I never know what to expect on Oregon Country Fair weekend. On the one hand, a lot of vendors, both art and food, are out in Veneta. So theoretically, that's fewer folks to split the sales pie. On the other hand, the customers may also be out there as well--or they may be all here at Market because the crowds (and the hippies) are all gone. It's a toss-up. I've had really good days and really terrible ones. The only way to find out which is to show up.
So this sunny sunflowery Saturday found me, slightly bleary and only a little late, setting up my booth on the Park Blocks. Lots of empty spaces, including the one right beside my. Lots of new vendors, too. You're guaranteed a space this weekend.
My first sale comes at 9 am, as I'm preparing to leave for Farmer's Market; second one is a quarter to 10 after I get back. She asks whether it's okay to sell before official opening--it isn't at Farmer's Market. I explain that they've had issues with people coming earlier and earlier to get first dibs on fresh produce, to the point that it was interfering with vendors' ability to get set up. So they have a hard start time, and you can get written up for selling early. Here on our side of the street, things are more relaxed. As long as you're ready to sell, you can be open whenever.
At least one of my customers says she comes down specifically to avoid the usual crowds. Several recognize my work from Tsunami Bookstore. One lady spots the animal banks, tells her companions that she bought them for her grandkids nearly 30 years ago. Then proceeds to buy a brontosaur and stegosaur for her
great grandkids.
My friend Carleen comes in with a sad story--one of the plates from their anniversary set cracked. Can't figure out why, unless it's because the bottom is a little too thick. I happen to have one in exactly that size and pattern in the restock box, so replace it free of charge. (I stand behind my work.) And then the friend that came down to Market with her decides to buy her husband a cereal bowl, and maybe one for herself, and by the time she's finished, she has a set of four plus a salmon painted mug.
Had a nice talk on my glazing process with a young woman who goes on to tell me she's the studio tech for the community college in Coos Bay. I give her my card and call her attention to all the resources on this blog. (If you're reading this,
Hi! I didn't get your name...)
A woman introduces herself as the daughter of Mildred Wasserman, a potter I knew from my Craft Center days. She was a retired nurse from Alabama who eventually set up a studio in her basement, even sold at Market for a year or two with Kathy Lee, who went on to share her booth with me when Mildred opted out. They're both passed away now; it was lovely to call them to mind. Daughter is there with her son, who says he remembers me too--he used to come in to the Center with grandma when he was six or seven, to play in the clay.
Talked with people from all over the country: Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, New Jersey, two different folks from Virginia. Some of them are trusting to their carry-on bags to get their pottery home, others take a card with my website, and the assurance that I'd be happy to ship their pots to them.
I turn the second page of my sale book just before 3 pm, but don't make any sales on page 3. Doesn't matter, we're still over $900 for the day. And I didn't have to drive to Veneta.
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And feel something rubbing against my ankles.
First apple crisp of the season!
