Southern Oregon Book & Author Fair - I'm Ready!

A.a.a.a.a.a.ah..h..h.h.h.hh!
There. A long, satisfied breathy sigh. I did it.

I've completed the first giant step, and I'm ready for tomorrow morning's 2009 Southern Oregon Book & Author Fair (Nov. 21, 2009) at the Ashland Springs Hotel, Ashland, Oregon from 10am to 4:30pm. Free public admission.

I've never done this particular Book Fair venue before, so I had to prepare from scratch. But I really wanted to do it because I can use it to announce the big Art Show and Studio Sale I'm doing with my friend, Cathy Egelston and her daughter Belle Mahoney, in December. And I can transfer a lot of the Book Fair prep to the Art Sale (more about that in a future blog!)

For the last two months I've been jamming on this duo ~ the Book Fair and the Show/Sale ~ punctuated by one Sketch-Journaling Workshop on November 7 (which I will also blog soon, maybe Sunday.)

It's a gargantuan task, preparing more than 300 original book illustrations and making reproductions of others to sell at the Show. Cathy did a smaller Studio Sale last summer, so she has some experience to guide us, and we've both been preparing steadily for a long time now.

The best thing about a Studio Sale is that it's informal. The art is not generally framed, although each piece is in a clear protective sleeve with a cardboard backing so it won't get bent. This saves a lot of time and money. Additionally, all that art that's been lying in cupboards gets a protective cover At Last ;^}

The Book Fair is first, though, tomorrow morning, and I wish I'd gotten time to blog it sooner. I'm going to send a link to this blog to all my students in hopes that it isn't too late for them to trot on down and say hi. But more importantly, I'm hoping to get people interested in the Studio Sale. It's not every day you get an opportunity to buy original book illustrations.

So I'm prepared for tomorrow. In case you are an author and ever have to do an author gig or even a craft fair, I will share my checklist to help you prepare. Of course, mine is all about me, but it should be a useful touchstone if you are headed in that direction. Here 'tis:

Book Show List

Easel (this is to hold the sign for upcoming Art Show and Studio Sale)
Dolly to haul books and supplies (it looks more professional than carrying boxes)
Cushion for chair (if you're gonna sit all day, be comfy!)
Camera in camera case
Backup boxes of books (these will stay in the car until needed)
Box of books to sell (5-6 of each to start off with)
Display books (one of each I'm selling, labeled "for display only") : Illustrating Nature, Beaver Year, Wild Babies, Redrock Explorer, Swamp Explorer
Book stands (I prop each display book in a metal bookend with the front edge curled up)
A brochure to lay open on table (in case someone wonders who the heck I am)
Workbooks in a display box (I'm selling outdated workshop workbooks)
Prints in a display box (I've made prints of illustrations from the books I'm selling)

Supply Box containing:

• tablecloth (a new green one I just made with a woodsy fern pattern on it)
  
• cashbox with 10s, 5s, and 1s (about $70 worth)
  
• calculator (it's easy to goof in all the bustle ~ I don't even try to add)
  
• personal kit box (aspirin, comb, mirror, breath mints, tape, scissors, Tums, etc.)
• business card holder and extra business cards
• sketchbook and pen (if business is slow, I'll sketch and journal)
• eyeglasses
  
• prints and book list (I'll check off every one I sell to make inventory easy later)
• paper pad, 2 pens (people will want autographs -- always ask how the name is spelled, then practice it FIRST - if you muff it, the book is ruined)

Art Show Invitations (I'll put these next to the easel -- they're colorful with the location, date and time of our big show, and offer $1 off any of my prints they buy at the Art Show).

Signs in plastic holders

• a price list (I'm giving a 25% discount off the retail price)
• a warning about workbooks (workbooks with identical covers may have different stuff inside!)

Anyway, the Book Fair is tomorrow and I'm ready. If you're in the area, I hope you'll drop by. There are 60 Oregon authors, and there should be some great gift book ideas, most with hefty discounts.