The Austin Mini Maker Faire actually started on Friday for me. I worked an early shift at my job so I could be done by 3:30. I ran home, took a quick nap, and then got to work getting my supplies and set up together. I had already seen what my space looked like on Sunday and was lucky enough to get my table set in front of an open, floor to ceiling, bookshelf. I knew I could do something really awesome with that space, but I was extremely short on time. Noah had a brilliant idea on Thursday about the bookshelf.
Fill the shelves with yarn! Noah had to work Friday night, so I packed my car and went to set up by myself Friday night. For future reference - it's really really hard to fill open (no back) shelves with yarn by yourself. I dropped many a ball on the floor and was sure it wasn't going to survive until morning. The yarn goddesses were on my side though. My yarn shelves were fully intact on Saturday!
The lovely TS512 sign pictured was one of the reasons I only slept five hours Friday night. There were many last minute things to do, but I finished pretty much everything and still managed to sleep a bit. Poor Noah slept even less than me, as he had just got home as I was going to bed. He was a real trooper on Saturday!
Saturday started early with set up at 8 am. The lovely ladies of Book-Inz let me borrow a couple of their tables and table risers the night before - the one A.M.M.F provided was only 6" and I actually had too many things to fit on it! My tables were all ready Saturday morning for me to put my products on. Noah worked on hanging my sign and ran to Fed Ex to print a bio up for me. Somehow A.M.M.F had gotten my bio off of my Hobby Local website, not the one I provided, so Noah saved the day by making me a new one! :)
I was in a great spot, next to the super friendly Ky and Pat of Book-Inz and Sierra of Manic Trout with Sarah of World on a String just around the corner. They gave me lots of great advice and helped make the day more fun. My friend Mary came by and hung out for a good part of the day and my friend Christine stopped by, too!
I had a great time talking to people about my work, especially those who knew how to crochet. It was great talking technique and hearing what they like to do. A bunch of people said they want to take my crochet classes, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed they sign up. I would have liked to sell more, but the other vendors said this wasn't a great event for selling - it was more about networking - and I think I did a good job at that!
I was exhausted Saturday and haven't done any crocheting since Friday night, but I'm already thinking about the next craft fair! I have a bunch of ideas for booth set up - expanding my booth to a few tables and maybe some free standing displays. I also have been thinking about ideas for products to add or adjust. I don't think I'll do another event until the fall, closer to the holidays, but I'm getting excited already thinking about it. :)
A few things to keep in mind for next time:
- There are more things to do than there is time for.
- Getting only five hours of sleep before the big event is not a great idea. Not sleeping much all week before the event is also not helpful although it was great to know I still can do the old college late night routine.
- Order fabric labels, or any supplies, very early - it's never good for them to arrive a few days after the event ;)
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