Thanks Worcester!

Sunday was the big show!! stART on the Street in Worcester, MA, my first big craft show appearance! How did it go? I think overall, it went very well! My day started early. I had to get up by 6:30 in order to make it to Worcester by 8:20 to sign-in. After signing in, and before setting up, I almost got myself arrested (not really, but the officer was a b---h) and she almost turned my day. She didn't because my mantra for this year is "I Choose", so I chose to shake it off and enjoy my day. That's my neice in the picture there <------ she spent the day with me so that I would be free to move about. She was the best helper I could have.

After unpacking my stuff and deciding how to arrange everything, all we had to do was sit and wait. So instead we took a short walk to see what others were selling and talked to our neighbors. We saw some beautiful scarves, jewelry and houshold goods. We also had a vendor next to us selling make your own buttons that said "vote for ______" and there were a number of things you could add such as, "vote for an original thought" or "vote for Joan of Arc". It was fun and had lots of people stop to play with their spinning wheel. That's me -----> knitting at my booth.

The day was filled with sun, singing men and walking trees! I had my parents come by to see how I was doing. My Hubby and son came by to hang out for a bit, my sister-in-law and the rest of my brother's clan came by along with my brother late in the day. It was nice to have all that support because it made the time go by so much faster.

Because it got unseasonably warm, and the sun was beating down on those of us with no tents, I got a bit of a sun "kiss" on my left shoulder, neck and face! Had I known it would be so warm I would have dressed differently. . . . I'll know to be prepared for all eventualities next time.

Overall, I had a great time, I sold a few items and I got lots of exposure, so it was a great day!

Time is running out!

This is it! This coming Sunday I'll be doing my first big craft show and I am very excited!

stART on The Street
Sunday, September 21
11 am - 5 pm
Park Ave. (between Highland and Pleasant)

I can't say I'm completely prepared because I still have more items to make, buttons, hooks, and tags to sew on and hangtags to attach! However, I'm really looking forward to the experience because it will let me know if I'm up for doing more shows next year or not. Everything in my Etsy Shop is going to the show with me, so if there's something you like, now is the time to purchase it because I can't guarantee it will be there next week!

Here are a few images for your viewing pleasure!

stART on the Street

I had a plan. I was going to place some items at OAK for adoption to a nice home, then I was going to show at the Lancaster Flea Market once a month until the end of the year. That way, I'd be able to research shows for next year, build inventory and hit the ground running for 2009.

However, as we all know, the best laid plans. . . .

Turns out, I am placing items at OAK, I will be hand-delivering them on Saturday, August 23rd! I'm very excited about it because getting my pieces out to the public is key to survival & growth. However, the part of the plan that didn't work out so well was the "showing at the Lancaster Flea Market" part.

A couple of weeks ago, my mom and I went on a recon mission to see the venue and make sure my items were a fit. They weren't. From what I saw, the biggest draw was antiques. My items don't fall into that category by any means. So what does that mean? It means I had to re-think my plan and implement another.

So on Sunday, September 21, 2008 (rain date Sunday September 28) I will be showing and selling at stART on the Street in Worcester, MA. This is a great opportunity, because apparently it's a BIG show. You'll notice in the sidebar ---> I've challenged myself to have at least 100 pieces with me. How many do I currently have, that aren't going for adoption at OAK? 19.

Am I worried? No, just anxious and a bit "rushed". Had I been planning for this show since June, I'd be ready with 100 pieces, however, the plan started last Monday. . . needless to say, if I'm caught at any time without my hooks, needles and yarn, it's because I'm at work or I'm sleeping!

Mark your calendar and come out to stART on the Street to see what I've done and to say hello! Let me know you read the blog. It will really make, what I anticipate to be a busy day, much easier to get through. . . did I mention this would be my first "real" show?

I decided to jump in with both feet. . . now I'm wondering about the sea life. . . .

I'm hoping to have another show lined up for December, but that one is juried, and I won't know until September 4th if I've gotten in or not. . . If I do get in, it will be another HUGE show, but I'll have more time to prepare!