...And some days we need to hold on and go along for the ride. Other days we are at the front of the group, ready to tow the line. (Just don't lose anyone in the process!)I've had my share of busy days lately where I've have been TOWING THE LINE- big time, and they are not looking to ease up anytime soon. Probably not until... oh, say, around Jan 1 of 2010. Best not think about it, as I'm liable to let go of the line and coast (and daydream) for a bit. One thing about this business of being in business for myself is that the more things get going, and the more people are buying, the crazy busier I get. How does that happen, when
I thought I was already plenty busy yesterday?
Well, Judy of JudiPatudi and I had our vendor show and sale on Saturday, and we did not sell ONE thing! Can you believe it?! We quickly figured out it wasn't the right venue, and the buyers were bargain shoppers who didn't seem to want to pay the 'big' bucks for handmade. (Believe me, for the work we do, we hardly make more than pennies!) I swear, people even asked me if the items were "made in Peru"! I didn't know whether to laugh out loud or stare at them with my mouth wide open. But no, I didn't do either. I calmly explained that these special one of a kind sweaters were handmade by Judy and myself, from the finest recycled sweaters one can find, with artistic needle felting, ending up with a completely unique piece of wearable art. The explanation was good, but it didn't help get us any sales!
So, I hauled everything back to Austin's Gallery, and my display area looked better than it ever has. New sweaters, new friends (like Duckies!), new skirts... everything all fresh and happy. Then, today, a shopper buys two entire outfits, plus accessories, and is coming back on Thursday to maybe buy more. What say? Huh? Those shows... are they even worth it?? Well, I guess I'm figuring that out, right?
Along that line, I have signed on with one more craft fair. I'm promising you, me, my mother, my chiropractor, massage therapist, and swearing on a Bible that this is the last "add-on" for the fall/winter. This craft fair is in Mission Hills, at Mission Hills Preschool on West Lewis Street. The fair is in it's "infancy", just the second year they've held this show. Since they cater to the wee ones, I thought it might be a good one to try out. Also, I'm interested in branching out from Coronado a bit. And, frankly, if it's not Pennsylvania, Mission Hills will suite me just fine! This show will be on October 17th, and I'll be sure to remind you to stop by when the time creeps closer.
Okay, the cat's out of the bag now about Pennsylvania! You may or may not know that I signed on with The HodgePodgery when they opened up in July. Since their store was new, and they weren't sure of their direction, I gave it a try there over the summer, but made the decision to have them return my sweaters when I saw the direction they were taking the store. It's a fine direction for them, just not a great match for ME! Well, about that time, I heard from another gallery I'd contacted last spring, and she is very interested in showing and hopefully selling my work. This shop is called Hello Bluebird, and is a much better match for me. So, I am packing up a box of whimsy and will ship it off ASAP. Also, get this: The HodgePodgery and Hello Bluebird are only about an hour apart from each other, and the owners know each other. Now, how crazy are them apples?! Here, I throw fishing lines out into the universe, and I get bites from two folks who know each other...
Okay, I'm signing off now, but I want to you to check back soon because I made three pillows today, and they are the CUTEST THINGS I HAVE EVER MADE IN MY LIFE. I am going to take pictures of them tomorrow and will post the pic here so you can see them too. Oooh, did you hear me? The cutest things ever!!!
