It is SHOWTIME.
We are ready to go but before you walk out the door. Double check your bag make sure you have everything.
Additional items to consider bringing:
Water Bottle-I recommend bringing two-one that is frozen (open and drink some of the water before freezing) and one ready to go. If the show has food and snack vendors, you could end up spending way too much for that bottle of water. If they don’t have food and snack vendors, you have water! You can leave the frozen on in the car and it will be ready to go after the show.
Snacks-You should also bring some snacks-in bar form. So if
you get hungry you have something other than that $7 dollar greasy hamburger
they are selling. More money you don’t spend on overpriced food and beverages
more you have for the things you want.
Cash-At least $10 dollars in small bills for parking if
needed. And at least $100 from your budget in cash, in case a vendor does not
take credit cards-odd I know.
Mobile Phone-Make sure your mobile phone is charged and if
you have the WiFi and Location GPS on turn them off, they will suck the life
out of your battery. Try to keep your mobile for today for calls and such.
Sunscreen-If the show is outside, bring sunscreen. The one
memory of a show you don’t want is sunburn. Even on a cloudy day you can get
sunburn, so sunscreen is our friend.
Packet of Tissues (or a bunch in a Ziploc) and hand sanitizer-just
in case the bathroom runs out of tissue and soap. It has been known to happen,
while it will be restocked when you need it you need it.
At the Show
Be Prepared for Crazy
There is no way to tell how crowded a show will be your
first time going. If it is hot and popular, it could be like going to Disney
World. If is more local, it could be like going to a local store when there is
a bit of a crowd.
The most important thing is be patient. Usually booths only
have a few people manning it and some only one person. The larger booths may
have one person whose sole job is to keep an eye on stock and theft prevention,
they are not ignoring you but have an equally important job task. Just be
patient and wait your turn. Also for the single vendor booths, the person
watching the booth may not be the vendor but the person next to the booth
watching it, while they heed the call of nature or get something to eat, and
they might ask you to wait until the person comes back. And the old adage
always applies- you have no one until you walk away from the booth and then
everyone is wanting to buy.
If an item proves to be popular, rather than fight for an
item, ask the vendor when they expect more and do they accept phone, email or
online orders for it. If it is the newest and hottest item, expect it to be
like the stories you see on TV where people are selling a $50 dollar item for
hundreds of dollars on eBay. More will come out, and if you can wait then
pricing will be in your favor. It is marketing and supply and demand principle.
Don’t be tempted to start buying right away
Instead, go around and see what other vendors have and the prices
they are charging. Exceptions to the rule- limited stock or limited runs.
In the Fiber World, indie dyers become very popular and at
shows they have been known to sell out within the first hour of opening the
first day for a 3-4 day show. Crazy I know.
Also commemorative items, some of the big shows for Fiber
like Rhinebeck, vendors will make show specific items and once they are gone,
they are gone no more will be made.
You want to get these items first and right away.
Fiber people are crazy, I am telling you-I can because I am
one of them.
Photography
Most shows do not allow photography unless arrangements have
been made in advance (ie press).
Most booths with finished products will not allow photos to
be taken because of design theft. If you
want to get a photo with someone (like Tim Holtz) ask first and you might have
to step into an area outside the booth.
There are exceptions: I was at a show and a person wanted to
take a picture of a finished necklace I was looking at and the vendor moved it
as she was taking the photo (she didn’t ask) and told her he did not allow
photos of his finished products. She went on and on about how pretty it was and
she just wanted a photo (hello bead show booth with supplies-he was no fool). And
he told sorry his policy is no photos without permission. He held on to the
necklace while he helped me get the supplies to make it and I was paying, he
had me come to a table behind the booth and let me take pictures of it. The
woman asked why I could –he said she just spent money to make 2 of them, so yes
I could take photos of it for reference. If you are buying supplies from the
vendor to make something they have on display they will often let you take
pictures for reference-they are making money off you.
You don’t want people to steal your designs and profit from
it, you should respect others for the same.
Make Friends
Everyone here shares your interest and it is a good time to
meet new people. Exchange contact information and follow up on it that night
(send an email or a message or make a comment on a blog post). If there are designers
or artisans there ask if they have a moment to talk and ask them about their
process and inspiration. This kind of knowledge is invaluable and cannot be
translated to a book easily. If you see people working on projects ask them
about it, if is something you might want ask them where they got the pattern or
if they designed it ask them if they plan on making the pattern available because
you would like to make one.
Remember you have shared interest in common and that is a
connection to them.
Don’t Get Overly Stressed Out
Shows can be stressful because of everything there for sale.
You ca easily get overwhelmed. Stick to your list-these are items you want and
need (or have plans for). It is better to get them than what appeals to your
eyes at that moment only to have buyers regret later when you can’t remember
why you got them or what you want to use them for (I know I have a slew of them
sitting in my collection). Unless inspiration hits right then and there and you
know how you will use them (use that notebook to sketch or write it down then
buy).
Have fun- you are surrounded by bead, supplies, inspiration
and people of a like mind who understand you without knowing you. Heaven in my
eyes.
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