This morning I saw the light---or to be more precise I saw a sign.

With The CAM ETSY sale coming up on December 6th, I have been trying to make some bright holiday ornaments for my AngelsGourden table. Usually I just work in whatever direction the gourd takes me but this year I was trying to make the ornament “sets” that customers have asked for in previous years. You know—get that all important sale that covers the booth fee. When I got the 12th mini gourd in the “set” I was getting real tired at looking at the same shapes and colors and I realized that for the first time I was not enjoying my work. Making something had become boring! It was-- no. fun. Show sales this year have been few and far between and ESTY business has been worse. I fell asleep last night wondering if it was time to stop making things and take piano lessons instead. To say the least, I was bummed. This morning Monday got here all too soon and it was time to get back to my “real” job. The paper was slowly moving from the left side of my desk to the right and the file cabinet was filling up as usual. Then my boss suggested that since I am the “crafty one” in the office that I make a sign for the Toy Drive box that sits in our lobby every year. Nothing fancy-just a quick sign to let the pick-up crew know that they get the toys but need to leave our collection box behind. I grabbed my small collection of Sharpies and a couple highlighters and set to work. I enjoyed making that simple little sign. Not for money but for a good cause. Just a few block letters and a quick sketch of a holiday package. The “V” is a little crooked, but it will do the job-and it was not work…it was FUN! Like I said- “I saw the sign”. No more “sets”. No more worrying about the “sale”. I am just going to make things for fun and let fate do the rest.

Hello World!
It is almost Spring! That means it is almost time for the start of the craft show season. The plan for this year is much broader than last year’s. With one successful sales event to my credit, I have decided to sign up for multiple shows this year.

In April I will be found at Per Marquette Lodge in Grafton Illinois. The Lodge is a beautiful building of the CCC era. With stone walls and lofting beam ceilings the lodge is a piece of Americana. The lodge is a wonderful place to grab a bite to eat and take a stroll amid the beautiful grounds. There is a paved walking path along the river road for those looking for a place to stretch their legs.

The Spring & Mushroom Festival will be April 11th from 11am-3pm. At this show, held in the main hall of the lodge, will be an array of local artist and crafters displaying and offering their items for sale. I will have an AngelsGourden table with mushroom lamps, gourd vases, gourd bowls, and other forms of gourd art. I will also have a display of my beaded pouch necklaces. Please stop by and say Hi!

Also in April I will have a table at the ShowMe Etsy sponsored Artropy on April 17th from 10am—3:30pm at Sqwires Annex in the Lafeyette Square area of St Louis( http://sqwires.com/). ShowMe Etsy is a group of local artists and crafters who enjoy getting together to work as a team to present their arts and crafts to the public (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=354432762627). I would love to see you
there!