Craft Show Review

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The craft show at Mercy High School yesterday was okay. Since I haven't done it before I have no basis for comparison but safe to assume it most likely would have been down 30% from the previous year, which has been the average for the few shows I've done in 2008. As I said to Steve, my philosophy is to ride out the poor economy by becoming known as a successful vendor to as many (indoor) shows as I can. Then I'll really be in position to kick butt in subsequent years. Then I'll eventually tackle outdoor shows when I feel I'm ready.

All the vendors were in the gym and the spaces were quite generous. I believe all the $50 booths were along the perimeter of the gym while the $40 booths were in the middle. Just an assumption on my part. I like being against a wall so I'm really glad I made the $50 investment. The spaces weren't taped off so I was able to really spread out, taking care not to encroach on my neighbor.

I did get 2 custom orders and lots of good reaction and made some new vendor friends. But it was slow. The show ran until 4:00. One vendor left at 2:00. Several more left by 3:00. I told Steve I may be sitting in the gym by myself, but I'm staying until 4:00. The vast majority stayed until 4:00 - the professionals. I'm going to reread the contract to see if it says one must stay set up until 4:00. Most applications do state that, for obvious reasons. And I'm going to email the coordinator something about it, not sure what. I would hope their policy is to not invite those offending vendors back. It makes us all look bad - why can't they see that?? Because they are hobbyists. They aren't looking at the big picture, which is, should customers come to the show and find empty booths, it will leave the taste in their mouth, "This show sucks, I'll never come here again."

I'm glad I didn't go nuts finishing all the blue quilt cards I'd started - I only sold two. (Thanks Mom!) I gave one away as the free drawing (enticement to gather names for my mailing list). But the adorable flip flop pins that I worked so hard on Friday night and finished up Saturday morning? I sold one. People loved them. Just weren't buying today.

I bought some natural soap because I'm hooked on the stuff and my bar in the shower is close to being at sliver status. I was hoping my friend Sarah would be at today's show so I could buy from her but she was probably selling at the Lilac Festival this weekend. So I bought a bar from another vendor - and a lilac candle too. And I bought a gorgeous painted box from a 15 year old artist who was raising money to eradicate world hunger or something. I'll take a photo sometime and post it, along with a photo of the painted piece I bought at Casa Larga last weekend. I love supporting emerging artists. Now I need to find a place to display this stuff. Probably in my new gallery - since most of the pieces I like by other artists are in a similar vein to my designs, but in other mediums.

I did make one fatal mistake though. Steve and I drive 2 vehicles back from the show, of course, so normally I stop and pick up dinner somewhere. S-l-o-w-l-y. Then I drive home. S-l-o-w-l-y. Might have to circle the block a time or two but if I time it right, Steve has the Explorer unloaded and all the heavy lifting done. Not today. Since the show ended at 4:00, we both came home before deciding what to do for dinner. Sucks to be me.

Overall, I had slightly higher hopes for today's show, being the day before Mother's Day. But I have more money in my Pine Tree Designs account than I did yesterday. I would do the show again next year if the opportunity arose.

Happy Mother's Day!

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