When good marketing backfires

When good marketing backfires

Since I sort of stumbled upon the career of Indie Dyer of Yarns and Fibres pretty much by accident, I never imagined how much time I’d be spending on wool festivals unable to peruse or purchase a single item. Frankly, it’s both refreshing (no money spent, yay!) and a bit weird (all that temptation just out of reach).

As a vendor, I obviously have my setup prepped in a way that will hopefully entice buyers. I also need people to remember who I am among the sea of other sellers, so I got myself a decently-sized banner at eye level. I’m a smart cookie, I think to myself. Well done, me.

Then I take it a step further to really make sure people can see me from a distance. I decide to start wearing yellow – it’s easy to spot, and I bet there aren’t manny people looking like a hyper lemon at festivals (or anywhere else for that manner). I go all out, even my glasses are yellow!
Marketing-wise, that’s sort of when I proverbially shot myself on the foot. My garbs got so popular that I started being known not as Eleanor Shadow but as The Yellow Lady! Drat…

Eleanor Shadow stands in front of her stall at Scottish Wool Producers Showcase 2026, in Perth

Eleanor Shadow stands in front of her stall mid-festival prep

I actually had to change some of my website’s text to include “also known as The Yellow Lady” so the search engines could pick it up!

Since I brought this upon myself, I have now embraced it to the point of just having finished a new pinafore to wear when I’m vending. Do we like?

I'm stood in front of a mirror, taking a selfie to show off my new yellow pinafore that I just finished sewing.

Lots of pockets, easy to spot from afar, job done! I’m pretty chuffed to be debuting this in Inverness in a couple of weeks.

The yellowness has stuck so much that on the rare occasion I visit a festival as a buyer, people ask me why I’m wearing black. For those not in the know, I’m a goth. Ah, the irony.

What’s the most outrageous garment you have in your closet (that you’re happy to share)? 😉 Let me know in the comments section.

One thought on “When good marketing backfires

  1. That’s too funny Leonor! I love the “Yellow Lady” marketing.

    It is making me rethink my drab farmer blue jeans and t-shirts.

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