If that sounded like the worse of it, I have more! I only wish I had my camera, however due to flying things - my receipt book, business cards and such weighted down I wouldn't have been able to take any good photos. I am going to break this down in sections...
"Space 14 man". I called him space 14 man, because I never got his name. Mind you this isn't a spectacular fine art fair - more like a community festival. Space are $25 and I do them once in a while just to get the word out about what I make to the locals and make some sales. This guy complained from the very beginning. "Someone should have told me I need to bring a canopy! Why didn't anyone tell me???" I and two others said it was visible on the application - "but no one told meeee!" Then he couldn't see space 14 clearly painted on the road (which was next to space 15 - couldn't miss it") and decided to set up in 15's space (which apparently he could see) - which was next to me, space 16. I on the other hand am in the midst of setting up my Trimline by myself (not complaining, just stating a fact) plus doing setting up my display. I couldn't help but notice he has a card board wall display to hang his 2D paintings - the work was actually nice, but card board? and expecting it to stand in no wind let alone WITH wind. So, now enters space 15 woman - late due to "Murphy's law" and clearly said to Space 14 man, "I think you are in my space." So the guy starts ranting and raving how "can't you just set up in my old space? It just isn't my day..." She said no, I specifically requested not to be next to other jewelry and I would be if I did." So then another 5-10 mins of ranting and raving how he has to move his WHOLE display - mind you it is just a card board wall - to the space "he couldn't find". I tell you this is just like a live soap opera happening all around me! He finally moves - within 5 mins. - and then his display constantly gets knocked down time and time again. The kindness of a merchant provided him with an antique table - set it up for him as he didn't seem interested in doing it himself - and helped display his work for him on the very nice table. In between this guys ranting and raving he just announces he just isn't a happy guy - this is not my day - and then starts complaining about the economy and trying to give me a lesson on the whole thing. I just ignored him, however still feel sorry for the poor guy. Which leads me to "Late Space 15 girl".
"Late Space 15 Girl". She wasn't all that bad - nice work, simple beaded stuff, and pleasant to talk to, however she just had to bring her dog. The dog, a mini fox terrier, and boy does this dog have lungs. Not only does he have lungs he didn't stop the whole day and it got worse when other dogs walked by with their owners. Side note - I have 3 dogs and am a HUGE dog lover. But it is just common sense to not bring a yappy dog with endless energy to a show and expect him to behave and devote time to selling to people. I think she loved her dog more than selling jewelry from what I was able to see. Again, my beef isn't with the lady, just with yappy dogs that scare people away.
The good news is despite all my "woes" I made money and thank Mr. credit card machine for that. The atms were down at the venue and no one had a whole lot of cash on them. People who were just going to buy one thing ended up buying double. I have been hyping up my new candle line and finally was able to start selling it at the show. The display was cool (and the one that didn't fall down) with the help of vintage luggage and old fishing nets. Everyone who saw the candles thought the jars were awesome and so different from the ones on the market - I let out a whew under my breath for that. And the prices $10 and $18 were "very reasonable" people said. What I liked a lot were the reactions people had after smelling the fragrances like "Amish Country" not expecting a creamy cinnamon fragrance, but wowed by how IT IS LIKE LANCASTER, PA or Annapolis Waterfront smelling like a watery spa fragrance. I do think if were able to stick around I would have sold more, but for me it only takes one two shelving units to fall over completely to realize it isn't worth it, especially if it can happen once it can happen again. All in all - the show had ups and downs, but at the end of the day - profit wise - worth it! They are doing more shows during the summer, and might entertain doing them - gotta check my schedule, but $25 isn't bad when you can easily triple it or more and have nothing else going on - especially if the locale is just 25 mins away from home.
My "tequila report?" I love mojitos and had an excellent one at Don Pablos - a chain around here, but freaking awesome!
Comments
1. Weigh down your canopies even if you don't think you need to. While you might be fine, all it takes is a neighbor's display or canopy to crash into yours and you have problems.
2. YOU NEED INSURANCE. Just think $250 (or so) a full year compared to the cost of a canopy, your WHOLE display, and all your artwork damaged within seconds FAR outweighs the cost of insurance. Don't gamble with Mother Nature - today's is Mother's Day and this weekend she showed "she put you in the world, she can take you out!"
3. Take the time to set-up your canopies when you buy it or at least before your first show you plan on using it. I have helped someone at every show I do set-up an EZ-up or mock EZ-up and I really don't want to help anymore!
4. Read the FREAKING APPLICATION! Never assume anything. Never assume the spaces are always 10x10, that they provide canopies, or helpers will be available to help you load and unload.
5. Lastly, if I hear one more person say "we should ban together and demand our money back" because of winds or just plain had a bad personal experience.... IT ISN'T THE PROMOTERS FAULT! That is what insurance is for. If you have a car accident or damage to your home because the roof caved in, you don't sue the real estate agent or someone along that line - you go to your insurance agent and have them help you get out of the mess.
6. This really is the last point... USE COMMON SENSE. It is easy to have tunnel vision, however it can easily blind you to what is directly right in front of you. What I mean is, if the weather report is calling for horrible weather, don't go to the show. If you find yourself getting hot over a situation, leave or take a moment to cool down and not let people see you loose your cool. Or if you go in with the attitude "it will never happen to you" - guess what Murphy's Law is NOT kind.