Powers Farm Market Spring Show

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Powers Farm Market Craft Show
161 Marsh Road, Pittsford, NY
March 29, 30, 31 - 10:00-6:00
April 1 - 10:00-4:00

Big surprise, I have whiplash again. Whiplash from my emotions that change multiple times within an hour. I'm either excited because my art work is so fantastic or I'm in bummer mode because I don't have nearly enough stuff for this 4-day show, no one is going to buy anything anyway, why is it I do this again?

Oy.

I took Tuesday afternoon off from work which turned out to be exactly the right thing to do. The promoter was working in the building so a few of us set up early. I took over the big display pieces and hung my framed pieces. That alone made me feel better.
This is the first time I've done this show though I attended it a few years ago so I sort of knew what to expect. There aren't specifically marked off booth spaces like most shows. The rent is $55 for the 4 days plus 10% of one's sales with a cap of $100. Anyway, this is the space I was assigned so I set my table up right next to my black screen. That worked out kind of well because I didn't have to use the feet for the screen which stick out about 10" on both sides of the screen. I was sort of sorry I had to block the window but oh well.

(Looks like I forgot to push one of my boxes under the table back under far enough. Witness the tablecloth hanging funny.)

I wasn't happy with where I had to put my card racks but I think it will be okay. For this show, one can sell purchased product so I was excited for the opportunity to sell some of the purchased cards I had left over from when I rented space at Village Gifts and Celebration Gifts in Fairport a few years ago. Turns out I had enough Stefani Cards to fill both racks so the purchased cards are my back-up if I sell lots of my cards. Don't want to have empty racks, for sure.The good news is that while this configuration only allows me to use the top half of my black screen, I have enough art to fill it up nicely. That's due in part to all the pieces I brought back from Creative Presence a couple of weeks ago. I put up my best work and have about 4 pieces leftover, stored under the table for back-up. I plan on stopping by Thursday and Friday nights on my way home from work to restock. I work Saturday afternoon so I can restock then too. The promoter has promised to restock our booths for us as necessary so I'm not worried about it.

Since we vendors only have to work 4 hours of the 4-day show, it's kind of weird to see fellow vendors' booths, but not get to hang out with them. My friend Rachel, who makes exquisite candles, is right next to me. I know I'll at least see her Sunday, when we tear down.Sorry this photo is a little dark. This is my new set up for my paper jewelry - my pins. I used to just set them on the table and have been thinking I needed a little something. Something a little neater and more serious. Whatever. I've been passively looking online for baskets, trays, display pieces, something. I stopped at Pier 1 a few weeks ago and bought these two dark wood trays. I have them propped up so they are tilted. I'm not loving it but I'm liking it. I think it will grow on me or maybe I'll figure a slightly different way to use them. Dunno.And don't I always save the best for last? Check out my two new custom pieces! I had that sign made because it dawned on me that not everyone knows my pieces were handstitched. Yeah, it took me a year to come to that conclusion. But even though, during craft shows, I sit there stitching pieces, I always get the question, "You stitched these by hand?" It never occurred to me that someone wouldn't realize this. I mean I guess they know it, they say it like they can't believe it. But still, I think it's a good thing to draw people's attention. I had Millstone Graphics scan the design I stitch on my business cards for that design on the sign. I had intended to mount it on top of my black screen but for this show anyway, I decided to use like this. I'm diggin' it.

The other custom piece is that 5-tier acrylic shelf unit I had made to display these Sticky Notes - my best selling product. It totally presents the look I wanted. And the fact that the sign fits in the top shelf is 100% coincidental. I love those shelves.

But.

UPS damaged it during transit. The top left has a piece the size of my palm completely broken out. (Another reason the sign works well like this.) And there are at least 3 hairline cracks on various places. It's like it was dropped on that corner and the other stress cracks resulted from that.

I filed a claim and am hoping like hell it works out. This thing was wrapped, outside going in: plastic wrap, heavy duty cardboard, corrugated cardboard and bubble wrap. The thing is I decided to be totally efficient and cut up the cardboard into recyclable sized pieces as I unwrapped it, only to find it damaged when I got down to the piece itself. Then I read, when filing the claim with UPS online, I'm to save all the packaging. So I had Steve not put that blue box out by the curb this week, but even so, it's all cut up and won't prove jack.

I got home today, after setting up the shelves at the show, to find a sticky note on the door from UPS, asking me to leave the damaged piece in the garage. Crap. I need it for the show! I'm worried they will say I damaged it when using it. I'm worried because I didn't save the miles of cardboard intact. I did take photographs of the damage as soon as I opened it on Sunday but I'm not sure that will prove anything. Wait - are they date stamped? Surely yes, when downloaded from my camera - I'll have to check. Anyway, I'm going to act as if this will all work out fine. It's only $147 including tax and shipping. I can't imagine UPS wanting to spend a lot of time disputing this claim. I almost called Steve's brother tonight, he's a UPS driver, to find out what to expect. Think I will actually.

I wish I had more 5" square cards made. I'll make more tomorrow night. I have a bunch of designs stitched, just need to assemble and embellish. The other thing I'm bummed about is I don't have enough business cards stitched. I used a bunch in freshening up the framed pieces I brought back from Creative Presence. And I haven't stitched any new ones in a while, been concentrating on product. I left just 14 at the show today, along with a stack of unstitched ones because I figured better to leave unfinished cards there than none. I stitched up a bunch more at lunch today and tonight.

I'm a little surprised at myself, feeling as anxious about this show as I am. All week I decided to focus on these thoughts:

1. It is what it is. I've done the best I could. It will be enough.

2. I can't wait to see how much money I make and what new opportunities pop up from this show.

Good, positive thinking, right? Maybe the not being present at the show is what is making me anxious. I do feel this way before every show, then immediately start feeling better when customers start showing up. My stuff is always well received and my ego enjoys that, for sure. Even during and after "slow" shows, I feel pretty good about things.

Enough. Enough thinking already.

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