A first foray into wool fairs: St Abbs

I was lucky to receive a copy of the Maker's Yearbook earlier this year and it has certainly concentrated my mind about how to promote the wool more effectively.  I was lucky enough to get a last-minute stall at the St Abbs Wool Fest (now in Eyemouth) although this meant snaking a day off out of the lambing field and leaving the under-Shepherd in charge).  I did a lot of research into how to make the stall work, what other vendors wanted to pass on in the way of advice, and set a promotions budget so that I could make the stall look as professional as possible in a short period of time. First step to get this bright and cheerful pop-up banner stand made, then a trip to IKEA (the gates of the underworld) for table-cloth, fairly lights and baskets in which to display my wool.  Also what seemed like an eternity of printing and sticking on labels to each ball of wool, ordering cards and postcards.  Finally remembering to organise a cash float and get myself a card-reader!  Finally though, I arrived at the venue; everyone was really kind and helpful and I managed to get the stall set up to look like this!

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  What a proud moment that was!  
​Great things about the wool fair were:
- the other friendly stall holders
- the great range of classes available (which I really wanted to attend) especially the felted fishy class!
- the huge number of really interested and enthusiastic customers who arrived as the door opened and didn't stop coming until the end
- the great refreshment service which kept me supplied at the stall with copious amounts of tea all day
and of course the Giacopazzi's icecream at the harbour before I headed home.  Enormous credit to Jenny Howe who organises this event. It's superb!
Next St Abbs Wool Fest is 4th November 2017.  Excited already!