Vagabond Bags & Gifts

Wow, time flies and with my freelance graphic design work going plus the Market, I'm so-o-o busy these days. I downsized from a double booth to a single one again and found I had just enough space to display everything. A good thing, as the Market is increasing our rent from $25 to $30 a week per booth, plus the attendant GST and advertising fee.

I ordered about $1000 worth of new merchandise including weavings from Aida in Guatemala, new bags from Galerie Indra, my first shipment from Global Crafts in the States, and more from Baycrest and New Moon, my regular suppliers. I really like how my mix is developing. I want to get a line of candles next.

Martin rearranged the wooden door wall to just my side and helped me set up lights so the displays would show up better. Unfortunately the bulb in the overhead lamp above my booth is burnt out but I nabbed Bryan just when he had some new bulbs so I'll have to go in with Martin's ladder and replace that light this week.

I'm booked with three school shows for November – Matthews Hall, Cawthra Secondary School, and a new one, Fieldstone School in Toronto. Looking forward to some great sales, especially since I deregistered for the HST and no longer have to charge sales tax. I should never have registered for sales tax since I don't make $30,000 in sales a year, and the ability to claim Input Tax Credits – basically my GST that wholesalers charge me – wasn't worth the hassle.

Live and learn!