Nancy A. Almodovar, CandleBuddies Group
List (May 2001)
I'm
bringing two hefty wicker baskets that I bought at Michael's and my
shoulder bag for my order forms and catalogs. That's it. I set up one
basket with Indulgence and Ariana/Enchantment stuff and the other with the
Tea Pot, tea cups, salzburg, quartet, medici tray and one mirror and the
swans. So far, it's made my life sooooo easy
and my sales are soaring.
More Ideas on Basket Demos from the BoB
Message Board:
12/30/2001 GMCandles
When I come into my hostess's home I have 2 baskets and my tote bag. In
the baskets are my PL products nicely displayed. No boxes no wrapping. In
basket 1 is basically the starter kit. Since my starter kit has has 2
pieces discontinued, I replaced them with other things from the 2002 catty
I already have. In basket 2 would be my personal favorites, hostess
specials, booking gifts, what ever I want in there. I also have WIIFM
("What's In It For Me") brochures labeled TAKE ONE.
When I get to the table to set up I set one
basket on the left side of the table and one on the right. In the center I
make my centerpiece (until this point the pieces are in one of my
baskets). My centerpiece includes the plain hurricane shade with my ICT in
it (one sage, one periwinkle, and one amethyst votive), the dew drop ring
surrounds the shade, and there is a mardis gras taper on each side with an
amethyst handipt.
THAT IS IT. When the guests arrive nothing
is lit. I use the centerpiece in my demo. I use the relaxation
demo of candlefairy's with some changes that suit my
set up. As I discuss my three main points (Decorating Your Home,
Illuminating Your Spirit, and Celebrating Your Life) I light one of the
ICT for each. By the end of the demo, all are lit.
The products in my basket are talked about
during the Decorating Your Home portion and I take pieces out and pass
them around the room. I immediately put them back in the basket upon
return.
This means that there is really no set up
or tear down time.
BTW I have also added 2 things to my
"kit". I have a coffee table book that I lay out for the early
arrivals that covers hostessing and consulting benefits with product ideas
& specials splashed throughout it. It looks great and all my guests
end up looking at it by the end of the evening. I also have a calendar
folder, with 3 months of dates open for people to fill in when they want
their PL show.
Some Specific Details from GMCandles:
On my 2 baskets I show I have ones with
hinged handles. This way I can carry them in one hand, but when I set them
down for the demo, I can fold the handles back out of the way. They are
colored in hues of blues and greens. I bought a pillow form (4.95) and put
it in the bottom for cushioning and covered with a fabric I got out of the
remnants section. I have a nice big bow on the front of each and a sprig
of rosettes (bridal favor section) behind the bows.
The 3rd basket will have nothing on it,
since it is more for me and most likely not even seen by the guests.
It is best if you can find a wide mouthed
basket with a shallower depth. Mine are about 12" deep (give or
take). A wider basket with a shallower depth will hold more and pack
better. My baskets are 16" and 18" wide (although I have seen
bigger). I have the pillow form and the fabric in there to help secure
& cushion the product. When I am transporting them I tuck a towel over
the product... but that is it.
I have a 2 year old, and she still has not
gotten into the baskets.
Just make sure the weight is evenly
distributed if you are using the hinged handle kind.
I also use the pillow forms to take up the
depth along with the cushioning.
Carving out dense foam is a great idea...
that can sometime be a little pricey and not applicable to everyone... but
I like the idea, maybe I will do that too.
And don't be afraid to let something hang
out. For example one of the legs from my barrington hangs out the side and
also the bell from the snuffer. It doesn't look bad and it helped secure
the barrington and keeps the snuffer from falling into the basket.
12/31/01 Another Basket Perspective - to
show Gift Ideas from Carol
The idea of these baskets is to make your
set up time simple and easy. I can be set up in less than 10 minutes using
these baskets.
I take 2 to 3 baskets depending on the time
of year. The two that I always use are and indulgence basket and a jar
basket. By using the indulgence baskets I found this a way to increase the
buying of this product line. I set it up for gift ideas not just for
display. I also never have to burn and of this line so that also makes it
easier.
The jar basket is my chef basket. Again
gift ideas not just for display. I find people love the jars and want to
smell them all and I can just about fit them all in the basket. I put the
PL cookbook in there and a lighter and wooden spoons.
The idea of the baskets is to make your set
up easier and to give people ideas on gift giving and decorating ideas.
(people buy more this way). During holidays and seasons I will bring a
baskets to go with the season or holiday again giving them gift ideas. The
baskets have always helped me with my set up and take down time and I am
happy to see that it has passed on through out the PL world. Remember to
keep it simple and you will have fun.
