Doily Boutique

Well, I think I finally have time to share a short review of the craft show that I just went to in Lenoir City, TN this weekend.

http://www.lcsuburbia.org/

Hosted by the GFWC Suburbia Women's Club, overall I think they themselves did a fine job.

The location for the show is beautiful and set in a park -- however, for those who haven't been to the town, finding it can be a challenge.  This year, the bridge over the damn was under construction and down to one lane.  So, the GFWC was smart and set up signs to show an alternate way for the customers from "that side of the damn" to get to the show.  Otherwise, they would be sitting in the same traffic that was trying to get over the bridge over the damn. 

Check in and Set up on Friday went smoothly for me -- I found my space easily and it was well marked on the ground.  That's worth mentioning because at some shows, finding your space number can be harder than finding the golden egg at an easter egg hunt. 

We had BEAUTIFUL and perfect weather for the weekend.  Not too hot, not too cold, no rain, slight breeze, absolutely perfect.  So where were the customers?  One fellow crafter speculated that they were "on the other side of the construction" and refused to sit in traffic to cross the bridge over to the show.

Sales were down from last year, and so were the crowds -- and honestly, nothing else made sense.  Some fellow crafters blame -- yes, here we go again -- the economy, and I say "hogwash".    Small mom and pop shops seem to be doing just fine.

I must add one compliment that comes to mind from the year before when it was hotter than a frying pan at the show.  The GFWC went above and beyond and provided cold refreshing drinks for the CUSTOMERS!!!  Free of charge! 

Tear down went smoothly for me as well, out and back on the road to drive home in no time.

One negative thing about the show is that some of the spaces leave the exhibitor scratching their heads and asking "HOW am I supposed to set up here?"  Spaces are out in Mother Nature, which includes uneven ground, trees, and street curbs.  So come prepared to be flexible.  Exhibitors are allowed to park behind their space in some locations, but most of us had to park down in the Exhibitor Parking Lot.  Actually, that was a perk because customers were bussed in on school busses from a few different remote parking areas.

Ah yes, another compliment to the GFWC -- they had separate transportation arrangement for those folks who needed special accommodations.  That was great!

Would I recommend the show?  Yes, for those of us exhibitors in the south, it's the place to be for the first weekend in June each year.