Christmas Fair 2008

It is certain now that I will be able to participate in this years Christmas Fair. It wasn’t sure before, since the Fair starts on 1st of December however I can only join in the last 4 days, from 19 to 22 of December. The organizers preferred the people, who are willing to be there for the whole duration – which is totally understandable – but finally I was able to fit in as well. It’s very important that only craftsmen, artisans, people who make the jewelry, the wooden toys, quilts, bags, gingerbreads and all similar things by themselves have been invited. And my favorite beekeeper with his delicious honey will be there as well.

This Christmas Fair will be held in a hotel, a beautifully renovated old building. It will be the first one there and I am very curious how it will all turn out. Last year we had a fair like this one in a Palace, at two weekends, which was a big success and we all had a great time. It was the first fair in my life and I was very nervous before that, hadn’t really slept a lot, but finally it overcame all expectations. The organizers and the other sellers were all very nice and a lot of interested customers came. My portrait picture was made there as well. (My friend thought I look like my own grandma as I was sewing there in glasses.) ☺

It was very nice to talk with all the people looking around, and also it was a pleasant feeling how others liked my work. Many people purchased my items as well, which was also a good thing. You could ask why I changed location then. The reasons are mainly financial since all of these occasions are business ventures as well. With the invite-only system the organizers ensure that only real craftsmen sell, and don’t have to fight with the mass-producted shoddy stuff. But for the place and the opportunity to sell you have to pay quite a lot. And from that point on not only the number of visitors or interested peoples, but the number of purchasing become very important as well.

Last year we experienced that the most of purchasing were at the weekend closest to Christmas, up until that people were just looking around. This year however the Palace fair’s two weekends are on 6–7 and 13–14 of December, which are pretty far from the Christmas holidays. However on the new location (at the hotel) people who work all December and have to postpone the buying of Christmas presents for the last minute I think will be able to do that. The same applies for the others who want to find something extra for their loved ones fast.

So keep your fingers crossed for me please and I promise after the Christmas holidays I will make an entry on how the fair went down.