A local customer came into my shop today and wanted to see everything I had on display for Father’s Day — which is June 21 by the way, in case you have a deserving Dad. Luckily, I was up to speed on the subject and had a display set up for that very purpose. She took some time to decide between two items.
One was a stainless steel wallet — slim lines, light weight, fashionable and durable, with industrial-strength stainless steel mesh. It’s both flexible and indestructible; in other words it’s guy-proof.
The other was a graphite quill pen — functional art that can be used to write and draw. Good for signing documents and personalizing notes… and handsome, too.
She ended up with the wallet for her dad and the quill for herself. Good choice, Anya!
Stocking unusual, handmade gifts for men is always a challenge. It’s the number one thing I look for when I start searching at a show. I don’t even allow my mind go on to other things until I have a few choices lined up. Even if it’s only for window-dressing, I figure I absolutely need some merchandise that can keep a man interested if he’s waiting while a woman shops.
My number one item in that department is a book about the houseboats of Sausalito, California, where my bricks and mortar store is located. This brings to mind another option I provided for the guys who get bored looking at “accessories.” I stocked some metal puzzles that shoppers, typically men, would spend a considerable amount of time taking apart.
The problem was, they left without putting the puzzles back together. I celebrated the day the last one was sold and I no longer had to unscramble the darn things. Now I just show them the guy gear, and that seems to keep them entertained.