One Hit Wonder

A wonderful worker bee and my mom!

Yes folks, everything is for sale, that is a price tag hanging from my wrap.

So, I had been preparing for the ELF Fair that was December 13th. This was going to be my first craft show, my first unveiling of my handknit designs and jewelry. I was truly excited. I felt I had great designs, and was so organized. I had everything labeled beautifully, a spread sheet with all my inventory and pricing, a notebook for people to join my mailing list, business cards printed. I had made probably my best batch of cookies ever, to lure them into looking. 

Then I started to dream about how much I could make! I had 4 wireknit bracelets at $92 each, 15 pairs of earring for $40-50 each, scarves, hats, capelets . . . if i sold EVERYTHING, I could make over $3,000! Hey, if I sold HALF, I could make over $1,500! Man, even if I sold only a quarter of everything, I could have $750! This was going to be GREAT! 

Mom drove to Carrboro with me, we were one of the first vendors there, picked the best table, and began to set up shop. Although it's hard to tell from the photos, I have to admit, our little booth was a nice setup. We were dressed to impress and ready to sell.

Then more and more vendors started coming. Selling a wide array of crafts - from magnets, to pottery, less expensive jewelry (made with less expensive supplies) Panda Pillows (yes, pillows with Pandas). . . you name it. It was there. 

The woman at the booth behind me, selling jewelry as well, kept going on and on about my designs. "Your stuff looks like it is from New York! You are going to be such a hit! I just know your are! Wow!" I expressed my concern that I was afraid my designs might be outside the price range of what people were probably willing to spend.

I was right. 

Plenty of people admired my designs, looked at my jewelry, my handknit designs, and kept on walking.

A little while into it, mom asked, "Will you be terribly disappointed if you don't make a single sale?"

OF COURSE! But I laughed, realizing that it was a real possibility.

Then a very nice, funny, distinguished gentleman came up and started looking at our booth, asking questions about my designs. 

"Now, what's this?" - pointing to a capelet. Which I try on to show him. 

"Tell me about these wire knit bracelets? What if it breaks?" I assured him that I would be willing to repair it if it broke, but it shouldn't. Bottom line, I stand behind my product, but there are handmade designs.

"You know, I could use a new hat, my son keeps stealing mine," as he tries on one of my handknit caps.

"And what about this scarf? It looks kind of . . ." collegiate I informed it. It is a very nice, knit in the round wool scarf with big block stripes.

"Now, what's this thing?" Pointing to my brown cotton chenille washcloths. I told him how they were make-up washcloths, so when a woman washes off their makeup, the washcloth isn't stained! 

He then informs me  that it could be for a man too . . . perhaps to wash off tools, or to wash a car. He was quite correct.

A second later, he turns to me and say, "You know, I'm going to buy something. I'm probably going to make your day. I'll take that, and that, and that, and I'll also take that" pointing to a hat, a scarf, a capelet, a wire knit bracelet.

Through shaky hands, I add up everything, give him a "first customer discount", throw in a few freebies and am a happy woman.

A little while later, with more browsers brushing by, we're done. We pack up and go happy, I'm happy with my one hit wonder.

Grateful for a man who appreciated my designs, and supported an artist attempting to break out into this artsy fartsy world.