i Forgot

Saturday is usually reserved for jeans, tee shirts and more casual dress.  My job requires a certain dress code.  So for the weekends, I feel like I am entitled to a more laid back fashion choice.  My work attire consist of skirts, pants, shirts, blouses, jackets, comfortable shoes(I stand on my feet for at least 2 hours of day) appropriate jewelry, purse to match.  Applying vary sparse makeup(years ago, I gave up the ghost) but now, I am returning to partial body armour.    You will never see out and about with pajama pants, looking raggedly, hair standing on end.  It just won't happen.  I might not have on the full war paint, but I will at least have on some lipstick and maybe so blush.    The two things I will not leave the house is lipstick and earrings.   Those are a must.  I feel naked without them.  

Today being Saturday, I dress with care in mind.  I put on my jeans, white shirt, lipstick and a little blush and white kicks.  In my mind, I knew what earrings I was going to wear.  Since it has turned cold, I had my scarf to match my jacket and with a fashion twist, I was out the door.   I ran my errands, and just happen to look at myself in a mirror, and I saw I had not earrings on.  Nothing, no hook, no dangle, sparkle, nothing.  Instantly, I felt vulnerable, small wanting to hide myself from the world, but my business in the street was not complete.  I did what any grown women would do in this situation.  I cursed, yelled, screamed, and threw a fit.  The fact that this was going on inside my head, made no difference.  How could I leave my house naked and exposed..  My ears uncovered for all the world to see.  I make jewelry for god sake.  I have endless choices.   What was I thinking.   All I do know that I was talking with my husband prior to leaving the house. It was him.  He did this to me.   I  wish I could blame all this on him, but he had his own forgetting issues.   This one I have to suck up alone.  I expect the fashion police at my door any minute now.  Pointing a finger and saying shame on you.

After my last stop for the day I rushed home. trying not to show my naked ears to the world.  Once in the safety of my home, I immediately put on some earrings.   The world was right again.  The one accessory I cannot live without is earrings.  I might miss the boat with other pieces of jewelry, but for me earring set the tone for the rest of grouping( In another post I will discuss my choice forgrouping).  For now, I think I will have keep spare earrings in the car, purse, on the job,in the mailbox, at friends houses, certain stores, just in case of an emergency,  You never know.

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.