1) I won't have enough jewelry to sell
2) No one will like what I have made
3) I will forget everything and get to the market without any jewelry (that actually happened to me twice)
4) I won't be able to get up in time
5) It will rain and/or be windy and/or freezing
You see, I am a craft show vendor. I sell mostly at our wonderful farmers markets in Napa and St Helena. They are both really nice upscale markets with wonderful managers, wonderful vendors and WONDERFUL visitors. And, this will be my 12th year participating. I consider myself a "veteran" of the market. An old-timer. Experienced.
But every year I start to think about getting up at 5:30. I have to get there at least a half hour before the market opens, set my canopy up, set up my tables, tablecloths, busts, jewelry, say hi to everyone, go to the bathroom, get some breakfast, etc. It's really hectic. (The breakfast part is pretty fun though.)
Here is what I do to get ready.
1 month before
panic
order business cards, bags, etc.
figure out what jewelry I am going to have ready and start to make it
2 weeks before
really panic
make sure I have my jewelry done and packed up
start to tweet and Facebook about the market starting
converse on facebook with other vendors about how we are all panicking
1 week before
freak out and stay up really late making that last bit of jewelry you just know someone is going to love
send out an email reminding folks that the market is starting
clean my tent, tablecloths, tables, busts, etc
start packing it up
the night before the first market
don't get any sleep because I will be afraid I won't hear the alarm in the morning
pack up the car, trying to remember how you got it all in the year before
panic about not having enough change
stay up really late because I want to get that last pair of earrings done
the day of
get to the market on time and see everyone!
It's a happy day
The Farmers Market is a unique and special place. It is where you can get organic produce, listen to music, see your friends for coffee, take your little ones to story time, and shop for unique and original crafts and yummy specialty foods. If you don't visit your local farmer's market you are missing out.
Here is a link to my market schedule just in case you are around Napa Valley and want to check it out sometime this summer. www.sherrigallagherbeadwork.com
Hope you see you there!
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| A ballon flies over the farmers market tents in Napa |
what a beautiful venue you get to set up at in Napa. I had a wee giggle about the amount of panic that goes on in your planning. It made me feel human. I have a market in two weeks and just started to make my products, for it. I really dislike how disorganised I get the night before so decided to try and be more focussed this time round. The farmers market sounds like something I would love to check out. Janine from the Set Up Shop course.
ReplyDeleteOh I know exactly how you feel! I thought I just freaked out about markets and didn't sleep because I was new at it all but I've had a few other stall holders tell me they do as well. I wonder if we can claim coffee and chocolate as a destressing business expense :)
ReplyDeleteThe Napa market looks beautiful!