My First Ever Outside Event - Oh the Wind did Blow!

Last Saturday was my first ever outside event where I was selling my Jewellery, this was at my son's Scout Summer Fair.  I didn't have any great expectations for the event or expect to sell much jewellery, I was just looking at it as gaining some experience.

My Little Monsters!



I'd spent a whole week preparing for it, luckily I already had a good stock of jewellery to sell so it gave me more time to make lots of things for children, bracelets, fimo monster key rings/phone charms and lovely bright flower hairclips. I'd also made 2 corner board displays which I was extreemly proud of for displaying my necklaces. I'd sent my husband up into the loft to dig out the paste table and the gazebo in case of rain and I spent most of the day on Friday (my birthday by the way) practicing my layout and then packing everything away ready for an early start the next day.  I'd even sorted out my Public Liability Insurance, just in case, you never know!

My handmade Polymer Clay Flowers

Early Saturday morning the sun was trying to shine and the trees outside my house were swaying gently, I thought Oh! a good sign, it's going to be a nice day, Ah!  Arrived at the School field about 1 hour later and already the scouts had most of their stalls up, I was told to slot in on the end which I did.  OMG I was in the middle of a field and it was blowing a gale.  Took all four of us to get the gazebo up without it flying off.  My next task then was to put up the table and start laying everything out, it was a good job I'd brought my box of pins with me because the wind just get blowing things over or off the table.  My corner boards were just about bearing up.  It was so bad I sent my husband home to get our seaside windbreak to see if that would help.  Which did help a little!

So to cut a long story short I spent most of the 3 hours I was there, holding on to my cornerboards for dear life because every time I let go a board almost went flying across the field.  I can't remember how many times I had to re-lay out my jewellery, pick up earrings, it was a nightmare.  BUT, I did manage to sell quite a lot, especially the childrens things.  One little girl said have you got any bracelets that cost £3.50, I said one or two but plenty for less and she said no it's got to be £3.50, couldn't persuade her otherwise so sold her a £3.50 bracelet, I felt quite mean!

Well my lessons learned for the day: 

1.  Make sure you know who you are selling to before going to the event and take appropriate items.

2.  Smile even though you are having a nightmare!

3.  Buy a better gazebo with walls (for when it's windy or rainy).



 Linda x





My First Blog - Welcome

Hello and Welcome to my first ever Blog.  I haven't a clue what I'm doing or what I'm going to say, so apologies now for my ramblings, before you read any further! 

My name is Linda and Jewellery making has become a total obsession for me (sounds like an introduction to a Beading anonymous club)!  I'm a wife and mother to 2 boys (ages 12 and 18) who have no interest whatsover in what I'm doing, mores the pity as sometimes it would be really good to have a second opinion and a model to try my jewellery on!  I do have some very good friends though who are fellow jewellery makers and without their support I don't know what I would do. I'm also addicted to Facebook, Folksy.com and I've just become a Tweeter, so adding Blogger to the list seemed the natural thing to do!

So what have I discovered about myself in the last few months? I don't want to ever work in an office again or for someone else.  I hate housework, I don't need as much sleep as I thought I did, I couldn't live without my round nose pliers and a good pair of cutting pliers and I love experimenting with polymer clay.  There's plenty more I've learn't but I won't bore you will all the details. Ah!

I have my first 'proper' craft event at the beginning of June, so really looking forward to that. I'll keep you posted with all my preparations etc and what I learn from it.

I think that's all for now, just a short intro really!

Take Care.
Linda x