I have accepted the invitation to post my opinion regarding last Sunday’s craft fair at the Elks Lodge. I normally participate in local craft fairs stretching from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. Last Sunday, I participated in the Santa Maria Craft Fair held at the Elks Lodge. I was not optimistic about making that many sales that day because my handmade items are seasonal products and, with the warm weather we had, it definitely was not the season. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of my day. My morning started with a hearty pancake breakfast. It was wonderfully delicious and gave me the right amount of energy to get me through my sales day. As the morning visitors began streaming in, I noticed a small crowd gathering at a front space. The excitement and laughter piqued my curiosity and I was drawn in only to discover it was our very own chairperson, Diane Warren, who had crafted amazing personalized products. She had a beautiful display of personalized etched stemware and lighted wine bottles, her handcrafted tutus for infants and young girls, and many other personalized products. It was evident that she spent many hours on perfecting each personalization. Her products were so well made! I adored some of the clever quips she had on some of her items! Personally, I had a steady stream of customers until the last 1.5 hrs of the day. I was busy interacting with potential buyers, getting feedback from them on my products, getting ideas from them for future craft fairs, and taking orders. I also had some time in between visitors to observe other crafters and see how they were faring. Some were not as fortunate as I was with many visitors as I had. I was lucky to have made a significant amount of sales—made above the value spent on participating this event despite this time of year is not the season for my items. Yet, I was very satisfied. It has been my experience that craft fair fees are typically $75 or more. The fee does not include tables, gazebos/canopies, or use of electricity. A fee typically buys you a 10’ x 10’ space. They are usually an outdoor event where gazebos are not required, but encouraged to protect your handmade products. A donated item valued at $50 or more is typically requested. The SM Craft Fair gave us a cozy indoor space (a minimal 10’ x 10’) with two 8’ tables for a nominal fee of $40. There was no minimum value set for the donated gift and, so, it was not an imposition on my part to donate an item. (I donated an item of $30 value.) In my opinion, the fee and donation was nominal and a total bargain! I put a lot of value on all of my handmade items as I am sure many crafters feel about their work. Donating an item of my small inventory would not break me at all. In fact, I was honored that the chairperson recognized value in my items to use as a gift. I also felt honored that my handmade item was in the company of other valuable handmade items from other crafters (--well, most were handcrafted). What a wonderful way to promote our talents and small business! Though I wasn’t lucky enough to win a door prize, but I was happy that others were gifted with our much-valued handmade items. It was truly nice to see the excitement in the faces of the winners! One thing I must say, I was happy to see that the crafters outnumbered the independent distributors. It was my understanding that a “craft fair” was intended for crafters. I was surprised that independent distributors were allowed to participate as well. I suppose the chairperson was generous enough to allow them to participate alongside the crafters. I think that is pretty nice of the chairperson. What troubles me is when the chairperson bends the rules to include these independent distributors and one or two of them chose post a very critical, unfair, and inaccurate review. I did not have the opportunity to speak with any vendor – disgruntled or otherwise. No one ever approached me and asked me about my input regarding the craft fair. I would have shared how I happy and satisfied I was with the event. I don’t know a “Rebecca Barks” or “her craft fair”. I will also say that I did not participate in Diane Warren’s Craft Fair. I participated in Santa Maria Craft Fair offered by the Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538. My fee was paid by check to the Elks Lodge and I witnessed my donation gifted to a random winner. My fee and donation did not go directly to the chairperson, but to benefit the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 and, in turn, the community. I know the profits made on this event will be passed on to worthy individuals and groups in our community and, therefore, we all ought to do what we can in support of our community. As an educator, I always say, “There is no such thing as a stupid question.” If I had a question regarding an event I was participating, I would make it my business to find out. It never hurts to ask if something one feels is not clarified or there is some possible misunderstanding. In my experience, a donation for a door prize is the quite the norm for craft fairs. When I was asked to donate an item as a door prize, I had no qualms about it. It is quite common at craft fairs for a donation. Also, since there was no minimum value, I was delighted to offer what I could to promote my small business. If someone was taken by surprise by this request, I am almost certain the chairperson could break the rules (again) for anyone with extenuating circumstances. It is a simple matter of communication. There is no need to become indignant. It is not the time or the place for that. I find it unfitting to publicly attack craft fair and the chairperson. The chairperson must have put in a lot of hard work and numerous hours in preparing for this event. This event was intended for the common good of the community. Functions of this type depend on the support of the Elk members and the community; however, the public attack demonstrates the lack of unity among its members and is completely counterproductive. Sadly, as an outsider looking in, it is clear to me what the motives were with the attack: to gain the support of others to boycott future functions associated with the forenamed chairperson. The craft fair is a public function that solely profits for the community—this is not a personal function or a personal profit. It is truly unfortunate that one or two vendors did not share the same experience as I did. I have participated in poorly organized, overcrowded, congested craft fairs and neighbored with unapologetic space-hogging, self-importance vendors in the past. This craft fair was nothing like that at all. My experience on Sunday’s craft fair at the Elks Lodge was very organized, well promoted, and exceeded my expectations. I look forward to future craft fairs at the elks. I am confident the next one will be another success.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:04:25 +0000
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