Growth and Understanding

I am sitting here typing to you while listening to Bif Naked, when I really should be asleep in bed. I feel like a Momma Bear who is late heading off for hibernation.
I have not really had a day off from running around, creating etc in over three-four weeks now. Packing up the car, heading off to shows, unpacking the car, setting up, trying to convince potential customers that my work is worth their hard earned cash, taking down displays, packing up, packing the car & driving home for almost an hour in the dark rainy evenings over and over.
It has really brought it back to the foreground why I began organizing Creative Finds. Although organizing a show is a heck of a lot more work and way more stressful, I still feel like I have accomplished something good. Every year I push myself to the limit (almost to the brink of tears) to make my show (Creative Finds) a wonderful and successful experience for both vendors and customers alike. From all the feedback and the early applications I have already received for next years Winter Market (Nov 13 & 14, 2010), I think I must be doing a good job.
So what have I learned this year after a year of planning in the works and three solid weekends of shows?…
Spend less in newspaper advertising and more in visible posters (large street signs, coffee house adverts, postcard hand outs, etc). I spent $800 in newspaper advertising alone this year & funny enough, it did not increase our customer traffic from last year.
At this point in time, my plan for 2010 is organizing my Creative Finds Events and promotional footwork and mail outs for my own art greeting cards, necklaces, etc and not being a part of others craft shows. Maybe a ‘real’ Art Gallery Show! That would be really nice.
I had better go to bed. I am so tired that I am overworking the spell check system.
Keep smiling, creating and sweet dreams,
Nicci