Well, that was a pretty short lived experience of anticipation!
After thinking it over, we have somewhat reluctantly decided to take a pass on the arts and crafts show we were originally intending to attend as vendors, on April 2nd.
Unfortunate Timing...
The timing just seemed to be really off.
This even was right in the middle of "tax time" when I when I can ill afford to give up time for other activities, on top of which we're having houseguests starting on Saturday next and running right up until the Friday of the weekend of the show.
On reflection, the show seemed like a good idea when it was first announced, but neither my wife nor I feel inclined to spend an entire day "away" immediately after having played hosts to guests for the better part of a week.
So, we decided to cancel.
Partly because it's a one day event rather than a two day event, and that one day happens to be a Sunday which historically is not the best day of the week to have a show. Past experience has taught us that Saturdays are good "market days," but Sundays are the days when people go out to eat or participate in activities, or sporting events, but they don't go shopping.
Better News...
In the meantime, I recently learned that the online applications for one of the big Christmas arts and craft shows have now been opened. So I immediately hurried up and put in our application for early December.
One of the challenging things about being in the business end of art is the fact that when you want to go and do shows — especially what I would call the more important shows — you often end up in a situation where you have to up front the money for the participation fee four to six months ahead of when you actually get to derive the benefits.
I guess I can understand that reality from the organizers perspective. They have to secure the facilities and probably pay down payments for reservations in advance, so they also need to collect from the vendors in advance.
Still, when you're poor and need every penny for your daily living, it can be a bit of a challenge to justify being out several hundred dollars for half a year… even IF it's with the intention of earning back many hundreds or even thousands.
.
With each passing year, I develop more and more appreciation for the whole stereotypical concept of "the starving artist!"
I know we're all supposed to be "creating simply for the love of art," but I would at least like this thing to be some sort of self-funding in a meaningful sort of way.
Ah well, such is life! I guess I can try to blog my way to a $300 booth fee! Hah...
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2023.03.23 AS-TXT-152/120