I see a trend...

[Iguanadon]

Three events in the books...

Event #1 - Goal of selling 100 puzzles - Sold 97

Event #2 - Goal of selling 100 puzzles - Sold 96

Event #3 Today - Goal of selling 50 puzzles - Sold 49

Coming up a little short, but at least my goal/expectations are within reason.  Today's event was unusual in that of the 49 sold only 4 of them were the kids puzzles which I sell for 1/2 the price of my main puzzles.  So, dollar wise I did better than usual which was nice.

Event #4 next Saturday, WoofStock dog festival.  Goal of 50.  Let's see how much I miss it by.  :-)  Then I have a week off before my weekly Farmers Market begins Memorial Day Weekend.

Iggy

 

[GPscroller]

Well done Scott.  The numbers are close.

Jeff

[Scrolling Steve]

Not too shabby, Scott !

[Charlie E]

Wow, that's a lot of puzzles. Makes my neck hurt just looking at them. 

[rjweb]

Very good Scott, you haven’t lost your touch, RJ 

[Woodmaster1]

Awesome start, I hope good fortunes continue.

[DWSUDEKUM]

May your trend keep on trending Scott.  You do great work.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

DW

[wombatie]

You are only 8 short Scott not 80 and that is the main thing.  Great work.

Marg

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Iggy I have to ask and please do not take this the wrong way. Looking for an education. You have sold thousands of these from what I have been reading the time I have been here and we agree on this. Can you explain to me who buys these and why??  You say kids puzzles and I can surmise that part but why do grown-ups buy them and what do they do with them??  It is not like it is very challenging for an adult if they are buying as a puzzle. I am just trying to figure the fascination. You do nice work for sure but Just because a person has a dog of a certain breed what does he do with the puzzle, give it to the dog to solve??? help me understand this fascination. I may have to start making puzzle animals.  I can put clocks in them. 

[newfie]

That's great Scott the best of luck to you hope you meet your goal and lots more.

[Iguanadon]

4 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Iggy I have to ask and please do not take this the wrong way. Looking for an education. You have sold thousands of these from what I have been reading the time I have been here and we agree on this. Can you explain to me who buys these and why??  You say kids puzzles and I can surmise that part but why do grown-ups buy them and what do they do with them??  It is not like it is very challenging for an adult if they are buying as a puzzle. I am just trying to figure the fascination. You do nice work for sure but Just because a person has a dog of a certain breed what does he do with the puzzle, give it to the dog to solve??? help me understand this fascination. I may have to start making puzzle animals.  I can put clocks in them. 

Ha!  Hey JT, you're a funny guy... give it to the dog to solve!  LOL  It's a very good question and you'd have to see the folks when they walk by, see the animals and their reactions.  It's really quite fascinating.  Women and men, they all are just kind of mesmerized, curious, fascinated to see cute little animals.  A lot of times people don't even realize they're puzzles until they try to pick one up and it "wiggles".  Then when I point out and explain that they're puzzles they're even more amazed and then I tell them that they're individually hand cut and the conversation really takes off.

The women usually are fascinated due to the "cuteness" of the dogs or other animals.  Men are fascinated by the precision and detail of the cutting although they also get all soft-hearted when they see their favorite dog breed. Dog owners are the most passionate and they are the reason I take 70 breeds of dog with me now to every event.  When they ask for and see their breed, their hearts melt. However there are a lot of people that are simply in love with elephants, giraffes, mermaids, unicorns or dragons and simply MUST have one.

Out of the 242 total sold this year so far, 72 of them have been dogs or 30% which is consistent with 2017 total sales of 33% dogs.  Then of course living at the beach, the sea critters are very popular, especially now the ones that I make that say CAROLINA BEACH and KURE BEACH in the bodies (my local island)

The simple kids puzzles I sell at a lower price point account for another 28% of total quantity sales.

I do my best to ensure that everyone takes the time to look at all 140 different dogs/animals because I'm almost positive they'll spot one that either they are passionate about or they know someone else who is.  I sell them as "They all stand upright and are meant to go on a bookshelf and look nice."  That's literally what I say, to every single person that comes up to the booth.

I've definitely hit on a cuteness factor and Harvey's amazing artwork and attention to detail in the dog breeds and other animals hooks them.  I also hear all the time "Wow, this is so unique! I've never seen anything like this."  Just another 'wow' factor to go along with the cuteness factor.

I'm sure we could get some psychologists hiding behind a curtain at a couple of my events watching and listening and figuring out the psychological nerve my puzzles have struck.  But until then I can only guess.

Iggy

Edited May 6, 2018 by Iguanadon

[meflick]

6 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

Iggy I have to ask and please do not take this the wrong way. Looking for an education. You have sold thousands of these from what I have been reading the time I have been here and we agree on this. Can you explain to me who buys these and why??  You say kids puzzles and I can surmise that part but why do grown-ups buy them and what do they do with them??  It is not like it is very challenging for an adult if they are buying as a puzzle. I am just trying to figure the fascination. You do nice work for sure but Just because a person has a dog of a certain breed what does he do with the puzzle, give it to the dog to solve??? help me understand this fascination. I may have to start making puzzle animals.  I can put clocks in them. 

Iggy, Scott, gave his explanation.  I think he is right - it is mainly the "cuteness" factor.  People do not buy them to actually use as a puzzle.  They are like clocks and other items, simply decorations that people buy to display on their desk, a shelf, etc. They sell for the same reason your clocks and other things sell with different "themes" to them. The item or object has "meaning" to that person - their dog.  They make a great gift for that person in your life who has that dog, for as Iggy said most people have a dog or know someone who has a dog that they love and adore.  While I don't sell them, i have made several and given them away as gifts.  They are always immediately loved for what they are - an image of their type of dog.  The fact that it is a puzzle, just gives it a 2nd "cool" - and it might be put together once but then is displayed on a shelf.  Because of that, I considered making them as a "whole" object rather than a puzzle but I didn't really like how the one i tried work.  The extra "puzzle" cuts add that extra bit of detail that makes it look better on the whole.  I figured you could do part of those cuts so plan to try again and see.  I know Kevin is doing some as ornaments that are not cut out as puzzles for example.  I think you might find that dog clocks - might be a good seller as well. 

[rdatelle]

Great job again at selling so many puzzles. Your on a good roll now Iggy. I have a feeling that this year will be your best.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Iggy, thanks for the explanation. I still do not get it but I can relate. My clocks serve a purpose along with the looks nice factor so I guess there is some comparison. I took an idea when I started making clocks , that most people need clocks around them  and expande from there. I guess you found a niche that hits peoples pocketbooks so good for you and continued success. There never will be a shortage of dogs so you are solid. 

[WayneG]

That’s a good trend Iggy