Day One of the RMSC Show

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I have some photos of my booth I want to show you because I've added 2 new elements but I don't have time to upload them now. I have a few things to finish up before I go back for Day Two. Odd to see an entry of mine without a photo lead, huh?

Last night was fairly slow. I wish I had a clearer memory (or record!) of the Friday night portion of this show last year. I went into it figuring it might be pretty decent because museum members get a discount on admission - and I figured museum members might have money. Plus it might be working people stopping on their way home from work. Lots of lookers - I only had a few sales. If I had a nickel for every positive comment on my paper pins specifically, I'd have . . . a giant bag of nickels!

I've noticed a pattern in craft shows. The first people in the door, right when we open, tend to not be buyers. They are craft show groupies. They could even be crafters - just interested in seeing what's out there these days. I know. I used to be one of these people. It's more the second wave of people that purchase.

I always learn something at every show. At this show, it dawned on me (with only 2 more shows after this one, naturally!) that while I thought I was doing lots of shows this season was a good thing, it really amounts to over-exposure. Several people told me last night that they bought some of my notepads at Brighton, which was just last weekend. I've mentioned that people tend to buy the notepads in multiples. A good number of people mentioned that they bought some from me last year and have given some away throughout the year but still have some left.

My glass painter friend/mentor, MJ, and I are carpooling to and from the show so last night we talked about outdoor shows. She said she doesn't do that many summer shows because the weather can make or break a show. Here I thought I was missing out by not doing summer shows. I'm going to get 2nd and 3rd opinions from other craft show veterans, but as of this moment, I'm rethinking doing outdoor shows.

Could be I'm just a little down that last night wasn't better. I'm sure today will be better and I'll feel back on track.

I'm sure glad that I already scheduled a massage for after work on Monday. Even though we went in the hot tub yesterday morning, my back feels a bit tight and it won't be getting better sitting in my chair all day. Hopefully I'll get lots of stretching done, reaching into my cash box. ;-)

The other thing is I didn't really have enough time between set-up and the start of the show to go home and come back. At the last minute before we left, I suspected that might happen so I brought pretzels and a couple of Girl Scout cookies to snack on. But those "wore off" quickly - and all I could focus on all night was how much I was looking forward to a meatloaf sandwich when I got home. I'd made my Sweet & Sour Meatloaf the night before - and we all know that a cold meatloaf sandwich is the real reason to ever make meatloaf. (Which is weird, isn't it? I would never eat a cold cheeseburger!) Anyway, when I did eat dinner at 10:00 (a real no-no, in my book) it was heaven in every bite.

I've kind of veered away from taking sandwiches to craft shows, because I'd rather take snacky things that are easier to eat - I'm taking a meatloaf sandwich today!

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