. Are bargain impulse-buy items on display, or are they shoved in a corner with the hope that the premium stuff outsells it? It's summertime, and (at least some of) the projects should be easy. They should also be quick, family-friendly and inexpensive. This might be a tall order, but just a little effort could pay off in sales that might have otherwise not have materialized. Also consider getting in front of different audiences (placing an ad in the orchestra or community theater's event programs, for example), some of whom may find your store to be an interesting and more affordable alternative to buying upscale items.
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