The set up for these events has now become a science that I have down pat. Everything gets packed into the SUV the night before and the totes are packed in the order of what I will need to unpack first. For example: table cloths go on the top of the totes. Duh...why did it take me 4 shows to figure that one out?
My friend Liza came up with this great idea to use a rolling suitcase for my items.
This helped so much and I was able to get rid of one plastic tote. The suitcase rolling behind me while I had a christmas tree under one arm and the purse under the other went very well. Saved me a trip. A long trip. Maybe not that long, but when you are carrying everything and all the other participants are wizzing past you with carts you secretly wish one of their wheels would pop off and go rolling so they could feel the pain you feel as you lug the tables on your back.
Setup was the night before. This being my first event that I left my displays overnight...I felt like a mother leaving her child at school for the first time. You hope no one messes with them and you are fully prepared to kick someone's butt if they do.
I returned the next morning to find everything the way I left it. Breathed a breath of relief and my mother and I began setting up the important stuff. The jewelry. Que the glowing light from above shining over the jewelry.
Me being the nerd I am, I decided to wear a santa hat.
Thank goodness I did. It was so cold in the building I feared my jewelry would have ice hanging from it.
This was my first use of my new 4ft prelit christmas tree. For some reason I thought 4 feet was a lot taller. I had a charlie brown tree. It worked out great. My mother decorated it and for the life of me I can't figure out why she put ornaments on the back of the tree...it was facing the wall. I had to pick on her about that one.
Things were severely slow the first day for all vendors. Shoppers didn't seem very happy and they didn't want to stop and chat. I remember quite a few of them would pick up their speed as they walked past my booth after I greeted them with a sincere good morning. I am not that scary. I wore my makeup. Sheesh.
Day one was also the day to test out the concession stand food. Every 15 minutes for 8 hours the announcer would come on over the loud speaker and announce that there was food to eat and they had the best hot dogs in the area.
As the announcements would come the announcer would tell everyone gradually how the hot dogs were the best in the city, then state then united states. It was funny if you paid attention to him. I did have one. It was pretty good. Not the best though.
Day two went a bit better. It seemed that shoppers were in a better mood and wanted to chit chat more. Also they wanted to purchase more. It was a way better day for everyone. I didn't scare any customers away. I think.
I was dissapointed to find out my booth neighbor did not make their items. They imported them from Indonesia. The way I found this out? I squinted real hard and saw the "made in indonesia sticker" The rules clearly stat you must handmake all your items.
Many other rules were broken also....no booth sharing, no canopies indoors and no sale signs. Things were not enforced and that made the event a bummer for me. I follow the rules. If you don't follow them I think you should be repremanded. Maybe make that person wear their underware on their heads? I think that would prevent anyone else from breaking the rules.
In my opinion the event was just out to make their money and that was it. Especially when almost every 5th booth out of 140 booths was jewelry. They said it was juried and limited on how many people were allowed per category but obviously their limit is high or they did not follow their guidelines. I will not be doing this event again.
I am excited though. I have another event this Saturday. More information is
here. I am hoping this event goes better. This will be my last one of the year and I would like to go out with a bang. A good bang.
Please stop by and say hello. Also get a free promo pack from Artists from around the world.
Thank you...Denice for sticking out two very long days and many trips to the car with the heavy heavy gear.
Heather for being our bouncer/muscle. If there was a light in our face she did not hesitate to take care of the situation.
To all the wonderful people I met at this event...customers and other event participants
And finally to all of the promo pack participants who sent me their samples and promo items. The packs went over well and you will be happy to know they made it into the hands of many people. I am sending lots of sales wishes your way.
There will be another post on the blog about the participants and photos to go with also. Coming soon!
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