I love doing shows

I finished my two shows for September I love doing shows.   It gives me chance to meet and greet. I have a ball.   I  come alive when I do shows.   I get to look into the customers eyes and make that connection.  It is a rush.  Crafting and creating is a two part process. You make the piece is the first part. The customer buying the piece is the second part. The gravy is in between. This is the part where you can make a customer, a repeat customer.  You also get free advice about your pieces, what colors are out there and what is not selling.   Some vendors do not like to have their work criticized.   How would you know what pieces to make if you do not get some feedback.   Step up to plate, take the hit, if any, and move on.  Use it as a tool for your next show.   Even if they have not brought anything, their eye might be the eyes you need to see your collection in a whole new light.

My first show was at the local college.   For a small fee you can set up a table in the student union and sell your wares.   I see college students, teachers, staff.   They all stop by and this is not my first time being there. Some new and old faces.    Though my table is small, I make the most of it.    I love talking to the young women and sometimes men as they discuss their views.  They are on their way to new and exciting life after graduating  . They give me insight into what our future will look like.  They know what they want, how to get and have no fear to change the world.  Ah to be young again.   These young women tend to like my earrings and bracelets.   I have been making a lot of wire wrapped bracelets. They are quicker and easier to make.    I tend to get more mileage out of them.  They fit all sizes.   I did not sell as many necklaces as I have in the past. Maybe next time.  I will be at the college again on October 21 from 8:00 - 3:00. I like to the college scene. Nice people, nice crowd.  Below is how I set my table up for this venue.

As you can see, I took the pics from the wrong side of the table(just too tire to get up).  Despite my banner day,  the setup just would not act right. I kept losing beads and the stands would not stand right.  I put the racks away.  Shame, they usually give me more table space to work my magic.   It was a mess.  But  I have to fail to succeed.  Despite my mishaps I sold some pieces.   Go figure.

My second show was at the African American Women's Conference.   I had a bigger table(as a matter of fact, I was able to spread out and due to another vendor  not coming).   At this event I met wonderful women of all walks of life, interest.   It was a pleasure for me to meet and greet.  I was given an opportunity to view not only stylish women, but a gathering of smart successful, independent women, strong and fierce.  And boy did they put on a fashion show..   I saw purses, shoes, clothes, hair styles and yes jewelry pieces.   Almost put my stuff to same.  You noticed I said almost.   I use to be more critical of my own pieces.  Now I let the matter be.  I have my own style and hope that the women will find my style to suit their taste.  By the continuous stream of women and sales during the breaks, I think I suited them just fine.   Though I was able to spread out , I still did not use nay of my stands or display any of my cards.  Alas, maybe next time.    What I was able to do was to set my earrings on a new card system, which make it easier for display and easier to pack up.  I wish I was able to get some pics of these wonderful women.   They only had so little time between each  seminar.  I glad that they decided to spend that time with me at my table.  Thank you ladies.  Here is how my table looked at the event.

 This was before I had the extra table.   I also had other pieces waiting in wings for replacement when one piece would sell.    Now that I look at the table with fresh eyes, I did very well.   Very well.

New Shows

Hello everybody.  I am very excited.  I will be vending at two shows this month, with the possiblity of another show.  I will keep you posted.  To find out about all three shows,  click on the link Shows and Events, for additional information.   Bring friends, family and come and shop till you drop.   I have been making some pieces and would like to test run a few pieces before I enter them into my ETSY Store.  I hope to see you there!

Resting

Today, I spent the entire(well until about 2:30 pm) in the bed.  I had a headache when I woke up this moring and it would not go away.  I have ICP and sometimes the pressure in my head is to much to take.  I took my medication and laid back down hoping the headache would go away.  I took a shower hoping to wash the pain away.  No dice.  This was the day of getting some work done.   I did not have to babysit and I had the whole day free.   I am not the person who waste the day, hour, minute, or second.   I will be doing something to improve my business and mind, body and soul.  I am the ultimate multi-tasker.   Most of the time I can usually work throught my pain, but today was different. 

Now I feel gulity about a lot things, but I felt extra gulity about wasting this day.  I should be on the computer, answering emails, taking pic of my jewelry, making jewelry and cards, getting my computer class together.   Instead I watched old movies, that I have seen a thousand times.  Occassionlly my mind would wander  and I would raise my head off the pillow and say, Ok, Jet, get going.  You have an empire to complete.   As soon as that thought would enter my head, another one followed," Lay back down, enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of a good hamburger".  You can guess which one prevailed.    I need new pillows to get really comfortable.

Here's the thing,  My stock did not take a nose dive.  Emails piled up, but they always pile up.   The beads did not lose their luster or come apart in my hands,and the world was safe in it own little bubble.  With me in it.   Am I behind on some of my work, yes, I always a little behind.   Will my buisness go under from day of no attention, no.   Even I know that I am not the be all to be all.   Well I am but don't tell any body.

Sometime, you need to recharge and let some thing go.  I don't mean take a year long leave and orders that need to go out. But one day here and there will not turn your world upside down.  As much as we love our craft, we love ourselves even more.  Yes my craft is a part of me.  It's in my blood, I breathe my business; like air.  But I also have a family, friends, my spiritual side.  I like to volunteer.  I teach a basic computer class.  One day I would like to have a shop where anyone can come learn and create.    A very wise women (my mother) once told me to take care of myself, so that I can take care of everything else.   Good advice.  My mother is a giver and takes care of everybody else's needs before her own.   I love her.

Here's the thing.  As most artist know, our craft becomes us.  We go together like white on rice.   We live and breathe our business,craft, creation.   We really cannot survive without each other.  But right now I am not talking about survival, I talking about living.  It is done one day at a time.   Today was my day.   Ok, so you caught me.  Here I am answering emails, and blogging.   But technically, this is night.  I did state that I stayed in bed all day, so...................  I never said I was perfect.  Ok I am.