We are searching for new venues. We've decided that a few of our existing venues are not up to scratch. Sales have slowed down considerably this year, and I've even noticed less tourists in places like Stow on the Wold. It seems that the financial pinch is global.

Next year we will have two Saturdays in each month already taken by our regular fairs in Bath and Chipping Norton, which leaves two spare......so where can we go? Suggestions so far have been wide-ranging and very useful. I'm looking into Malvern, but would like to go further south if there's a need for a good craft fair in Devon, Dorset or Cornwall.

What do you think? Suggestions please!

Jules x

For the most part, I love this job. It's not perfect, but perfection is boring so that's not a problem. I've decided to add a blog. I've never blooged before, but I thought it might be like therapy for me and hopefully, be interesting for both of our readers.....

Today, well, last week actually, I decided that playing with the big kids isn't for me. This year is proving to be a tough one for Apple Tree Craft Fairs. The financial climate isn't helping (Thanks Gordon......) and bookings are noticeably slower than last year. But what's really got me is the Big Kids - they don't play fair. I'm talking about venues where we've organised events in conjunction with other companies.

Not being a hardened business woman, I find myself being seduced by the venues themselves and offering to organise events free, just to get ATCF noticed in such prestigious playgrounds. My accountant wants to slap me every time I do this which, for him, is far too frequently. I can't help it, I'm hopelessly romantic. So, we get the info packs out, and we seduce other crafters into paying for places at events that look like paradise, and indeed, they are. Everything is going swimmingly so far. The Big Kids tell me where to play, what to play and make up the rules of the game, it's all cool.

But then it's time to play. We arrive at whichever venue it is, to find that nothing has been done by the venue people - the Big Kids - who should know better as they have so much to lose. Time to hussle. I run around doing headless chicken/one legged duck impressions trying to achieve the impossible in no time at all whilst still smiling. At this stage, the Big Kids decide to change the rules of the game and we're playing hide & seek. They are nowhere to be found. Sometimes, if the Big Kids have really mucked up we are nowhere to be found.....especially by the public.

Crafters start to arrive, and if I'm lucky our part of the event is looking more like it should be. We sort out all the normal stuff; tables, chairs, floor plans and then try and cope with the abnormal.....rain inside the marquee, flooded carpets, faulty generators, security men refusing everyone entry, even the public. Then it's time to attempt miracles...trying to sort out the mess we've been left in by the Big Kids. None of the promised publicity, badly organised events that run alongside ours, angry members of the public who can't find the person responsible for their problems but I'll do as I'm the nearest thing and they can shout at me instead.

At this stage, I'm starting to wonder about my job. Why am I doing this? It's hateful, I could be at home with my kids.......who are much more grown up than the Big Kids. I spend my weekends/days apologising to my team mates and hoping like mad that they'll still want to play with me another day.

So, next time I'm not playing games with the big kids. I'll pick my own team, and we'll play by our rules. I'll try and make playtime much more fun.......the Big Kids aren't worth the effort.

When I get home, completely shattered, there are messages from the team mates.....Oh no! Maybe they don't want to play anymore? But the messages are nearly enough to make me cry, they are full of support and thanks, despite the away game being really duff.

Thanks team......!

Jules xxx