Negotiable? Are You Nuts?

I’d seen something today that blew me away.

Imagine, signing up to do a craft show, and
then seeing the following write up about the
upcoming show in a newspaper article……..

This is the quote from the show organizer:

“If you’re looking for a Valentine’s gift, the
craft show offers one of a kind handcrafted
items at negotiable prices”.

Negotiable? Am I reading this right? Is this
organizer crazy? Drunk? Or is he just
desperate to get people in the doors of the
show??

Imagine being a crafter at this show??

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t ever
do a show under these conditions. Hell, I
would sooner do a flea market, if I were
going to have to deal with hagglers all day
long.


Theresa

http://www.PinsAndPoetry.com

A New Year

January! A time of year that us “show”
crafters and artists look forward to.
No shows, perhaps a winter vacation to
somewhere warm and sunny!

Me? I’m bored by January 15th. How
many of you can relate?

January usually means cleaning out files
and making new ones for 2010. Filling out
applications, and writing rent checks while
watching the checkbook take a beating.
Hunting show replacements for the shows
that sucked last year.

In February, we’ll put our nose to the
grindstone and start crafting like mad in
preparation for shows that begin in March.
Sprucing up our displays, and coming up
with new designs.

Maggie, my youngest, did it right this year!
Went on vacation, to Egypt, of all places.
(pictured above on right) She too is an artist.

Not a starving artist, just an occasional hungry
one. Now that she is back home, safe and
sound, she joins the rest of us…getting
ready for a year of hard work and praying
for a fabulous 2010, in spite of the economy.



Theresa

BAD SANTA!

BAD SANTA!!! He delivered me applications
for 2010, but with many a surprise!

Like everyone, I guess show promoters are feeling
the pinch. They have to be, why else would they…

1. Make deadlines for applications so much earlier
than last year?

2. Make space sizes smaller to fit in more crafters?

3. Raise the rent?

4. Start allowing buy/sell?

5. Raise their entrance fee to shoppers?

But I don’t get it!!! In times of recession, you would
think people would band together and help one another
out. Not do more and more things to turn honest to
goodness crafters away!!

In looking over my applications to send out for next
year, this disturbing trend seems to have taken hold.

Take Colorfest in MD for example. It’s a HUGE show
that is held in October and the whole town participates.

Imagine my surprise, when the application deadline
is now December 15th!

Coming up with an extra $225 BEFORE Christmas
is a little ridiculous. Not only that, they made the
space size smaller.

C’mon people. Don’t let greed destroy your shows!!


Theresa K. Hardy
http://www.PoetryByHardy.com
http://www.PinsAndPoetry.com ß NEW Website

It Just Ain't Right!!

You didn't expect me to post about something
to give you the warm fuzzies, did you?

Of course I have a rant for you again this time!
( I mean what else is Crafter BS about anyway?)

Ok, so I participated in a holiday boutique a few
weeks ago. A 4 day drop off show that required
a 25% commission and a small entry fee.
Beautifully displayed items in a upscale town,
great advertising, and a proven track record.

I did very well, except for one problem....

The lousy bookkeeping by the organizer!!

Getting into the show, I was required to turn
in an inventory sheet with assigned numbers
to each "different" item. (not just my sales ID
number)

Come time to pick up the products that were
left, and no physical inventory was gone over
by the organizer. Ok though, paperwork sent
to me along with my check would surely show
what sold, right?? WRONG!

The envelope contained a check, that's it!
I called because obviously this was a mistake
on their part, but no dice.

So after taking my own inventory, things just
weren't kosher. Obviously some theft occurred
(which is expected to a degree). What I dropped
off, what was missing, and what I came home
with were different totals. Obviously this boutique
doesn't want to be bothered by this little fact, and
it made me think that is why there is no paperwork
given to the crafters.

I'm SURE that many crafters, during the hustle
and bustle of the holiday selling season, didn't
even bother comparing inventory so they see no
reason to bitch. (especially if they did well)

But it just ain't right I tell ya! It just ain't right!

Last week I dropped off inventory to the next
Christmas boutique I was scheduled to do.
As I dropped off my wares, they took physical
inventory when products were initially delivered,
and assured me that each and every item would
be shown on the sales report.

Ahhhhh...someone who knows how to do it right!

Will I be participating in the first boutique again
next year? Yep! Matter of fact, sales were good
enough that I am sure I'll participate in the one for
the spring. But it won't keep me from whining and
hoping they will change their bookkeeping ways!

What The &$^#^!!

As posted on the Crafter's Guide Online Group:

In the October 10th “At The Shore” section
of the Atlantic City Press (the newspaper
that everyone reads that lives at the shore),
there was a write up about the Block Party in
Ocean City.

The Block Party that takes place the Saturday
before Columbus Day, and is an event that
has been going on a long time, was featured
on that page. The entire town participates.

Quoted from paper:

“Shoppingwise, expect stores to have sidewalk
sales and other specials on their merchandise.
For those not so interested in spending
money, check out the crafters, food vendors
and live music happening along the block party
route.”

Interesting!!! If I were participating in this event,
I think I would be curious about who would put
such a thing in the paper.


Theresa
http://www.PoetryByHardy.com
NEW website: http://www.PinsAndPoetry.com