Ok, so Sunday was %110 better then Saturday. The heat had broken, it wasn't AS humid, and the sun was peeking out. Buuuuuttt, there were a lot of vendors having to deal with the aftermath of Saturday's storms. I have to say that we escaped pretty much unscathed, and I really can't complain given the experience of others. Many vendor's tents collapsed under the weight of the rain, some blew away, others didn't have side walls to protect their merchandise from the horizontal rain. I saw one poor vendor on Sunday with a sign that read, "The Rain Ruined My Life Sale." The extent of my losses were a box of paper shopping bags, gift boxes, tissue and business cards. I did also loose all my signs and many earring cards, but faced with the prospect of loosing my actual work, I feel pretty lucky.
My other loyal assistant Cindy, and Rachel of Red Prairie Press inspecting the damage after the first of many storms Saturday.
Renegade during happier times...
As you can see above the fair was packed Sunday. The DJ was spinning, Mr. Softie was selling treats, people were laughing and smiling, and genuinely seemed interested in my work. Don't get me wrong, I did well sale wise, but it wasn't what I expected. I did twice the amount of business last year at Crafty Bastards in one day. This was NY, I thought people loved to shop here! Maybe it was the increase in my pricing- but I sold several of my highest priced pieces right off the bat. Or maybe it was the extreme heat and weather of Saturday, and people just weren't risking coming out again. Or maybe it's dead summer and people aren't thinking of buying gifts yet. Or maybe, as my Dad lovingly pointed out, it's the economy and people don't need to buy jewelry right now. Or maybe NY isn't my "market" and people just didn't like my work. Who knows, but it is leaving me feeling nervous about my future, and wondering if I didn't just make a very silly decision- what's that you ask???? I'll talk about that at later date....
Enough with the negative though. I do have to say that I was blown away by the level of craft, sophistication and creativity of every single vendor there. I was humbled to have been included and even a little star struck. There was a great balance of vendors and merchandise, there was no one overwhelming media that stuck out. I can honestly say that I think there was something there for everyone. I was a little sad that I didn't get to see Lotta Jansdotter, a personal hero of mine! I suspect that she packed up when the terrifying storms rolled in and then didn't return on Sunday. I was incredibly happy to be neighbors with fellow Baltimoreans Rachel and Phil of Red Prairie Press- they are the nicest people and do one hell of a business. I think I must have one of each of their t-shirt designs by now. My other neighbor was the lovely Catherine of Reiter8. She uses recycled sailboat sails and re-purposes them into messenger bags, totes and beach bags. They are "uni-sex" and have a great graphic quality to them- plus they are very durable and a green craft. Some of my other Renegade favorites were Orangyporangy, I got a great skirt that I am wearing right now. I also loved meeting and purchasing from The Candy Thief, her hair pieces remind me of those that Flappers wore in the 20's. I got a beautiful resin necklace from Fern Works, they made the trip all the way out from Oregon. I had to bring my ever patient husband back a gift, and Seibei's "Make Me A Sandwich" monster shirt was calling his name. Of course I got a new scrub from Biggs and Featherbelle, I covet their products. There was no way Cindy and I could pass up the singing pickle t's from Wheelhouse Pickles, and they were giving out free samples of their fabulous pickles as well. I wanted to get some cards from Mean Cards, to send to friends and be, well, mean! But my favorite the "some may call you an enabler, I call you a friend" card was sold out. I'll have to catch them at Crafty Bastards in 2 weeks. So despite, the torrential rain, wind, dangerous lightning, flooding, and slow sales, it was still an incredible experience for me and if anything, I learned a lot from. I hope to be back next year with a vengeance....
Our complete booth set up, we got a lot of remarks that our work complimented each other.
The Dandelion Blu side of our shop.
A closer look at my table. See my new display item? That was an old chandelier that I found in the back of HouseWerks in Baltimore. The owner cut me an awesome deal- free!
Open for business! We rolled out the white recycled plastic bag carpet!
Open for business! We rolled out the white recycled plastic bag carpet!
