A Little Warning Story

OK, guys and gals, here's a little story to warn you and make your radar go up if it should ever happen to you:

I was invited by a local bead store to have a trunk show...I did not ask for it - she asked ME to come display my polymer in her store.  She was interested in starting classes, and wanted to get her customers in the store to see it.  I did the trunk show.  It was moderately successful.  I made money, the owner took 20% of my sales, in addition to the customers that she brought in who spent more money on additional beads.  She was pleased enough to ask me to come back and do another one.  Great! I thought.  So I did.  Again, I made money, she made money - not only from my sales, but from the customers who came in and bought additional beads.  She then asked me to teach a class at her store.  I agreed, and the owner then asked me to provide her with an example of what I would teach.  I  designed a large clay heart pendant with leaves and flower canes over it, and took it to her to photograph for her website and to display for potential students.  Well, what with the economy, etc., no one had the time or money to sign up for the class, so no class.  I asked the owner to return the pendant because I could sell it elsewhere.  Well, lo and behold, she doesn't "exactly" know where it is, but she'll look for it and get back with me.  Two months later - no pendant AND no word from the owner.  I go to personally find out about it, and "she's still looking for it".  As a matter of fact, "one of her girls is tearing the store room apart to find it".  OK, I tell her...but if you can't find it,  the price of it is $20.  WELL, obviously she knew I was going to ask to be paid for it, because she immediately launched at me with, "I LET you have three trunk shows here, and you made money".  Yes, I said, and so did you.  "Well I don't notice anyone else asking you to do it, but I LET you...no one else is".  By then, I was getting so mad, that if I hadn't left I would have jumped over the counter to rip her bleached hair out.  So, I merely said, "OK", and I walked out...yes, Julie did not get ugly and she held her temper (as outlandish as that may sound).  So, moral of the story is:  some business isn't really business when you're dealing with a shady character with no conscience.  Those shady characters will twist reality to fit their objectives, whether it means screwing you or not.  Should anyone ever ask you to provide examples of what you will teach, get paid for it up front, or take the photos yourself and send via email.  NEVER hand over your work to someone else expecting to get it back.
Oh, yes, the name of the owner?  Michelle.  The store?  The Beading Boutique in Altamonte Springs.  She not only lost a customer due to her thievery and crappy customer service, I will advise anyone I talk to to never cross her doorstep.
Not everyone with a smile on their face is honest or has your best in mind...sometimes making a buck is all that matters to them.