Saturday dawned clear and cool, and I was awake before the alarm. By 6:45, we’d both showered and dressed, the dog had been walked and fed, and we had a small cooler full of ice and beverages packed and ready to go. I’d packed the van the night before, so after loading the cooler, we headed south on Rt 5. The ride to downtown Leonardtown (all 2 blocks of it) took about 20 minutes, and we got there a few minutes after 7. Check in time was 7, but the head of the festival wasn’t there, so we couldn’t find out where we were to set up.
I was starving, so we went to McD’s for a biscuit, and by the time we got back, we were able to check in and start setting up. We’d borrowed the canopy from my mom, and apparently some mice had snacked on the directions. Fortunately, there was enough of the illustration left that we were able to figure it out and get it raised in short order. All told, it took about 90 minutes to get everything set up, so we were done before 9 and before our neighbors set up, and the show didn’t start till 10.
I’m guessing all told, there were between 30 and 40 booths. I moseyed along the street while everyone was still setting up – lots of country style stuff on display, which does nothing for me but it appeared to be popular. There was also a greyhound rescue group, some square dancers, and I think the Optimists were there, too. I saw one other booth with ceramics – kitchen-type stuff, all glazed the same way. The potter had a degree in fine arts and apparently she’d sit down and make dozens of the same piece at a time. So she and I had 2 different approaches.
Before the show actually started, I began throwing. Hey, I was bored. Oh, and I also noticed that I was the only one set up to do demos. So I did. In fact, a few times when I was ready to take a break, some kids would come over, wanting to see what it was about, so I’d pull out another lump of clay and make something. The most frequent question was “Is it fun?” followed by “What are you making?” Another popular comment, when pointing to my water bucket, was “That looks like chocolate milk!” Which it does after I’ve dipped my hands in a couple of times.
I could tell that the kids were dying to give it a try, but there was no way I could let them. Besides being messy, I had discovered when I tried to show my nephew what to do that it took a long time for him to get the feel of it. I need to figure out a way to let kids try.
I was also the subject of a young woman’s Photojournalism class project. She asked if I minded if she took some pictures as I worked. I noticed she tried to get other people into the shots, and when she’d been there about 20 minutes, she asked my name and explained what she was doing there. She also asked if I’d mind, if her teacher deemed it worthy, if the pictures she took of me were posted on a website. I told her I didn’t mind as long as she photographed me from my skinny side. That got a laugh and she promised she had. Guess I need to keep an eye on local sites. I should have given her my email so she could tell me.
Something else that really surprised me was the 3 people who asked if I taught. I talked with one woman who’d found the same thing I had – there is no place in southern Maryland to learn ceramics. I told all of them about the place in Annapolis where I take classes, but it’s a pretty long drive (isn’t it, Mama Tiger?? 
) and I’d be surprised if any of them pursued it.
Among the things I threw were 2 mugs which I gave to FCD to decorate, and he made a couple of really neat faces on them! When they’re done, I will post pics. I also threw a tall piece – the one in the last pic – which he made into a freaky looking fish-like thing – it will also be pretty cool looking when it’s glazed. All told, I threw 13 pieces successfully and killed at least 6, especially toward the end of the day when I was getting really tired.
As I mentioned in last week’s MMP, Mama Tiger and her fambly came by, but I didn’t have a whole lot of time to visit. So she and I made tentative, unofficial plans to get together some time to visit. Plus I owe her a pot, since she didn’t get one when I did my give-away.
Bottom line, I sold 8 pieces – 3 from the batch I’d made in class and 5 from my home batch. Gross take was $89*, and it would have been more if someone had taken note of the prices on two piece that he wrapped and bagged. Rather than unwrap them, he said “Give me $20 and we’ll call it even.” So that lady got herself a deal.
Interestingly, the piece I expected to draw the most attention was hardly noticed, and the first thing that sold was one that I’d hesitated to bring, since I really didn’t like it. Shows what I know. FCD was handling the selling and he commented on a couple of pieces that people frequently picked up then put down after looking at the price. I’d priced things high, and apparently a bit too high, but I had to start somewhere. Next show, I’ll be marking things down a bit. Dunno when the next show will be, tho. I understand one of the VFDs around here has a big holiday show – guess I’ll look into that.
Another lesson learned: clay is an excellent sunblock. No, really. Since there was no canopy to the right of our booth, my right side was in the sun most of the day. And due to the nature of the craft, I had clay smears on my arms and legs. After I cleaned up and looked at my knee, I got a chuckle.
We came home exhausted. I ordered pizza. I wanted it delivered, but I learned we’re not in the delivery area, so I had to go fetch it myself. Is 7 miles unreasonably far?? Weird. But when I went to get the pizza, I also picked up some dessert and some decongestants for my sweetie. I went to bed around 8 to watch TV, and by 9, I was gone…
As for what I sold, I marked that on these photos with a ** in the description field. On the pics with multiple pieces, I noted the specific ones that went. I intend to work on bigger pieces for future shows. That’s the goal in my next class, which starts on Sep 23. Can’t wait.
And that’s the tale of my first pottery craft show experience. Thank you for your attention.
- With the space fee of $30, and the $100 or so I spent on glaze and the $50 I spent on clay and the $250 electric bill when I ran the kiln (OK, most of that was the regular bill) – anyway, the bottom line is I can’t possibly ever do this for a living. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure I can improve enough that I can afford my clay and glaze and electricity, so it’ll be a hobby that pays for itself, as long as I ignore the thousands I spent for the wheel and the kiln and the studio setup… It’s only money, right??
I’m up and getting ready to head out the door to work–posting early 'cause SDMB is blocked at my work now. 
