silly question...

[Former_Member]

Dear All, I plan to start being part fo craft fairs this year (hopefuly march) and have small little silly questions about issue which is THE ISSUE for me...
How you organise the toilet breaks on such events? Especialy if there is only one person serving clients on your place? At some point you just have to go ... how to make your peaces safe for this time? It willbe not nice to go back from toilet and see your table empty...

[FlameOnGlass]

Most vendors will get their neighbour to watch their tables & reciprocate in kind.

[Former_Member]

Also some of the bigger shows will have booth sitters. You have to check and see if it's offered during your show. I always bring my daughter so I don't have that issue, but I have had neighboring vendors ask me to watch their booth while they go to the bathroom. I don't do any money transactions for them - just simply watch and if someone comes up I will tell them that the person will be right back.

[OutoftheBeaker]

If I'm doing a local show, I'll arrange for a friend to drop by mid-day to give me a chance to use the bathroom and eat something. But, when that doesn't work, I have a neighboring vender watch my booth for a minute. Many large shows have volunteers that come around and ask if you need a break, so it's not a big deal. Just make sure you scoot out when it's slow - not when you have a ton of people coming by the booth!

[HipViolet]

One of the things I love about craft shows is meeting other crafters - usually my booth neighbors become friends over the course of the show. I have never had a problem asking them to watch my booth while I run to the bathroom or to get food if needed, and I'm happy to do the same for them.

But warning - Murphy's Law of Craft Shows says that even if you leave your booth when no one is around, you'll arrive back to a crowded booth! :)

jesi

[BlackCatStitches]

The people who run the farmer's market I attend are constantly walking around asking if we need anything. We love them! They will cover our booths for loo breaks. Most of the other vendors are very friendly and would cover as well, if needed.

Best of luck at the craft fairs! You are definitely on the right team here. I have learned so much from so many helpful teammates!

[Former_Member]

I agree with everyone else, if you don't have someone who can come spot you for a few your booth neighbor is typically happy to watch your booth for you. They are hoping you will do the same for them!

[Former_Member]

The shows I do have booth sitters or I ask the person next to me to watch. I've never had a problem.

[LizArti]

I agree with what everyone else has said. And I'll add that I go the last minute before leaving the house and limit my liquid intake (but of course not to the point of total dehydration). If you're generally well-hydrated, one day of less liquids shouldn't cause any harm.

[ElisaAlvarado]

You can also usually see customers heading down the aisle toward you. During a slow time, dash to the restroom.

Whenever I have friends visit my booth I ask them to booth sit while I dash off quickly.

[Former_Member]

Make friends during setup with your neighbor. Usually there are quite a few single vendors that might need a hand with their tent...a good time to pitch in and watch each other's backs the rest of the show.

[HighCalPens]

Just remember, take your cash, cell phone and Square with you! But yes, most venders are perfectly happy watching your booth while your away for a few minutes, just don't abuse the opportunity to stretch that into a 30 or 40 minute excursion to tour the show. For that you need to bring someone with you to the show so you can both swap booth duty (or is that doody!) ((sorry)) throughout the day.

[Olele]

I agree with what others say about asking your neighbour to keep an eye on your booth and reciprocate. Try not to be away for too long and tell who's taking care of you booth about prices and how to wrap your items, you never know when you may get a sale!

:)

[AuraRosesTreasures]

The last show I attended (which was wonderful for me), I asked one of the people coordinating the show to sit while I went (to the toilet). I came back to find her in a coffee clatch with a group of women in the middle of the room, not paying any attention whatsoever to my booth, which was behind her!
Glad it was at a venue where people milling about seemed to be the honest sort.
I've also come back from toilet trips at other venues MULTIPLE TIMES to find my booth buddy next door paying no attention to my booth at all (that she was supposed to be watching)
When you have to go, you have to go. Oh well.
That's how it could possibly be.
You takes yer chances!
I don't have a booth buddy - yet.
would like one!
anyone interested?

[ElisaAlvarado]

Yes, ALWAYS take your money, phone, iPad etc. with you. A vendor apron or something similar really helps if you are alone so that your money is always on you.

[Former_Member]

Waist bag for money if you are doing shows alone cause you can't watch a money box if you are helping a customer.

[Former_Member]

I never do a show alone. I don't expect my neighbors to monitor my booth.

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

Wow, that is not helpful at all. She's asking how, IF you are alone, how you can go to the restroom. The fact that you would never stoop to such a level such as having to ask a neighbor for assistance isn't particularly helpful.

[Former_Member]

Jaime CorefromHoundDogDigs says

Wow, that is not helpful at all. She's asking how, IF you are alone, how you can go to the restroom. The fact that you would never stoop to such a level such as having to ask a neighbor for assistance isn't particularly helpful.
____________________________________________
I gave my opinion. I do not expect my neighbors to watch my booth..nor do I trust them to do so. I consider it an imposition. Therefore I do not do shows alone. I don't see how you can say that I said I "would never stoop to such a level" when I simply did not say that..so get over yourself.

[rocksandsalt]

Neighbors are usually helpful with that + I've found that if i bring seltzer water rather than flat water I can often make it through the whole day, and it helps with talking all day scratchy throat.

[Former_Member]

I find craft fair folks are helpful, polite and respectful...of their neighbor's, other vendors and their customer's.

People are often polite when asked to watch your space while you dash away. You can offer to bring them back a bottle of water for their trouble.

I travel alone a great deal, I've found ways to work around the solo aspects of doing shows.

Plus, I've never had any items stolen when I was away.
And there are NO Silly questions. Sometimes not so friendly responses, or replies that you are not expecting, but never silly questions.

Good Luck with your show season....way to put your self out there!

[RoyGBivandCO]

I usually do shows alone (sigh). At craft fairs I will ask a neighbour to watch my booth, but not sell. At the flea market where I sell most weekends, I just quietly sneak away to the washroom, quickly, and rush back. I have my embroidery machine and computer in the booth, and I figure its better not to draw attention to the fact that I am leaving! (of course I do take my cash and iphone)