🧜‍♀️ Mermaid Season Continues: Sells Seashells By the Seashore {2019}

This weekend I became a proper mermaid costume entrepreneur. Setting up a table on Coney Island’s boardwalk which, next week, will be inundated with mermaids and the crowds they bring, I got to pick the brain of interested parties, and others, as they strolled about on a gorgeous afternoon in June.

I set out early to nab a parking spot that would help set-up not be too much of an ordeal.

Can I drive in the HOV lane?

Once I scoped a space, I waited for my fellow mermaid to march down the boardwalk to help me set up. In the meantime, an appreciation of a glorious high pressure system. Gosh, how I love a high pressure system!

The beach in the early morning is introvert heaven. Empty, contemplative, with undulating waves and peaceful soundtrack they share. Earth’s Spotify playlist.

Taking her out for a spin.

We were all set up. Before I go on and on, I will tell you that I sold nothing. The nice police officers who warned me that I should treat my table as a display of art, as selling would be illegal, would be pleased to know. Though I had researched getting a permit and had printed NYC Parks’ rules for sale of expressive matter, both the police officers and the parks employees seemed to have differing views. The officers even told me that there might be undercover officer who may attempt to make a sale!

The day was certainly not a waste of time as I was enriched in so many other ways. First, passers-by loved my pieces; many gushed over them in an authentic and awed fashion. It felt very nice to have my designs so well received by such a broad cross-section of people.

Next, I learned that I should have made business cards or signage that would allow others to easily stay abreast of my new pieces or contact me with inquiries. Many people asked for my card. Also, there was many questions that help me understand how to expand my mermaid offerings. A few men asked about male pieces, another asked about float design, and so many loved the shoes. Kids’ and plus size pieces also were in demand.

The next part of the afternoon was a bit of a whirlwind. A group of photographers, models, and publishers were congregated under one of the boardwalk’s pavilions. The photographers and models asked us to move the table closer to their group and, after the police officers’ warning, we did. Suddenly I was shaking hands with these industry folks who loved my pieces. Next I was helping models into my tops. The photographers were photographing them in my tops!

So I became wardrobe as one after another a duo of model and photographer perused my pieces and had short photoshoots in them. Business cards, Instagram accounts and handshakes later, the afternoon turned into a network event for me… but one that I was awkwardly unprepared for. I should soon receive some of the shots from the shoots. I only took a few of my own snaps as I was a bit overwhelmed with what was happening.

Onlookers also wanted a taste of my pieces and I just couldn’t say no.

It was not the afternoon I expected, but it served to inspire me in many ways. I am excited to expand and offer custom mermaid pieces! But now, getting my head back in the game for next week, the 37th Annual Mermaid Parade, the culmination of my mermaid season. Bring it on!