Faire Ladies, Faire Lords

Quality, American-Made Renaissance Costumes

Norcal renfaire

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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You know that I appreciate your reading and your patronage, yes? Did you also know its pretty easy to keep up with my writing if you Get the Insider’s Newsletter? Anybody who reads so thoroughly deserves a nice reward, like a discount coupon for my website. Hint, Hint. You can also find me on Facebook.

NorCal Renfaire full time

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Fabulous news! Faire Ladies, Faire Lords is now at the NorCal Renfaire full time, as in a permanent vendor. I am in, I will be there, it’s official!

Most times in life, opportunity knocks only once. Back in the early 2000’s I was new in business, with a few seasons completed though still scrambling for balance and success. A fan of my work invited me to apply for a full-time spot. I had to decline. I wasn’t capable of the logistics needed to succeed at this from my San Diego home base. I knew I was missing a huge opportunity, and have regretted it ever since.

I’ve spent many years since attending small faires and counting pennies. Despite lots of networking, applications, and emails each season I could not get accepted into any large shows. I was struggling, working without the kind of support an artist needs to gather strength and succeed. Things changed for me personally about six years ago, and my business began to improve dramatically too.

And so, this year Northern faire needed new vendors. Opportunity knocked a second time! I was ambivalent for a day, admittedly. Because life is complicated.  That’s when I realized that I could have my old dream; this is the place I have worked, scrambled, and sweated for. No more regrets, no more wondering “what if?”. I said YES. See you all beginning September 18th for six amazing weekends. NorCal Renfaire full time? YES!!

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You know that I appreciate your reading and your patronage, yes? Did you know its pretty easy to keep up with my writing if you Get the Insider’s Newsletter? Anybody who reads so thoroughly deserves a nice reward, like a discount on a purchase from my website. Hint, Hint. You can also find me on Facebook.