Thursday, June 14, 2012

Motorcycle Weekend Bash 5/5/12-5/6/12

Ansonia, Warsaw Park - This was the first official show to kick off the crafting season. A two day event to benefit disabled American veterans. A very worthy cause. Here they had vendors of various sorts, crafts, food, bands, demo rides, tattoo artists, "Bite the Weenie" contest, slow bike race/loud pipe race, stunt riders, and more. Now, the things that were advertised, but weren't allowed consisted of the adult portion of the program. Much like Laconia, NH., this was required to be a "family friendly" event. The promoters were not allowed permits for any such riff-raff. Here's the list: Body painting, lingerie show, bikini bike wash, women's mud wrestling, wet T-shirt contest, and no mechanical bull. What is a biker to do? Knit? Meh. Drink beer. That's exactly what they did. Drank beer and rode off on their Harleys. This was the first time we ever did a bike show. The Mushroom Lady was recruited from the Garlic and Harvest Festival in Bethlehem, CT, during Columbus Day weekend. That's how we landed this gig. I thought it would be fun. Not so much. I was already suffering from antacid issues, and the weather wasn't too good. Saturday it was pretty raw out, rained a little, and generally dreary for the most part. Not many folks came around to the vending area. Okay, so why not wait for the next day. Hey! Sunday is a new day!

More of the same. Only this time with better weather. Even the kettle corn vendors didn't come back the next day!

Bikers were out and about in droves, but they didn't want to part from their money. Not for crafts at least. Beer? That's a priority, considering no fun for adults. I got to see the most motorcycles I think I've ever seen congregated in one area. Tons of them parked row after row. How do the owners figure out which bike is theirs when there are some two hundred and fifty black Harley Davidson motorcycles parked in one row? I mean, there were no row markers or any indication of organization. It's not like a bike can call out, "I'm over here, master!" Aside from that, there was one moment that will stick with me. It was when I went over to the food area and got some fried dough. Right as I was dumping the powdered sugar, I heard the announcement about having a moment of silence for the veterans and all the soldiers who continued to fight for our country. There was a pre-recorded version of the "Star Spangled Banner" sung by Juice Newton. Every biker that I could see, had their hand over heart. It was very touching and gave me a sense of pride. The flag danced in the wind for all to see and honor You hear so much about people being turned off of reciting the pledge of allegiance, and foreigners getting uptight because of the patriotism shown. You'll always find somebody offended by something, even belief in one's country. The truth is, aside from the beer, the $10 admission price, the no adult show, not much money made by vendors...

...America DOES matter.


























Tuesday, May 22, 2012

An "EXPERT" that gets it right!

I don't have to say much about this other than... RIGHT ON!! Wanna learn about craft shows and what we crafters are up against in the world of retail/resale?

http://www.craftlister.com/craft_experts/articles/read.php?ID=61

Thursday, February 16, 2012

CraftIsArt site now up!

The first of two online shops from The Mushroom Lady is now up. With some help from some other escaped Artfire refugees, we've found comfort. So, don't worry about us. We're still around. I won't be licking my wounds for long, but want to forget that whole debacle.

The Mushroom Lady is now on CraftIsArt.com. You can find a link to the site by looking up. Nope. A little higher. Okay. All the way to the right. Right...right there in the corner. Okay. Now you see it? Just click on that little button that says CraftIsArt.com and it will take you directly to the shop. Lots of goodies. Mostly they are of the resin laminated kind. Hey, they call it "enamel." Whatever. Approximately 140 items. Everything from rock'n roll artists to art, vintage Alphonse Mucha, fantasy, and some odd pop culture things in between. We'll have even more as time goes on, but for now 140 seems like a nice number.

We're accepting Money orders, checks (not made of rubber), and Amazon Payments. Unfortunately, ProPay is not an option with this particular shop. The one offered is a bit pricey to set-up and we just LOVE ProPay. It will be available with the next shop.

We are able to provide some very cool things though. Discount coupons and various other stuff.

Blogger is not affiliated with CraftIsArt. CraftIsArt is not affiliated with Blogger. The opinions expressed are strictly that of this user. 

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Peanut Butter & (nonsensical) Fluff

I was drawn to this subject when somebody asked on a forum whether they should apply for a show. Knowing (I hope so!) after fifteen years of doing craft shows, one would start to understand the lingo of advertisers and promoters. I'm talking about the big words, ladies and gentlemen. The big words I'm referring to aren't scientific or in latin, or even look nice and scholarly on paper. I'm talking about the ones that are supposed to reel you in like that guy from the past you saw on your TV screen. He's the one who'd wear that ten gallon Stetson hat, the graying mustache, rhinestones, and he'd stand right next to a Datsun or Yugo. His spiel would awe you! Or would it? Do you buy a car because of false promises? Vote in an election due to what is said? (Don't answer that, this is only hypothetical.) Maybe not. So, why would a promoter or advertiser think a vendor would be interested in fluffy words like "great" "hits" "website" "advertising" "weeks" or anything that might look shiny and neat? It's because they know with these words, a craft vendor will be seduced in wanting to fork over a nonsensical amount of money for what little that show has to offer. That shiny and neat show is in its first year. Where is their research of calling it great if it hasn't even happened yet?

"This show is guaranteed to be a success because our website has had over 90,000 hits! We've advertised at the general store, liquor store, and that bitty spot above 'plumbers wanted' on the wall at the super market for three weeks so far."

Let me count the ways this is sooooo wrong.

Your show ain't gonna be a success because those 90,000 people just wanted something to look at while their meatloaf was baking in the oven. The husband came across it while searching for his favorite triple X -rated website and was deeply disappointed. Somebody googled a general description and found the promotion words, but not the right city. Those hits can add up. It doesn't mean 90,000 people will visit the promoted show. A first-time promoter would have to put in a heap of money to advertise and get that many visitors (never mind customers) to drop by their rented warehouse barely seen from a highway due to all the trees covering it. Oh, and advertising at the general store, liquor store, and/or super market won't do you any good. People don't pay any attention at a general store. They need general items. That's it. A liquor store? Isn't the choice between Budweiser, Sam Adams, or Miller enough? Never mind the bajillion types of wine that could make your head spin faster than Linda Blair's in The Exorcist. Grocery store? The list said milk and eggs. Ah, but that reputable plumber will come in handy! The taped on piece of paper advertising the craft show for the warehouse are seen by only a few set of eyes. Then the tape wears away, causing the paper to be imbedded by footprints and lint filled tape. Nobody looks then. Let's not forget the much ballyhooed pronouncement of three weeks. It sounds nice, but like I said, not many people will care. Human beings have the brain span of gnats! They...we (myself included) have such busy lives. People need signs in front of them THE SAME DAY as the show.

So, there is no need for promoters or advertisers to talk about how many hits they get on a website, how many weeks they've advertised in no-man's land, or try and talk you out of that $200 for the show your friends said was terrific because it's in its 37th year but you chose the $150 show because 90,000 people were checking out the internet.

I like peanut butter,  but please hold the fluff.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

70th Birthday Tribute To The BIg Man, Clarence Clemons



 http://www.craftisart.com/members/store/view-listing?listing_id=86156

http://www.craftisart.com/members/store/view-listing?listing_id=86157


"Well, a change was made uptown when the Big Man joined the band." So goes the tale of Clarence Anicholas Clemons Jr. (January 11, 1942 - June 18, 2011), the big man with all the bulk of a former football player and the muscled sax behind Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band songs like "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out," "Jungleland," "Sherry Darling," "Bobby Jean," and so many others. His joyful baritone accompanying the Steinbeck of the Jersey shore. Mr. Clemons may have physically left this planet, but his legacy, the music lives on. Here we capture what thousands have known and loved.

In Springsteen's own words, "Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band."

 We miss you, Big Man.

Monday, January 2, 2012

New designs!

Satisfied recipients!

 Lee-Ann Lovelace of the band, Bad Rooster and The Rubber City Blues Band models her "Women Of Rock" necklace.

Above: Tracy Jo Klatke Anctil of Make Do Mercantile Art Emporium  shows off her Fillmore pendant of The Band.