Hello everyone! I have officially accomplished being in my first fair! I am really exhausted but feel good about how everything turned out. I won’t get into telling you how much sleep I’ve been getting in the last month (or the last two days, no sleep), but I will tell you that I slept for 14.5 hours straight last night and I could definitely go back to bed for more. I only had a month to prepare for the show, and that included doing all the design work, all printing, designing the packaging, figuring out the layout of the table, and getting all my ducks in a row. I probably should’ve had about 3 months to do it all, but I am glad to now be at the finish line, that it’s all over and I have so much product to physically show for it. The night before the show I had my family and incredible friends stay up late to help me. I had product everywhere, all over the dining room and kitchen, and it was emotional at one point to A) see everything all together, to see all that I’ve been working on and haven’t realized how much I had done in a sort amount of time and B) to know that all of these people believe in you, want you to succeed, and are willing to spend a Saturday night folding cards and packaging things (which is tedious and not exciting) just because they love you and want to help. I never would’ve been able to wrap up everything had it not been for Jeff, my parents, my sister, and friends Leah & Leo.
The day of the show was a little frantic, having to pick up rental tables and rush back to pack the car and get to the fair location on time. But once we got there I felt a bit better, or rather nervous/excited for it to begin. The weather was perfect, sunny and in the high 70′s, except for the wind; we learned the hard way that you HAVE to weigh down your tent poles. From my view it looked like we were the only tent that didn’t. Someone told me this ahead of time and I didn’t take it to heart and ended up needing to physically hold the tent pretty much all day long to prevent it from blowing away. I also was really heartbroken that I couldn’t hang my white drop wall which would’ve acted as my backdrop for my table, to which I was going to hang the most perfect colored assortment of crepe paper garlands against. Seriously, I got really excited for weeks about these garlands and almost cried when I realized it couldn’t happen. When we did hang the drop wall, the tent turned into a sailboat and it actually moved the tent several inches. So plans were changed at the last minute and things were learned for the next fair.
We had a good crowd of people turn out, mostly in the middle part of the fair, and customers were really great and I got good feedback on my work. It’s always nice to know the things you’ve been working on quietly and ideas you had for products are well received and people really liked them. A few of my items I designed just because I like the subject matter, but wasn’t sure how well it would sell, and was surprised at how many other people liked the illustrations and subject matter as well.
All in all, it was a great day and I loved sharing my booth with my friend Meagan (of The Brocade Blackbird). Being able to do my first fair with a friend (instead of alone) was perfect and we both had a good time. We already started talking about when we can do another fair together, and thankfully this time around I’ll know what to expect!
I have to say a quick shout-out and the biggest thank you I can possibly shout from the mountain tops specifically to: Jeff, Mom, Dad, Cathy, Meagan, Leah, Leo, Margaret, Colleen, Morgan, Brian, Jacques, everyone at AS220 Printshop. Each of you guys really helped me beyond words can say, and without you giving your time out of your day (or night) just to help me, I never would’ve made it to the fair. I am blessed to know such wonderful friends and have the best family ever. And a huge thank you to everyone who gave me feedback, a pat on the back, lifted my spirits and cheered me on… you guys kept me focused and helped me through all everything.
*Lastly, as appreciation for all of you loyal blog readers, please use coupon code “NEWSHOP15″ this Wednesday, June 22nd, when my online paper goods shop opens! The code will be good through the following Wednesday, June 29th. Thank you again for your patience while I finish setting up my online shop!
{for more images of my Union Made fair, please check out my Flickr}
