Swag - the constant struggle

It seems like every time I try to contribute swag to an event - I find myself stumped. Stumped because the idea of swag is a sample of your work. A sample that is cool enough to bring you added traffic to your booth or website... but not so cool that they don't feel they need to buy anything else from you. Something that's just a taste of what you do that leaves them wanting more.

Most of my work is one-of-a-kind and not usually under $10 because of the materials, time and effort that I put into each thing I make. But this past year, I've been challenging myself to design items that still hold their uniqueness that I love, but something that I can reproduce fairly easily (read - I've had to start making patterns). I now have a fairly good selection of items that I can remake, but that still remain different in the various materials and fabrics that I use. Mermaid Tails, Crowns, Indian Headdresses, Robin Hood Hats, Super Hero Capes, Super Hero Gloves - you get the picture (sorry for the lack of links - you can see everything in my store - or in the sold part of my store).

I'm slowly getting closer to things that are easy enough to reproduce that it's less of an investment to give them as swag. I started off giving fortune cookies - these were simple, but of course, like everything else I make, required a bit of handwork to make them look the way I wanted them to. Then I did masks for the St. Edward Show... they were super cute and lots of fun, but I was unable to attach a tag where it didn't get in the way and there were many steps involved in making them. Now, I have decided to make Super Hero Cuffs (like my gloves, minus the glove). They still require lots of steps and a little hand sewing - but they are fun to make, so right now, I'm okay with the extra work. I'm aiming for 15 of these for UCU. I wish I could do more, but I do know my limitations.

But here's the problem. I was intending on giving them as a set - because that's how I would normally make them... or should I just put them in as a single cuff? Or... should I put one in with a coupon for the second one available at my booth!! hahaha! A set of these cuffs would probably be sold at my booth for $7-$8... but it's the lowest thing I've come up with in a year.

Any suggestions? I've taken pictures of the cuffs on both me and my son (does the blogger rotating thing bother anyone else - or it just me. It seems like I have this probablem an aweful lot). I do have skinny wrists though - so they won't fit all adults. The button closure is elastic and does stretch slightly.

I'd love to hear some feedback... Thanks!