Flea market

Craig went with me to the Flea Market on Saturday after all.  Last year he didn't want to go, and I think it was because he wasn't ready to start getting rid of things. Now he is, and it was great to have him along, especially for much needed potty breaks, or just taking short walks around to see what other vendors were selling. 

After years of selling at art shows, I don't get flustered by sudden groups of potential customers, or feel any fear of those with sticky fingers. If someone were to walk off with something, it would just be one less thing to get rid of! I kept our cash safe in a tummy pack.

The day was long, starting with getting up at 4 AM, and waiting in a seller line for more than an hour to get to a space.  With art show set-ups I had a strict routine and knew where everything went.  For the flea market, setting up was a bit haphazard.  I had most things priced and marked, which made it easier to deal with the rush of "first" buyers that descended on us as we unpacked.  I think they were mostly other sellers. Funny, once we were set up there was a quite a lull when there were no customers at all for anyone!

The weather was reasonably warm most of the day, but by mid-afternoon rain clouds began to roll in.  When the other vendors started packing up early we did too.  We ended the day with a well earned dinner at our favorite restaurant, Aqui Cal-Mex. 

We sold a lot of small things and made a little bit of money. Knowing this was not the right venue, I didn't take any "collectables" along.  I think I'm ready to try the auction house that Kate showed me two years ago.  The stuff I have for there isn't extremely valuable, but might sell for a few dollars more than at the Flea Market.  I don't want to deal with eBay or Craigslist unless I'm desperate.

My biggest disappointment at the Flea Market was the very low interest and few sales of the man-made fur I had along.  I am less interested in the dollars I might get from a sale than from keeping it out of the dump. I doubt Goodwill would be a good place for it.  They would probably just put it into the fabric bales they export to South America for recycling.

On Sunday, as I emptied the van, I had the thought that perhaps the place that takes donations from businesses and allows teachers to take whatever they can use, might be a good place to take the fake fur.  Some teachers with puppet or costume-making projects might be able to use it. That would make me feel good. I'll have to call them soon. 

I'm not sure what we will be doing this week, but I'm sure we will be working on the house, and the taxes.