Faire Ladies, Faire Lords

Quality, American-Made Renaissance Costumes

boothie

Meet my booth manager trainee!

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RenFaire opens this weekend at Casa de Fruita outside of Hollister, CA this weekend! Anticipation is high, there’s more stuff to do than hours in the day to do them. Me, I am out the door this Friday morning. Putting the last touches on my booth and filling the shelves with my awesome renfaire costumes. But I am not taking this all on alone. I have a manager trainee for the booth! Everyone, meet my booth manager trainee, Alicia!

headshot of AliciaAlicia is new to me, but not new to faire. She has worked a solid 12 seasons so far. In food booths, even in the reptile zoo. Perseverance! She came to me in response to a post I made about needing help, and let me know she wants to learn. To be trusted to do things like handle money. To be more than just a body. I’m thinking this is just about perfect. I have been hoping for someone I can train up and rely on.

Opening weekend is our big training opportunity. She’ll be learning all the things, from merchandising to setup to closing. Its a lot, but she’s smart and I’ve got a lot of confidence in her already. Alicia is getting a bit of a ‘trail by fire’ during this first season. I’m going to be offsite the 2nd weekend and that means she’s In Charge. Yes, she’s taking the helm and going for it. Solo, baby!

So, please do stop by the booth and meet my booth manager trainee. Come out and show her what a great, kind group of customers and patrons I’ve got. It will be a good time. My booth is placed on Costumer’s Row, between Tickle Thy Fantasy and Heart’s Delight. I could not ask for a better spot. Bonus, my neighbors are really great people. Bonus Plus, I’ve got garden produce to give away.

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My summer plans

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My summer plans: Its time to get moving on my retail inventory. I am hopeful (read: twitching and running in circles like a toddler) to be boothing at Casa de Fruita in Northern California this fall. That website catalog isn’t gonna fill itself either. I need a better work/life balance than I had in the past few decades. And so, I am switching to ‘inventory build mode’ here in the studio.

What does that mean for you? It means that I’m not taking any custom or special orders for the near future. Unless otherwise already arranged (you ladies know who you are).

I’m hoping to develop and release a few new products this fall. I know it sounds simple, “just sew up a buncha stuff, it’ll take a day or so”. HAHAHHAAAAA! I wish. Its a lot of work to draft, test, fit, sample, and then grade a pattern block for something new. Even before starting the actual creation of sewn garments.

I’m planning to have a Womans Doublet, a plain partlette, and a new style of mens doublet too. And, I will be making the usual gowns, chemises, shirts, bodices, caps, and breeches and all the wonderful things I carry regularly off the rack.

Its busy, a good busy. I’m truly working on having a balance of work/life and this is a step in the proper direction. I think I’m working smarter, not harder this summer.

And those are my summer plans.

Reminder: I am looking for new booth help.

If you or someone you know is looking for work at faire and join my faire family, please let me know. I’m picky about booth workers though, so bring your best game. Literate, conservative looking, clever, motivated and preferably non-smoking. Able to sell, and do business transactions is very important. Physically able and willing to work on setup, merchandising, sales, all of it. If I had to pick the most important attributes I’d say the retail sales ability plus being upbeat and resilient. Everything else is learnable and can be arranged.

Patrick and I Renfaire is a lot of fun, and also a lot of work. Pay is weekend stipend and commission, plus food and camping/accommodation. I will help you with costuming. I’m all about work hard, play hard, no fear. We got this, and we are a family.

Meanwhile, please share this post with some friends and have them join my Insider’s Newsletter list by sending me a message. Insiders get neato discounts and coupons straight to their inbox as well as first notice of great things, like new products and events. You can also find me on Facebook.

Northern Faire is ON!

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Northern Faire is ON! Huzzah!

I got word late last week. The Northern California Renaissance Faire returns to Casa de Fruta for a full six weekends, starting September 18th through October 24th.

I have been a guest vendor at this show for a few years. Let me tell you, I had to work (aka beg) HARD for a decade to even get that far.

I’m hoping to pick up as many weekends as I can from Opening through Closing with only one weekend where I might need a manager in my place. Of course, I prefer to be later in the run, but I’m happy to be there any weekend. Any. Weekend. I can be very flexible about booth location and size too. New products, got them. I’ll do classes if necessary. Fully vaccinated, you betcha!

I am looking for new booth help.

If you or someone you know is looking for work at faire and join my faire family, please let me know. I’m picky about booth workers though, so bring your best game. Literate, conservative looking, clever, motivated and preferably non-smoking. Able to sell, and do business transactions is very important. Physically able and willing to work on setup, merchandising, sales, all of it. If I had to pick the most important attributes I’d say the retail sales ability plus being upbeat and resilient. Everything else is learnable and can be arranged.

Renfaire is a lot of fun, and also a lot of work. Pay is weekend stipend and commission, plus food and camping/accommodation. I will help you with costuming. I’m all about work hard, play hard, no fear. We got this, and we are a family.

Patrick and I Meanwhile, please share this post with some friends and have them join my Insider’s Newsletter list by sending me a message. Insiders get neato discounts and coupons straight to their inbox as well as first notice of great things. You can also find me on Facebook. HUZZAH! Northern Faire is ON!