Thursday, May 20, 2010

Farmer's Markets and other detritus......


In February this seemed like such a good idea.  In May and a day standing in a parking lot....... maybe not.

I have been making pots all winter, functional pots to put food in.  I thought the farmers market would be a great R&D (research & development) approach to making pots.  When the dog likes everything you make I thought I needed a bit more insight.  My other thought was, this would be a way to ease back into the show scene, which I abhor, but need to sell pots as I am tripping over them.   I have not done an outdoor show in years!  

With great expectations I packed and made sure my helper, Abby would be ready to roll by 1:00 p.m.  Abby backed out by 11 a.m. while I was furiously going over my checklist and throwing boxes in the truck.  My brain had gone mushy trying to remember all the "stuff" needed to pack up pots.  Note to self, next career move, try jewelry!  

Arriving in plenty of time to set up it looked to be a good group of vendors.  Setting up next to the grass fed beef farm and across from the ice cream man with the non stop compressor proved no problem. However trying to talk to folks over the compressor proved to be interesting.  Pat the baker was next to her and the Alpaca wool gals were at the end.   

There is a learning curve to this type of show.  My truck was loaded like I was going to a two day a fair.  
Farmers markets are 3-4 hours.  Decided not to take a canopy as it was a beautiful Ohio afternoon!  That said, the wind was pretty fierce and the general consensus was; "Oh it gets much worse!"  Great.........  
I had way too much work and had a hard time weeding out what should stay in the truck and what should go out.  As you can see from the pictures, I suck at making these decisions.  Maybe I need two more tables.  Thinking shelves would not stay up in the wind, I'm still opting for tables.

My tables look like a garage sale and can I just say I have NEVER had anything look like this!  So back to the drawing board.  I think I need something I can toss up in 10 minutes and pack up in 5 minutes.  

Also thinking dog & bunny dishes might be the way to go, maybe I just need to make apple butter and give up pottery.





For a day of packing, unpacking, 4 hours standing in a parking lot with an ice cream compressor I came home with one sale (a bowl), grass fed hot dogs, 6 grass feed burgers, 2 rhubarb plants and 6 biscotti.  

a bit depressed but going back out early Sat. morning and do it again.........  
oh my........ 



3 comments:

  1. Sandy, Hope this doesn't mean you won't be at LFP next Wednesday. My friend and I are really excited about your work and want to learn more. I've looked at your website -- beautiful. I'm sure it's a lot of work to do these markets. If you do decide to go another route, we will try to visit your work some other way. Suggestions?

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  2. Hi Sharon,
    LOL call me the whiney potter! Just re-read my post. YIKES!

    Oh I am jumping with both feet as I just signed up to take mastercard and visa..... what am I thinking?

    I will be there for the summer and hopefully into the fall. I promised Cheryl I would be there for the year and I will! The only time I see myself missing in action is the last week of August when I will be in Chicago.

    Thanks so much for your thoughts!

    Every potter I know is a master schlepper! It's just what we do........ and some of us do it so much better than others ;-)

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