My good friends Sharon and Matt (who I love like family) put on a party Saturday night that was out of this world!  It began at 3pm, but I didn't arrive until around 6:30 - after getting lost and touring some fairly decrepit neighborhoods wondering why people were running out of their houses toward my van on my second or third trip down their particular street... turns out they thought I was in the market for some illegal substances.  Well good friends, not to worry - I chose not to partake in the merriment they were so anxiously trying to rid themselves of.  They certainly were persistent fellas - it was like driving onto a used car lot... except the salesmen weren't wearing cheap suits, or making small talk - rather, these salesmen were a tad more direct and to the point.  I don't know what a "finger of black ball" is, but it didn't really sound like my thing, so I had to pass it up.  As eager as they were to "satisfy my needs" I had to decline their hospitality, as I was on my way to Sharon and Matts for the evening. 

So, on my way to the big party I noticed a police car following me quite closely.  It wasn't till I was several blocks from the entrepreneurial neighborhood that I realized they probably also assumed I was in the market for some illegal substances.  A few blocks later they gave up and turned around - I was now free to hit the gas and speed my luxurious trip up a just a little bit.

Upon arriving at Sharon and Matt's I took some much expected abuse from those I knew and a little from those I couldn't identify in a line-up if my life depended on it.  At this point I knew the party would be phenominal, and I wasn't disappointed at all!

Julz was there - my other AWESOME friend whom I've known and loved for the last 4 years!  Julz is a great woman to party with, as she's so relaxed and good willed.  She owns a daugher (Tiffany - who's doing so well!!  I'm so proud of her for the changes she's made since May) and a little bird - I forgot what kind of bird, but it looks like a small version of a parrot.  This bird sleeps like a dog - - on it's BACK!  HA!!  Anyway, after getting it down from the fan blade it crawled up my arm and made itself quite comfortable.  We played with the little fella for a bit, then decided to get back to the party.  As we were closing the door we heard the pathetic sound of a bird in pain... the little fella had tried to follow us out and apparently got her wing caught in door.  I think she's fine, but I'll call Julz tomorrow to find out for sure.

Alex was there as well - Sharon and Matt's son.  He's changed quite a little bit since May!  He's got a job now and a CAR!  He's dating Alysia - Michal's daughter, who's one of my favorite people from faire this year.  Michal was there also - she's one of the blacksmiths from faire, but she's truly a pirate as she works at a car dealership!

Don and Felica were also there!!  They are the Castle employees I look forward to seeing the most every year at Muskogee, and now at Sharon and Matts big parties!  They've been married forever, but they act as though they were just married last week.  Felica's so funny when she's drunk from two shots of Hot Damn, but last night she had far more... Chocolate Cake (if you've never had this little shot you've GOT to try it!!!) Apple Pie, made by Michal herself, and some kind of Margarita, oh and a little Limon Rum. 

I was totally and COMLETELY hammered!!  I wasn't supposed to stay as long as I did, but when you're having that much fun it's hard to leave when you know you should! 

Oh yeah... I almost forgot!  There was a pro female wrestler there who almost tore my head off!  I've never wrestled a woman prior to Saturday night, but I can assure you it was much like wrestling a man with boobs!  She didn't LOOK like a man, but she sure as hell wrestled like one!  Damn, I'm a bit sore today from that little fracas!  HAHA!!  It was all in good humor and there was no hard feelings.  She just about had me pinned, but I somehow managed to escape - probably due the fact that the alcohol had impaired the nerve endings in my muscles and I had no idea the choke hold breaking my neck.  It was fun and that's all that matters!

I hope I'm not leaving anyone out!!  There were others there, but I don't really know them, therefore I don't care to mention them I suppose.  Anyway, it was just as much fun as the Celiedh... but without the single women.

THANKS SHARON AND MATT!!!!!!!  You are MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!

I'm a little pissed at MySpace - seems they deemed it necessary to censor my political points of view as I wasn't supporting Obama.

Goodnight all....

~James

Over the few years I've been in business I've been fortunate enough to meet a wide variety of people... some good, some not so good, and some just too annoying to think about.  Business owners fall into several categories and I'm incredibly intrigued by the differences we each share when it comes to the way we choose to operate our little enterprises.

I won't get into the 'numbers' stuff, as I dont' want to bore anyone... the other reason being I have no idea what I'm talking about.

So, I'll just write a quick PERSONAL observation of a few differing 'attitudes' or 'philosophies' of some of the business owners I've been lucky to come across. 

One thing I've noticed is the difference in behavior owners seem to exude depending on the type of venue in which they are selling their product.  Small Arts and Crafts fairs seem to be a little more uptight than others - AND they seem to be run by crotchety older people who live for nothing else but these little moments in time... by 'older' I mean OLD.  This alone seems to ratchet up the pressure of the average sphincter belonging to any one of the small business owners who have been mislead by the numbers of years the particular fair has run.  Now, I'm not saying ALL small arts and craft shows are this way... just a couple that I've had the laziness not to investigate prior to applying for. 

Arts and Crafts show are businesses that allow other businesses to gather in a specific place, at a specific time to sell their wares to what we HOPE will be a good crowd.  As small business owners we attend these shows with the knowledge that our booth fees have paid for not only our assigned space, but for advertisment as well.  Sometimes the booth fee is quite significant, sometimes it's only pocket change... regardless of those two issues it's our time that is most costly... at least for this small business owner.  Time is a major concern during the holiday season for me as I have orders to fill, commissioned projects to complete and stock to work on so I'll have something to sell.  I'm sure it's no different for you.

On with the story:  So, you've probably deduced by now that I'm griping about a particular show... a particular set of shows actually... run by the same person.  Two days long, 8 hours a day, during the holiday season.  During the holiday season...  You might ask:  "What could be so terrible about that that you'd actually write a silly blog?  Surely you made what might pass as decent money at a show during the holidays!"  The answer to that is simple... a resounding NOPE would suffice.  Not only was there no money to be had - there were virtually no customers to speak of!  A couple of repeat customers (my favorite kind) who just happened to show up while waiting for a shipment of XBOX games to Wal Mart; a few old folks who attend all the arts and crafts shows to get ideas for their own projects at home (which is fine - they usually at least stop and talk, which takes some of the boredom away for a little while); and, of course, friends of the owner of the show.  So, that makes about 30 people in about 12 hours - not so great for business!  A waste of time, truth be told. 

So, this leads me to my topic.  Differences in attitude:  Some business owners at this show were fine and dandy with the lack customers.  It was simply a way for them to get out of the house and talk to friends they haven't seen in awhile.  These people seemed to be mostly of retired age and seemed to be content being there talking to their friends and to each other.  Nothing to worry about - no website to run - no orders to fill... retired.  They do this sort of thing for fun - it is not their bread and butter.  There's nothing wrong with that at all!  I hope I'll get to do what I want when I retire (IF I retire)(hopefully still loving woodwork) and I wouldn't want them to feel my pain in this regard at all!  Then there are those who WANT to make EXTRA money.  They have a full time job and do arts and crafts stuff on the weekends as a supplement to their regular pay.  They also seemed to not mind the lackluster crowd, although they were clearly a LITTLE more annoyed.  Then there are those like me.  Those who were thoroughly disenchanted by the meager customer to business ratio.  The sad truth is that the businesses outnumbered the customers at least 10:1  at any given time!  10 businesses for every 1 customer... not what I had anticipated.  There were others like me - usually around my age, I noticed... give or take 10 or 15 years.  Well, okay - no taking... just giving.  Truth is there was only one person younger than me... and she was feeling my pain to be sure! 

At about noon on the second day a few proprietors decided they had had enough and would start tearing down about 1 if the ratio remained the same...  I was more optimistic - I gave it till 1:30!  As 1:00 rolled around some people started tearing down and bringing in their dollies, obviously not thinking much about the business owner who set up this wonderful show.  I followed suit after the craft 'coordinator' announced on the intercom that we all signed an agreement that contracted us to be there until 5pm and that leaving now would "impair" our future ability to gain space at this fair.  It was too good to be true - should I stay and risk another disappointment in the future, or go with my first instict?  I tore down my booth, packed up, and left - took about 30 minutes... I must've really disliked being there!  I suppose the manner in which she threatened us in a public forum sparked a little something on my rebellious side (which I usually reserve for politics and figures of REAL authority).  Rather than come out and aplogize for the terrible turnout she decided to use a "fear" tactic and to publicly chastise those who pay check!  The entire time the fair ran she opted to stay in her little office and ignore the growing mutiny...

I don't expect every show to be a big money maker - that would be rather naive, but I do expect to at least make my booth fee back and perhaps other expenses associated with the particular show in question.  I also expect to be treated as a customer - as I treat MY customers, as each one of you do.  Customers make my business and if I treated them as if they were that brown stuff that sticks between the treads of your shoes when you step on the wrong spot in your lawn I'd expect them to never shop my wares again!  Makes sense to me. 

When I mention "old people" I'm certainly not saying all old folks are like that.  Most people of all ages I've met at fairs are fantasic people who love what they do and love meeting new people.  The ones I'm talking about are the ones you can tell right off the bat are just not interested anymore in what they do.  You can tell they just consider this as part of their existence and there is no passion anymore in their face, voice, or mannerisms.  Obviously that can be seen in younger people as well, but for the point I'm making it makes sense to me and since it's my blog I can write it. 

Renaissance faires are my very favorite fairs to do!!!  I LOVE THEM SOOOO MUCH!  (very manly warm and fuzzy moment here)  And I've wondered over the past few years what makes them different from other fairs.  Do the people who work ren fests all share the same brain chemistry?  Is  there something different about them that makes them all family in a way?  Certainly any one of you can agree that at every fest you have met someone with whom you keep in contact and look forward to seeing again next year.  Like family you miss them when you leave, email when you can, and (in a manly way) hug when you see again.  I have NEVER known that kind of comradery at any other kind of fair - at crafts fairs that seems to be reserved for the older crowd.  Perhaps it's the lay-back atmosphere of the ren fests that spark these easily made friendships, or maybe the shared love of history and historical events, or maybe it's something a little deeper that I can't understand or haven't thought of yet. 

At any rate business owners who work ren fests seem to have a differing business philosophy that that of others - and I for one truly appreciate it!!!!!  At ren fests you meet a different class of business owner.  I think that if the fortune 500's and 1000's were run with the same philosophy the world would be a FAR greater place, although dressing in gard EVERYDAY would get a little annoying after a while.  At ren fests people aren't afraid to share ideas; tricks; know-how; or to give kudos where kudos are due.  Competition isn't a dirty thing proprietors are afraid of experiencing (for the most part) - plus, most coordinators of ren fests are vigilant in their duties and don't allow TOO much competition.  This makes for great times at ren fests, at least for me.  Also noticable is the excitment in the weeks before faire starts - by patrons and vendors alike, and this is different than that of other fairs.  I've never heard of a vendor getting all that excited about an upcoming arts and crafts show. 

You also meet some of your most loyal customers at ren fest!!  This is incredibly important to ANY business owner as it means your wares are appreciated enough for them to come back and purchase your items as gifts for loved ones, or to add to their collection!  They are treated as royalty by this business owner as they make up a growing percentage of my business base.  This is the kind of attitude I expect from businesses I continue to purchase from - whether I'm purchasing an item or a service - THEY work for me - I pay their check - this is the way of life, right?  At every ren fest I've worked the owner or craft coordinator has made sure I've had what I needed and has taken the time to come by and ask how things are going.  This means a lot as they are opening themselves up to all kinds of possible criticism - but they do it anyway.  Because of that attitude they have earned my respect and loyalty.  Mary Lee at KCRF and Karen at OKRF are fantastic coordinators, and there's nothing I wouldn't do to make their jobs easier, as they have gone out of their way to make my life easier and my business better.  Vendors also can make life easier and funner at faires!  The guys at Pirate Trading Company (they make AWESOME leather tricorn (pirate) hats) at KCRF were always fun as hell to be around and helped to ease the boredom on those few slow days - I can't wait to see them again next year!  Jules at OKRF and Matt and Sharon are a blast to hang out with at the campsite - beer's always a plenty!  There are countless others who make each show an outstanding event and worth coming back to!!!  Then there are the business owners I haven't even met who stand out above others.  Don Lewis, of Don Lewis Designs is one of them - a truly classy, and FUNNY man!  He makes tankards and goblets as well - you should check out his stuff, very cool!

Then there are the customers!!!  So many of whom stick around after the faire and kick back with us vendors to share the evening and have a beer, get a little rowdy at times, but always keep it somewhat classy.  And the wenches... oh good golly, what else can I say!?  Yeah boy!!!!   HAHA!!

Anyway... I think I got all the gripe out of me and managed to change the subject somehow.  Oh well, it's MY blog - it doesn't have to make much sense.

Have a FANTASTIC Sunday!!!

James