Craft Fairs and beyond

So yesterday I went to Nottingham to the Surface Gallery to fair they held there, they are doing another today, but I felt it would be too much to do both days. Although it was an early start, Nottingham is over an hour away on a good day, I was there and set up in good time. The rest of the day was although very positive in the comments of those passing by, no one took the final step of putting there hand into their pocket and buying something. I did have a couple of people who looked and asked about my website and will, I hope look further and be in touch later.

So did I learn, well not much that I did not know before, there is a massive gap between people admiring what I do and wanting to pay for it. I suppose we have very different agendas in this case me and the public, they on the whole are looking to be impressed also if I think about it most of the people who come and talk to me about my stuff have no intention of buying anything and want the conversation, I empathise and have found myself doing exactly the same thing on numerous occasions.

There is cost going to the fairs, both financial and emotional. I do spend a lot of the time sitting around waiting for something to happen. Yes I could be reading a book or working on something but it it really hard to concentrate on anything when you are waiting for that next person,they could be the one.

I do need t have a serious think about how I sell and generally market my pictures. Dan has had some in his shop for a couple of weeks no and again there seem to have been no takers. although the feedback is very positive from passers by, it does seem that there is no real market for my pictures in this context. Family and friends apart.

I don't want really to say goodbye to the dream of running my stall and selling my pictures but I think the reality is that I don't make any money at it. I have learned a lot doing it and I may well do some more bigger events, but i will need to have to invest in frames and printing and other bits and pieces. hmmm.... not sure

I will continue writing about my day to day stuff and putting up what I take. I have also started working on version 2 of the website though I hope it will improve . I know most of this is rattling around in my head and will take a while to come out.
OK more later