Hello everyone
I know the old saying 'hard work never killed anyone' but there are times when you do wonder if this is quite correct. We all know we work very hard at our business, making items to sell, completing all of the necessary administration work, but very often it is the 'hidden' hard work that knocks us down.
I know it doesn't sound very hard, but at the moment my 'hardest thing in the world' is getting a face-painter to take part in my Godalming Bazaar events! Easy peasy really. No, it isn't. I had one for my first two events, and she was really good, but the income generated amounted to about 2% of her fee and if you know what face-painters charge, you will have an idea of how much that income was. Since then I have been trying to find one who will hire a table/space from me (I have offered this at a reduced price) and all the income will be theirs. Two face-painters almost bit my hand off to book....... then it went very quiet and despite advising me they definitely want to book/pay, I think they have been gobbled up by spacemen. I sent a gentle 'not long before the event' reminder and that appears to be the end of that episode.
I have posted a message on Facebook, Twitter and Streetlife and received lots of recommendations and I have contacted all of them. Replies? One, so far - unfortunately, despite her work being fantastic her fee was far too high for me. Am I wrong in hoping face-painters will come along and make their money at the event without me having to pay to have them there? Am I wrong expecting them to be like other crafts people/artists who book a stall at the Bazaars? I see them as a crafts person wanting to sell their 'work' at my events - am I wrong in that view? I appreciate and respect their amazing skills and really do want a more family-friendly atmosphere at my events, but I am almost thinking they are for more bigger events than I organise. I know that I need to come up with something else that will attract families to the events - any ideas?
Like everyone, it has been the usual busy, busy week here. I was going to add pictures of my hot-glue-fixing work this week, but decided that as I have not yet got around to putting them on my website, I would prefer to do that first. Face-painter search permitting that is. Apart from a day out at Wisley with three friends it's been work, work, work for most of this past week. We went on Thursday and it was quieter than I had expected it to be. We had a stroll around the gardens before lunch, which we had in the restaurant (we decided to splurge the refund we had obtained from TravelZoo on a waitress service lunch rather than the hustle and bustle of the cafeteria). We worked off lunch with another wander around a different part of the gardens. It's always surprising to me that, no matter how many times I visit Wisley, there is always something I have missed. I always like to visit the small gardens, because they are very inspirational and at this time of year checking out the fruit and vegg patches is a must. They all looked so much healthier than mine although I was pleased to see the odd weed.
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That's my week in a large nutshell; next week begins with a meeting tomorrow morning with a Godalming cafe-owner about providing refreshments for my events - fingers crossed they are happy to do it because I have always found having refreshments at these type of events encourages people in. They may wander around the stalls, then have a cup of tea and a cake and then go off around the stalls again to buy what they have seen first time around. I have a 25th Wedding Anniversary event to provide invitations, acceptances, maps, menus and place cards for, so it's head down and make some samples based on the suggestions the couple have given me.
Have a great week everyone, enjoy the sunshine and get lots of crafting done - don't forget to call in on the other crafty bloggers taking part in
Handmade Monday and if you haven't had a chance to read my Friday Review post, have a look
here, you will love Dawn's knitted people.
Jill
I can imagine how frustrating it must be for you, and I would also expect face painters to hire a stall just like other crafters to sell their products. Hopefully you'll find someone soon. Perhaps another thing to draw families in is to have some sort of crafty thing the kids can take part in? Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds like a really busy week. Hope you're not doing too much, and that you can resolve the face painter issue as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely crafting week, Alison
I'm really surprised how difficult it is to get a face painter. I image it's really stressful thinking everything is sorted and then at the last minute someone pulls out or doesn't respond, frustrating. Glad to hear you had some relaxing time out with friends. Have a very productive week, hope there are face painters wanting to join in. Take care.
ReplyDeleteAli xx
I don't envy you having to get other people organised, it can be a bit of an uphill struggle can't it :/ I hope you find a lovely face painter soon, it seems very reasonable to me that they earn their money on the day like any other craftsperson x
ReplyDeletep.s. Hooray for weeds at Wisley! Its good to know that we're all in the same boat :)
I do think it's very strange how face painters aren't keen to hire a discounted stall, as well as the money they make on the day it's advertising of their business to people without children on the day.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Wisley, every year We say we'll go but don't, I always hear such great things about too.
Maybe we'll pop over one weekend if we're not digging and preparing the fruit cage area on the allotment xx
Like you Jill I would expect face painters to book a stall like other crafters. But then, their income isn't guaranteed is it!
ReplyDeleteSome sort of crafty workshop might be a nice idea, or a demonstration of some kind. Bouncy castles are another option but sometimes don't turn up.
I never knew it's so difficult to get a face painter for an event!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried asking in Hobbycraft shops? Whenever I go there, there seems to be a craft presentation there. Perhaps they could recommend one :)
Sounds like quite a busy week. Good luck finding a face painter.
ReplyDeleteThen it's time to think of something different. Face painters attract children and young adults. If that's who you want to reach, think of something else they would like. Perhaps an area set aside for them to try their own hand at a simple craft?
ReplyDelete