Polly Livid

After all the effort over the past few days and the pleasure at having come up with fairly sensible solutions to a practical issue or two; I am gutted! Okay, that is a slight exaggeration. I am feeling a bit crestfallen is a euphemism; but I will let you make up your own minds as to the best description of how I am feeling right now!

When Mick-The-Postie's arrival was heralded by my two excitable dogs yapping away I gleefully dashed down the hall to intercept the mail. I knew, of course that the contract for the a Bride & Debs Exhibition I am due to exhibit at would be there, with all the relevant information for me and frankly; I could hardly wait to rip open the envelope.

To be honest I was disappointed with the presentation of the envelope itself; it was a standard issue inexpensive white DL sized envelope. That in itself isn't exactly unusual, but the handwritten address was a little surprising; as was the single paged 'contract' within. There was little information about either the venue or the exhibition itself; save for the date and the hours and of course the charge required.

A request was made for a small donation; ie a bottle of wine or box of chocs , for the raffle the proceeds of which would be donated to a local charity. Oh, and would I please indicate if I would require an electrical socket! There is no signature on the end either...

Well; this set even more alarm bells ringing and resulted in a quick phone call to the event organiser. So much for my wonderful idea of holding a small draw as an incentive to persuade folk to part with their contact details! The lady herself has never heard of this kind of thing and feels that it would serve to intimidate her attendees and perhaps affect their return in following years! Huh!

To say the least I am thoroughly despondent and now have little or no desire to get out into my studio and start putting together sample packs for the event. In fact, I am half of a mind to withdraw from the event altogether! Except that would be cutting my nose off to spite my face and perhaps losing out on an invaluable opportunity to showcase my wares at local level on an annual basis. Huh!

After my initial whinging to BJK; my Mom, I contacted the forum members at the Irish Business Women's Forum and left an urgent message for help and advice. In some ways just writing down my predicament has helped a great deal; but I still need, want and welcome advice from all quarters.

Have I wasted my time and effort with this matter or should I press on? I want to scream and cry at the same time; because my good ideas have been thwarted. It's simply not fair and I don't like it! Okay; so there we have it, off my chest and ready for advice...

I did at least manage to maintain my composure while speaking to the event organiser and remember to request an electrical socket. Hopefully my clear fairy lights will be working and will add just enough sparkle to entice even the most sceptical of brides to my four foot table. Perhaps I should have hired a few champagne glasses and bought some of the blush coloured Chardonnay that we sampled last Friday evening? What if they are all on the pre-marital diet; and able to resist the charms of Lily O'Brien and her amazingly yummy chocolates?

Should I offer my big incentive, ie the body shop hamper and discretely doctor it so that my contact details are prominently displayed within, or will I offer up my hemp super skin care set with my business card attached to the myriad of mauve coloured labels already in situ? Maybe I should take the woman at her word and just ask for a cheap bottle of plonk in the local supermarket and bung that into her draw? I think by now you may have noticed just how cross I am...

Still, all's well that ends well. If I get even one order from this I should at least break even financially. My fees are fairly reasonable and the exhibition price is unbelievably cheap! The venue is a fairy tale castle and it will be magical no matter how disgruntled I am today. My instincts regarding floral decorations were also bang on as the local florists will be there in abundance, so I guess it's just a single orchid bloom dotted here and there amongst the shrunken display of opulence according to Polly Pierce of VINCA Cards!

Unwittingly this cheerfully pleasant spoiler of plans has opened up other avenues for me. In the past I have run competitions on my web-site and blogs for a modest prize maybe now I can offer something a bit more exciting and get a better response due to more planning. It's food for thought.

I hope I don't have to give my friend back her contribution to the proceedings; a lovely Body Shop Gift Bag to compliment the one I purchased for the incentive draw. Either way, it would still make a lovely prize for someone! I suppose I can no longer offer the set of fifty invitations either, that would have made such a nice impact on my stand! OMG I am absolutely livid!!!!!

Every cloud has a silver lining and I am determined to find one. Perhaps my colleagues at the IBW will console me with their enthusiasm and let's face it my disdain over the whole issue has already resulted in some cracking idea's! Now all I have to do is stop fretting over this and get back to the real job of making a good impression.

So it's goodnight from me; and it's good night from me again as I dash to my studio to perform miracles; after all I have cleared my schedule for the next week so that I can do just that.

Polly Livid Pierce
Furious Maker of Hand Made Wedding Stationary & Greeting Cards