My Saturday went really well! I’m pretty recovered today with a long to-do list that I’m working on.
The set-up for this day was super! They had a main session, then a time to choose one of 3 workshops, lunch provided (the part I had was yummy!), then 2 more workshop slots. The vendors were in tables around the outer edge of the room where the main session & lunch were held.
We were able to sit in on the main session and that was an interesting discussion on local foods. How to sell, how to buy.
The first workshop they could choose included Roger who owns the grist mill in a neighboring ‘mill’ town. We know them from church and had been to their open house a few years ago. It was great to hear him talk about grinding wheat & corn on his mill since I’ve done a lot of reading on grinding grains and like to grind corn & wheat with my Whisper Mill.
Roger did his talk from his display table near us so it was easy to listen in. 🙂 He had built the coolest mini model of his mill! Amazing and with moving parts!
I was the first afternoon workshop. I only had an hour whereas the other demos I’ve done, I’ve had either 1 1/2 hrs or 2 hrs. So I cut out the actual measuring of oils. I was at an hour and still waiting for a trace and to pour in the mold. They were all saying to keep going, it wouldn’t take them 15 mins to walk upstairs, etc. 
I finished. And didn’t muff up my double swirl… .which I usually don’t do in public!
The class had an extra fee but the organizer had it higher than I had suggested. The fee covered that they got to choose a bar of soap, a wrapped & pretty ready to sell bar. It was on their registration but they were oh-so-excited!
THEN I had some ends they could choose from as well. (to make up the extra fee) Someone asked this OR that and I said, ‘no both!’ 
And when there were still ends left in the box, I said to get a few more. They were over the top thrilled!
Plus they really liked the teaching too. 
They asked great questions and got up to look in my soap pot several times. Best class ever! (not counting my one-on-one. )
They asked if my lotion recipes were in the packet. 
I almost asked if I had “stupid” stamped on my forehead. So they said they are campaigning for a lotion class next year. I guess I didn’t make it clear MY recipe for soap wasn’t in their packet either. You know what would happen if it was… 
There were 4 of us there as vendors. Two of us led a workshop, too. I had super sales!! I knew there weren’t many registered AND they were having a silent auction, too. Where was all this money to come from?
They were ALL over it! I had over $230 in sales. JP helps at my table and actually did nearly all of it this time. I was there to help bag a few things and answer some Qs but he did it. 
I’ll give him some commission from it.
I didn’t see the final auction price, but was asked to donate something as my pay for having the vendor spot. I had a gm lotion and coordinating soap in a clear bag w/ nice bow. Value was $14.50 and the first bid I saw was $17. It was money for the Master Gardner program.
A great day and some new contacts I hope as well.
I had my camera and was too busy to remember to take pictures of our table or my class. 😦
I was interested in one of the silent auction items: a large violet plant. When I looked before lunch the bid was only $2. However, after lunch I never made it back to see and honestly, I wasn’t there to spend money. 😉
But I did the happy dance as we were all cleaning up because…. they had collected the extra desserts for give away and then put 2 little violet plants there. Hmm… me & my big mouth said if they needed a home, I’d take one. The person was quite pleased with my interest, said I could have 2, and quickly delivered them to my table. 🙂 I am anxious to see their colors. 🙂
I must continue on… a busy week here!
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and sew on... 