Roll up! Roll up!

Backblipped

And so, the day of the Christmas Maker's Market arrived.  Wild, wet, windy, dark...not the most encouraging of starts.   Surely no one in their right mind would head outside in that unless they really had to?!

D and I got to the Market just before 10am.  Agnes arrived five minutes earlier and had just started to unpack her jewellery and get her table set up.  We were supposed to share a table but one of the crafters couldn't make it so Gina (the organiser) said I could have that table, which was very kind of her.

Setting up took much longer than I thought it would so just as well we were there with an hour to spare.  

Once set up David headed off home (his task for the day was to get all the Christmas decs down from the loft!) and I suddenly felt very lost and lonely sitting there with my little table displaying the pictures I had painted sitting at my kitchen table with no thought whatsoever about putting them out there for scrutiny and for sale!  

I was surpised by how protective I felt towards them and the rejection they may be about to experience in the face of public gaze.  What if I didn't sell a single one!  I don't mind saying I sat there in the run up to 11am (opening time) wishing I could stuff them back in their boxes and head home!

Thankfully with Agnes to my right (feeling just as nervous.  She's done loads of Fairs before but this was her first one in a few years) and a lovely lady called Karen to my left, I remained calm.  Well outwardly :-))

Fast forward to 4pm (closing time) and I had sold six paintings and a pile of Christmas cards and lots of requests for me to set up a Facebook page or Estsy shop to sell online.  People were especially interested when I explained I could customise the Wee Chookie Birdie paintings to suit the recipient.  

Gina, the organiser of the market and all the other stall holders were so friendly and welcoming and above all, encouraging.  This particular market runs throughout the year and according to the regulars, the turn out today was very quiet, so I am even happier with my sales. 

My favourite customer of the day was a little blonde boy aged about 7 who came in with his dad and came straight over, pointed to a flower painting and said "I want to buy that for mum."  His dad suggested he might want to look round the whole place before deciding but he was determined "but mum would love it!"  

I promised him I wouldn't sell it till he had a chance to look at everything at the Fair and he reluctantly let his dad lead him away.  He returned fifteen minutes later pulling his dad behind him, a wee anxious expression on his face, till he saw the painting still sitting there and he grinned.  He once again confirmed this was what he wanted to buy, and my first sale was made.  

If that had been the only item I had sold I would have been more than  happy, as I remember being that age and being at a Church Christmas Fair and seeing a box of linen and lace hankies that I thought my gran would love.  I still remember the joy I felt at realising my pocket money would stretch to the 75p ticket price on the box and the spring in my step as I skipped home with THE perfect gift.  I hope his mum is as happy with it as her lovely little boy was :-))

David returned just before 4pm to help me pack up.  I had a wander round the other tables and found a perfect little item to finish off a Christmas gift for a friend.  I could have spent a fortune by restrained myself.  So many talented people there!

We got home just after 5pm and after a cuppa, I conked out on my chair and slept right through Strictly, only waking up when David announced dinner was ready!  Who knew just sitting at a table all day could be so exhausting!  I think it's a testament to how stressed I was about it!  The next market isn't till March.  Agnes asked me if I'd do it again.  I just might :D

In other news, after racking my brains as to what to buy Ele for her 60th birthday on Boxing Day, I had a eureka moment last week and found the perfect gift.  On his way home this morning David popped into a special place to pick it up.  I can't say what it is at the moment as obviously I don't want her finding out.  I hope she likes it and I hope I'm the only one in her family and friend's circle who's thought of this!