Some Thoughts and A Strawberry Swing Recap

I had a lot of fun in Kansas City at the Strawberry Swing.  I met some great artists and makers and had wonderful conversations with them.  I also really loved chatting up my customers.  It was definitely, and thankfully, rejuvenating. Sometimes, when things are slow around the shop and blog, I get a little depressed and wonder if I'm just kidding myself.  I start to question my craft, my skills, my prices, my photographs, my writing...everything.  That's not a good place to be. That's toxic.  But along comes a craft show filled with like-minded and like-crafty people to boost me back up again.  I felt incredibly humbled by the number of people who walked into my booth and complimented my work.  They used words like "beautiful," "incredible," and "amazing," and I said "thank you" to every single one.  I needed that.  I was all smiles all day.

So now I feel ready to take on the handmade world again.  I feel renewed.  I'm ready for more shows, and I'm ready to try some new things.

I would definitely participate in the Strawberry Swing again.  It was my first time setting up a 10 by 10 foot booth for my shop.  So playing around with set-up was fun.  I will be making changes and upgrades for the next show. 

My booth!! (And my new maxi skirt!)

 

My husband whipped up a couple displays just days prior to the show.  He made one for my felt paintings (below) and one for my brooches (that I didn't photograph--which was dumb--but you kind of see it on the far left of the booth photo).  I'm so thankful for his help too. Not only does he build things for me, but he helps haul my stuff, set-up, tear down, and hangs out with me during the day.  He runs and gets me snow cones, because I have a headache and no advil. He even helps me felt sometimes...

 

 

We got incredibly lucky with the weather for July.  I mean, CRAZY lucky.  The temperature was in the 70s, mostly cloudy, slightly breezy. Crazy for the midwest.  Did I mention it was crazy? Yeah, thought so.

I had all the makings for a felt tea party!

I met Meredith, who makes fabulous dinnerware. I scored this plate and one of these plates (the one with the skull), because who doesn't want to eat from these?

I also met Emily, who was really excited to see that I offer custom pet portraits.  I'll be partnering with her soon over on her blog for a giveaway.  Keep your eyes peeled for that!

So, with rejuvenation comes organization, and boy does my craft room need that.  If you need me this weekend, I'll be straightening and categorizing mounds of fluff and piles of other hobbies. :)