Here I am! Come to Oak Knoll Park from 10-5 today and shop handmade!
Find me in the corner o’cute with Riley Coninstruction and Hypercraftive!!
Indie Craft Revolution!
Just a little over a week away is my first show of the year, Indie Craft Revolution. Last year, this was the first show I had ever done. Looking back on my experience last year, I was almost completely clueless and at the same time, quite lucky. I had a successful show and met lots of friendly crafties that were more than willing to answer a newbie’s questions. I’m fortunate enough to call all of them friends today.
This year, as the show approaches, I’ve been mentioning it on Facebook as well as on Twitter some. This year, a newbie crafter started asking me questions about the show, and as someone who was new last year, I was eager to help. I hope that I was able to answer her questions and give her a positive outlook on what the year may hold for her first time in the St. Louis craft community.
Sometimes paying it forward is the very best way of paying it back.
Now – the details!
If you don’t at least consider coming to Indie Craft Revolution at the St. Louis Artist’s Guild on April 30th (from 10am-5pm) and May 1st (from 10am-4pm) – I will officially deem thee “uncool.” A lost sole (yeah, that’s right. I called you a fish.)
There’s something for everyone at ICR and you might walk away with something for free. Oh? I didn’t mention that? Yup. Giveaways and bags 0′ swag if you’re one of the lucky first ones.
So there you go! Your last weekend of April is planned, so you better stop by and say hello or I will come up with more fishy names to call ye!
“Sew” far…
I’m working my little tail off getting ready. (Ok, fine. It’s not a *little* tail.) I have 4 shows lined up for spring so far, and like I do – They’re in two clusters a month a part from each other. Why do I do this to myself? Oh, I know… because I kinda love it.
This year, I feel a bit more prepared. Last year, when my friend and I started on this journey, we had 3 main products we were selling. The cloth wipes, the burp cloths and the change kit. I’ve expanded some things, held back on others, and learned the ropes by jumping in head-first.
As I head into Indie Craft Revolution this year, I realize how far I’ve come. Last year this time, I was slaving away each night and scared half to death that I wouldn’t have enough product or I would be laughed at or My table would look terrible or I didn’t study for my test and show up to school naked… wait. no. That last one was from a movie. Or high school. Something.
While I’m stressed about the upcoming cluster of shows, I’m not as hard on myself. Part of this is because I have several shows under my belt, but another part of it is because I know I have to be. If I’m too hard on myself, I’m setting myself up for failure and lots of stress.
Something else that has helped me a great deal to relax, is the crafty people I’ve met that I can now call friends. I really realized this at my first ShowMe Etsy meeting. It was the first meeting with we newbies and they went around the group doing introductions. The all too familiar warm face, heart racing feeling of my youth came back. I HATE being the center of attention. Every insecurity from childhood comes racing back, and even though I knew I was staring into the faces of like-minded people and friends, I was still nervous.
Later in the evening, I did end up speaking up. I shared an unfortunate customer interaction I had at last year’s ICR. It was in that moment that I realized I did belong there. I earned my place in that group by loving what I do and taking pride in my craft. For the rest of the night, I was free to be myself.
I’m not saying that the same ol’ insecurities won’t resurface when I walk into ICR to set up, or when I go to my next SME meeting, but if I can remind myself of this post and those feelings, I think I’ll be ok.