Today is the first day of packing my booth up for the American Craft Council's Baltimore show. We are bloodied, but unbent.
My daughter convinced me to do the simple version of my booth, and she's probably right. I will overlook her obvious vested interest in the decision--she's the one who does most of the grunt work in setting up!--but when there are as many "firsts" as I have with this show (first show with wholesale AND retail materials, first show without jewelry, first show at this venue, etc.), it's best use do the "KISS" method. (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
First order of business was to remove all pets from my studio. Our mudroom gets way too cold for the guinea pig and the cockatiels, so their cages have been tucked in odd corners of my workspace. I wonder what my customers think when I answer the phone and Bela and Zoe squawk? Does it sound exotic? Or like a madhouse?
And the rabbits had to be herded out. They were quite miffed. You could almost read their body language--"Why do WE have to go??" Because you eat everything in site, you darling idiots. Remember the rubber mat flooring you ate? That must have been a first for the Alessco.com sales rep who got my reorder last year--"Please send me six more floor tiles because my rabbits ate them." They are quite peeved with the relocation, but a few handfuls of Cheerios mollified them. (Rabbits, cockatiels, guinea pigs and horses LOVE Cheerios.)
As we brought down the biggest booth components from the barn attic, I realized I was further ahead in preparations than I thought. It's taken a few years, but getting ready for a show is starting to settle into a recognizable pattern. Floor mats, track fixtures, lamps, extension cords.... Drapes, display cases, display case lights, display case panels.... And the new elements I worried about--(How will I keep my new banner hanging smooth and straight?) seem to settle into place as we work--(Hey! I bet a bungie-cord snapped tent pole would make a good banner rod!)
My two kids are quite familiar with all my stuff, so they were able to help a lot. They even tested my track lighting for me. I was a wee bit nervous--they DO know not to put their fingers inside the track, right? "YES, MOTHERRRRR!" they exclaimed with rolling eyes.
Maybe it's the new meds, maybe it's having some help today. Maybe it's the mantra "Worry is not preparation" that runs calmly through my head. Maybe it's just that there's no more time to fret, it's time for action.
Whatever.
The show is getting on the road!
