$2 for gift tags aka LeilaBel Anne promotional material

Label and package gift tags.  CHECK!  

Based on my calculations, approx. 2,000 gift tags were punched, stamped, glued, strung, and placed into boxes.  2,000-ish!  Let's break it down...

Each tag consists of at least 1 punched circle (used a Fiskars punch) with a hole (used a regular hole punch) and an 8-inch string (used bakers twine, blue yarn and crochet thread).  

Estimate that half have 2 layers of stamped images and text.

Estimate the other half have been punched an additional 2x (used the circle Fiskars punch and ek decorative punches).

Estimate one-third has an additional punched card stock embellishment.

14 styles available.

3 styles have a rhinestone embellishment.

And there are even more details.

All that work for them to be sold at $2/pack of 5 tags.  I'm crazy, but that's what they will be going for.

YOU: Ummm...pour quoi?  $2 is cheap for all that work.  *confused eyes
ME: I'm being real about craft shows.  Some shoppers are looking for a deal - as if they are going to find something handcrafted for the same or less price than what can be found in stores.  *Uugghhh...major eye roll.  It's very difficult for crafters to compete with price because our labour and materials are more expensive than mass produced goods.  Crafters may not be able to compete with price, but we can compete with quality and originality.  All this results in slightly higher prices of our products.  For example, I've seen infinity scarves being sold at Old Navy for $10....and then they go on sale.  *Uugghhh...another eye roll.  My Super Cute child scarves start at $10; my Super Cute adult scarves start at $16...and they won't go on sale.  Since some shoppers may not want to spend that much, I am offering the pack of 5 tags for $2 (and also magnets at $2).  A Toonie.  Two Loonies.  Eight quarters.  Toonie Tuesdays.  Toonie for an Iced Capp at Tims.  Toonies weighing down their change purses.  If you are attending a craft show, you have $2.  

The BEST  PROMOTION is from POSITIVE WORD OF MOUTH.  If I am to increase brand awareness, people need to speak about my goods to other people - meaning, they need to own at least one of my goods first.  For $2...a Toonie!...these gift tags are LeilaBel Anne promotional items that shoppers are paying to own.  Every item I make is a promotional item, but the main reason for offering these tags was to just get something into peoples' hands.  

I'm totally guilty of purchasing a low-priced item at a craft show just so I can take back home at least one thing.  And now I'll be on the other side as a vendor.  I'm going to try really hard not to eye roll if someone asks for a discount on my tags.  A Toonie!

Much love,
j.anne