Show Review

I began my craft show season on July 3rd. It was a good show with only a few stories to tell.

For starters, some chick kept stealing my husband to help her with her very faulty tent. I'm all for charity. In fact, the first time, no problem. My husband is nice, and I would like help from someone if I needed it, but... it was taking a long time, and the event person kept coming and telling me to move my car, which had my kids in it, and I told her my husband was but he was helping someone else (which I of course pointed her out). She came by twice to tell me to move the van. Another time she just gave me a dirty look. Then, I wasn't too keen on the lady taking my husband to help her. She never got her tent up during the show.

For seconders, (new word...) I forgot my sunblock. I turn on the cell phone to call him to have him bring it to me, and the little notice comes up, "battery low, powering off." Super. Now, I have a tent, but it is crammed full of product, so I usually sent behind it. Well, that day was super sunny, and as much as I tried to stay out of it, it found me. I got toasted!

I was going to ask my neighboring tent to borrow their cell phone to call John, but they were a little strange... Strange, like, weird. Not just because I made a joke to him about trying to steal some of his shade (I could feel me burning), and he didn't even acknowledge that I said anything, he just kinda looked up at me... Also, strange, as in having your zipper down most of the day strange! AND John pointed out that he also was not wearing any underwear. So, yes. I was stationed next to an exhibitionist. Sweet!

Another thing that never ceases to amaze me is the people that try and bargain with you! Really?! "Will you take any less for this quilt?" "Since we are getting this other thing, will you give us this bow for free?" People! I'm practically giving it away as it is!!!!! Really??? (That's what I tell them. I'm not shy...) People! This is not a yard sale!

I think people forget the value of a handmade item. Let me share...

First, you have to shop for the supplies to make an item. That item might have four different supplies needed to make it. Ribbon, hot glue, hair clip... you get the idea. Not only do you have to shop for those items, but you want to try and find the best deals on those items to keep your cost low. That takes TIME! And, don't forget the gas it takes to go to these stores, or the shipping I have to pay for what I find online, after I've looked at a thousand sites trying to find the best price.

Second. You have to design an item. What looks best with what? Maybe this button will look better. No, try this one. Sometimes this takes a while when you are cranking out 100's of headbands. I am not an assembly line in CHINA!

Next, I actually have to make it. Not an assembly line in CHINA!

Depending on the product, I package it. Which includes packaging I buy online,or packaging I create online, and packaging I print off at home using my card stock and my ink cartridges.

Lastly, I pay a fee to enter shows and sit there all day to sell you that darling item you are holding in your hand...

"No! I will not give it to you for free!"

People do not value my time, but I do...

We watched some fireworks that night with some friends. I found the glow sticks that I bought last year for the fourth of July, but forgot about. Maybe, I'm becoming a little more like my mom after all...