SacMomsClub.com

Well I did a one day arts and crafts fair here in Sacramento. I was nervous, excited, my paste was mixed and ready to go, barely slept the night before. When I made the arrangements to be at this fair, the event coordinator told me that I would be the only henna artist there. I had registered two months prior. I had been in contact with her just a few days before the event as well.

Imagine my suprise when I show up to the event, ready to set up, and I see a pop up tent right IN FRONT of the entrance to the building, and it says "Henna Tattoos". (I was going to be inside near the entrance to the main stage)This is a person that does most of the festivals around the area, and is "well known in Sacramento for doing Henna". I was a little upset and worried about this, as most of you know, a smaller event with more than one henna artist doesn't bode well.

I spoke with the coordinator, and she was like "Well, she registered at the last minute." I told her, "But you said I was going to be the only henna artist here." She replied," Well, she has a very big following, and she said that she could bring people to the festival. I know you are new, do you have a big following that will attract people here?" I said well "no, but this wasn't what we had agreed upon, and further that people were going to see her and since she is right at the entrance, how will I get any business?" She told me don't worry about it, and that it would be fine. She also then told me that I should check out a site called craftartisans.com or something like that, because it has advice on how to deal with situations like this, and how people should respond. She then also said that people with bad attitudes don't get invited back. (??!!??, she lies to me, I'm upset about it and express my concerns, not screaming or yelling, but talking in a calm voice and *I* have the bad attitude?) Then she proceeds to tell me that the other henna artist has news articles written about her and done one of the local TV anchors as well, and walks off.

So, I'm nervous and scared, imagining my booth fee going even further down the drain. My prices were definitely lower than the other artist, but then I've only been doing this off and on for 4 years, and she's been doing this for over 20. I had simple designs set out to attract the kids, and my prices were $5 to $10, with a few $15 thrown in. I had practiced for a month, and could do the $5 and $10 designs in under 5 minutes, without straining my hand.

I had a few trickle in, and by 10:30 (Site opened at 9am) I had done about 3 $5 designs, with a few people stopping by and saying they would get one later in the day. From 11am to 3pm I did get quite busy, and even had a line at one point! My booth neighbors to the back of me were very nice, and complimentary on my work. (They did glass nail files with designs on the top) They told me I was charging WAY too low for what I was doing. But as it was my first festival, and I'm still somewhat of a newbie, I didn't want to go crazy with prices, and anyway, I'm not here to gouge people.

So, then, my boyfriend and his daughter come in, and get a henna design for her, which turned out quite nice. He tells me that while she was sitting with me, he strolled outside to see what the other artist was doing, and was shocked at her prices. For a small tribal sun on the upper arm, that would take up about 1/4 of the arm space, she was charging $35. Then I found out from some poeple that came inside, that for a "Flame" that she did on a little boy's hand, barely 2 inches long, she charged $8. 

Her prices just floored me.  I couldn't see charging $35 for a small tribal sun. $15 or even $20 MAYBE, but not $35.

Anyway, the kids and the few adults that got their henna done by me loved it, and got a lot of attention for it. ( I did glitter poofs on everyone) Several people took my card, and said they would call me for henna parties, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Overall, I did make some money for the day, covered my booth fees etc, and walked away with some cash that I didn't have before.

I'm excited, tired, elated, sore, amazed that I did it, proud, and now..hmm...THIRSTY!


Now I need to do more practice practice practice...and I have a  henna party scheduled already for June 13. Yay!

I also got stopped by someone when I was in WalMart, who complimented me on my henna, and so I gave him my card, and he gave it to his wife, and she wants henna for when they do their Muslim wedding (They already did a civil one) this summer. Yippeeee!!!!

Here's my website: www.crescentmoonhenna.com