Three in a Row: The Report

This is not the first time I've done three shows in three consecutive weekends. But in the past I've only done it when one or more of them was Small, the kind that didn't require a whole lot of inventory. This was the first time I've done three Large shows in a row, in fact I'd say it was two Larges and one X-Large. My work life is very different this year, now that I'm not teaching classes. Not only did I have the time and energy to do the shows, I also had the time to make all the pots I needed. I actually finished all the pots for the three May shows by the end of March. Since then I've been making spring wholesale orders, and pots for June and July shows. Speaking of July, I'll be doing three in a row again, only this time it will be two X-Larges and one Large.

I can now say that my process for doing shows is really well thought out. It hums with efficiency. After the Rockville and Baltimore shows, I went back to work in the studio the next day. Didn't need a day off. Although I was pretty tired after the Philly show. That was the X-Large show, three days that included a nasty thunderstorm, a two-hour drive each way, and being away from home. I didn't do any studio work the following day, but I didn't get to rest either. Somehow my lawn grew sneaky tall while I was away, and all these new weeds sprang up around my veggie garden, so I spent that day catching up on homeowner duties.

My intention is not to do this many shows from now on. I am using this year to try out a lot of new shows. I had so many options this year, again because I did not have to work around a teaching schedule. I decided the fastest way to figure out the right answers was to do as many as I could. Next year I can be more selective.

On the other hand, all the extra cash flow from doing this many shows is nice. I could get used to it. Here is my booth near the end of the Philly show, almost picked clean by the Philadelphians.