It was a day of newness – beginning with driving a cargo van 125 miles to my destination, which was The Annual Deland Outdoor Art Festival, where I had secured a booth to sell my creations for the very first time.
I knew going into this virgin endeavor that I’d never recoup my costs:
Canopy
Wagon
Shabby chic mirror
Area rug
Labels
Bags
Signs
1950’s style candy to give away
Booth rental
Hotel
Cargo van rental
Gas
Food
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
But I was hoping it wasn’t a total financial disaster.
And I was nervous about mundane things like changing lanes and backing up in the U-Haul cargo van I had rented the morning before the fair. But the thrill of being so high up after routinely driving my Mini around my neighborhood was truly thrilling. And before we took off, my good buddy Naomi – who accompanied me on my adventure – assured me she’d help me navigate.
This was THE weekend I had been both looking forward to and having acute anxiety attacks about.
What can I say?
We arrive safely in Deland.
We have help setting up the booth and canopy, as promised.
We are thrilled with the location. The nice lady in charge of the placement – the one I barraged with questions almost daily – gave me a strategically placed booth out of the kindness of her heart.
The upside?
It was the first booth at the entrance.
The downside?
The entire back quarter of the booth was not usable because it sloped precipitously downward.
And people entering the fair were focused on the path ahead, NOT the first couple of booths.
(Later that afternoon, when we tactfully pointed out the deficiencies of the booth space, she generously allowed us to utilize the grassy pad area on the side of our booth to compensate for the lost inner booth space.)
At 2 pm on a sweltering Friday afternoon, we start unloading the cargo van and setting up the booth’s interior.
Just as darkness descends, my friend Naomi and I finally finish placing the last jean jackets on the racks and filling the tables with my knitted creations and the walls with my Fannie dolls.
What can I say?
From the get-go Saturday morning, the heat was intense and the crowds kinda sparse. Those who paused at all by my booth remarked about the vitality and freshness of my booth and then strolled on by.
And the comments that day of time were kinda discouraging:
Love your purses, but I only carry the most non-descript purses so no one will grab them
Oh how cute – I have to learn how to do this.
Two scoops of caramel praline homemade ice cream for lunch at 1 pm and the intermittent breeze that floated over my sweat-soaked body revived my flagging spirits. I turned on my charm, utilized my selling skills and sales began trickling in.
As the day wore on, I began making friends with the vendors too.
There was born again and immensely friendly Bill in the booth right across from mine who in a long winded discourse assured me he was a very tolerant person of other peoples’ religious views. He then went on to assure me that because I was Jewish, I needed to be saved or I’d be going south of the soil we were standing on.
Then there was Bobbie – a retired Home Depot store manager – who spent an hour helping me hang my jean jackets in a more eye-catching way – resulting in an increase in sales immediately.
And then there was the kid from Miami selling t-shirts who gave me a detailed tutorial on what upcoming art fairs would be the best fit for my wares within easy commuting distance to Tampa.
The people who did stop were overwhelmingly friendly and everyone got a laugh from my Fannie doll sporting the following message on her skirt: Girl, unless he wears a diaper, you can’t change him.
But no one bought one.
Another highlight: Familiar Faces.
A friend from elementary school stopped by with her older sister and we laughed about the time I got marshmallows in her hair and her older sister threatened to beat me up in the girls’ washroom. (She never carried out her threat.)
And then another friend from high school stopped by and my handyman from Tampa too. (Utilized his skills too.)
Five o’clock couldn’t come soon enough. When it finally did, Naomi and I gratefully headed for the hotel to check in, shower off the sweat and grime, and soak up the air conditioning after enduring the unrelenting 91-degree heat.
We went to Tony’s New York Pizza – both the food and the waitress were delightful. Immediately, I began to feel more positive about the whole crafts/booth experience.
My good mood lasted until Sunday morning when I got the hotel bill for our two-night stay and realized I was lucky if my sales covered the cost of just that invoice.
Sunday sales were lighter.
And disappointing.
And though I had help loading up the van and dismantling the booth as dusk descended, it still took us three hours of constant bending and lifting to complete the task.
I was close to tears – physically depleted.
To make matters worse, we had trouble finding our way home – resulting in us adding 75 minutes to our trip.
Things didn’t improve until we stopped at Burger King for dinner since my friend had a coupon. Barreling down the highway minutes later, I turned my attention to driving and eating my Big Whopper with cheese, French Fries and a jumbo non-Diet Coke – all of which suddenly revived my flagging spirits and my faulty perceptions.
Five days later, my buoyant mood still prevails.
Why?
I met terrifically kind people
I got out of my comfort zone
My friend who accompanied me gave me helpful hints galore
And I realized that all that I invested in can be used again
When I got home, my sales actually totaled more than I thought and were in line with what Naomi had found out from other vendors close by my booth.
I’m grateful:
I had the time to pursue my adventure
I had caring friends and family to cheer me on
I had the means to put a booth together
What can I say?
Yes,
I’m exhausted.
Yes,
I wish my sales had been better.
But I had a vision
and I made it happen.
Hoping you will try new things too – and if you need a cargo van driver, I’m your girl!
Keep Preserving Your Bloom,
Iris Ruth Pastor