Fiber Follies

Okay. I work for a living. I work long hours and try very hard to get by. Too often the business limps along only just covering expenses. I love what I do so intend to keep it up as long as I can.

Enter telemarketers and people who cannot dial the correct number. I became so tired of telemarketers constantly interrupting work that I recorded a message stating that “all calls are screened”. It’s the only way to get work done! Sometimes, however, I pick up if I’m near the phone. That’s when the hamhands who can’t dial come in.

The latest came from a woman looking for a religious shop. Fine. It’s only the umpteenth call I’ve had from someone looking for a someone at that same shop. Why do they keep ringing me? So I asked this one. She was rather snarky about the whole thing, uncaring that she had interrupted my work. I explained that I needed to know where she got this number, she responded “Yellowbook”. Could she read the number listed in Yellowbook? She starts in on some silliness and I repeated my request impatiently. At that point she reared up to snarl as if I had caused the current economic downturn just to cause her the greatest possible discomfort! Excuse me, but who failed dialling 101? I apologised a few times for my own snarkiness, explaining that this constant mis-dialling is an ongoing problem. Did she apologise for interrupting my work day? No. Did she apologise for mis-dialling? Of course not. Did she even graciously accept my apologies? Don’t make me laugh. Well, arrogant female who cannot dial a correct number, I have your mobile phone number. Just screw up one more time. You’re nastier than me and that’s saying something. And, you know, people make mistakes. But when you’re caught please don’t put on the “holier-than-thou” garment. It doesn’t fit you.

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I am returned safely from my very first fair experience. I have avoided exhibiting all along. The possibility of breaking any of my inventory frightens me. But I gave in and arranged to exhibit at a fair a few hours’ drive from here.

So. I took my inventory on the road two weeks back. It was an altogether harrowing job to pack all the fragile old things. I spent two entire work days just packing the van! Once it was nearly packed and I was dis-satisfied so unloaded it and started over. I could have rolled the van and nothing would be out of order, it was so nicely done. But. That took a LONG TIME. Oh, and it took two days before that to pack it all. I printed out lists of what each bin contained and taped it to the lid. It was an excellent idea, which made Precious Child’s job easier later on.

It was a long trip through most of a night to that antiques fair but having Precious Child along as company and set designer made it bearable. She’s fantastic company and most capable when it comes to making things look right.

It took a good part of Friday to set up. I had no idea where to begin so simply launched into a haphazard attempt to put up the track lights. A porter came along, looked at my lights, took them down and put them back up properly. He even took the time to adjust the angles so the exhibit was beautifully lit.

We met our neighbouring dealers right off, with quick introductions and understanding nods at the work we faced.

Friday evening we joined a few other dealers at the hotel restaurant for a pleasant dinner, then dropped into a good night’s sleep.

Saturday was a banner day! Never in the lifetime of my company had I enjoyed such sales in so few hours. Nearly all sales were to the trade, which is fine with me. I was delighted that such august names had become clients. Saturday night, of course, was a chance to “round table” with some of the trade’s big names-who turned out to be fun-loving as well as intellectual. I believe the restaurant’s staff were intimidated by a table of ten antiques dealers, some a bit raucous.

No sales on Sunday although I completed some trade deals. It was hard to break down, the porters were constantly underfoot and overhead, making me feel rushed and very nervous. By the time we were finished and packed it was past nine-and with six hours’ drive looming.

I didn’t blaze any trails but made expenses with a wee bit left over, came home with new acquaintances, learned how to exhibit at a fair, and enjoyed the hard work and the fun. Precious Child is eager to repeat the performance. She kept her cash box key so I guess that means I can rely on her next fair.

I was happy to read an account of the fair in Antiques and the Arts. Its account of the fair started off with a picture from my inventory!

These images show how we began the fair. Precious Child’s arrangements were neat, nice, well thought out, and made verything lead from itself to the next thing and on and on so the eye was drawn in. No one simply glanced then walked away.

I have started to plan out how to go about the October fair. The kit is packed with everything we needed and a few things we could have used. I was glad to have taken a dedicated kit bin, a few other dealers needed supplies that only I had. I was happy to share. It gave a chance to get acquainted with these wonderful people. Most of them have been in the trade and on the show circuit for many, many years, and proved invaluable to me at this first attempt to make my shop mobile. Thank you to every last one!

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Oh dear.  WordPress has changed itself and now I can’t categorise my posts anymore!  I apologise for this.  IF there’s a fix I haven’t found it yet (yes, I’m looking).  No I don’t want this to be categorised as “knitting”.  Very very sorry.