The life of a crafter
As many of you know, we have spent the majority of the year going out and about attending craft/garden shows to help promote Tawny Owl Wood to as many people as possible up and down the south and east of England. Our journey has not been an easy one and we have both had to overcome so much.
We’ve learnt lots along the way, from the display items we need, what works and what doesn’t but more importantly, it really has not only brought us out of our own shells but it has shown us a different side to what it takes to be an exhibitor attending one of these shows.
The week-long preparations, stock taking and packing, the organisation of the dogs and children, the route planning and over night stays, to how we hope and plan the days to go. We’ve learnt that some things we have control of and others we don’t, but most of all, we have been welcomed into a warm and friendly community.
One of the biggest take aways for both Phil and I, is the people we meet along the way. From fellow stallholders, who have struggled and put their hearts on their sleeves to all the amazing people working behind the scenes. Not to mention all the wonderful and not so wonderful members of the public we have come across. We have had people praising us for what we are trying to achieve and show their full support and on the other hand we have had the rudest people, who won’t give you the time of day, who disrespect your product for what it is or how it’s made. We have had people who look down on us as though we are nothing and we have had people saying they don’t want their children being ‘pansies’ for reading our books.
We have a few favourites for good and bad and we will talk about them for some time to come.
Two people in particular spring to mind. Paul from Mynt Images. What an amazing guy! He would go above and beyond for all stall holders every single event. But sadly in August he lost his battle with a brain tumour. He never let his illness get in the way and always had a smile for us and the public. Another lady I will never forget was the day Alfie and I were doing a fair in Shere. A lovely young girl came up to us and was asking about our books, in the middle of explaining, her grandmother joined and over heard the words, ‘Diversity and Inclusion.’ Before we knew it, ‘I’m sick of diversity and inclusion!’ she yelled back at us. Alfie, who is only nine years old, looked at me, with questions in his eyes. ‘Could I ask you why?’ I piped up, not really knowing how to defuse the situation. ‘No, you can’t, I’m sick of hearing all about it and I don’t have to explain myself to the likes of you.’ She finished, as she dragged her granddaughter off and out the main door. Both Alfie and I stood there in a moments silence trying to piece together what had happened, when he turned to me and said, ’what was all that about?’ ‘That Alfie is why Tawny Owl Wood came about, there are people out there who are unwilling to be brought into the 21st century and to accept each and every one of us for who we are.’ And we left it at that.
It is sad to think that there are people out there who refuse to move with the times and to relearn what the nowadays version of diversity and inclusion is, more importantly, it’s the learnt behaviour that is being taught, which is equally as sad.
We have also, sadly, been witness to a theft. One stallholder had an entire day’s takings stolen, which is heart wrenching to hear. What makes it even sadder, is the people who stolen from her, they were a retired elderly couple, who refused to return the money, despite being found and identified and instead, drove off laughing. Their actions could have led to so much more.
If there is one thing I would like others to think of, when they next attend a craft show or fair, stop and give a thought at the effort it takes for each stall holder to be there. We literally put our souls on the line to showcase our products. At that moment in time, we are the most vulnerable we will ever be, so please don’t turn your noses up or be rude, if the products don’t suit you, thank whoever and move on quietly.
This is our livelihood, our hobby, our passion and it means the world to us.