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.
Yes, you know I’m behind … but you also know I’m catching up. This event always happens on the last Saturday in October, and it’s been a rare very good one day event in the past. From Claremont:
I really liked this event in 2016. I absolutely loved it in 2017, where it was my best solo event ever.
Until I upped my game in 2018, that is.
The event is a bit quirky. It has an odd name. The merchant association that produces the event only allows you to buy one space per seller’s permit … so Mrs M hasn’t done this event. That’s OK, it was very good for me last year. What’s not to like?
New Ideas
- Same old, same old. I’ve had the same booth every year.
Observations
- This is a rare event where the marching band leads the kid’s costume parade. What’s not to like?
- A couple came into the booth … and they shall be known as the Bickersons. She came right up to me and said that she would buy a cutting board if he would shut up about it. He responded that her cutting board was awful. After a bit more back and forth, they settled on their selection. As they walked away, we were chatting about relationships, and I asked, “How long?” Her reply: “Long enough.”
- The worst part about solo events is the boredom. I had 15x transactions spread over 8 hours … and not nearly enough quality conversations to cover the time. With Mrs M, we have many more transactions … more conversations, more action.
- I hate the boredom.
- Two couples entered into the booth within about 30 minutes of each other. Both saw my steak sign:
Both couples announced that they had an adult child that was a vegetarian. Both couples took a picture of my sign and sent it to their wayward child. I provide parenting assistance, no charge. Apparently. Not sure what the wayward children will think of their idiot parents. Well, maybe I do know.
- Parenting experience does allow me to accurately predict what the kids will do, after all.
- Sales were way, way down from the prior year. In fact, they were just under HALF of what they were last year. No clue what happened … but I’m out.
- Requests were for clipboards (no room in the Jeep!), 2x in-counter boards (send me the dimensions!) and 2x Magic Bottle Openers (I’m out!).
The Food
- Best Meal: My booth is in front of a deli, so I have a bagel sandwich every year. Delish.
The Facts
- Total miles driven: 122
- Booth cost: $215
- Food cost: $12
- Travel cost: $0
- Total sales: $960
- # of people we met during the event from the producer: 0
- Visits in our booth by a promoter’s representative: 0
- Saturday alarm: 4:15a
- # transactions: 15
- # soap & lotion vendors: no clue
- # woodworking vendors: no clue
- Edge grain vs. end grain: 0
- Returning next year? doubtful
Boards sold: 25
Cheese Boards: 6x
Trivets: 6x
Coasters: 5x
Hearts: 3x
CNC Signs: 2x
Large Serving Pieces: 2x
Bear: 1x






















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