The Drawing Board

Recently my husband and I decided to try our luck an outdoor venue.  Considering the price and the location, we felt it would be an excellent opportunity. This was not the case.  You would think I would know better, but I have been out of the game for a while, especially an outdoor event, I have forgotten a lot.   I made some critical mistakes.  Ones I will not repeat again.  Rookie mistakes.  And I am no rookie.

Number one - I let the price/length of the event cloud my judgement.  I was certain I could make my money back.  I didn't do my homework, ask enough or the right questions.

Number two- I did not check the weather forecast for the weekend.  It rained for better part of the first day.   I also broke my tent(another bad idea.  Never buy a tent on sale at Kmart). EZ Up are the way to go.   You do what you have to do.

Number three - I did not have the necessary outdoor equipment.  Chairs, weights(the wind did not die down until 3 pm), cover sheets, extra tarp, shower hooks, alternate setup.  I use to keep a bag with safety pins, small hammer, clips, rope, rubber bands, bricks, plastic.  This might seem a lot, but when you are outside anything can happen.

Number four - I did not do recon on the surrounding area.  Most advertising is done weeks in advance with poster, mailings, signs in strategic places. 

 
The next time I will not be caught off guard.  Never again.

Oh, I hate to admit it but, ...............

There are times, when the creative process becomes stuck.  I really hate to admit that sometimes, it's just not there.  I have ideas in my head, but getting down to work is well, just about, almost, semi impossible to do.  I lost my work space sometime ago and most of my craft supplies and beads are in the garage.   I hate having to lug my beads in and out.  I use the dining room table as my work space.   Plus, we are in the process of trying to cut down on clutter and move(I am guilty of most of the clutter, but it is good clutter)  Most crafters know, that when you pick up an item, you might not use it then, but it will serve a purpose sometime later, right?  Right!

To make matters worse, I have a show coming up very soon,  and I need to make product.   I see earrings, bracelets and necklaces in my head, swirling around.  I think maybe my get up and go, got up and went(if you happen to see it, send it back home, I miss it).  I work a full time job.  I am at work, itching to get home and start creating.  As soon as I hit the door, all the fight leaves my body.  I cannot hide out on the Internet the whole day.  I cannot go shopping any more.  I've got beads strings that need to be taken apart. I need to sorted and put things into containers.  I need to organize, shuffle and rearrange my stuff, and try to stay focused. 

 OK, I think I am ready to tackle some jewelry now.  I can feel it.  The tidal wave of creative juices flowing.  Oh, just as soon as I finish watching the end of this movie.   It's a start.

One Earring at a time

Tonight I was thinking about my life(my creative life) and how much both of my life's(personal) interact.   I love the creative side and it brings me pleasure and sometimes pain.   I use my creative side to make extra money and hopefully build my business to be self-supporting.  Until now I did not know that I created just to be.  I have fixed broken jewelry, given advice, helped fellow vendors with support, information, displays.   There was a time when I thought of nothing else.   I sought to have a balance in my life(personal).  It is not good to concentrate so hard on something, that you lose sight of yourself and what is around you.   So I sit here typing away and looking at some beads on my night stand.   I need to have a balance in life(creative) as well.   I need to make some jewelry and get more organized since I am back to work.    I have all the makings to make money, make myself happy and those around me.   Tonight I am going to deal with money(my creative side).   I can spend all day on the computer and blogging, reading, answering emails and such, but I need the inventory to make a difference.   So I will start with one earring at a time.  This weekend I intend to reorganize my stockpile and start remaking some jewelry.   Along with this idea, I will be using my paper crafts to accompany my jewelry or to sell alone.  I will not sit down until I have finished reorganization, re purpose, restyle all my projects and inventory.


Here is a look of some of my earrings.  Looks like a good start to me.


Brown tubing with cowrie shells



Turquoise spring disc



African beads and Wood



Wine metal and shells



Cowrie shell and twine






Up Coming Shows/Fairs and Festivals

March 3, 2011Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm
Bring the entire family
to experience the impressive
cultural diversity of the Cedar Valley!
Waterloo All Schools Art Festival Over 1000 Student works of art

Cultural Performances
From student and local artists

International Food Samplings

Multicultural Crafts and art activities

International Fashion Show
 
Free Admission 

Family Event Focuses on Cultural Diversity of Cedar Valley

The community is invited to the 4th annual CultureFest event on Thursday, March 3 from 5:30-7:30pm, at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. This free, family event will showcase the impressive cultural diversity within the Cedar Valley, with special performances taking place throughout the evening.

 
The community is invited to the 4th annual CultureFest event on Thursday, March 3 from 5:30-7:30pm, at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. This free, family event will showcase the impressive cultural diversity within the Cedar Valley, with special performances taking place throughout the evening.

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*This Show has been cut down to one day, March 5*

Payne AME Church/Women s Conference 2011

***THE SUSIE BROOKS MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF PAYNE AME CHURCH

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE 2011:  "POSITIONED TO RECEIVE GOD'S FAVOR"

MARCH 4-5, 2011

PLEASE EMAIL VERA WALLICAN AT ALLTHATJAS39@HOT MAIL.COM WITH QUESTIONS

OR TO REQUEST A REGISTRATION FORM

MARCH 4, 6:00 PM                                                            MARCH 5, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

DINNER & CELEBRATION                                              MESSAGES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

GUEST SPEAKER:  SISTER JUDEDA HILL,                  KEY NOTE:  REV. THERESA DEAR,

FIRST LADY OF GIFT OF LIFE CHURCH                     DUPAGE AME CHURCH, ILLINOIS

TICKETS:  $25                                                                  COST:  $35

*BOTH DAYS:  $50*

*VENDORS WILL BE AVAILABLE*

SPIRITUAL GROWTH MESSENGERS:  MORNING SESSIONS – MARCH 5

*EVANGELIST LUCY EVANS, SHILLIAM AVENUE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

MESSAGE:  HEALING YOUR WOUNDS OF YESTERDAY TO RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSINGS OF YOUR TODAY (WOMAN AT THE WELL)

*SISTER SARAH KEYS, FIRST LADY OF COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH

MESSAGE:  LIVING A LIFE GOD CAN USE (THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN)

*SISTER GAILE TOLBERT, FIRST LADY OF CHRIST TEMPLE CHURCH

MESSAGE:  WALKING IN GOD’S WILL DESPITE WHAT OTHERS MAY SAY (MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS)

KEY NOTE SPEAKER:  AFTERNOON SESSION – MARCH 5

*REV. THERESA DEAR, ORDAINED MINISTER, PUBLISHED AUTHOR AND BUSINESS OWNER OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Rev. Theresa A. Dear received her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Development and her Master of Science in Industrial Relations from Loyola University, Chicago.

Rev. Dear is an Itinerate Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. She serves at DuPage AME Church where she leads community expansion initiatives and serves on the board of REACH, a non-profit empowerment organization.

Rev. Dear is a consistently visible leader in the NAACP. She was confirmed and sworn into office as a member of the National Board of Directors, in February 2005. She was unanimously re-elected in 2008. For her outstanding contributions and leadership, Rev. Dear has been recognized by several organizations.

Rev. Dear has published two books.  Inconceivable Seasons:  Lessons of Faith and Favor is a powerful book of hope, inspiration, challenge and affirmation. It allows us to see ourselves and God in each woman.  Inadequate, Unprepared But Ready is for people with unmet goals, unrealized dreams but who remain hopeful. 

For more information, visit her websites at www.already chosen.com or www.hr4nonprofits.com.