What a different life I have now that I don’t go to the day job every day. Different, as in better! I’ve noticed it the most when I’m getting ready to take my wares on the road to craft shows and festivals.
A lot of work goes into making actual products, as any artisan knows. Then there’s packaging the products. I spend a huge amount of time getting my candles and drink charms retail ready ~ creating labels, protecting them with shrink wrap (candles) and bags plus hang tags (charms) and putting price tags on each and every item. After all of the products are made and packaged they have to be displayed within a 10′ X 10′ space as efficiently and pleasingly as possible. That requires props, tables and shelving. When it comes time to actually head out to an event the products and displays have to be accounted for in addition to the canopy under which everything is placed. The canopy requires assembly at every show and won’t be complete without stakes and weights. So many things to consider and organize…and fit into a standard SUV for transport.
Husby and I have it down. As my roadie he makes sure all of the displays and canopy are packed, as well as a huge toolbox containing everything (and then some) we’ll need for the structure. I’m responsible for packing all of the products as efficiently as I can.
Gathering my products, props and shelving.
If I’m lucky, the only thing I have to do at the last minute is pack up my scented candles. I don’t like to keep them tubbed up for too long for fear the fragrances will bleed together. I’m paranoid that way.
The autumn and winter candles ready for travel.
With all it takes not only to create these products but to also take them on the road I’ve never been more grateful for the fact that I don’t have to squeeze it all into little snippets of time like I did when I had a day job.
This weekend I’ll be at the Baker Orchard Art Festival in Centuria, Wisconsin. It’s just a short and beautiful drive from Minneapolis/Saint Paul and will surely get you excited about the autumn time of year in the midwest. Plus, I’ll be relaxed as ever as the day job is gone.
Happy Days!
Auntie B's Wax 
Your efforts are inspiring! Although wish you’d posted this inspiration this morning, as I’ve wasted the day away doing absolutely nothing! Not having a day job has unfortunately not yet motivated me to get things done. I’ve become the stereotypical caricature of some retirees – lounging around eating bon bons (or Kit Kats) and watching my shows! Hope you have a great time, and successful show, this weekend!
OK, your retirement with watching “stories” and eating bon bons sounds wonderful to me, except I know you do way more with your time than that. We’re still getting used to it and will find our grooves. I’m pretty sure both of us made the right decision to retire, because we SO deserve it after our service!
Oh, I so wish I could pop in to see all your beautiful things in person! Good luck!
Thanks Cindy! Like you, I wish I could pop in and see your work in the galleries. For now we’ll just have to settle for the photos. If you’re ever “across” in MN please feel free to stop by!
Sara my daughter and I are slowly learning how to pack for he markets. It is definitely important to get it right, so the goods make it there in perfect order. Things will be fun with xmas coming. Good luck on your retired journey, sound good to me.
Kath, I don’t know how long you’ve been doing the markets, but believe me, it takes a while to get the set-up and tear-down running smoothly. Husby and I still congratulate each other at how far we’ve progressed in that area and we’ve been doing it for years. We used to get on each others’ nerves, but now we’ve progressed to trusting each other to do our separate tasks without being bossy or irritating. Our “separate tasks” also took a while to establish.
Have a wonderful time during the Christmas season – everyone’s always in a good mood when shopping for gifts for others, or even themselves, during that time. I’ve got only one more show before Christmas, and I hope it’s lucrative – I KNOW it will be fun.
Thanks for checking in!
Sara we only do markets inside, due to art getting blown away. So we don’t have to carry chairs and tables they are already set up. I do have a market stall tent for summer but waiting for my husband to design sturdy stand to protect art. Good luck with your last show before xmas I have four to go and hoping to earn some extra dollars for xmas.