Today was my first craft fair of the 2010 season. “Spring Crafts on the Riverwalk” is sponsored by my ambulance corps so I get a special member discount for helping setting up the fair, etc. I’ve spent this past week getting all of the preparations completed.

Pull out all the carefully stowed craft fair boxes. Check. Inventory and add new creations. Check. Wash booth table cloths. Check. Make multiple trips up and down the elevator to pack up the car. Check. Sweat off a few pounds. Check. Wake up to the sight of gray clouds and rain. Check … wait … what?!

Not nearly as cheerful without the sun.

Yes, rain. And my amazing friend JQ still came out in the early morning hours to help me set up the booth while being showered upon. “It’s ok. I have a canopy tent. Once it’s up things won’t get wet.” Yeaaaahh. Apparently “water proof” doesn’t REALLY mean it will stop rain drops from slipping through. So, now I’m wet. My crafts are wet. My chair is wet. And I’m starting to shiver. Hammertown came to the rescue with a special delivery of socks, boots, a sweater, hot tea and food. I will be purchasing a waterproofing spray for the canopy before the next fair, and applying at least 10 coats :)

Note to self: If you ever attend another “Rain or Shine” fair and it’s raining … wear your rubber boots, bring extra socks, and layer up the clothes. Most would find this filed under common sense, but, sadly, I did not.

Now, after all the complaining, it wasn’t all negative. I managed to get two small sales from the 5 people who actually showed up to walk the booths. I did get a chance to try out a new setup, test out the recently ordered hanging clips, and brighten up the tent with hanging colorful pennants. I was also able to finish up hand stitching the binding on Safari Musings. Plus, I also had the time to finally look through the cooking and craft magazines I had been putting to the side in favor of craft fair prep.

Later that evening, I made a mental note of lessons learned from a rainy fair while gently soaking in a hot tub.