I know it's been said before, but to me it was bizarre. Firstly, I have to say, I didn't have time to properly shop the tables, so do take any remarks about the other booths with a grain of salt. What I do know is this:
I almost chickened out. After reading a promotion in our church bulletin about this year's show, and what kind of items were going to be for sale, I realized this bazaar had seriously upped its game and surely didn't need me with my quirky handmade trifles. The article included a statement saying the organizers had made a serious effort to narrow down the vendors to only those who made or produced their own wares, with only a few exceptions. Well, that right there had me sold. I was sure this show was going to be better than I remembered. No Pampering Chefs. No Tupper-supperware. No cheap imported widgets. Just a nice long list of local honey, quilted items, things made with beads, handbags, candles, lotions. I was pretty sure I was going to be out of my league. In some ways I was right about that, but as it turned out - I feel I did fill a niche. And I saw a few people's previously glazed-over eyes light up at the sight of my offerings because they weren't like anyone else's.
My table was across the end of a row. I wasn't sure about the placement at first, but I think it turned out well for me. I wasn't lumped in-between anyone else's stuff; I was right there by myself when people turned the corner to go down the next isle. For awhile there was a garbage can nearby, which hurt my feelings, but someone came and moved it as soon as there was more foot traffic.
From what I could tell, no one was selling a lot. I'm sure most of the vendors made more money than I did, but I'm not sure anyone sold any more items than I did. Aside from the beautiful quilted table runners and placemats of my mother's, most of my items were priced around $5, nothing alone more than $10. I did that on purpose because I wanted to be affordable and besides, what I was selling was only worth that much. Like I said before, I wasn't in this to make money. Good thing.
Stay tuned - part II tomorrow.
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