I finally got the towel warp off the AVL, just in time for a show in Vermont.
It was a nice day, and a nice show, but the whole day I found myself wondering what the heck I was doing.
Loading the truck the day before is a huge job, but necessary so we can leave at the crack of dawn the next day.
Then we have to unload the truck in a designated amount of time, so we don't hold up the line of traffic behind us.
Then it's set up time, making a 10' x 10' tent look like a place to shop.
Then it's time to load the truck up, and now, we have even LESS time. By the time we drive away, we are whipped. An hour or better on the road, and it feels much longer.
12 hours after we left, we arrive home, and then we have to UNLOAD the truck.
We barely get it in the barn, and product in the house. The actual putting everything where it belongs doesn't happen until the next day.
In short, I think I am getting over shows. Like REALLY getting over shows.
I have some thinking to do. Just the guild show left in November, which does not require me to be there for four days.
But before shows start next spring, I have to try to figure out another way to market my wares. I definitely felt like it was just too much work. Or maybe I'm just getting too old to really enjoy it.
Or does anyone really.
On the studio front, I have a "milk" warp that I dyed, on the loom and just about ready to go.
My friend from Georgia was here all last week, and we did some crafting together.
I had planned a couple of things, and made sure I had all the stuff we needed.
Feathers from old books was one of them.
They really turned out better than I expected. We dipped them in glitter, some silver, some god.
And now I have them hanging all over my house.
Friday, my grands came, and we did more crafting. Apparently painting a unicorn is pretty hysterical.
And yes, the dinosaur is blue.
On the dog front, I can't believe that I was worried about two dogs. Willie is good for Naya, and she is good for him.
I love what Denise called this game: "Bitey Face".
Yes, and they do it every day. Several times, so it must really be fun.
They are busy all day, and they crash at night. And it's true, a dog loves nothing more than another dog.
My friend kind of rolls her eyes, I know she wonders what on earth anyone would want two dogs for.
But I can't imagine my house without them.
So after a pretty exhausting week, I'm now spending a pretty quiet weekend.
Despite the occasional bumps in the road, I am blessed.
My six grands.
My three beautiful daughters.
Life is good.
6 comments:
You have a beautiful family, and I am a bit envious. I don't know how old you are. I know I exhibited at far more shows, and quit at 60, after 20 years. I did the shows all alone, and that was hard. I wore out! I did still spin and knit and sell at one of the galleries in town for several more years. If you ever would like to talk to me about it, please send me an email.
I was never crafty...I never did shows. I bought and re-did houses and sold them. About 25 years ago I met a man who was the absolute master carpenter and we came together. It was great and still is. We did good making a nice living. About 5 or so years ago I read Ben Hewitt's book Enough. It change my thinking. We had enough. We didn't need to keep making money. My partner has a little harder time adjusting to this idea but he is coming around. I don't insist he completely share in this idea but I have made it clear I am done doing anything to try to make money. We have enough. I am 65...almost 66. If not now...when?
I've never done a lot of shows but a few years back I gave up outdoor shows. No canopy to lug, no dealing with cold/heat/wind/rain, no poor attendance due to weather. I think it's good to have at least one yearly event where you're face to face with people who are interested in your stuff. There are smaller venues where the fee is much lower. Far less revenue but far more relaxed and one can bring a pile of items that need finishing work by hand to keep busy.
I love reading about your two dogs. We also have two, adopted a week apart from different rescue groups. They are best buddies now, sleep together, eat together, tear around the yard together, and play "bitey face" every day (nice to have a name for this activity, lol). I can't imagine life without them after the last three years with them both.
Your work is beautiful! I can't imagine how tiring it is to do all that packing up and unpacking and all over again. Your two dogs look so content together. -Jenn
Do it alone.... rugs are heavy! - Sometimes it gets discouraging, but at the shows I get some appreciation for what I do and make, unlike at home most days. So it's a positive thing for me, even when I'm worn out from the loading, driving, setting up, selling, tearing down, driving, and unloading. My dream is to get a small cargo trailer where the display stuff and canopy live all the time, as well as inventory ( just have to throw in any new stuff. Just hook up and go, and get home and unhook. Maybe someday.
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