Saying Good-bye to Old Friends

Has it really been almost two months since I've written a blog post?  Incredible!  Where on earth does time go?  I've been extremely busy during that time with the day job and getting ready for and attending craft shows.  In some of my, evidently, weaker moments, I committed myself to two shows the end of September and first of October which were just one week apart and again in November to two shows just one week apart.  This weekend was the last of the four shows and I'm breathing a sigh of relief.  I made it!  And I would have to say that all four shows were successful shows in their own fashion; some with sales and some with sales and networking with other artists.

Normally, my floral work sells well at both the fall and the Christmas shows.  My jewelry, while much admired, does not sell as well in my area because of its price.  Occasionally, I will sell a piece or two to someone who recognizes its artistic quality and is willing to pay for it.  Those sales keep me going as an artist.  So, I continue to bring my bead work for display at craft shows, hoping for that one buyer who will toss a scrap of appreciation to my artistic soul.  This last show I received more than scraps.  I practically got the whole loaf of bread!  This was the first show I have done in the last 11 years where my jewelry sales made up the majority of my total sales!  It was manna from heaven and bittersweet at the same time.  Because my bead weaving does not move very fast, I've carried some of my pieces to many, many shows.  So when they finally sell, it's like saying good-bye to old friends.  I'm pretty sure they all went to nice new homes, though, where they will be appreciated.  And next up for me, in two weeks, is an honest to goodness art show where I will display my bead weaving.  I am so excited to be doing a show where I know there will be no products mass produced in China or anywhere else and passed off as handmade.  I am also excited to be doing a show where my work is considered to be art, at least  by the organizers.  Will it be feast or famine?  I'm hoping to come home soul full.

A few of my old friends who went to new homes.