The dust has settled, and the calculations done, so now its time to let you know how it all went.
As you may know, Wonderful Wool Day (WWD) is our very own tiny woolly gathering, think Wonder Wool Wales in miniature. This was the fifth time we have run it, Teri having started it four years ago with the idea of having a special day just to celebrate all things wool, and eat lovely cake. Teri organised two such events in that first year, and that was enough to make us think that once a year was sufficient work!
This year we made the decision to expand a little bit. We wanted to continue to focus on showcasing local artisans, and to give an opportunity to small businesses just starting out, and we wanted more of them. We divided up the various jobs and set to with a will. Teri organised the cake and external catering, the venue, posters, and got our volunteers in line, I rounded up new traders, organised the workshops, and we both tackled the publicity.
We had the most tremendous line-up of traders and exhibitors (check the list at the end of this post), when Teri and I took the chance to have a look over the show, just as the doors opened, we were very impressed (and more than a bit proud) of the standard of the stalls. It looked like the real deal all right! Check the Facebook page for some photos (not many were taken as it was so very busy!) https://www.facebook.com/wonderfulwoolday/
We had some hiccups along the way, I suppose you can't hope to get away without something. Setting up was delayed as the hall got double booked and a paranormal group ran a seance overnight, so we couldn't map the layout as planned. Our caterer dropped out at the last minute, but The Green Canteen stepped into the breech. I managed to fluff a workshop timing, but our tutors were splendidly professional and adapted to this so you would not know anything had happened. We had an awful moment when we almost ran out of cake, but the volunteers dealt with this, and all was well. A few of our traders had to drop out, but then helped us to fill in their own spaces!
We did have some fantastic help from all sorts of people. Our beautiful poster was created by another stall holder near our shop in Shrewsbury's Market Hall. Christine Boggis of Knitting Magazine and Rainy Williamson of British Fibre Art Magazine both not only put our event in their magazines' diary columns, but also gave us (gave us mind) a write-up. River Knits met up with KnitIt-HookIt-CraftIt to send us a trunk show as she couldn't come in person. Our friends and families (including various teenagers) ran the refreshments, the Orphan Lamb table (bring your labelled de-stashed yarn to sell), took money on the door, looked after the needs of the traders and ran so many errands. Most wonderful of all was the appearance of so very many of of our regular shop customers, who came to the show to support us.
There was a very happy buzz throughout the day.We had more people through the door than on any other occasion, and we saw a great many exciting looking purchases leave. We could see that a lot of attendees were making a day of it, taking the opportunity to settle in, have a good look, then grab a coffee and a bite to eat before having another look around. There was a relaxed feel about it, no one seemed to feel over whelmed by choice as so often happens at the big shows, and people were spending time talking to the traders about what they did.
The feedback we had from traders and attendees was very favourable, mostly asking for more traders and a bit more publicity. Many of the traders asked to be included in the next event, and we've had requests from other traders that have heard about it since. We have a list of improvements to make for next year, but you can be sure that WWD will be happening again, and with extra cake :)
Toodle-pip!
Becca
This years traders were:-
Clare Linford - needle felt.
https://clarelinforddesigns.com/
Debs Shaw - Polymer clay buttons and shawl pins.
http://www.valleyartsandcrafts.co.uk/
From Fleece to Finish
https://www.facebook.com/fleecetofinish
Gemmipop Designs- laser cut jewellery, crochet kits.
http://www.gemmipopdesigns.com/Pages/default.aspx
Hilda Fix - hand crocheted accessories and garments.
http://www.valleyartsandcrafts.co.uk/
Ken Weston - hand turned yarn bowls.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/people/kenweston
KnitIt-HookIt-CraftIt - knitting, crochet and sewing notions.
https://www.knitit-hookit-craftit.com/
Maureen Preen - peglooms and weaving sticks.
http://www.maureenpreen.co.uk/
River Knits - hand dyed yarn.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RiverKnitsYarn (also available in the Ewe & Ply shop)
Ruth Packham - needle felt artist.
http://ruthpackham.co.uk/
Staffordshire Buttons - handmade ceramic buttons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ykuGt826-Y
Steve Attwood Wright - weaver.
http://shropshireguild.co.uk/portfolio/de-mont-wright/
Velvet Sixpence - hand dyed fibre.https://velvetsixpence.wordpress.com/
Wrigglefingers - hand dyed yarns and fibre.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/wrigglefingers
The catering, cake and other treats were from :-
The Green Canteen - vegan catering.
https://www.thegreencanteencumbria.co.uk/
Laura's Sweet Creations.
https://www.facebook.com/laurasweetcreations
Plant Bites.
https://www.facebook.com/davesplantbites/