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Bonnie Scoggins | Episode 436
Bonnie’s current work revolves around imprints from doilies her great-grandmother’s made. She see her imprints as a way to honor the artistry that goes into crocheting doilies. Her process does not harm the doilies and She feels privileged to use heirloom doilies from other families to make meaningful pieces for their families to enjoy.
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When a customer comes into your booth, what is your approach to interact with them, to warm them up?
I count to ten. To see if they are actually going to buy or are they seeing what is at the market. After the ten seconds I say, If you have any questions let me know. I take a step back and let them decide if they are going to buy something, have a question, or keep on walking.
Do you ever engage in small talk when you are talking to customers?
No, the Chattanooga Market, if you do that they run away like scared deer. If they start small talk I will engage with small talk but I don’t initiate.
How important is explaining the work to potential customers for them to understand the value?
I think it’s important, but I have had people tell me. Don’t tell me any more, you are ruining the mystery. But I have signs telling people that they are crocheted doily impressions and that they are made with my great-grandmother’s handmade doilies. So that is usually enough of an explanation that it satisfies most people.
Do you ever do up-sales with people so if they are buying a mug you would say, this saucer goes really great with that mug?
Only if they are looking at specific patterns I let them know where I have other pieces with that same color palette. Like my browns and blues I keep together or the peacock pattern I let them I know have spoon rests and plates, but that is usually about it.
Do you tend to have different lines?
To a certain extent. I have the peacock pattern that I do and then I do another one in reds, oranges and yellows that I call my Phoenix pattern. And then I tend to put browns and blues together, blacks and aqua together, brown and green, so those all group together. Everything else is based on color until you get to mugs and spoon rests and those are always based on shape.
Do you ever compromise on lowering your prices for people?
Yes. I had one lady, she was wanting one of my peacock mugs. she was with her daughter, and I could tell she truly did love it but did not have enough money. She was like, would you take $75 for it? (out of $95) . You just do the slow breathe. She was like, I will treasure and love it forever and always. I said Okay, but it has to be like the true love, absolute true love.
What do you listen to when you are in the studio?
Audio books. Lots and lots of audio books.
How do you decide when something is the right price for you to pay?
As far as artwork or regular shopping?
I am thinking about craft art.
Sometimes I will take a loop around to see what other people are charging. And see if what I like is more because it’s better or its it more because there is more time involved or is it more because they want more for it. And usually I just pay it. If I really truly like it I say, Yup, take my money. I am able to do a lot of trades at the market and I will ask my fellow vendors if they want to trade, especially around Christmas time.
Book
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Contact:
Instagram: @thebonniepotter