Lack of Craft

For the first time ever I decided to attend a Craft Show as a vendor, representn’ Pampered Chef, Whoo! Several days prior, I visited the Church to pay my dues and to gain some insight into this show. I was tinkled pink to learn this, “is one of the biggest shows in the area.” Being new to the area, knowing as many people as I can count on one hand, it was impervious to get my name out there and I was confident this show could do just that!

On the eve of the show I spent the entire evening wrapping display boxes, gathering catalogs and order forms, setting up a drawing, printing gift certificates and wish list cards, and running around my kitchen gathering all the products I use for both show and personal. Needless to say, my ENFJ personality was in full force!

Arms back and head high, I gallantly waltzed into the church to find my table; only to realize there were only 20-ish tables…..”biggest shows” hun? I set up my display boxes and unpacked my loot and meandered around the other tables to check out my competition.

Once the doors open and people began flocking in; actually it looked more like dazed cows heading for the meat locker…well, actually I can even say that—at any given time there may have only been 6 people wondering the booths at a time. I had one gentlemen tell me we must be having a good turn out because there isn’t any place to park in the parking lot. Humm, how could this be? Oh wait, I know; ALL THE VENDORS PARKED THEIR VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT rather than behind the church (like I did!)! No wonder there were only 6-ish people in the church at a time….nobody else could find parking.

As time inched on my mind grappled with the many elements of this particular craft show. First I realized all the vendors seemed to be the ripe old age of one foot in the grave this proved also true with the craft show visitors. Internally, I wondered, will craft shows prevail at the turn of the century? I mean, there were only two vendors in their twenties and the rest probably claiming their twenties for the third or fourth time. Perhaps, if craft shows dwindle will that become the boom of Antique stores? I don’t recall seeing any home-knittings or canned jam at any antique stores but I guess as the manufactures become antiques as do their products?!?

Secondly, I was astonished how many individuals would pass my booth and throw their hands up in the air frantically shaking their head no while saying, “ah, that looks like cooking stuff…I don’t cook, ah.” I mean, WHAT? Do you people really go out to eat for every meal? Perhaps this explains the obesity rate in this state. The only for sure thing I gathered from this display of behavior is how spoiled my spouse is-- I cook!

Third and finally, I approached this craft show with the intention of just getting my name out there. I had no intention of actually selling any product (which, consequently, I did). I felt bad for those vendors who had high hopes for a profitable outcome and were sourly disappointed; as this was clearly not the show to rake in the money. But overall, it was an interesting and slightly entertaining craft show and one I’ll certainly skip next year :)