Good morning friends,
I have decided this morning not to go back to my table at the Hatch Market 09. First, it's Mother's Day and I'd rather spend it with my beautiful little family. Secondly, the Hatch Show was grossly disorganized, at the expense of all the terrific vendors. We all paid our $85.00 booth fee in exchange for two packed-full days of good exposure in an indie craft show "an event like nothing we've ever seen on the southside of Atlanta."
I had assumed (my fault) that because Yuengling Lager was one of the sponsors, that they'd be selling their delicious product there, too. When I met Melanie Feltman, the organizer of the show, and asked her where my booth was (not labeled) she shrugged her shoulders and told me to walk across the street to the corner gas station and buy myself a "big ol Colt 45" if I wanted beer. Hmmm.
The flow of the show was really awful. There were several of us in the "garden" which really was a lovely spot. But the entrance was blocked by another vendor by the time we all finished setting up. When I pointed this issue out, there was no effort made to remedy it.
By the time my husband showed up from Atlanta, he asked where all the signs were. There was nothing on 10th, the major intersection that leads you to the show.
All vendors were supposed to have this "You will be provided with a skirted table and one chair with a designated space of approximately 10’ x 10’. One sign with your business name, web address and home town will be attached to the front of your skirted table. We ask that, if you find it necessary to remove the sign during set up, you incorporate it into your display at its original location."
But we didn't. No signs. No interest in flow. They allowed some vendors to take over, choose their own spots. If there was a problem with flow, no one came by to fix it. The staff said they might be able to fix it on Sunday. But by that time, the damage was done.
So I talked with Melanie Feltman about some of these issues and her response was to shrug her shoulders and say that this was her first time doing this and that she was learning as she goes.
I was frustrated. And I learned a big lesson here. The next time I do a craft fair, I'll take more responsibility for myself and ask more questions up front. Many of the vendors were like me - new at this, and did not think to take a more proactive approach. So I think we all learned, which is good.
The other thing that felt comfortable at first, but then I later regretted, was that our $85 both fee was our only financial obligation. I was thinking how easy that was - clean cut and uncomplicated. But when it became clear that we vendors were on our own, it felt like the organizers had already gotten their money from us, and had no vested interested in making sure we were in an environment that promoted sales.
With all this feedback, which I hope was constructive, it really was a fun day. The very best part was meeting all the other vendors. We exchanged ideas, creativity, support of each other, we traded, we sold to each other. I met so many fantastic artists, good people with positive energy, and the few people who did come out to the show were really sweet. It really was a beautiful day. Breezy, comfortably overcast. We got about an hour of really sweet jazz, (I had hoped for more) and hope next year they do more of that.
But I won't be doing Hatch Market 2010, if there is one. Instead, through the sage advice of other vendors, am going to do Atlanta's
Indie Craft Experience next Christmas. Woo hoo! Lots of people have told me it is FULL of energy, people waiting in line to buy your product. It's a bigger financial investment, but I'm willing to make one, because it echos the serious business commitment made by the ICE organizers.
The last weekend of May, I'll go to
ICE to check out the flow. I think it's going to be really fun and am SO excited.
And this mother's day, (my boys are still asleep upstairs) I am going to make a fun dinner to celebrate and hang with my boys, put the tomato plants I bought 2 weeks ago in the ground, plant cosmos seeds with Anton out front, get a pedicure and ahhhhhh, enjoy the gift of motherhood. I traded a book for two pairs of beautiful earrings from
Jenna Chavalia. Will post those later this week.
Thank you to all the vendors who participated in the show. I'll list your links once again and sing your praises and hope to see you again at
ICE in Atlanta!
Handmade Charlotte clothing & accessories
Four-Footed Art pop art pet painting
I Make ARRRT! / Alicia's Colors journals and random / fused glass jewelry and décor
PHOTOCAT photobooth
Grey Area jewelry and screenprinting
Adia Bella Quilts/Daisy Cakes Soap quilts & patchwork animals / olive oil soap
Class Attire chalkboard t-shirts
Simon Creative Center beaded jewelry
Mamie Ruth clothing, accessories and jewelry
Sorella Designs jewelry and hand-silkscreened bags
Thirsty Parrot frozen drinks (non-alcoholic) and food items
Fluffy Flowers toys
Richmond Street Designs mixed media collages
Heddy Lynn tutus, doll quilts, crib sets
CitruSmash fresh orangeade, lemonade
Safehouse Coffee coffee
Brook Earth Farms / Epic Farms soap, cards, magnets, pendants
Jenn Ell's Revenge clothing, jewelry, and accessories
Butterbean Babies / Compulsive Quilter children's clothing/handbags and accessories
Jill Massey Designs jewelry
A Noble Egg emu egg ornaments
Kimberly Huff stationery, mixed media
Lolly Felt Like It felted wool items
Mixed Media Art by Laurie mixed media
Indie Peace printed t-shirts
L & S Ames hand-knitted hats
Bede Sisters jewelry, handbags, crocheted items
Crafty Bugaloo hats, pom poms, tams, hair stuff
Anabelle Glass stained and hand-etched glass
Southern Flameworks fused glass jewelry and décor
Coon and Cole Designs bibs, purses
Jane Hancock Papers / Hartley Soap Co. stationery, soap
Dragonfly Designs cards, journals, magnets
Linwood Avenue / Joya Jewelry lamps and chandeliers/jewelry Muddspirit / Debi Designs stoneware pendants
Utility Club of Griffin cookbooks and tomato sandwiches
Bella Bee aprons
The Jelly Lady gourmet and unique jellies DecoHime clothing and accessories
Custom Adornments jewelry
Anne Elser Design handmade books
SoSheSews clothing and accessories
Moment of Stars lino block prints
Clay Shapers pottery
Ragamufyn / 75Rabbit women's clothing
E! La! La! Soaps & Crafts soap
BiddyBrain Workshop original paintings, mixed media
Papa Willie's bar-b-que, chicken-on-a-stick, hamburgers, hot dogs, fried pickles, french fries, onion rings
My prices will range from $10.00 to $120.00 and everything in between.
Must like being roped in by the girls. This one's $25 at the 
