I haven’t actually talked about the show itself and it’s been almost impossible to put it all together. In a word, the show was overwhelming this year so I’m going to break it down into categories.
Great Friends
Judy
offered up her vehicle, her time and against impossible odds, made all ferry reservations. Even though the vehicle broke down during the show, she kept a cool head, kept us together and got us back to Vancouver on a band aid and a prayer. Oh, and Judy brought the wine.
Toni
saved my inventory by calculating the tent peak into the tarp equasion, seriously keeping the rain from drowning my inventory the first morning of the show. She also took on a more dangerous mission by running with me through the woods on the last morning of the show when the car wouldn’t start to get me there on time. I have never seen tent walls removed so quickly!
Pearl
stayed with me in the booth every day of the show, she fed me, gave me bathroom breaks, wrote receipts, kept the troops entertained, seamed hats that didn’t have a chance to get finished and felted me some green eggs and ham.
Here they are exhausted on the ferry coming home. Yes, not too tired to knit though.
About 50% of my customers have already bought something from me in the past, either as a gift or for their new additions. It is a thrill to see these new and growing families return to Filberg each year and stop by. Sometimes old hats just come by for a visit.
The people that attend this show appreciate handmade. No one talks about how much things cost or how expensive they are. They talk about how beautiful things are and how they treasure things that they have purchased over the years. How thrilling.
A small skirmish broke out over one design. My apologies to the woman who did not get the hat that she wanted. If you ever read this, I would be happy to make you another one.
A young girl bought a hat with her own money and then tried to tip me. To which her mother replied…”no honey, that’s okay, we only have to tip in restaurants”. She attempted to give me ninety cents which was all the change in her pocket. I thought I was going to cry.
People who did not buy from me, but sent me e-mails after the show telling me that they enjoyed meeting me and my friends and that they found me somewhat creative.
Customers giving me commissions, trusting me to recreate their visions.
Those who now have 7 hats in their personal collection.
My favourite customer who called me a “really good liar” this year, after her friend bought a scarf for her at the show last year and when she came back to buy it for herself I told her I sold it to someone else.
Other vendors
Talent abounds at this show, whether it be fine art, ceramics or just a big piece of fudge. There is nothing out of place here.
The Filberg Festival Volunteers
Each year over 300 people volunteer to make this show a success. From the woman who bring the muffins and coffee in the morning to the volunteers that actually collect donations to donate to the volunteers at the end of the show to thank them for their hard work, everyone contributes above and beyond.
And how about this for an ending —-the ferry ride from Nanaimo back to Horseshoe Bay. This is just after 10:00pm on Monday night.
Until next year — time to create some new inventory.