After the ball...

I need to figure out a way to do load out *before* the fair...then everything would just be fun and enjoyable all weekend. The sad truth is, I spend the last half or so of the final day of a fair dreading having to break down. Packing up the van and setting up a show is strangely fun...an adventure is afoot, you're filled with the hope/anticipation of meeting new clients, making some interesting sales, buying some good books and seeing friends. Breaking down is just wretched. The show is over, even if you did well, you are exhausted, sore and brain-fried and having to pack everything up carefully and journey home (or at least in that direction)...to have to unpack it all is just dreary. It took 8ish hours to set up...and 3ish to break down (not the last, but damn close).

It was a slowish day today...as Sundays tend to be...lots of looking but not a lot of action. I did have several great conversations and am hopeful that one or two will lead to interesting things. Overall, it was a great weekend. I am very fond of this multiple show format, as I think our material, etc. works well with the antique/fine art crowd. I thought it was well run and well promoted. Given the tendency of book dealers to kvetch at any opportunity, the apparent lack of compaints bodes well, I think.

Now I just have to figure out if my experimental "tableless" booth design is going to work. New York in 3 weeks. Can't wait.