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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Craft Show In Reelfoot



A couple of weeks ago my sister, Mary and I took off on a Friday for an adventure. Since my husband retired from the Navy a few years ago I miss all the traveling. Anyway, we had planned a trip to Tiptonville, TN to the annual Reelfoot Lake Craft Show. This happens every year, the first weekend of October. I had heard nothing but praise for this show. I kinda wanted to scout it out to see if I might want to sell there next year. First photo is my sister Mary.



We arrived at 9:00 and found a great parking spot at the beginning of the show. We were delighted and excited to see how big it was! For the most part it was outside but there were a few buildings with vendors. We walked and walked and walked and walked some more. Three hours later we sat on a bale of hay and shared a plate of curly chips.
Should have taken a picture before we started eating, it was piled high!
I was amazed at how much crocheting was being sold at the show. Usually you see one booth, but I saw no less than 8. One booth was a woman 90 years old in a wheelchair making baby afghans. Her daughter was the salesman and said her Mother just loved to crochet. She had so many beautiful afghans to show for it. My only concern was that she was all but giving them away. The daughter said she tried to get her Mother to sell them for more, but she just did them for the love of crochet.
Here I go on my soapbox, the reason crafters do not make much is because most are willing to give it away for the love of the craft. I am not speaking of doing your craft for chairty. I am speaking of not selling yourself short, you are worth at least minimum wage for your labor. If it takes you 1 hour to make an ornament cover to sell, you have to charge at least $5.00 for labor and then the cost of material. Why would you sell it for less? If someone wants your product they will pay the price because they obviously know the value of you time and effort. Period!
The day was a blast, I bought some candles, and a "Papillion Crossing" sign. The day was beautiful and the crowds were starting to get thick when we left right at 1:00. Here I am hiding in some flowers.