The End of the Show Season

 This past weekend was the end of the show season for LeafLady Quilts. The United Maine Craftsmen Holiday show in Portland is always my last and this year's was a success, a sort of make up show for all the less than stellar shows I found myself at this past year. I started off strong and while it slowed at times business was steady and I find myself faced with having to make more runners and placemats in the coming year. They are my best sellers and I love making them...they are the perfect size to finish in a hurry and I can gang several runners or sets of placemats to maximize my time. But I will not even look at fabric choices until January, and at that time I'll be looking to restock some of the solids and blenders I use as well as batting and other materials. And I'll be revising my show schedule for 2023 as I have decided to cut back on a few shows...time to cut the "less than profitable" shows. Prime example is a show in late April that I have done for several years - I love the show and the people who run it are great. The venue is top notch as I can drive right to my space inside - but it's a one day affair and makes for a very long day as it is over an hour from home. By the time I drive there, unload the car, move the car and get back inside and set up I feel as if I have already done a full days work. And I don't get home until well after dinner. I have decided it has to drop off the schedule as I really do not make much money. And there are a couple of other one day affairs I tried for the first time this year that will also not make the cut. I'm leaning toward concentrating on shows in November and December only as they seem to be the most profitable for me. No one really wants to buy quilted things in the middle of the summer. With that in mind, I also will be investigating membership in another organization so that I can (hopefully) participate in one or more of their shows.

    So now I'm just taking it easy, decorating the house for the holidays and enjoying reading and napping. Happy Holidays to all!