You must be present to win

Last weekend I was showing my jewelry at the Contemporary Crafts Market in San Francisco. Saturday was a good day, yet on Sunday morning we all felt that there were just artists walking the aisles. And we were all tired from the pesky time change... some artists were even late to arrive, showing up after the doors had already opened.

I was falling into that trap, thinking that things might not really get started until after noon. I wanted a latte to boost my energy, and I was feeling a little distracted... it is easy to be lured into walking the aisles, especially at a show I was participating in for the first time. I had friends I wanted to visit and West Coast artists I wanted to meet, yet I don't have an assistant. I did run and grab some coffee while a neighbor kept an eye on my booth, and I walked back to my booth via a different aisle. Luckily I was lured back to my booth... I rarely leave it for long even though the temptation is there.

Why do I say "luckily"? Because there were customers at the show (and I always consider fellow artists to be potential customers anyway). A gentleman walked into my booth and asked me to discreetly wrap up a set of jewelry for him, and he handed me a credit card while he walked off to join his wife. He returned a few minutes later to finish the transaction.

Caged stones necklace and earrings, photo by Thea Volk, ©2011 Kathy Frey
This is similar to the set I sold on Sunday morning!

This was a major sale for me. If I had been standing in the aisle idly chatting, I never would have thought he was a buyer because he popped into my booth for less than 30 seconds. If I hadn't been there I definitely would have missed that sale. That resonated with me throughout the day, and perked me up more than caffeine. I'm always a proponent of "give attention to who is at the show" rather than bemoan who isn't at the show. It can be a mental challenge to always look at the bright side, yet the truth is I had more sales than most of my friends and neighbors on Sunday because I was truly present in my booth, physically and mentally.

All artists know that is hard work. I have tricks, like writing production lists for myself, sketching new designs, or making notes about future display changes I want to institute. I really don't think about packup until the last 15 minutes of the show (if I'm not busy) because I don't want to send the vibe that I'm ready to leave. I will leave when the customers leave. I'm not here just to want to leave... my main focus is to show my work, talk to people about my designs and possible custom work, and to sell the jewelry I'm displaying. I'm also at a show to learn about new display ideas and network if I can do that in a way that doesn't detract from my main focus.