Advice needed

[swirlyarts]

Hiya everyone,
I have the opportunity to go to my first craft fair in the middle of July but my second baby is due at the beginning of July! The fair is over a weekend and costs £70 for the whole weekend including a table so it sounds good value to me. However I am undecided cos of the new arrival - what does everyone else think - will I be up to it, is it unprofessional to have a baby there with me etc etc. I will hopefully have my sister on the stall too with her crafts so if I do ned to dash off then she will be there but I just don't know what to do - arrgghh!!!

[Seahorse]

Is craft your main source of income?

If not then Id say make the baby a priority.
What if it hasnt arrived and you go into labour at the fair!!!

I think baby and your comfort/sanity is more important.

Can your sister do it on her own?

[Fran]

Babies come early and babies come late, I'm with Seahorse , I'm thinking that there is a possibility of labour at the event, and don't forget all the lifting and carrying that you would be doing, even if your sister is there. Would it not be possible to have your sister do the whole event on your behalf?

[beadsbydesign]

As a mother of three children, I would say don't do the show.
Whether or not you have had the baby, the stress and work of the show so soon after the birth is not a good idea. You can never forsee all the possibilities, baby blues (weeping at the slightest thing and for no reason at all) feeding issues, comfort issues, getting to know your baby etc. I can understand that you feel now as though you could cope, most of us do and go around saying "o the baby will just fit into our life style. In reality the first month or two are utterly exhausting...sleepless nights etc. Take the time to rest and get to know the little person who is about to invade your life!!

[swirlyarts]

Thanks guys - I think I am just desperate to get out and start selling my stuff! I'm trying to branch out into the wedding stationary side of things too but the portfollios I want to put together are non existent at the moment so I think I might build those up, put them on the website and maybe do a craft fair in the autumn. It also gives my sister time to build up her stock too - I think I scared her the other day when I said there was a craft fair in July and did she want to do it!
I did want to give myself something to aim at but maybe July with a new baby and a two year old is asking too much of myself!!
Lynsey

[beadsbydesign]

Do let us know when the little one arrives!!

[swirlyarts]

Oh I will!! I will probably be on here moaning lots so be prepared!! I talked it over again with my hubby and sister and we have decided not to do the fair. As I said, I did want to give myself something to aim at but I've dedcided to concentrate on building up the wedding stationary portfollios and getting hubby to do more work on the website instead.
Thanks for all the advice!
Lynsey

[Seahorse]

Sounds like a good decision.
Hope all goes well with your work and ickle babies arrival.

[Fran]

A wise decision! I know your keen to get going!

Lots of crafters take the young ones with them to events, me included when I have too, so it'll happen in time and when your ready you'll get going again.