I know many of you have shows lined up in the Fall. It is getting cooler down here in Texas and we are seeing the 2nd wind of our festivals. My question is: how do you keep well during such heavy physical labor, lack of sleep and people coming in the booth who are obviously sick? Do you keep an alcohol dispenser handy?
I just finished a one day show in Garland and some of the patrons who came by my booth sneezed and coughed and then wanted to shake my hand. Yikes.
After a sleepless night thinking of all the things I need to do the next day I tax my body pretty heavily during set-up and tear-down (I do them by myself) and find for the next few days I am a bit sore and tired. I take a lot of Vitamin C and B complex but was wondering if any of you had some good advice to do DURING the art fair?
I have a friend who is a 20 year veteran of art fairs/shows and he told me that the best advice he ever got was to bring your own food. Not only to save yourself $ but for health reasons. I have done it because the food at the fairs is usually a high fat/sugar/salt food and it doesn't help me with the energy I need. Just wondering if any of you other veterans have some wisdom to share about staying healthy. Thanks!
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I make sure I bring wipes/hand sanitizer. I am a freak when it comes to washing hands - not a germaphobe, but its a cooking thing that has carried into my personal life. Use the stuff on a regular basis - after handling money, after setting up, after shaking hands, etc.
If you feel a sniffle or something coming on, I swear by airborne - it really works. I have used it several times and usually get the sniffles when I fly and such - but it nips it in the bud.
I can't say I have ever gotten the flu shot - I must be one of the rare folks. For me, if I get the flu, it was meant to be. Even with the flu shot you get mild symptoms of the flu so... But I do understand for people with varying health concerns it could be worth it - my dad is one of those people MUST get a flu shot.
Bringing your own food is good too. I find snacks are best - nuts, raisins, dried cranberries, and granola are great energy foods. I like to bring wedges of Brie and grapes or an apple and sandwiches are good too - much of this can be done the night before too. I sometimes bring a thermos of coffee for early morning set ups or thermos of soup for cold months.
I also find dressing for the weather helps and wearing good shoes helps. Wearing good shoes helps with back problems and joints like the knees especially when standing all day.
Lastly, taking breaks - when possible to do a few arm and leg exercises helps loosen stiff joints too. If there are two of you working a booth this really helps and taking a walk around helps get the blood flow going and increases energy - great if you feel a case of the yawns coming on.
The flu shots for the regular flu are available up here now and we're getting one. When we can get the swine flu show we'll get one of those too.
Alchol wipes are part of our show package too, and we go through a number of them in a day. Also tissues for the sneezers that come into our booth is a good idea.
You mention it's "getting cooler" down in Texas. Last weekend we were at an outdoor show and on both Saturday and Sunday mornings it was 34 degrees. But both days it warmed up to a beautiful mid 60s so the show was pretty good.
The colors are starting to come out and the tourists are starting to show up!
I guess I’ve been lucky…no one shakes my hand! I suppose the alcohol sanitizers are better than nothing. I question whether they are really effective, though. Not being able to wash my hands during an art fair is an ongoing annoyance, and I’ve just learned to deal with it. I have a carton of pop-up wipes I can use, too.
One thing that helps is to learn to avoid touching your face. You’d be surprised how often we touch our face, rub our eyes, etc., and transmit the germs unwittingly.
PLUS…never touch your food with your bare hands! Everything I pack (and I ALWAYS bring my own food) can be eaten with a fork/spoon or is eaten using the bag or wrapper to hold it (like a sandwich: don’t take it out of the bag, just fold the top down). Time and again I see artists eating chips, grapes, even watermelon (saw that yesterday!) with bare hands. If I can’t eat it with a spoon or its wrapper I don’t bring it. Apart from the germ issue, my hands get too dirty at a show, and I prefer not to eat that dirt. And of course the customers are eating that messy show food, and coming into my both and touching my work, handing me their money, credit cards, etc. Handling cash makes my hands dirty very quickly.
I have tried to make this a habit everywhere outside the house, not just at art fairs. I used to catch lots of colds. Since doing this, not I catch only 1 or 2 a year. I do take vitamins as well, and up the intake when I am short of sleep on show weekends.
Replies
If you feel a sniffle or something coming on, I swear by airborne - it really works. I have used it several times and usually get the sniffles when I fly and such - but it nips it in the bud.
I can't say I have ever gotten the flu shot - I must be one of the rare folks. For me, if I get the flu, it was meant to be. Even with the flu shot you get mild symptoms of the flu so... But I do understand for people with varying health concerns it could be worth it - my dad is one of those people MUST get a flu shot.
Bringing your own food is good too. I find snacks are best - nuts, raisins, dried cranberries, and granola are great energy foods. I like to bring wedges of Brie and grapes or an apple and sandwiches are good too - much of this can be done the night before too. I sometimes bring a thermos of coffee for early morning set ups or thermos of soup for cold months.
I also find dressing for the weather helps and wearing good shoes helps. Wearing good shoes helps with back problems and joints like the knees especially when standing all day.
Lastly, taking breaks - when possible to do a few arm and leg exercises helps loosen stiff joints too. If there are two of you working a booth this really helps and taking a walk around helps get the blood flow going and increases energy - great if you feel a case of the yawns coming on.
Alchol wipes are part of our show package too, and we go through a number of them in a day. Also tissues for the sneezers that come into our booth is a good idea.
You mention it's "getting cooler" down in Texas. Last weekend we were at an outdoor show and on both Saturday and Sunday mornings it was 34 degrees. But both days it warmed up to a beautiful mid 60s so the show was pretty good.
The colors are starting to come out and the tourists are starting to show up!
Chris in VT
Avoid sugar...it affects the immune system in a negative way.
Eat healthy. Avoid sodas. Drink Teas and water.
Take a few big breaths occasionally as it helps you relax.
Since we are mostly in outdoor shows, the fresh air helps.
Stay positive. Negative thoughts contribute to stress which in terms accepts the immune system.
One thing that helps is to learn to avoid touching your face. You’d be surprised how often we touch our face, rub our eyes, etc., and transmit the germs unwittingly.
PLUS…never touch your food with your bare hands! Everything I pack (and I ALWAYS bring my own food) can be eaten with a fork/spoon or is eaten using the bag or wrapper to hold it (like a sandwich: don’t take it out of the bag, just fold the top down). Time and again I see artists eating chips, grapes, even watermelon (saw that yesterday!) with bare hands. If I can’t eat it with a spoon or its wrapper I don’t bring it. Apart from the germ issue, my hands get too dirty at a show, and I prefer not to eat that dirt. And of course the customers are eating that messy show food, and coming into my both and touching my work, handing me their money, credit cards, etc. Handling cash makes my hands dirty very quickly.
I have tried to make this a habit everywhere outside the house, not just at art fairs. I used to catch lots of colds. Since doing this, not I catch only 1 or 2 a year. I do take vitamins as well, and up the intake when I am short of sleep on show weekends.