What a wonderful weekend I had.
Saturday I stayed in my PJ's all day! And cooked, but more about that on Foodie Friday.
Sunday I spent the whole day beading at NanC Meinhardt's.

Mother Load Mask by NanC Meinhardt

Once a month she has beader's that she likes come over and bead-all-day-long! She likes me she really, really likes me! Actually she had asked me a few years ago to join her monthly group, but I was insecure and thought I wasn't good enough to be included with such talented artists.
Well I got over myself!
When I think of how I would love to spend a Sunday afternoon, it will always be beading the day away, taking the DH out of the equation of course! So to be invited to NanC's, well it's just crazy not to accept. That and everyone brings a treat, so you basically snack and bead all the live long day! Is that not a dream come true, or what?!
I've been thinking about my beading lately. The making, the selling, the buying.
I started beading because I loved doing it. Starting with one tiny little bead and sewing into another and another, until you've created an actual object. People often ask "how do you have the patience to make all these things"? To me it's a form of meditation. To just sit in the quite (mostly) and create something.
Well it didn't take long before I had more than a "stash" of beads, and jewelry I made with them, so I decided to do art fairs. Why not make some cash to replace all that I've spent on beads already. All summer I would bead like crazy to sell my wares at various shows around here and my hometown. And now when winter comes, the winter that I use to hate because of the cold and wet and cold... I actually like it. I get to bead at my own pace, and whatever I want. No pressure to work in the garden, I stay nice and cozy inside.
Something is wrong with that picture, I live for summer it's my favorite time of year. I end up hardly enjoying it so I can make and sell my jewelry. And that's a lot of work, in other words the thrill is gone. I'm also tired of making lower priced pieces so I can hopefully make a few sales. I miss beading just to play with beads. So guess, what life is too short, I'm going back to playing! I'll still try for my favorite art fair in Milwaukee, but I'm not missing out on summer anymore.
I'm beading what I want when I want. If I die with a barrel full of jewelry, so be it, at least I know I had fun making them. Better to have a barrel full of beaded jewelry than a boat load of beads waiting to be beaded!

One Down, One to GO!

Well I survived the Firefly Art Fair. My sales were down from the last time I did it, but I really try not to compare income from show to show. Especially in this economy! I am part to blame, I should of sent out post cards to the people that bought from me 2 years ago at this fair and I didn't. I know (Mom) I need to really work on the marketing part of my business, BORING! I just want to bead, bead, bead! I was happy with what I made, and it's always great to hear the nice things customers say about my work and display! I'm looking forward to beading what ever I want after my last show this weekend. Yeah! That and make some pieces I've had in my head for awhile. I want to make a few more things to show the art museum and see if they'll sell them in their shop. I've been tossing around the idea of making more high end pieces and try to get into some "fine art" fairs next year!? That's the kind of jewelry that's fun for me. We'll see, I'm still thinking about it!!

Happy thoughts for me this weekend. I'm expecting little so whatever comes my way will be a nice surprise! That and the help of a good man will go far!! (and he's cute too!)

Foodie Friday, sort of

So, I realize that it's "Foodie Friday" but the only food today is the Banana Bread I'm eating as I type this. It is quite simply the best banana bread recipe. To make it even better, switch out the walnuts for pistachio's and the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips. Seriously OMG!

This weekend I'm doing a show in my hometown. I've been in this show a few times and it's one of my favorites. It's at this historical house, out in the garden. And the garden is beautiful! (Sorry no photo's, I'll take some when I'm there.)

Oddly enough I'm actually calm about it. Yes, I was running around last night getting everything together and loaded into the car, but I know what to expect at this fair. That and I love that I can set-up the night before. Should be a fun filled weekend. I mean really, working outside, in a summer dress, barefoot, that and I get to spend a little time with my family, all the more fun!

Next weekend I'm doing a fair here in the area. It's a new fair, only the second time at this location, it's the first time I'm doing it. I'll be a bit more stressed about it. First, since it's new I'm not sure what to expect. Second, because I have to set-up the morning of the fair. Third, it's on pavement, ie nothing to anchor the tent to!

The other thing is I noticed out of the possible 80 spaces only 52 of them are filled and, and 15 of them are JEWELRY! Compared this to the fair this weekend that has 95 spaces (all filled) and 15 are jewelry.

At first I was worrying about this fact. I mean I am trying to make some money doing this! But the more I thought about it I realized there are 3 things you CAN NOT control, weather, your competition, and sales. I hope for the best in all of these, but there is no way you have control over them. So I've decided not to worry, to just go and have fun! Meet new people, enjoy the day, and if I sell something that would be great too. Oh, and the DH can come visit and bring me lunch!!

Yeah, Woah, Yikes's

It's official, I will be in 2 art fairs this year. Yeah!
The first will be here in the area, it's a garden walk/fair. A percentage of the proceeds go to Hands of Hope. This will be the first time I've done this fair. It's about 20 artist/retailers under a big top tent. Hence my nervousness, I have 2 hours to set up a 10 x 12 space, I have never seen before! The fair is Friday and Saturday, which is nice, leaving Sunday for me to recuperate :-)


The second one is in my beloved Milwaukee at the Historic Kneeland - Walker House. It's on 1.5 acres of gardens and it's beautiful. I've done this fair a few times. It's in August my favorite month, so I'm hoping for sunny skies and cool breezes!

So I need to really get crackn', only 2 months before the first one!!!