Last week I asked you all to send put in a good word for me to the weather gods for my first show of the season. I trust that you did. Unfortunately the weather gods must have had their ear plugs in or else couldn’t perform their sun dance because they slept in until noon.
Roads are blocked in anticipation of hundreds and hundreds of festival goers. Vendor canopies are zipped up to protect the valuable products inside. Except that poor woman on the right side of the picture, who has no sides to zip up.
It started to rain while we were en route to the venue. By the time we got there it was still raining…hard. When you’re in the craft show business you can be prepared all you want, but trust me, setting up a canopy and keeping products dry in the rain is a challenge. A positive note – there was no wind.
The gutter at the rear side of my canopy was a flowing river of about three inches of water.
My hair was drenched, my make-up job was streaming down my face, and my shoes and socks were squish, squish, squishing with every step I took.
The heavy rain didn’t stop for another couple of hours. We were wet and cold. Husby got me a big cup of hot chocolate and himself a big cup of coffee to take the chill off a bit while we waited for the sun.
A view down the street from under my canopy just before the festival was about to begin.
Eventually the sun did come from behind the clouds, the temperature rose and the people came out. From 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. we watched a lot of people walking up and down the street…empty-handed. They weren’t shopping and they weren’t buying.
All of the vendors I talked to were having low sales, and we couldn’t blame the weather anymore. There’s nothing we can blame. That’s the nature of craft shows and festivals. Sometimes sales are good, sometimes they’re not. We as vendors take our chances with weather, disorganized event organizers, and shoppers. Applying for a booth at a craft show in a new venue is like playing roulette ~ I’m taking a gamble with both, and with both money can either be won or lost.
All was not lost in my gamble. I got wet but came home with a little more money than I put into the booth fee. Husby and I made friends with our vendor neighbors and even saw a couple of vendors we knew from other shows.
You win some, you lose some, but always put your money on black. Or red. Whichever is your lucky color. No matter what, it’s always fun playing.
Auntie B's Wax 
Oh no! I so feel for you. I’m yet to have a good sale. As you say, it’s a complete gamble. Best just to make the most of things and make some new friends, as you have done. Good luck with the next one. X
This sounds absolutely miserable to me, and yet it seems you made the very best of it. Great attitude! The sun should follow you around for inspiration!
I was lucky to have my trusty roadie along – together we’re able to laugh at our misfortunes. Hopefully the next show will go better.
Well, think of it this way: it can’t get much worse for the next show…can it? Rain on an important day is supposed to mean “plenty” or “Prosperity.” Let’s hope that’s true for you! 🙂
Ooh, I like that! I’ll keep that in mind and let you know how prosperous the next show is!