offcntr | Sunny bunny (Reply)

Saturday dawned bright and sunny, a perfect opening day for Saturday Market. Big crowd of prospective vendors around the info booth, waiting for their name to be called. Not sure how many got turned away; it seemed like most of the reserved vendors were here, so I don't know how many unclaimed spaces were available. A few new neighbors on our row, including a vendor next to me making art from skulls and insects, little tableaux in bell jars. Previous neighbor moved to a shadier spot, as afternoon sunlight caused the oil finish to bleed out of his cutting boards.

Had a young man looking for a jump start to his car, parked around the corner on Oak Street. I have jumper cables--former Wisconsin boy--but couldn't for another fifteen minutes, as I was still unloading the van. He said that would be fine, he'd just tell his friend and be right back. Never came back, and when I drove around the block looking for them, I didn't see anyone, so they must have found someone else to help them out.

Two very different crowds in evidence: fans from the rodeo happening at Matthew Knight Arena, identified by their cowboy boots and belt buckles, and protesters from the Hands Off demonstration over by City Hall carrying signs and flags. Didn't see any conflicts between the two, though the cowboy crowd may have been gone to the rodeo before the protesters arrived. Didn't notice any signs of note, although the t-shirt, Make 1984 Fiction Again got my attention.

Once again proved the necessity of having bears in the booth: mother with 3-ish year-old boy stopped in front of the booth. He wanted out of his stroller, she tried to get him back in the seat, he started to melt down. So I brought Bigfoot out to wave and dance at him. Tears stopped immediately, hands went out. Wasn't sure I wanted him to get a grip on my bear, so I tickled his hands with paws, peekabooed, did flips and somersaults (with the bear. Obviously not something I'm capable of, personally). Finally let him hold the bear on his lap while waiting on his mom and six-year-od sister, who wanted to buy a mug. Flamingo pattern, sister's favorite. He's petting the bear, tickling it, head-butting, completely forgetting his almost-tantrum, and when it's time to go, gives me the bear back in exchange for one of my spring postcards, featuring another bear and dandelions.

Had another little boy in, this one maybe six, wearing a T Rex t-shirt, so of course I had to show him my Rex bank. He immediately fell in love, also correctly ID'd the other dinos, the stegosaur and brachiosaur banks. Mom and Grandma asked if he wanted to add the bank to his list of possible birthday presents--Definitely!--and took his picture holding the bank, as well as my business card. Had the cutest Rawhr!

Connected with a couple of student potters from the Community College, which reminded me that I needed to follow up on their invite to do a Brushmaking and Decorating Workshop there. We've decided again doing any traveling in May, so the month is pretty much open.

Sales started out pretty slow, stew mugs and painted mugs mostly, though I did sell a covered casserole--and discovered I'd forgotten to update my Square with new prices on the bigger items. Fortunately, the woman had been waiting since Christmas for a large covered casserole--I'd sold out early--and was willing to wait a little longer while I fumbled through the menus. Things picked up after lunch, and by closing at 4 pm we'd done just over $600.