Another Weekend of Craft Show Agony

If you haven't already heard, I am somewhat a creative person. I only have a degree in Graphic Design. I also create items on the side. I make my own jewelry, sketchbooks, and cards. With the cards, not the Stampin' Up stuff, but actually designing patterns.

I have done 3 craft shows in the past month. I am a total of around $30 in the hole. This is a result of poor publicity and acknowledgement of "hey look! A craft fair!" In particular 2 craft fairs.

The first one was on February 12 in Arden Hills. I had a massive hangover, because my company party was the night before. I paid $40 to get into the craft fair. I made $6. It wasn't even worth the gas that I used to drive up there. I understand that I was not in top shape, but the mutual sense with other crafters in the area was that there were a lot of looks and no bite.

Second one was on February 18 in Inver Grove Heights. This was sponsored by the Park and Rec Department of the City of Inver Grove Heights. I did amazing! I recouped costs and then some. One of my better performances at a craft fair.

The third one was on March 3 in Eden Prairie. Talk about dying of bordom. Not one cent. I paid $40 to get into this fair. I swear that tumbleweeds gave better look at my stuff than the people walking through. Horrible publicity. A lot of us crafters were not happy. We pay good money and the person who organized the craft fair pocketed $1000+ that day. Mind you this is the same person that organized the Arden Hill show. I am at a combined total of $72 in the whole with those 2 shows.

I have a few coming up in April. None with that one organizer. The first one is April 14 in Maple Grove. That should be interesting. The next one is April 28 in White Bear Lake. That one is sponsored by the school district. I have had good luck with shows that are sponsored by schools, city, or organizations. The Arden Hill and Eden Prairie were my first two shows that were private and was a disaster. I think that I have learned my lesson. They offered me a spot in their upcoming Roseville show, but that is the day before Easter and my parents are coming into town that weekend. I am also not paying $55 to sit around and not make jack.

I will take my luck with Maple Grove and White Bear Lake. I will let you know what happens. If you are in the Twin Cities during either one of those times, please stop by and see me.

!@*$ Phone Part III

New phone arrived on Tuesday. Of couse when I am trying to program it, everyone decides to call me or text me. My question out of all this, why now did people want to contact me! On a Tuesday of all days! That was a hour of my life that I am not going to get back.

Back to programming the phone. It had the old system and I had to upgrade to the new system. Done. then redownload all the apps that I consider worthy. At least with my previous phone crapping out that it got rid of the apps that I don't care about or use anymore.

I still have a few minor things to program, like speed dial and custom ring tones. At least the good part is that all my contacts and images transfered over.

I don't want to replace this phone until I have to renew in late November. Or whenever I get to Milwaukee again. I pay for my parent's phones as well.