Reflecting

I thought that with the passing of the Artisan's Festival Last weekend that I would share with everyone the posting that I had last year at this time on the old blog location.  I read it again just now and think how much and yet how little has changed.  I am still learning for each new experience as well as trying to find what opportunities may be laying in wait for me around each corner and in each adventure!  

I am realizing that being a full time artist, mother, woman and wife is an ever evolving process and I think I am finally coming to realize that I will be forever incomplete and that this is something to embrace and treasure. Since I will never be fully done I can rework and change at any moment.  How freeing is that?

"This month marked the date of my first Artisan Festival.  I was surrounded by 100 other artists and craftsmen on their journey to getting their hand made work into the hands of loving customers.  

Seeing as this was my first big show I was very much on the nervous side of life.  I was unsure how much product to bring and just how much business I would do.  

Set up started on Friday; so  Jon (my studio assistant/brother) decided to err on the side of caution and be there early to make sure that we had lots of time to get things set up before having to pick up my little guy from school. It was a very windy day and while setting up the tent caught wind and flew over the van and crashed breaking all the legs!  So I am telling myself to breathe!  We then made a trip to get a new tent, the poor woman at the store, she must have thought I was crazy being so upset about a TENT!!

 

Saturday was a great day.  No rain lots of sun and lots of people.  We got great feedback on the lessons and the pottery camps starting this summer.  We did learn one large lesson.  It IS important to make sure that you bring the sign that says that you take Visa.  As no one will ask you if you do or not, in reality I was surprised to see that most people do not talk to you at all.  I am guessing that they are shopping and do not want to be jumped all over with you wanted them to buy something.  

 

Sunday was great as well.  More sales and many more contacts.  We packed up and are getting very good at the packing up and unpacking at this point and so we got home with only moments of energy left.

 

As a first show goes I learned many things about selling, my product and services and most importantly about myself.  There is something about selling something that you made and therefore has a little piece of you in every pieces.  In a way I am selling little pieces of myself to all those that buy.  It was interesting to see just hoe emotionally tired I was at the end of each day.  Being out there for everyone to see.  Difficult for me even on the best of days.  As an artist most of us are used to being with ourselves and our work.  Putting ourselves out there is at times the most difficult part of the job.  But with each show I see more and more strength within myself.  So not only have I working at my job and my dream I am working at myself as well.  What a great opportunity!  

 

This month I encourage you to all to look at the little life lessons that you may experience and what does it tell you about yourself and how opportunities await you there."

Enjoy the Rest of the weekend.!