Mark C. Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 I'm getting ready for my big summer show. Now that I stopped doing my really big xmas show in Tempe Az this was my number 2 show. Its been gaining traction for years fore me and now will be my big show of the year. Its a complicated one for I also take scuba gear -tanks weight belts and underwater cameras ,dry suits etc for two as well as 70 boxes of pottery in my long van. The only way to pull this off is keep track of the inventory. Normally I just stuff my van full and will have plenty of everything-but this is not the case for this show. I went thru all inventory (looked in all the boxes) and wrote a list of whats in there so I can fill in whats needed. The good news is I have whats needed in boxes in my load in area-I just need to get the right mix in van along with all the dive junk.This is one show where the van is always over 11,000 #s. We scale it on the trip up and back so I know whats up. The working limit for my one ton van is 10,000 #s so I drive really easy-the trip is about 800 miles and a Ferry trip.Two days up one long one home.Its about 1.5 hours north of Seattle .Seattle is Ione huge traffic jam in summer so I go the long way top the Olympic Peninsula and take the Port Townsend ferry over to Widbey Island. This is my 25 or 26th year at show and I really like this show. Its surrounded by 3 sides by Puget sound.Its a commission show (the only downside)It attracts visitors from many counties and my usual regulars. The whole success of a show like this is the planning and making sure I do not run out of whatever is needed. This maximizes profits.I keep a list of stuff (loose list)of best sellers and for example how many spoon rests sold and how many flat stuff boxes sold(pie plates -chip and dips -dinnerware square plates all are flat stuff). It great doing a show and vacation starts as soon as show is over.I'm firing my wall fish today as that was the last thing I needed for this show. I leave next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 oooo---show us your fishies! (didn't find any in gallery) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 Ok I have some fish photos-I will get them loaded up in next few days. The ones in kiln are at 2,400 right now-cone 11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 Sell a lot and have a great vacation. I have a load firing in my big Skutt. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 may we know the name of this show? is it on the island itself? that is a pretty place. and the diving must be spectacular. enjoy it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 The show is Anacortes Art festival on Fidalgo Island which you can drive to via bridges.The San Juan and points north ferry leaves from that Island .I started doing this show in 1992 if I recall.Its the only show that I have met members of this discussion board at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 I started with BIG fish and now mostly only do smaller more affordable ones. These photos are all taken over a 15 year period at Anacortes Art festival I replaced all my pro panels with a newer lighter color two years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEP Posted July 28, 2017 Report Share Posted July 28, 2017 Underwater photography and ceramics worlds collide! Those are amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted July 28, 2017 Report Share Posted July 28, 2017 Those look great if my son ever comes back from Palau maybe he will bring some great fish photo's with him and I'll get inspired to make some fishy pots. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 Yesterdays fresh fish from kiln All strung with stainless steel wire-great for indoors or outdoors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
What? Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 I love it up there too. I rode my motorcycle all through there. I always eat a bunch of crab when I'm out that way. Have a great show and an awesome vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted July 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 Those look great if my son ever comes back from Palau maybe he will bring some great fish photo's with him and I'll get inspired to make some fishy pots. Denice You should think about visiting him midwinter and get out of the cold-Palau is great place to visit and swim in the warm seas. As you know I have spent some time there long ago on a boat.Time will slow down for you there as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 OK update night before the two day trip in Van Baking cookies for show and after for diving-My wife cooked chicken and its frozen for show. (its or deal-she makes chicken celery and carrots for my lunches before my show trips while staying behind)I have a electric cooler between seats in van that keeps it frozen along with two gallons of frozen water that super chills the contents. I have repacked the door side pots a few times getting the most out of the space-when I finish you cannot fit a pair of shoes in this stretch van. Looks like a heat wave on van trip north-temps in the 110 range-thank somebody show is on an island and cooled by puget sound. It will be good to dive next week after show. Feel like I'm working without a net-no list I think I like the challenge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 Well the show turned out to be my best ever at this location plus its my 25th year there as well. I came prepared and the only things I forgot where for the diving part of the trip which is going on now. Weather was Hot 1st day then the marine air came in the next two where perfect-last day I took one of my canopy down and let the sun shine on wares. It always helps sales.Its been smoky sun here from fires in Canada -even out at Port Townsend . The van is almost 1/2 empty of pots -I bring about 60 boxes (banana and apple boxes)gage dive gear takes up about 10 boxes worth of space. Van weighed 12,000#s on trip north I'll scale it on return trip to see how light she is. On a summer break now as I do every August bat this time-I have a fee orders to fill but the work is at home and done except an order to New Zealand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evelyne Schoenmann Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 Congrats on the great show Mark! Enjoy summer break now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 Hey the van weighed 10,800 so I sold 1,200#s of pottery-I now know my sales per # of clay sold-now there is an obscure item of knowledge. I had a total of 793 customers. trip home 700 miles in 12.5 hours of driving from show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 it is time to go fishing! have a great time and let us know how well you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 Here is this years booth before the mob hit-its double at a street intersection. My neighbors on one side had a double crystalline pottery booth-they are friends and organizers screwed up with placements but we both did really well despite placement. I have had this corner center (feed on both sides)forever-its a commission show(10%) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted August 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 I took a photo of van side door while in line waiting for a ferry at Port Townsend . Still have room for some saki cups-the tanks are for diving not pottery.I can pack a tight load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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