So, as I've been blathering about for some weeks now, I particpated in a
group show and sale in the neighbourhood just east of ours.
It was my first show and sale and I would give it an 8 out of ten. I learned a whole lot through the process, among them the following:
Pretend your show is a week earlier than it actually is, and set it all up with all your products. You'll figure out what you're missing, what you're going to need, what'll it look like and you'll be totally calm, cool and collected the day of.
Don't forget your business cards.
Do your research! By this, I mean, go around to the local sales before you actually enter them. See how the vendors are and if you'll fit in at that particular sale. See what kind of show it is. Check out the venue so you'll know how to display and what things you'll need for that particular location.
Don't forget your business cards.
Have professional signage made - and a variety of it - again, know your location. Hanging, standing and table signage.
Don't forget your business cards.
Bring extra lighting for your booth/table - don't depend on the location to have it available.
Don't forget your business cards.
Bring snacks, drinks, food, etc. I had BSP to fetch and carry, but you may not be so lucky, and shows don't always have runners.
Don't forget your business cards!
Bring a camera (as I obviously didn't) to take pictures of the venue and your presence there.
Keep up a good attitude even if things aren't going well. There were a few vendors who didn't sell a thing, and as the day went by they became grumpier and grumpier, and even if someone were interested in their wares, by that time, the customer would be afraid to approach them!
There were more learnings, but those were the main ones - if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
Also, don't forget your super duper specially made professional business cards at home.
Favourite Moments:
One woman who oohed and ahhed her way through my quilts, stopped dead at "Jungle Princess", gapsed, put her hand to her throat, welled up and said "Oh. It's so beautiful, it makes me want to cry!" I've had that experience with other people's art - it was amazing to be the recipient.
So many enjoyable and fun conversations with different people!
My neighbour, Carolyn of
Carolyn Draws was a lovely, friendly and helpful seller, who had experience and was wonderfully willing to share it - she even gave me some helpful suggestions about ways and means of getting myself out there. She was a true pleasure to sell with.
That my little quilt "
Zen Gardens" a quilt I've always thought was incredibly beautiful but perhaps too subtle for most people, got as much attention at my personal favourite "
Of The Moment". It was so gratifying to see that when viewing the quilt "live and in person" people
absolutely loved it. How amazing to be validated in my design aesthetic.
I was told over and over again that I need to be in "The One of Kind Craft Show and Sale". It would take me probably two years to make enough product for the show - but I always imagined myself there one day - how cool to be told by customers that I should be there.
all the beautiful babies!!! So many people brought babies and small children - my kids are grown, so it was so wonderful to be exposed to all those delicious smelling and sweet looking little bundles.
Last but not least - my absolute favourite moment:
Did you know I invented contemporary quilting?
I DID!
These three ladies came along - an average of ten years older than I. They went through the top set of quilts and oohed and ahhed and stroked them and twittered about them amongst themselves at an amazing speed (I mean amazing - an entire conversation and five quilts were looked at in about 30 seconds flat. *hee*). And then one of them said to me, "Did you invent this?"
"Quilting?!!!!" I asked, laughingly?
"No", she said, "Not quilting. I'm a traditional quilter, but we've never seen anything like this"
"NEVER!" piped up the second one.
"It's amazing!" said the third one.
"Soooooo beautiful..." said the first one. "What do you call this kind of quilting?"
So I told her that I call myself a contemporary quilter, and that no, I didn't invent it, though I am trying to be true to myself and hopefully, bring something new to the craft. We had a converation about it, and eventually, the two friends pulled the third one away, she looking longingly back all the way out of the building.
I am magical!
:)