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On the other side of the counter.
I arrived at the door about 9:55 and there was already a gathering of hardy crafters waiting eagerly for the doors to open. I asked if the door was open and was greeting with the look that implied
Do you think we would be standing here if?
I explained that I was demonstrator, hoping that my little crafty box in my hand would make it seem more plausible. I decided to ask if there was another way in to the hall. Apparently there was but it was at the back of the hall. I rushed around the block as fast as my aching knees could take me. I had been on a trip to Edinburgh Zoo with my darling primary 2 and 3s on Friday and had not yet recovered!
After about 20 yards I decided to return to the front door. I again edged my way to the front of the queue and waited for someone to come to my aide. A nice man came and said there was a hitch and would we mind waiting for a few more minutes. Someone called out that there was a demonstrator waiting to get in. I stepped back to let her pass
and then realised they meant me!
I grabbed a show programme and tried to find the layout of all the stalls. Oh where was Stamporium? Stand 10. Which way up was this plan orientated? Oh look at the time! The wee man who had held back the crowds came back. I asked him - begged actually - to tell me where Stamporium was. He pointed to an unmanned stall.
I walked over, had a look around and thought
Oh what have I let myself in for?
There were loads of items from stamps to peel offs, punches, rubber stamp pads. Just about everything except actual cards! Loads of beautiful ideas arranged around the wall space above the display. I reckoned I could never make anything as beautiful. What if a customer asked me something about them. How could I explain? I was beginning to feel rather nauseous.
Just then, a man arrived so I confirmed I was at the right stand. He said that Sue would be back in amoment and would set me right. Oh good! I could not see what I was to demo and was glad I had brought my own kit with me.
Sue turned up. What a lovely, jolly lady! I heard the wee man shout if everyone was at their posts as he as letting them in! Oh no! I said a silent prayer asking that they take a circuitous route to avoid coming to me. I did not know what to do yet.
Sue cleared an area about the size of an A3 card and set to work. Had I worked with punches before? Doubled sided tape? Beads, Glitter? I said Yes to all questions. Phew! She quickly - and I really mean quickly - showed me how to make a decorative edging using a mosaic punch and glitter. Next was a different one with a corner punch and beads. She disappeared. On her return - within a flash - she produced a packet of handbag cards.
They are from Craftworks Cards. I said.
Sue said that Stamporium did not sell cards so we get things from the other stand and send trade back over there. Great idea! By the way, did you know that you can knock the corner lugs off corner punches and use them in a straight line? Neither did I.
Two cards down and one to go. She showed me the acrylic mounting system, how to store them, use them etc. By now the first customer had arrived. She wanted to take photos. Sue disappeared again as she had a main demo to give and left me to it. I grabbed some paper strips and set to work. Oh no! I could not get the punches to line up!
I spent the next 10 minutes messing about to be honest I destroyed several lovely strips of pearlescent paper trying to work out how Sue managed to make the punches line up so neatly. Suddenly it clicked. At last I had my teacher head on and could set to work.
After a few minutes I was managing fine. Just as well as the first customers were on the way to see what I was up to. I was delighted to see a friendly face. A crafty friend from my very own Card Club was standing before me with her sister in tow. She said I could try out my demonstrating on her.
more later...
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