I did something yesterday I’ve never done before. I went to a craft show as vendor. I’m game for something new be it food or adventure and thought this would be fun. Besides it supported a favorite food pantry. I was alone and had no idea what I was doing (procedure, decorum etc..) I brought some of the stuff I create and just showed up. It was a $25 investment to sit at a table and sell (9am-6pm). I was so incredibly nervous about my hodge-podge of crafty things. I’d rather give things away items than sell, I never know what to charge.
The room was large and (gulp) everyone there was professionally organized and totally decked out. My table had no covering, lighting or display boxes stacked. Clearly these women had done this before. I chose 3 categories to set on my table: jewelry sets, personalized house paintings I create to raise money for Hope Unlimited Ministries and my good ‘ol T-Shirt Quilts. I smiled a lot, but people seemed to walked around me, as in avoidance. Hmmm, this was not going well.
Enough sitting, I got up and decided to meet all the other vendors. Smart, focused ladies, they had pretty amazing businesses running. It was fun to visit and listen to each one’s story. I finally returned to my forlorn table and proceeded to cut out tee shirts, one by one for my next quilt order. At least my time would not be waisted. Then it dawned on me that if shoppers wouldn’t come to me, I would just go to them. I gathered my stack of business cards and proceeded to meet everyone in the room. I kept the focus on my Quilts and was simply overwhelmed by the response!
30 minutes later I had given out every business card I brought and already had 3 orders for the next week. A good drop-off location for my customers is my husband’s law office in town. Some people wanted his card as well. Cards gone, quilt squares cut out, new friends made, I packed up and headed home early. I don’t know if I’ll do that again, but it was an interesting experience. That morning when I asked God to go with me, I read, Walk by faith and not by sight. 2Corinthians 5:7.
I did walk by faith and He helped me step up.
ForGlorySake! -Anna
