Home again.

[valis2]

Had some interesting adventures, as always, and had a good enough time as can be had, I think. Wasn't the greatest of shows, and the promoter got in my face (which was weird) about something I had no control over, but overall just another experience to file in the vault.

On Sunday I got up at 8 am, did the show, packed up, and drove nine hours to WI...got there at 5 am. Long day. Only slept two hours, because I still had so much to do on Monday. I haven't recovered quite yet.

Had one of the best Italian meals I've ever had, one of the best Thai meals I've ever had, and one of the best Mexican meals I've ever had, so that was nice. But I think I won't be back to Kansas, which makes me sad.

I need to write a new chapter, definitely. I have a few new thoughts which will enhance the story, I think.

I also met a published author and had a lovely conversation about books and the modern publishing industry. It was quite interesting.

I missed you all! Glad to be home, so very glad to be home.

Comments

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh yes. I saw that you also do shows---it was one of the things (besides your wonderful stories) that I friended you because of.

That was the worst sentence structure ever...I'm so tired and out of it! sorry. Will be more with it tomorrow.

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

What type of products do you merchant/create?

For me, it's currently cloaks and fabric pouches with a few mage robes and medieval costumes thrown in for good measure. In the past I've also done soft sculpture beasties and even handpainted T-shirts.

I do the whole production package - designing, sewing, merchanting, plus all the sundry overhead tasks needed when one runs a solo person business. I mostly vend at sci-fi/fantasy conventions, renfaires, SCA tourneys, and the occasional general arts&crafts fair.

Perhaps we could share a few in-the-field horror stories? You know, 'those' type of shows.

You mentioned a nasty show producer - brings to my mind the time I was set up next to one show's director. I had a brand new tent, the director had a small yappy dog...which liked to lift its leg... Ahhh, the stuff of such 'fond' memories...

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I usually sell at outdoor art fairs. I sell handmade items. I have done one small Renfest for several years, but I finally gave up when they began to demand that if you had an EZ up you had to cover the entire tent, inside and out, with concealing fabrics. I don't do enough Renfests to justify that sort of expense, and they were terribly organized, so I just gave up.

There are many war stories, aren't there? *grins*

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

To be honest, by the time you finished concealing that EZup, you might have spent almost as much as if you had bought a small medieval style tent.

In my case, most of my outdoor events are either renfaires or SCA events so I went ahead and built my own medieval pavilion from scratch. Now that I think about it, I'll only be doing two shows this year where I'll be using my EZup.

Oh yes! War stories! For every show director that is personable, reasonable, and organized, there's three that are grumps, play politics, or let bedlam reign at their events. Over 15+ years I've become an expert at smiling through my teeth, always acting co-operative, and generally keeping a low profile. Unlike some merchants I've met (and 'fellow' merchants are a whole new volume of horror stories) I've worked hard to develop a reputation as being a merchant who always acts professional, is polite to everyone, and doesn't bitch about the difficulties that the director can't do anything about (like the weather).

May I ask what type of handmade items you create?