Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the Sawley Marina Summer Open Day and Craft Fair. It was a busy event with lots of craft stalls, food vendors, live music, boat displays and a demonstration from the Newfoundland Water Rescue Dogs. The stall fees were donated to two charities - Young Lives Vs Cancer and Pasic (A children's cancer charity), so it was great to help raise money for such worthy causes.
There was a good selection of crafters at the event, some in shared marquees and some in their own gazebos all spread out around the spacious grounds of the Marina. There was everything from jewellery, handmade cards, wax melts, soaps, crochet bags, plants, jams, cakes, homewares etc. I was in one of the shared marquees along with 8 other stalls. It was in a nice position next to the waters edge, and was pretty busy throughout the day.
I brought I good selection of my products - aprons, waterproof canvas tote bags, headbands, scrunchies and sewing kits and managed to sell a few of each. There was a good footfall of people throughout the day. Lots of dogwalkers and people who live on boats in the marina, as well as locals from the surrounding villages. There was such a nice atmosphere and buzz of activity all day with lots of things happening.
The highlight for me was a display from the Rother Valley Newfoundland Water Rescue Dogs. These dogs were huge and absolutely gorgeous and put on a fantastic display of rescuing people from the water and even towing boats! My stall was right beside them so I had a great view.
All in all, this was a lovely event to be part of. I chatted to lots of people, fussed a lot of doggies, handed out business cards and even managed to sell quite a lot of my handmade items.
I'm booked in to return to their Christmas fair in December and I'm really looking forward to it, although the thought of standing in a marquee in the freezing cold isn't very appealing!! I'd better get a start on making some cute ear warmers and snoods!!