So! Honestly not my most favorite, positive craft fair experience but still a great time.
I wasn't really sure what to expect since it was 1) in San Jose (I've only vended in LA & BK), 2) in a high school gym, and 3) in San Jose. San Jose is such a strange city to me. Definitely diverse and the size of a big, major city but with the attitude of a suburb. I really don't know how that translates in the selling of handmade goods. I still don't know.
I have to admit though... a great benefit was having my parents around. I've largely operated with help from my 'good friends' so having parental units instead was an interesting change. I mean, this was my breakfast Saturday morning:
Yeah. I know, right?
One thing I definitely appreciated was the support from my friends hundreds of miles away. I was flying solo mostly (my parents left at one point or another because of boredom though I don't think they'd admit it) but the incoming phone calls, videos of monkey :), texts, photo likes on fb & emails were lovely. Such good friends!
Next to me was the most incredible 70+ year old abuela who knitted scarves, hats, etc. She did it with her eyes closed, blazing through the yarn like it ain't no thang. She had me open her medication bottle for her, which amazes me since she clearly has the hand strength to knit a mile a minute. As I handed back her pill container, I brushed against her wrinkly weathered hand & was immediately reminded of
Di fara's & the 70+ y.o. pizza man in Brooklyn. I rhetorically asked my mom if that would be me & she flat out said 'no.' Honestly I don't think I'd mind.
Every hour I met a new member of abuela's family. Mario, her 8 yo grandson, was especially amusing. He talked A LOT, said I reminded him of Linda Cardellini as Velma in Scooby-Doo & enthusiastically declared his love for Team Edward. How we started talking:
Me: How's it going?
Mario: Tough.
Who says that at the age of 8?!
Though the event didn't get much foot traffic, I did connect with a lot of people, and even had some returning customers! One returning customer said my work 'simply makes you smile!' Another mom & daughters came back on the second day for this little guy so their petit elefant could have a friend :)
Overall it was a different kind of experience thus it was valuable. I had a lot of fun, learned a lot & discovered the glory of being able to leave your set up overnight :)
On to the next fair. See you at Bazaar Bizarre!
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