Lessons learned.
You can't always learn from experience... but you can try.
- Finding 1: Small jars really do sell more than large ones. I made 5 cases of small jars, and I have a little more than 1 left. I made seven cases of large jars, and have a bit more than 5 left. I sold out of several things in the small jars and only one type of jam in the large jars, so if I make more small...
- Finding 2: People buy what they sample. This isn't necessarily a good thing, as it would lead to me making at the most 5 jams and that would be very dull indeed. But it is definitely A Thing. Last year, I sold at most 2 jars of Strawberry Lemonade jam -- it was not one of the samples I opened. But this year, I put it up for sampling and it sold out. The fig preserve nearly sold out, and I offered samples with really stinky Camembert so only grown-ups liked it. The pear with ginger nearly sold out, to repeat customers who bought it when I offered samples of it last year. Samples!
- Finding 3: Don't believe people who tell you that your version of their favorite jam is "the best". Or, believe it, but don't let it influence what you make. *looks ruefully at the 13 large jars of apple butter on her study floor*
I now have such a bad cold that I stayed home from church. And it's the first Sunday in Advent, which features my favorite Collect of all time.