Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Galway Food & Craft Fair Recap

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As you may remember, this past weekend was the Galway Food & Craft Fair.  Once again, it was an absolute hit for the local crafts people.  We had a wonderful time getting to know the new-to-us folks and seeing old friends from last year. It is always a great opportunity to make new connections, discuss ideas and pick up tips and hints from those more experienced.  

The Galway Enterprise Board did a wonderful job in balancing food with craft and choosing vendors that nicely complimented one another.  There were jewellery makers, knitters, potters, felters, wood turners, bone carvers, boat makers and blacksmiths to name a few. A little something for everyone.  I couldn't resist and did a bit of Christmas shopping myself.  Thanks, Lynsey!


On Friday night I had 3 super fantastic helpers move my display from the back of two jeeps into my 3m x 2m space.  They set up shelves, hung quilts, put up bunting and even arranged my thread in color order.  Who could ask for more?  They were wonderful.  In exchange, I treated them to dinner....at McDonald's across the road.  We had a great laugh together :)  Thank you Brian, Paul and Luke.


The left of my booth was for quilts as folks tend to come from the right.  I wanted that to be the first thing the visitor saw.  The Kona solids threw in a bit of color to catch the eye.  In the little central white baskets there were FQs galore highlighted with little mini hanging lights.  Love them.  Kat, the logo was shining bright on a sign above the stall.  You can kind of see it in the image above.  I didn't forget to brand, brand, brand!  You taught me well...and to use white table cloths.  Genius.


The right of the booth was filled with prints, more FQs, bundles, precuts and perle.  I wish I had a bit more space to cut fabric, but I could not dedicate much more space without compromising the quilter eye candy.

I am so sorry these images are fuzzy.  I was taking them at opening on Saturday morning and I was jittery with excitement.  How childish, right?  I couldn't steady myself!


On Sunday, though I re-arranged the left side of the booth to make the six hanging quilts more approachable and accessible.  I found lots of lookers on Saturday, but people did not want to bother me to take them down...and we all know the best part of a quilt is touching/feeling its softness.  Sunday there were many more hands-on investigators so it was a good move.

It was a wonderful weekend.  It was so great to see many of you, to meet new-to-me quilters in Galway, to renew friendships with local craftspeople and to work on my display for future events.  I thank all of you who came by and made this event such a success as well as the Galway Enterprise Board for hosting.  For you, blog readers, I would love to hear what you think of the shop stall.  What would you change?  What do you think works or does not work?  I am always looking to improve so I am entirely grateful for your suggestions.  Thanks, guys!  xx


16 comments:

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

Looks fab Cindy - so colourful and pretty! I wouldn't change anything but if you wanted to add some other sewing projects to demonstrate how the fabric could be used, that might be good. I'm thinking tote bags, other bags, frame purses, zip pouches and maybe (eeek) some little toddler dresses/tunics/ skirts? I'd totally help out if you liked but couldn't do it till after Christmas which might be too late.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

It looks wonderful! I like the bunting and what a great wall of fabric!!

Paula said...

It all looks great and it sounds like a wonderful fair. One or two little things I might change - it seems a shame to have a quilt half hidden by the shelves and how would ia slightly smaller table? It strikes me that the table running under the shelves blocks off the fat quarter baskets if there are people browsing at the table.

Betty said...

On branding: i can only see the name of the shop once. When I have entered the shop I cannot see it: I might forget!
Why not put your name on the bunting(s)?
Or on the bottom of the tablecloth, too.
It's also a kind of brainwashing ...(p)re-programming
The colour range of the solids is alwas very inviting; I'm sure you had (rainbow) bundles too.
Your idea on changing the quilts was fantastic! When are you ever ALLOWED to touch quilts in public ...
Were your quilts for sale too?

patchworkdelights said...

Glad to hear it went well Cindy, stall looks great! Fi

cheeky monkey said...

You want to laugh? Both times I came in from the left side *gg*
I looks great! Next time you can make a bunting with FLUFFY SHEEP Letters! Sad that you have to bring the quilts down as you can not see the gorgeous pattern than. Hope it went well!

pennydog said...

It looked awesome :D

Leanne said...

Your booth is awesome. I think Sarah is right about some other items too. Where do you cut the fabric?

Di said...

Your booth looks beautiful. I hope that it was a successful weekend. Di x

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

You sound in your element xxx

Erin @ Billy Button Design said...

Love the rainbow of solids and that Kona rainbow quilt😄.

Anonymous said...

HI Cindy!
It looks fantastic! I love how colourful and eye catching it is and you've used the vertical space really really well!
I agree with Sarah's comment that maybe having some smaller projects to show people other things to make with the fabric might be cool to give them broader options. But it looks just fab to me. I would have loved to shop there!
xx

Sophie Belle Designs said...

Your stall looks great, the big thing you could change is putting in a laminate floor for your unit. It is the one single thing that can turn your unit into a shop. I got this tip from a marketing and event organiser on how to entice customers in and keep them there. I would agree with Sarah on the other stock items and the point about the branding too.
Geraldine

Katy Cameron said...

Mickey D's, you really know how to treat your helpers well ;o)

It looks great, although I think the wee solid mini looks a bit lost on its own when its neighbours have friends...

I echo the 'other things to make with fabric' suggestions, maybe some bags, totes, zippy pouches, snap purses, wee twirly skirts/circle skirts etc.

Indianna said...

Good idea to have lots of pre-cuts and FQs. If its busy at a show I usually can't be bothered waiting for yardage to be cut....especially if I'm with friends.
Looks lovely, especially the bunting.

Anonymous said...

Looks fab stand. Great to meet all the people as well. Some day I will come to see myself.

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