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So, Friday December 5th after much preparation, trepidation and consumption of antacids, I set out- in comfortable shoes and accompanied by the way more personable Favorite Guy, on my first craft fair adventure. It was great! The event was well organized. Yay for organization because, slipshod planning makes me all sorts of anxious and angry. I was in good company, Etsy neighbors to the far left, immediate and far right of me. Yay Etsians! And, a host of stylish patrons with soothing, peaceful energy. There was one duo of diabolical seniors; clawing haphazardly at my wares, never acknowledging my presence or my fake but, warm greeting. I employed my magical anti-curmudgeon empathic powers (To the untrained eye this looks like a sideways glance and a clenched jaw.) and, they scurried away. Favorite Guy and I shared a giggle and soon after their presence was awash by a new group of pleasantly peaceful patrons. The standout, take home, big deal of the day was how well my work was received. The only caveat of internet sales is the sterile relationship between the artist and the wearer/buyer of your work. It was so interesting and inspiring to sit back, watch and listen to the reviews and reviewers of my work. This is so refreshing for someone like me, who relies so heavily on observation, rhythms and energy. My customers were teens, tweens, moms and grandmothers. They were gay, straight, alone and in groups, lovers and friends, coworkers and others. And they were all gettin' Pretty in Peace. Now that is just awe inspiring, and certainly an incentive to continue doing what I do. There were no mishaps. I know, I'm shocked as well. Generally, where there is Tameka and a party of more than four humans, there is a heightened threat of terror and turmoil, but not here. In fact, the event host and owner of Frances Vintage came by at the end to tell me of the rave reviews she'd heard about me and my work. She in turn, took more inventory for her shop. All. Good. Things. Is this the beginning of a new junket into the craft fairs circuit? Absolutely not. While I'm grateful for the success of the overall experience, the end doesn't justify the means. Much like the visionary behind the vision, Pretty in Peace is at its prettiest in peace. That means, right here in the kitchen, with the cats, drinking coffee and listening to the familiar sounds of home. PS. Monday morning, while still in a state of recovery I received an e-mail from Minerva O. My Bourdon bracelet was featured in the Spinning Wheel blog on AZCentral! More. Good. Things.

Sorry there weren't more pictures of the set-up in detail. By the time I remembered I even had a blog it was too late! Not my preferred pace, that's for sure. Oh yeah...and I'm not sure if I'm back yet...this is kinda Michael Jordan-ish of me, I know. But, I wanted to post The Scoop. Winks.

 
That is a gorgeous bracelet. I love your work so much. Perhaps now is the time for me to do something for myself and purchase something from you. I am happy to hear that the fair went off without a hitch. You art is so lovely I really did not expect anything less. Congrats on your feature!

December 10, 2008 at 5:24 AM 
I'm glad it went well for you. I always make sure to have someone personable along with me on my adventures, too. :-)

December 10, 2008 at 7:30 AM 
Wonderful, wonderful news! Sounds like a great success... I wish many more peaceful events for you, even if they happen at the kitchen table with the cats.

December 10, 2008 at 7:58 AM 
What a fabulous-sounding show! I love meeting fellow Etsians--- met one in the post office yesterday!

Hopefully now that the show season is winding down we can both get in shape for the holidays.

Also, you've been tagged. The rules are below. Have fun, my dear!

December 10, 2008 at 8:28 AM 
I love the bracelet. I'm glad that you had a fab outing.


December 10, 2008 at 8:50 AM nicaeli said...

I am so glad everything went well, I also love that bracelet, I love the pictures too!:)

December 10, 2008 at 11:10 AM Weith Kick said...

Sounds like to went well. Could be even considered a success, perhaps? Hope you continue to do well in your artistry.

December 10, 2008 at 12:35 PM Cecile/DreamCreateRepeat said...

Hurrah! Success all around! Welcome back to the calm and peace of the kitchen....

December 10, 2008 at 1:39 PM 
Congrats on a great and successful day! Craft shows do take so much work though don't they? Makes me tired just thinking about doing one!

December 10, 2008 at 2:34 PM 
great to hear it was a success, and i love the way you told the story.

i'm with you. when it comes to my experiences venturing out and setting up a booth at various events to sell my goods, the end never justified the means. i'm always much happier in my home, doing my own thang on my own terms and selling online and at shops.

December 10, 2008 at 4:23 PM 
I am glad it went well. Craft fairs and other shows are my preferred method of selling, so I'm happy to hear you did well. Sorry to hear you aren't to do a bunch more. Your work is awesome, so it's no wonder everyone loved it.
 Mature Natural said...

Congrats! Great pics.

December 11, 2008 at 8:24 AM 
Happy to hear that all was a success! I wish we had craft fairs around here. We probably do, I just have no idea how to find them.

You survived the night. YAY!! =)

December 11, 2008 at 11:03 AM chicalookate said...

Minerva is one of my really good friends. Anytime she comes home to see her folks we get together... they live about 20 minutes from me. So cool that you were near here at a craft show. Congrats on surviving your first craft show and the feature!

December 19, 2008 at 8:49 PM