Busy demonstating Copics at the Harrogate Show
Back from Harrogate and as is usual with me I’m shattered… Shows are really hard work whether you’re visiting, demonstating, organising or exhibiting… This was definitely true for us this weekend as we are based in the south of england so had a 5 hour drive to get to the recent Harrogate show. Anyway I thought you might be interested in the work of an exhibitor…
It begins about nine months before the event when you receive the booking forms from the organiser and you have to confirm you wish to exhibit and pay a deposit (or sometimes in full); then over the next few months we have to decide on products and demos, make card samples, book any helpers needed for the show, book accomodation and van hire, plan the journey, print fliers and posters, get a float from the bank etc, plan the stand layout, pay the balance… the list goes on.
The days before we travel to the show I have to pack all the stock into crates so it is easy to unpack at the show, and pack stands, gridwall and other display items, plus demo items; sort artboards and card samples and print any posters or special offers etc. Once we arrive at the venue we have to fairly quickly set up the stand and unpack and display all the stock so that it looks attractive…
You know the next bit - it’s my favourite part - meeting all the lovely customers, helping with any questions, demonstrating, or serving on the till, usually all the above!! - then customers leave and the hard work begins again we have to pack everything back into the crates, and load the stands and crates all back into the van and drive home….
Guess what we then do? We unpack everything back into the shop, stocktake and then have to quickly reorder sell out stock items for the next show which is quite often days later and start the process all over again…..
I’m not complaning - I really love my job but it is hard work which is why I hate shoplifters… how dare they steal items from me? I’m a small business trying to keep my head above water and work bloody hard… Everyone else, I would like to use this occasion to thank you for supporting my baby (my business)…
Card will follow tomorrow !
Just a reminder that it is our local Summer Extravagenza show on Saturday 21st August in the Kintbury Coronation Hall (between Newbury and Hungerford in Berkshire). Admission is FREE and we’ll have demonstrations plus a hall filled with crafting goodies. 
. She certainly looks like she is enjoying herself!! On Sunday it was Sally’s turn!! Another friend and talented cardmaker - unfortunately you cannot she what she was doing!! 
