Did my first indoor show since COVID came to town this past weekend. People were well-behaved, many were masked (this was in Augusta where it's still optional) but the numbers of attendees were down both days. Still, I'm happy to report this was a group in the mood to buy! I had the best show I've had in many years. So a hearty THANK YOU to all who came and purchased treasures from me.
This coming weekend, the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, I will be at a show in Brewer. This is my second attempt to crack the Bangor area market so it's still an experiment. I felt I should do this show to support the United Maine Craftsmen organization. I have been a member since 2016 and this past August was elected vice president. It's great group of people and we are doing our best to keep the doors open at show venues around the state. We've had to make some adjustments due to the pandemic, the weather, construction at venues, etc. but we're a diverse and resourceful group, determined to do what is right for our members.
Booth at Augusta
Anyway, the show this weekend requires me to rise at 4 am to be on the road by 5 to get to Brewer by 6:15, the start of set-up time. I need all 3+ hours these days to get my booth in order and as this is a new venue, I'm not sure how easy load in will be - considerations are always 1) stairs?; 2) how far I am from the door; 3) how far away from the door do I need to park? 4) how to fit my booth in the space allotted and not encroach on my neighbors. (My 2 favorite venues are the USM show in Gorham where I can drive right into the fieldhouse and park 3 feet from my space and the Augusta Civic Center where they usually have large flatbed hand trucks available for unloading, which means only 2-3 trips from the parking lot instead of 10-12 when I have to hand carry everything.) I'm doing a B & B exchange with our president - She stayed with us this past Saturday and has invited me to stay with her on Friday so it's only one trip up and back for me instead of 2. A win win!
Watching a report on CNN about how the owner of TY Inc. has chartered a plane to bring Beanie Babies over from (China?) so we will have our pick of those little critters this holiday season. Takes me back to my days working at Mr. Paperback in the Shaw's Plaza in Waterville at the height of the BB craze. The tricks and lies people used to get their hands on the latest releases still amaze me. I divested myself of most of my few acquisitions years ago - donated to charity, given away, yard sale. No need to keep those any more. I never thought I'd get rich but I'm sure there are still people who think that way. Sigh.
