You Live and (hopefully) Learn!

I took part in my first 'Craft Market' last weekend and ended up out of pocket and somewhat disheartened by the whole affair.  I had spent the previous couple of weeks frantically making mirrors, sunbursts and hearts and managed to deplete my hard-sought stocks of shells and wood in the process.  I was stupidly nervous too but did, at least, have my six and a half year old daughter Daisy as my stall companion - she was a star (naturally) and helped with the setting up and putting away of all the stock.  She has an eye for display and was a real help in arranging the stall - particularly the decoupage hearts which I had made in order to have some attractive, yet cheaper, items on my stall.  Sadly, the weather was not on our side and the footfall was negligible.  On the plus side I did get some great compliments on my work and invaluable advice from fellow stallholders. 

What I have learnt from this experience is that I need to plan ahead...way ahead.  I checked out the Bath Christmas Market (already fully booked) and our local Cuckoo Spring Fair (I am on the waiting list for 2013) - given the current weather forecast I am not too miffed about the Fair!

My workshops work - they are fun and I do not end up out of pocket.  My clients get completely engaged in the creation of their own work of art and the atmosphere is relaxed and slightly magical.  I generally end up in awe of the people I meet and happy to have cheered up someone's day - THAT is a GREAT feeling!

That said, I have not given up on special events.  I am sure there is a market out there for my 'stuff', I just need to find it!

It's all in the Timing!

Never mind stocking up on petrol and water - what next, really?!  It's the Easter holidays and I have been ferrying the kids to and fro, buying school shoes and doing a spot of Spring cleaning, gardening, and the like.  My driftwood workshop is currently doubling up as a seedling nursery, until the weather is kind enough to let them move to the greenhouse outside, so I am having to be 'creative' with the space I have left.  I am rapidly running out of space, especially since I've had to 'pot-on' the first batch of seedlings that were rapidly outgrowing their little cells.  My poor stepson's bed is now covered in baby plants - luckily without him in it!  I will have it all fresh and lovely before he next comes to stay...

What has become apparent, with all this re-organising of space, is that I am extremely low on materials and, while there are no immediate workshops in the offing, I do need to build a few stock items for a couple of 'events' I plan to attend - the first of which is in just 2 weeks time.  I am awaiting delivery of some base heart and circle shapes but have little to decorate them with - time is going to be tight and I need to get my skates on collecting, making and creating.  Nothing like a bit of pressure to get one going!

So, having been away last week when the weather was stunning I had planned to take a trip down to the coast one day this week.  Today (this morning at least) is lovely but I have to wait in for a recorded delivery (typical) so I am pinning my hopes on a favourable weather window tomorrow since the forecast into the weekend is not pretty.  Fingers crossed I can replenish my supplies tomorrow when I will be ably assisted by my two girls!