Historic Enterprises post-Pennsic update

Black Swan Designs · Post by **Black Swan Designs** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:28 pm

Hi All-

We're back from Pennsic now, and will be in the office tomorrow. Francena won't be in until Monday- she worked her butt off at Pennsic, so we gave her the rest of the week off.

Jeff and I will sort thru the orders that came in while we were gone, and will return phone calls and fill the orders that we can tomorrow and Thursday. Please bear with us, as it will take a few days to get up to full speed again.

Thanks!

Gwen

Tailoress · Post by **Tailoress** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 6:44 am

I want to thank you for your offerings this year at Pennsic. I helped a young lad pick out a Kragelund-style tunic that looked faboo on him (and he wore it a LOT for the rest of War) and I picked up a pair of pattens for myself that came in great handy and looked good too. The profile of the wood in your pattens is the style I prefer and I don't think others are offering that exact profile.

So again, thanks!
-Tasha

Murdock · Post by **Murdock** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:50 am

got a buddy to go from generi-celt to he anglo saxon

Black Swan Designs · Post by **Black Swan Designs** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:27 pm

Thanks for the comments!

Could you tell me if the new style of documentation info helped your friends make their decisions? Our sales were good, and I noticed a number of people spending a lot of time reading the cards before making their purchases. I wondered if the info and images provided with the garments influenced their decisions in any way. I'm especially curious as to the influence on new people who have not chosen a period or look, and other folks who are becoming more specific or changing periods.

Thanks!

Gwen

Tailoress · Post by **Tailoress** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:26 pm

The laminated cards are very handy, IMO. They will help a complete newcomer get some confidence that they're buying something that is based on historical clothing and will help an experienced historical costumer to quickly see what the sources are, etc. The diagarms on the cards are useful for geeks like me who like to look at tailoring details.

-Tasha

Vladimir · Post by **Vladimir** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:50 pm

I can't wait to put the hooks on my new winnegas.

Donngal · Post by **Donngal** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:35 am

Feed the monkey!

Donngal

Black Swan Designs · Post by **Black Swan Designs** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:42 am

Haha! I took your Tin Man hat home and it's sitting on my desk. You guys are awesome, and I really hope you'll come out to the joust. Leslie and I miss you already. :cry:

MONKEY!

Gwen

Lord_Wolf · Post by **Lord_Wolf** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:46 am

Donngal wrote:Feed the monkey!

Donngal

Don't feed the Monkey, he will bite you!

Adeliz · Post by **Adeliz** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:24 pm

LOVE the laminated cards. During midnight madness I was looking at one of the turbans in the sale cart and someone asked me what it was. When I told her it was a turban, she asked me what a turban was. Uhhh....well...it kind of tongue tied me, I was at a lost to explain, so I just pointed her inside to the "not on sale" turbans and the laminated card that hung next to them.

P.S. Thank you for the bucket of scrap fabric! I got some awesome scraps with our purchase that night that I'm really excited to turn into a frame-purse (right word? don't know...think so).

joleicia · Post by **joleicia** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:59 pm

Although I didn't purchase any clothing (it's my specialty) I really liked the laminated cards you had out. It truely gives those who don't know any better some idea of coordinating parts and time-peroids and to the very new a good start. The SCA is supposed to be research based, but so few merchants go to such great lengths to educate their customers - saves you some breath during those busy times too.
thank you!!

Black Swan Designs · Post by **Black Swan Designs** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:07 pm

OK, cool. Now I know I'm on the right track. I will make sure all of our garments have cards for next year. Guys have been asking me for a 'Granimals' system to help them figure out what goes with what. joleicia's comment revisits the idea that not everyone knows what pieces go together, so I'll think on that and see what I can come up with.

Adeliz, I'm glad you liked the brocade. Funny, the saying 'one man's trash is another man's treasure' really fits this situation! I used to throw all that scrap cabbage away, but I always hated to do so and thought someone would love to have it. I didn't know how to distribute it until I had the bright idea of bringing it to Pennsic and giving it away. :idea:

Makes my eco-groovy heart happy to know it's all going to good homes and not a landfill.

Gwen

Otto von Teich · Post by **Otto von Teich** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:44 am

I didnt go to pensic, but the info cards sound like a fantastic idea to me! Great idea!

Adeliz · Post by **Adeliz** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:01 am

Black Swan Designs wrote:Adeliz, I'm glad you liked the brocade. Funny, the saying 'one man's trash is another man's treasure' really fits this situation! I used to throw all that scrap cabbage away, but I always hated to do so and thought someone would love to have it. I didn't know how to distribute it until I had the bright idea of bringing it to Pennsic and giving it away. Makes my eco-groovy heart happy to know it's all going to good homes and not a landfill.

Good! I was trying not to be greedy with it, but it wasn't easy. LOL

Maybe you can post somewhere on the site for people who want to add free scraps to their orders? You know, they won't get to pick size, color, etc, its just whatever you grab and throw in, but it could be a simple checkbox or something when you are completing an order?

Black Swan Designs · Post by **Black Swan Designs** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:21 am

Maybe you can post somewhere on the site for people who want to add free scraps to their orders? You know, they won't get to pick size, color, etc, its just whatever you grab and throw in, but it could be a simple checkbox or something when you are completing an order?

On the surface that sounds like a great idea, but experience tells me that would be a recipe for disaster. No matter what description I give the offer, or how I noted it, there would be customers angry that they couldn't order just pieces, the scrap wasn't what they expected, not a colour they could use, that it added cost to their order, etc. Unfortunately, that's the way these things go.

Here's a thought- I'll make the offer here that if anyone wants free brocade scrap added to their order, just ask when you place your order. If I have any around, I'll throw some in. The offer won't be on the website, it will be a public secret for people in the know, like ordering your burger 'Animal style' at In and Out Burger. You can ask for brocade, linen or wool scrap. How's that?

Gwen

Adeliz · Post by **Adeliz** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:44 am

Great! Just tossing out ideas for ya, and I think your right. The "open secret" is probably way less of a headache for you.

Thank you!