Craft Show Review

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The craft show ended up being pretty okay. Friday was pretty slow but Saturday was better, as we expected it would be. Funny though, the hand embroidered sweatshirts on one side of me and the fabric purses on the other side of me, both seemed to have quite a bit more traffic on Friday than Saturday.

When I filled out my comment sheet at the end of the show I said I was undecided about participating next year but once I got home and counted my money :-) I think I might do it again.

I told Steve that up until now I've felt like I never wanted to turn down any craft show because I wanted the exposure. And I have really crammed a lot of shows into my schedule this fall/winter season. Part of that is because I wanted to have back-ups in case I didn't get into the bigger shows that I wanted to and part of that is because I want to compensate for the poor condition of the economy.

I think this year is a turning point for me, in that next year I'll be in a position to be more selective. At the end of the show, the organizer announced that next year it will be one week later in September - and the Friday hours will not be 10:00-4:00, but more like 12:00-8:00 or something. I think that's a good move on both points.

The other thing to consider is the quality of the show. To be perfectly honest there was more tacky stuff there than I like to see. The majority was nice stuff, I'm just sayin'. These fund raising shows tend to let anyone in.

I will say, this was the best "feel-good" show I've ever been a part of. The vendor entrance fees and proceeds from the door prizes and bake sale raised money for The Pieters' Life Center.

The Pieters Family Life Center is operated by Heritage Christian Services, a thriving, quality-driven human services agency known for innovative programs and supporting more than 1,400 children and adults with developmental disabilities.

On Friday, lots of caregivers brought their developmentally disabled students through the show. On Saturday, the more abled students volunteered at the show - to help us pack and carry at the end of the show, stuff like that. There was a real presence about the purpose of the craft show. At the end, the organizer thanked the vendors over the public address system - and the vendors broke out in applause. I've never witnessed that before!

And I ordered Mom's Christmas gift from a new-to-me artist whose work is outstanding. I wish she had a website so I could feature her work here. Can't say more than that but it's an exquisitely beautiful, useful item. I saw something for Dad, maybe, but it was a decorative piece to sit around and we tend to be more practical. And I was afraid it was just that I wanted it for me. Except apparently not that much because I didn't buy it for me either. (Yes, our gifts to each other are still primarily a donation made in honor of each other, but we give a little something too.)

I've packed up 2 orders and the free drawing set I offered at the craft show. I have lots more to do today like catch up on the week's mail and get organized for getting a bazillion more Sticky Notes prepared for gluing. The next show is Oct 18 & 19 - and it's a biggie. It's the first annual show by the Junior League of Rochester and I think it's going to be along the lines of the RMSC show.

But right now, I have to take a nap. I haven't napped on a Sunday in forever and I just want to. Won't be long, just a little snuggle with Reggi on the couch.

Edited to add: I decided to sleep on the bed instead of the couch because it's more comfortable. Reggi did, indeed, come snuggle me up. We were awakened after about an hour by Steve's shouting at the TV during the Buffalo Bills football game. Loudly. From the other side of the house. Just as well, really. So I went grocery shopping where it's much quieter. ;-)

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