Spring Fair

May 2 was Clay Alliance Pottery Fair in Cincinnati. I had been sorting and loading all week and trying hard not to bring everything I own. I arrived at the show site as the sun was coming up and started unloading the van. The nice volunteer lady was amazed at how much stuff was in the van but she dived right in and it only took a few minutes to set it all on the curb and head off to park. I think I took over 3 hours setting up. The first show of the year is always a bit of a puzzle to figure out where everything is going to fit and I take my time with it. I can't see any point in rushing. I like to get it all together then take a walk and say hello to my friends maybe grab a coffee and a nibble too. When I get back to the booth it's time for a quick review and a little reshuffle before patrons start coming. I had several of my pickin' buddies show up, previous customers, new customers, customers who had received my pots as gifts from other customers and lots of pottery friends. I got a good sale and a good order from folks who bought a bunch last year and turned down an order for 150 steins. I like making multiples but I really don't want to turn this into a full time job. I sent that one down to a friend of mine who would appreciate the opportunity.

It was a perfect day for a show, partly cloudy, low 70's, and a light breeze. From about 11:30 to 1:00 I was swamped.. I was wrapping as fast as I could and quickly going through my bubble wrap. The new display box for the cereal bowls worked well and I sold a couple of dozen of them. I sold a set of plates, some individual plates, simple open baking dishes, utensil jars, some pitchers and a general mixed bag of stuff. It was warm out so mugs, casseroles and soup mugs were not really on peoples minds. There were a couple of bursts of activity in the afternoon but overall it was slower. I heard that I-71 had been shut down coming north out of Ky and that may have cut into the crowd a bit. This is usually my best show of the year and if you count the order I accepted for mugs I was about even with last year.

Maybe the nicest part was Tina was available and came down to help me pack, knock down and load. It usually takes me two hours but with her help and some better organized cases, we were off the grounds at 6:10. That was a new personal best and it was great to leave with others still on the street instead of being last !