A Successful Adventure...

Kentucky Girl Designs Booth Back Wall

Well, I've finished my street fairs for the summer, and the pressure of making pendants and product is temporarily over...at least until the November/December holiday shows! The San Anselmo Art and Wine Festival was all-in-all a successful experience for me from a sales and marketing experience. In general I think that street fairs are a mixed bag -- they are grueling on many levels especially the prep and set up and not a ton of sales in this economy. HOWEVER, they are really great for me to be in because they get me out into the public in front of people and they get out the word about Kentucky Girl Designs. I get good feedback all along the spectrum -- excited, awestruck, friendly, lukewarm, indifferent. I take it all with a grain of salt and enjoy the process. I can see how many people appreciate the creative spirit, and also how some wish they could be more creative for themselves. These are the people that I welcome into my altered book workshops because I know I can get them in touch with that side of themselves! I also like the idea of my jewelry being worn and treasured by the "perfect person".

San Anselmo Art and Wine Festival 2011  Street View

And as a footnote,many thanks to my sister Mary -- always supporting that creative side of me and being with me for the show set up, sales, and tear-down. Among a zillion attributes, my sister is a booth stylist and sales floor whizz and "just the bestest" sister I could ever have.

My Adorable Sister Dearest, Mary

And hugs and kisses to my husband Munro for getting up at 5:00AM, transporting goods, set up and tear down, following directions from his loving and pushy wife, and tolerating a chaotic home for the past two months. And more hugs and kisses to all of my peeps (you know who you are) who came by to say hi or make a purchase, or even just sent good wishes my way!

My Co-Heart and Chief Sponsor

Working and Creating: Establishing a Discipline

My preparation for my exhibiting at the Caledonia Spring Street Faire in Sausalito has kept me away from posting this past month. It started with a dear (and wise) friend's challenge to establish a work schedule of 5-8 hours a day, 5 days a week, in my studio. This has not been easy for me...far from it...but I am happy to report that I have accomplished that initial challenge and I will continue to adhere to a schedule -- both in the studio as well as online -- as I build my jewelry and creativity workshops. It would have been great to write about this over the last month or so -- but I honestly had no extra energy to spare. So I just worked in my studio and watched what emerged. It really is kind of wonderful. Looking forward to seeing what happens this weekend. If you are in the area, please drop by the Faire, 9am-6pm, Caledonia Street, Sausalito -- and say "Hi"!

Street Fair Prep: Trial Booth Set Up

Trial Run Set Up

In my prep for my participation in the upcoming Caledonia Spring Street Faire in Sausalito, I decided to do a pre-booth set up to get a hold on what I still needed to do within my 2-week deadline. I asked my girlfriend Shara (queen of space design, decoration and tchotchke placement) to help me. Prior to our meeting I picked up my EZ-Tent from the local hardware store. Meeting back at the house we "easily" (with a few minor comedic errors) set up the tent under our old oak in the front yard and opened the tables. Next was bringing out "stuff" from my art studio: altered journals and books, oriel pendants, necklaces, ribbons, chains, assemblages, framed collages, more jewelry, notecards, vintage boxes and mannequins for display....Kentucky Girl Magical Stuff

It all fell together very easily, and within about 3 hours, had things arranged, categorized, and knew what holes needed to be filled and where. I also took photos to refer to when we set up Sunday morning (May 30th), everything will be grouped in boxes, and set up should go pretty quickly. Now back into my studio to make more oriels! To tell you the truth it felt good to see it all out there in the daylight.

Inspector Numero Uno (Angelina Beautyquina)

Inspector Number 2 (Zeus the Magnificat)

P.S. I should not fail to mention that Shara and I had two very important, nay essential, helpers that did their share of overseeing, inspecting, and channeling good vibes.