Hard Crash

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The craft show ends in 2 hours so I don't have the final data yet but it seems to be quite successful! From all accounts, not just for me personally. More traffic than previous years, I'm told. I guess you can't compare a 4-day show to a 1-day show but in general terms, I'm thinking this will be my best show yet. I sold a bunch of framed pieces, which pleases me no end. I sold enough Stefani Cards that I had to break out the purchased cards I had left from when I participated in the local gift shop co-op. (They are beautiful cards, from Blue Turtle Studio.)

And my best seller continues to be the Sticky Notes. I worked Saturday, 2:00-6:00 - I was a wrapper/bagger at one of the registers. When I peaked into a customer's basket and saw the bottom of the basket filled with my notepads, I was so happy! She bought 10 - for the women in her office. I'm not shy anymore about telling people I'm the artist. They are usually happy to meet me too, so it's cool.

Remember how nice my new display looked in this entry? It was considerably more empty - mostly the stitched designs by the time I left Saturday. So I came home and immediately stitched more - maybe a dozen until I literally couldn't see straight. I know, could I be anymore dramatic!? But really, I couldn't focus enough to thread the needle so I went to bed. I assembled the notepads this morning and took them over to the show before it opened. I did another spruce-up on my booth - it looked much healthier when I left.

That was the last work I had to do for this show, other than tear-down this afternoon. As was 100% predictable, I crashed. Hard. I barely made my way through the Sunday paper before needing a nap. It's rainy and cloudy here today - not good for craft shows, but perfect for napping. Since then, I've been having what Gretchen calls a low energy day. It feels weird to be unproductive. Times like this always worry me that I'll never get my energy back. But I've learned that I will and this recharging is necessary.

I was planning on taking stitching with me to Las Vegas next week because it's one of my favorite things to do. My next show isn't until August, which I was kind of bummed about before. Now I'm grateful for the time to restock my inventory. If I get into all the shows I want to for the fall and holiday season, I will have next to no time to create during those weeks, so now is the time to get busy.

I really wanted to make enough money at this show to be able to buy a tent because that August show is outdoors. We have the daily numbers available to us so on Saturday afternoon, I saw that I made more than enough Thursday and Friday to cover it. Then Saturday was my big day, I think.

Anyway, even though all this hard work has burned me out, that's only temporary and it's all tons of fun!

From what I've read on airlines regulations, I should be able to take my sewing needles and not-pointy scissors on the plane - yes? Can anyone tell me?
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