Yes, we have no craft fairs

Every year I have the same debate, and every year I forget how said debate ended last year. What's the debate? Whether I should buy space at various craft fairs this fall/winter.

It always seems to be dead at these things anymore, and I feel so bad for the other crafters because there are some really talented people out there! So last year I did a little of both; I had tables at a few fairs, and did some holiday shopping at others (hey, I gotta support my fellow crafter!).

This time was different, because I actually took notes on how I did at each fair I was in. I discovered I really didn't do well enough to justify waking up early on a Saturday morning and spending 8-10 hours listening to people either say, "I could make that at home," or, "Wow, your stuff is so nice, and so reasonably priced." I'm a pretty positive person, but that had a tendency to wear even me down. I think this was actually the incubus to my store front idea (I guess because I want to do this for 8-10 hours every day).

Anyway, this year is no debate. There will be no craft fairs this year. I'm instead going to focus my energies on making my business work for me. First step is my business plan, which is tantamount to writing a short novel. I always knew those creative writing/journalism classes in high school would come in handy some day, just didn't imagine it would resurface like this.

I've done some research and a whole lot of thinking, and have come to the conclusion that a bricks and mortar store is not going to happen by 2010. I just don't have the capital, and don't anticipate having it by the beginning of the year. Here's the funky circle I'm going in right now...in order to get banks to loan me money, I need to show them that I have money; yet in order for me to have money, I need the banks to loan me money...and on and on it goes. So for now I'm saving saving saving while I build my business plan.

Next post....inspiration has sprung and I'm working on my first quilt of the season. Man, I love fall!