Mayfair Festival of the Arts

Best Sellers:
Soap: Rejuvenation
Bath Salts: Peppermint Foot Soak & Wisdom
Bath Fizzys: Rejuvenation
Lotion Bars: Bug Off!
Lip Balm: Coconut-Lemongrass

This was my first year at Mayfair Festival of the Arts and it is a wonderful show. Not only were sales brisk, but I got to see some old friends, and make some new ones.

Thursday was slow sales wise, which I expected. But set up was on Wednesday, so it was a breeze to just come into the booth and set up inventory on the displays. The weather wasn't too bad, a little cold for me, but nothing that would deter a crowd. I traded some soap for a great hand beaded necklace. I wish I remembered to pick up her card….

Friday was much nicer out, sales were still lower than I had hoped, but I at least made my expenses back, so even if I didn't make one more sale for the next three days, at least I wouldn't be loosing money.

Saturday was beautiful, until the rain. I had worn shorts and my regular shoes (instead of my rainy day shoes) so of course it was going to rain. C brought over sweat pants later in the day so I warmed up. During the rain storm a tiny little dragonfly came in and landed on one of the displays. I thought it had had a tiny little heart attack. So when I went to brush him off the display, I was amazed when he just flew way, happy to have had the rest I guess!

Sunday: Sales were brisk and steady all day. Now this is what I was hoping for. With sales exceeding expectations, I was happy and cheerful, but too busy to do any of the homework that I have piling up. I did have time to get to know my neighbors better and they are wonderful people. By the end of the show we went home with a new picture for dad and a few new pots as well. You can see the photos at Alex Pietersen(#93007). We got a fountain so the girls (cats) could drink out of it. We had gotten them a plastic water fountain some time ago, but since in the new house it needs to go in the dining room, we wanted something that looked a little spiffier. Unfortunately, JV doesn't have a web site of her work.

Monday: Slow again, but not too bad. Mostly because of the holiday, most people are home cooking out, not at a festival. It was great that we could pull the cars in next to our booths and tear down was a breeze. I dubbed this day "No, I label them just to confuse you" day, as I think everyone who came in picked up something, smelled it and proclaimed "Wow, that really does smell like _____". Since I have every fragrance neatly labeled, I am always a little taken back by this remark. What should I say? "Thank you" doesn't seem right, but everything else that runs through my head seems real smart-alecky. I want to say "No, I just label them to confuse you", but I know its just my tiredness talking, and that is the completely WRONG thing to say in this situation. I just have no clue what is right. Made one more purchase, a Foo Dragon plaque for the kitchen. You can see the work at Coover Porcelain . Real great dragon and lizard and whimsical stuff.

Well, that's it. I've updated the Fragrance of the Month suggestions and have no new additions to the "bad show" list- since it was a good show. At last, at last!

Week 20 Accomplishements

Week 20

Monday: Monday was filled with getting things on the "honey do" list done. It included a new doorbell, some shelves for the bathroom (which we couldn't find anywhere and never got done), Installing a new thermostat, bringing things up into the attic and down to the basement where they belong, getting lawn stuff (like a hose holder) and leveling the washer so it stops leaking.

Tuesday: I did lots of homework and then still just some stuff around the house. Laundry, etc. C is home this week so I cooked a good dinner and we just had a quiet night.

Wednesday: I got everything ready for the craft show this weekend, and we went and set up the tent. I have a great space right at the end of the garden market section, next to a photographer and a potter. We have a nice view of the lake too. Luckily the wood carver across the way is pretty far away, as his chainsaw is really loud, but I don' t think it wil be a bother. We are also close enough to a stage to hear the music, but not so close we'll have to shout over it and have people blocking the booth watching the entertainment.

Thursday: Show day! Its started out much slower than I had anticipated. We had a big mix up with the electricity and learned that we have to have a 12-gauge extension cord (which they told us before I bought 2 new 14 gauges on Monday! Luckily C stopped at Lowes on the way home from work and bought enough for 4 of us crafters. He saves the day again! All in all I was bummed, on a multi-day festival I like to make my "booth fee" back the first night- then it feels like the rest of the festival is all profit, but I came up short tonight.

Friday: Well, sales are still slow. I think it has to do with the fact that this is the first year this show has charged to get in. Many people just aren't coming out until the bands they like are playing. I also think its mostly demographics. The main headliner band tonight is some pop teenie bopper who draws out the young girls. This just isn't the age range that buys handmade soaps. And I think this was well reflected in the fact that all I really did sell that night was lip balms!

Saturday: Now we're talkin'! Sales started strong right off the bat. I had a few large purchases by new customers and a few repeats come buy as well. Mid afternoon we had a bad rainstorm with some wicked winds, but we survived and stayed dry (but cold). After it blew past, the crowds were significantly smaller than they were before, with many people waiting till today to come back. But overall, sales were strong even with the rain, and I got to meet some cool people who just popped in to stay dry. We did decide that one of our major purchases for this year will be a new tent. We want a CraftHut or a LightDome. Those puppies never even move in a rainstorm, and don't leak a drop. Time to get a serious tent…

Sunday: Two more day of shows.. will post again later….

Roving Entertainment at the Arts Festival