The Board Chronicles: Valencia Summit Holiday Craft Boutiques

henrymowry

10 years ago

The Board Chronicles is an ongoing series of articles about the adventures of Mrs M’s Handmade as a vendor at community festivals & craft fairs. Mrs M’s subsidiary, Mr M’s Woodshop, has been approved to create this chronicle for the good of vendorkind.

We’re back for part 2.

This boutique ended up being split onto 2 different days in November and December. The November event was good (read that Chronicle here), but I had lower expectations for this event just 6 days before Christmas.

New Ideas

The promoter, Stella, played into my superstition and moved our tables away from the door. My working theory is that being next to the door is a negative on sales.
Of course, Stella put her tables right by the door … so she’s either being far too accommodating of me, or she rejects the superstition outright.

Observations

With only 2x 6′ tables and 1x 4′ table, space is at an absolute premium at this indoor event. I left the blocks at home, brought too many cheese boards, and decided I didn’t have room for the pig on the table. And I still sold it. Go figure.
Here’s what I will remember: a year ago, I was out of the pig business. At the end of 2015, I was, again, out of the pig business. Therefore, I’m not in the pig business.
Yes, I sold the last pig.
Santa’s a very busy man this time of the year, what with the workshop to manage remotely and all.

We had 3 different people come to find us at this final event of the year, and all 3 were big sales. Note to self: when you promote where you’re going to be, people will find you.
With promoter promotion (THEIR JOB), and then when all of the vendors do this as well … it works.
Santa came by today … not sure who he was texting.
Sales were up today from last month’s event, with our booth not near the door. My superstition only grows….
Loved this day. Totally relaxed with no expectations at all for this event. Great friends working the event, relaxed atmosphere. Goodies to snack on. What’s not to like?
Mrs M showed up at lunch and stayed the rest of the day, through load out. Good news: she helped. Bad news: no Christmas cookies were baked. Unless she’s hiding them from me.
The last event of the year was a success. And I am oh so ready for a break. Well, a break after I get those last few promised projects out of the shop in time for Christmas!