I hate it when it’s quiet at craft fairs.
Don’t get me wrong, yesterday had its moments.
The best bit was when a lovely blog reader brought me a present.
It was something they’d found in a charity shop that they thought I’d like…
I most certainly do like it! I like it a lot!
They were worried that turning up with a present for someone they hadn’t met before made them seem like a stalker. But actually, it totally made my day.
So thank you to my lovely non-stalker. I prefer to think of you as a new friend. And I’m so glad you like my blog. 🙂
I did sell some things at the fair.
There were some lovely stalls. Quite a lot of people came through the door, and I’m sure some sellers must have done well.
But, to be honest, I can’t really count myself among them.
I had brought along a few things to do. I certainly had plenty of time to stitch my plushies.
I got them all done in fact. And sold a couple.
I also took full advantage of the craft book display that Waterstones had thoughtfully provided. It was full of good reading matter.
But still, there were times when I could have cried with boredom.
Or just packed up and gone home.
Some people seem to always do well at events.
Or… dare I say it… do they just say they do? I don’t know, but I think there’s a certain shame in admitting you had a bad day at a fair. I’m always in two minds about it myself.
It’s as though letting slip that you didn’t sell much is tantamount to saying “I’m a failure!” or “this event is rubbish!”
But that’s just daft. Because neither is true.
The event is a hidden gem. The Nottingham public really need to just get with it, come along and get spending.
I’m hoping today will be better. Although from experience, Sundays are usually quieter.
So I will be bringing along a few more things to do. Just in case.
But even if it is quiet, there are far worse ways to spend a day.
And I had – and have – much loveliness to come home to at the end of it. Hugs. Tales of football. A fire. Dinner cooked for me.
Coming home to those you love best of all is never boring.
Not even for a minute. ♥
🙁 Sorry it was an uneventful day. Best of luck for tomorrow…actually, make that today! 😀 lol
I know that feeling well…..the dip in your mood as other sellers are filling bags with their work and taking money. It’s hard not to take it personally isn’t it. I have a friend who was a fashion designer and in that cut throat world when his sales were down his mantra was….you can’t educate pork!…..harsh I know but it never fails to make me smile when the punters aren’t buying. Have a good one today…….but if you don’t then don’t beat yourself up…..and think pork!! Xx
pork…. ugh…. !
One consolation was that I don’t think anyone made a fortune yesterday, it wasn’t just me! It’s just that others weren’t perhaps as willing to admit it. At my last fair I was chatting to someone and before the event really got going and someone asked her how she was doing she always replied “it’s steady” – which is a lovely vague way of responding, I thought!
I know that feeling very well. I found one fair in West Bridgford (that I used to do quite well at) particularly soul destroying when I’d been juggling full time work, teaching night classes 3 evenings a week and making for fairs so was utterly exhausted, and next to a seller who basically copied poems from the internet, printed and laminated them. She also did a nice line of raffia bins decorated with a decoupaged cartoon character. Her stuff was flying off the stall, yet my stuff that usually sold and was quite low priced wasn’t going anywhere. I also found some of the stall holders quite catty- one came to tell me she was selling the same things as me (she wasn’t) but my prices were lower so how could she compete, then asked me to show her how to make some of my things! On the flip side, you do what I used to do, take lots of things with you so your time us used best, and it gives ou more time at home then. Stall holders can be really protective over whether they’re doing well and I do think should be more honest and united. The ones that I met that were like that are the people who always supported other stalls and who I’m still in touch with now. Ignore the rest, it says more about them than about you. Have confidence in your stuff and your stall,and I hope today picks up for you x
I think I’m lucky in that I have met almost entirely lovely stallholders – and this weekend’s are no exception. It would be a horrendous experience to have to spend a whole weekend sat next to someone being catty about your makes – I do sympathise!
It can be so hit and miss! Your stall looks stunning though, I would’ve been over to yours in a flash. I find it very hard doing stalls as it’s really personal, people looking at things that I have lovingly made. Have a nice day today x
Thanks Lucy! I think I’ve got over feeling personally insulted by people on the stall now, though I do know what you mean, especially when people talk about your stuff as if you’re not sitting two feet away from them!
Your stall had the most exciting display! I love the little rag-doll fox! I know those days, though, when i’d have brought the kitchen sink packed up in my truck, unloaded, set up, and then sat there, and then loaded it all at the end of the day and headed home again with not more than $10 made, spending more on the stall space….but then there are the good days. And it is all part of the “job”, which is still a pretty wonderful thing to be able to be part of. LOVE your stuff and wish you weren’t so far away! Happy Day 2 – hope it was better! A boring day at a craft fair is so much better than many other ways to have spent it, though 🙂 Hugs! (Also, I love the stalker-mug!)
I have found more and more often I am sitting there and getting board while others are busy busy, OR the whole market is a quite day but other sellers were claiming to have done really well .. yeah right, I was across from you and saw you doing as little as me!
Think people overall are just spending less this year, or at least that is how it seems here.
Hope your Sunday has gone better!
The stall goods great and I love the mug what a nice gift 🙂